Mini Pump Selection

Maidhci

I need to buy a reasonably good mini-pump, ideally pocket sized, capable of inflating to 100 - 120psi, to include in my saddle bag on cycles. I am looking at the selection available on CRC and wonder if anyone might have any suggestions or recommendations. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

colm_gti

I bought this one and it seems to be doing a good job of occupying a space in my back pocket....

JC 3.14159

I've got this'n:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24666

Does the trick, gets up to reasonable pressures (might want to top up with a track pump when you get home though, as with most of these things). Seems pretty solid. Comes with a reversible tube which stows inside that'll do Schrader or Presta valves. This is better than one that fits directly (solidly) onto the valve and risks snapping it when you're squeezing in the last few PSI. A bit pricier than others but worth it - I'd been through a few cheaper ones before buying this.

My only niggle was with continental innertubes which had a screw in bit on top of the Presta valve (just below the screw-in sealing bit that all Prestas have). The pump tended to unscrew that when you removed it, once it was pumped up. Most other brands I've tried are solid at the tip so this isn't an issue.

In more correct bike-speak; some tubes have removable valve cores (for using valve extenders or applying innertube sealant). If they aren't fully tightened, the pump tends to unscrew the valve core once you're finished pumping, instead of unscrewing from the valve. Annoying when you've spent a few mins squeezing the last few psi in, only to have to let all the air out to extract the valve core from the pump, fit again (remembering to tighten it properly), and restart pumping.

Maidhci

JC 3.14159 wrote: »

I've got this'n:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24666

Does the trick, gets up to reasonable pressures (might want to top up with a track pump when you get home though, as with most of these things). Seems pretty solid. Comes with a reversible tube which stows inside that'll do Schrader or Presta valves. This is better than one that fits directly (solidly) onto the valve and risks snapping it when you're squeezing in the last few PSI. A bit pricier than others but worth it - I'd been through a few cheaper ones before buying this.

My only niggle was with continental innertubes which had a screw in bit on top of the Presta valve (just below the screw-in sealing bit that all Prestas have). The pump tended to unscrew that when you removed it, once it was pumped up. Most other brands I've tried are solid at the tip so this isn't an issue.

Have had a look at this - the size is not given in the review, similar to the Topeak mini-pumps. What is the approximate length?

Dipsomaniac

I have the Lezyne Pressure Drive as well. Not sure which one I have off hand but my gripe with it is that the hose which stows inside rattles a lot. Really annoying. I attach the pump to the bike and the hose is kept in my saddle bag.

Wishbone Ash

Dipsomaniac wrote: »

my gripe with it is that the hose which stows inside rattles a lot. Really annoying. I attach the pump to the bike and the hose is kept in my saddle bag.

Try wrapping it in cling film. It will also keep it clean until required.

Konkers

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Try wrapping it in cling film. It will also keep it clean until required.

Good tip.



I bought this after destroying and being disappointed at the lack of pressure from multiple mini pumps. I never felt i could continue with the planned ride without the possibility of another puncture. However once its pumped with this you're good to continue on. Its attached to my top tube with a mount. Will inflat to requisite pressure. Dimensions are on the bike 24 website. It's not super light. One of the best pieces of kit I've bought.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=2909

mossym

i bought this one, no complaints
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-pressure-drive-mini-abs-pump-small/

have it mounted on my road bike. have a new bike coming and contemplating buying another to save me having to switch between the two

smacl

I've found this one to be pretty good; http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-carbon-mini-pump/ I find the right angled handle cuts down on the effort needed to pump from flat. I'm only going up to 90-100 psi on 25mm tyres though.

Idleater

If you've got a bike with (close to) normal size tubes I recommend the zefal hpx.

Mcofferon

Hi Maidhci, I picked up a Topeak Race Rocket year, hasn't been used in anger yet but I tested it and you could reasonably expect 100-110 psi out of it. It's 7" long though so might be a bit long for the saddlebag? Shop around and you'll pick one up for under €25.

Same as the one Colm_gti listed

route66

Like a few others above I have the Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini Pump (link)

It's a very high quality, tiny pump. The main thing for me though is that it connects to the valve with a flexible hose. It doesn't really matter how good a pump is; if it connects directly to the valve you will break off the valve at some point.

I've used it lots, but only once when I had to (puncture in the wilderness). I doubt it inflated the tyre to a full 120psi, but it would have come close and I was able to continue on the cycle without any issues. The Lezyne is very expensive but it's worth it.

cdaly_

Mine is a Topeak Morph Mini which has a foot brace and flexible hose so you can use it like a track pump. It claims 160psi but I haven't had to use it in anger yet so I can't say. Like any other pump I've had, it gathers dirt (and the hose did fill up with water on one occasion, prolly 'cos I have it mounted down by the pedals). I carry CO2 and an inflator and that's what I use when required.

StaggerLee

Are Co2 canisters any use? For races I mean...

JC 3.14159

The Lezyne one above can be got in two lengths - small or medium;

http://www.lezyne.com/products/hand-pumps/high-pressure#tab-2http://

170 or 216mm long.

Mine is the smaller one, which works fine. It bolts in neatly beside a bottle cage. The one in the chain reaction link above looks like the medium version. Fewer strokes for that one I guess.

ford2600

Leznye make good pumps, the screw on is much much better than the usual push on.
Thought they were expensive until I needed it in middle of nowhere

route66 wrote: »

Like a few others above I have the Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini Pump (link)

It's a very high quality, tiny pump. The main thing for me though is that it connects to the valve with a flexible hose. It doesn't really matter how good a pump is; if it connects directly to the valve you will break off the valve at some point.

I've used it lots, but only once when I had to (puncture in the wilderness). I doubt it inflated the tyre to a full 120psi, but it would have come close and I was able to continue on the cycle without any issues. The Lezyne is very expensive but it's worth it.

Idleater

StaggerLee wrote: »

Are Co2 canisters any use? For races I mean...

I have them for the race bike all right.

ednwireland

the new lezynes have a pressure release button on the flexible hose not sure if all of them have it, but might make unscrewing the valves less likely (or not)

colm_gti

StaggerLee wrote: »

Are Co2 canisters any use? For races I mean...

I'd imagine that by the time you get the tube changed, it'd make no difference how quickly you get the air into the tyre as you'd have no hope of catching the bunch anyway....

Jocry

smacl wrote: »

I've found this one to be pretty good; http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-carbon-mini-pump/ I find the right angled handle cuts down on the effort needed to pump from flat. I'm only going up to 90-100 psi on 25mm tyres though.

I ordered this two days ago so I'm just waiting on it to be delivered from Wiggle. Even though the spec gives max pressure 120psi, I'm not expecting much more than 90-100psi, its to get me out of a situation while out on my bike, it will not be my main pump.

cdaly_

colm_gti wrote: »

StaggerLee wrote: »

Are Co2 canisters any use? For races I mean...

I'd imagine that by the time you get the tube changed, it'd make no difference how quickly you get the air into the tyre as you'd have no hope of catching the bunch anyway....

OTOH, if you strap a few to your chainstays and pierce them* just at the start of the sprint you might improve your placing...




* Just make sure you mount them pointing backwards...

Idleater

colm_gti wrote: »

I'd imagine that by the time you get the tube changed, it'd make no difference how quickly you get the air into the tyre as you'd have no hope of catching the bunch anyway....

My logic isn't for getting back on, it's for getting home ;-)

colm_gti

Idleater wrote: »

My logic isn't for getting back on, it's for getting home ;-)

In that case is it not cheaper long term to have a pump?

cdaly_

Depends on how much you value your pumping time...

I use CO2 'cos I can't be arsed putting all that effort into pumping a tyre nearly hard enough. I'm not rushing to get back on to a bunch.

colm_gti

cdaly_ wrote: »

Depends on how much you value your pumping time...

pedro_colnago

I have a blackburn airstick sl, i can get it into a jersey pocket or a saddlebag. cant fault it. ive got 100psi at the side of the road and it seems a solid peice of kit with a lifetime warranty

Idleater

colm_gti wrote: »

In that case is it not cheaper long term to have a pump?

You've read the euro rules right?

:-)

colm_gti

Idleater wrote: »

You've read the euro rules right?

:-)

It's grand, mine lives in my back pocket, I hate things stuck to my bike, especially those god awful saddle sack things!