Any recommendations for a good portable hand pump?

Bassjunkieuk

I'm looking for a new hand pump as my current one, picked up on the cheap from Sainsbury's , doesn't appear to want to work on my new bike! I'm not sure if it's because there's not much valve coming out of the rim (it's a Giant SCR 3.0 with the standard wheels - only about 20-30mm of valve to grip) but it worked fine on my older bike - which had more valve to grip!

As it's a road bike it'll need to be able to fit a presta valve and get me up to around 80-90PSI.

I'm also gonna be grabbing some new inner tubes as I got a puncture last night and couldn't fix it due to the pump not actually working! Luckily I was only about 4 miles from home so I walked it the rest of the way :-( If anyone has any good innertube recommendations (self sealant one's any good?) it would be greatly appreciated to! I'm popping into my LBS (Evans) tomorrow evening to get the bits

Totalnewbie

My Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster is by far the best I've tried. It also locks onto Presta valves properly (I have found others not so good with this). It lives in my pannier permanently.

Bassjunkieuk

I actually just spotted that one on the evans site :-) Looks quite nice and not to expensive either - having said that I'd have paid any price not to have walked home last night :-(

DavidTQ

Make sure you check the inner surface of the tyre thoroughly for any left over shards of glass etc.

I now carry a CO2 inflator and two cartridges - smaller than a mini pump.

My puncture kit is a spare tube, a repair kit, three good levers, the inflator and two CO2 cartrdiges all stuffed into the drinks bottle as I dont generally find time to drink on my commute anyway. I can get through two punctures with this kit if I get more than that in 7 miles I will just have to walk the rest of the way.

Bassjunkieuk

I had a good feel around inside the tube when I got in. Couldn't feel anything in there! The actual puncture was quite small and right on the seam of the inner tube! I thought I had it patched last night but when I got up (a bit earlier then normal luckily!) it was flat again! I rushed breakfast and had another look at it and it was leaking air from the edge of the patch I'd fitted. I covered that and it leaked on the other side and even after covering that air was still escaping! In the end I took the inner tube from my old road bike, and swapped it with that one with about 10 minutes to spare before I had to leave!

This does remind me of my other question, I was using a normal puncture repair kit, with the rubber glue and sticky patches. How long should I leave the glue to set before trying to re-inflate the tyre to the normal usage pressure, about 80PSI in my case? I waited about 10 minutes this morning but it still leaked when I re-inflated it!

Quite a stressful morning, felt a bit better once I got out on the bike tho :-D

DavidTQ

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

I had a good feel around inside the tube when I got in. Couldn't feel anything in there! The actual puncture was quite small and right on the seam of the inner tube! I thought I had it patched last night but when I got up (a bit earlier then normal luckily!) it was flat again! I rushed breakfast and had another look at it and it was leaking air from the edge of the patch I'd fitted. I covered that and it leaked on the other side and even after covering that air was still escaping! In the end I took the inner tube from my old road bike, and swapped it with that one with about 10 minutes to spare before I had to leave!

This does remind me of my other question, I was using a normal puncture repair kit, with the rubber glue and sticky patches. How long should I leave the glue to set before trying to re-inflate the tyre to the normal usage pressure, about 80PSI in my case? I waited about 10 minutes this morning but it still leaked when I re-inflated it!

Quite a stressful morning, felt a bit better once I got out on the bike tho :-D

Far more critical is the time from applying the glue to putting the patch on, the glue has to dry before you put the patch on! Dont hurry this step then a couple of minutes later its all fine to inflate.

My puncture kits are as cheap as they come £1 at a market but does a great job of sealing as long as I let the glue dry before putting the patch on.

Bassjunkieuk

THANK YOU!

That's probably where I was going wrong, I was applying glue, then the patch whilst it was still wet!

I shall remember this forever and be eternally grateful!

DavidTQ

Also just thinking your tyre pressures seem quite low for the SCR I run 120 rear and around 105-110 at the front. I find the bike shifts faster and easier with the higher pressure, also reduced chances of pinch flats, the slightly lower front pressure gives far better comfort the rear pressure isnt as critical to comfort (although thatcould be due to the carbon seat post?)

Another tip when fitting a tyre always fit it with the manufaturers logo line up with the valve that way when you find the punture in the tube you know where on the tyre to check for any remanants of what caused the problem!

BigBlackShed

This is from the Park Tools website: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=149 and never fit a tyre with tyre levers. You'll end up pinching the tube and get another hole. Been there and done that.

The site is the best I've found for showing you how to do repairs. Just ignore the "you must have this tool" etc.

I carry a Top Peak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster too. Good enough to get you home or work. I keep a track pump at work and home.

I've got 2 of these: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=748&src=froogle.

Over kill I know but I've had them years and they are bomb proof and fully servicable. LBS has one that has been there longer than the current owner. Over 16 years and still going strong.

Bassjunkieuk

I was running 80PSI as there are some fairly rough badly kept roads in my area and I found at 100PSI it was quite jarring riding down them! It felt a bit better this morning but I guess it's just a case of experimenting!

I'm sure on the tyre sidewalls it says inflate between 5 and 7 bar, so I tried 6 atm, I'll see if I can get them up higher and see how they do!

I did use the position of the puncture in relation to the valve to try and check the inner tube, and ran my finger around the inside and did a visual inspection of the outside. I only found 1 small item in embedded in the tube, but I do remember going past the remains of a broken window on the walk home so it might have been from that!

Matteeboy

BigBlackShed wrote:

This is from the Park Tools website: http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=149 and never fit a tyre with tyre levers. You'll end up pinching the tube and get another hole. Been there and done that.

The site is the best I've found for showing you how to do repairs. Just ignore the "you must have this tool" etc.

I carry a Top Peak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster too. Good enough to get you home or work. I keep a track pump at work and home.

I've got 2 of these: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=748&src=froogle.

Over kill I know but I've had them years and they are bomb proof and fully servicable. LBS has one that has been there longer than the current owner. Over 16 years and still going strong.

Also got a decent track pump recently and would never go without one now!
About not using tyre levers to put the tyre back on - do you just use your hands (I usually do this but it can be tricky)? And is it okay to use levers to get the tyre off?
Pretty swift and repairing tyres but always keen to improve how I do it!

Bassjunkieuk

I'm still waiting on the approval of the chief accountant (read wife) to get a decent track pump as she's a little worried about my spending on the new bike :-P I've got one that's doing a decent enough job considering it was only £3 from Lidl last year!!

as for not using tyre levers I might just about be able to get the tyre off my new bike without them, but getting it back on was slightly more difficult, I was OK until I got to the last 2-3 inches! I'm still normally quite careful and make sure I have the inner tube tucked up inside the tyre before inserting the lever tho....

redddraggon

Getting tyres on Campag rims is difficult - I use tyre levers carefully to get the tyre on the rim. I just don't seem to be able to do it without them.

BigBlackShed

I use levers to get the tyre off. If I catch the tube and put another hole in it, so what. It's got a punture anyway. Putting tyres on just takes practice and strong fingers and thumbs.

Put one bead on, put tube in, pushing tube right up into the tyre, put a bit of air in the tube so as to help it hold it's shape. Then with the wheel on your lap and the valve at 12 o'clock, start at 6 o'clock pushing the tyre onto the rim with both hands. Use both hands, and start pushing the tyre onto both "sides" at the same time. So your working up towards the valve equally. It will start to get tough when the tyre is on except for the bit between 11 and 1. Then stand the wheel on the floor resting against your knees with the valve at the top. Then pull the tyre on with your fingers in a gripping motion.

It takes a bit of practice but it saves pinching the new or repaired tube with a lever. One of the guys at the LBS showed me how to do it. And he can manage to put a 25 x 700 on with one hand!!!!!!!!!!! Any smaller and he looks human.

tardington

I used to use a Blackburn Airstick. It was okay, but not great.

I got my gf an Edinburgh Bikes own brand job, and it is brilliant - It now lives in my commuting panniers "for practicality"
http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLq ... 270m005454
It has the automatically adjust presta/schrader valve, and isn't heavy. Not sure what the max psi is, though ( the website doesn't say) I just feel the tyre with my finger.

Track pumps - I have a mid range track pump, it is wonderful to use at home - it has a pressure dial on, of course. My friend has the edin bikes own brand one, and swears by it.

Um, The Edinburgh Bike shop is on my way to work. I *promise* I don't work for it! (btw orders over 20 quid get free first class postage!)

dirk_van_gently

That's well put BIGBLACKSHED, good description.

I got the bike out the garage this morning to 2 flat tyres!

Front one I just put in the new tube, and the rear was a slow, so pumped it up hard and fixed it when I got to work. Only to find that the Co2 cartridege widget I have has broken, and won't pierce the cartridge, so had to pump it up manually. so this brings me to the question, has anyone tried these pump/cartridge combination things, and are they any good?

Matteeboy

BlackShed - TBH, it's not too hard with the XC racing MTB tyres I have (pretty soft) but it used to be a real pain with the heavier rubber I used to have. Plus I've been a gym fanatic since I was 16 (now 32) so I'd like to think I have decent strength in my hands and arms!

I'm after a small pump too so cheers all for advise.
Methinks my 12 year old 80s style cheapo pump is ready for the bin - although it still works!

tomfoolery

This thread is very relevant to me today. Got my second puncture in 9 months (12mi / day, virtually every work day) which is pretty good really I suppose. Thought I was fully equipped to deal with it only to find the pump doesnt work any more. It's one of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360013735&N=Crank%20Brothers%20Power%20Pump

and it seems to be leaking around the Schrader valve. I tried adjusting the ring but no luck.

I'd like something similar (small) - but which is guaranteed to work when required!


On a separate point - how do you set the pressure with CO2 cartridges?

BigBlackShed

Matteeboy wrote:

BlackShed - TBH, it's not too hard with the XC racing MTB tyres I have (pretty soft) but it used to be a real pain with the heavier rubber I used to have. Plus I've been a gym fanatic since I was 16 (now 32) so I'd like to think I have decent strength in my hands and arms!

To be honest I've a bit of an advantage, I'm an engineer by day and a bass player by night, so I've got pretty strong hands and fingers. But like "they" say, practice, practice, practice, and technique is everything.

dav1

i got a topeak master blaster mini pump with guage, awsome peice of kit. paid £12.99 on CRC for it.

DavidTQ

tomfoolery wrote:

This thread is very relevant to me today. Got my second puncture in 9 months (12mi / day, virtually every work day) which is pretty good really I suppose. Thought I was fully equipped to deal with it only to find the pump doesnt work any more. It's one of these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360013735&N=Crank%20Brothers%20Power%20Pump

and it seems to be leaking around the Schrader valve. I tried adjusting the ring but no luck.

I'd like something similar (small) - but which is guaranteed to work when required!


On a separate point - how do you set the pressure with CO2 cartridges?

Pressure setting on mine isnt a problem although it might be for people who have very specific tyre pressures. I will try to dig it out but somewhere theres a chart which tells you what pressure a complete cartridge takes a tyre to depending on its size I believe for my size tyre (700x25) a complete cartridge takes it to around 120psi, which is absolutely ideal... Will try to find a link for you.

Bassjunkieuk

Just a quick update :-)

First off can I thank you all for your feedback - I purchased my Master Blaster (w/ Pressure Gauge) today and think it's great!

The guy I was speaking to at the LBS tried to sell me a more expensive model - claiming that he'd used this pump and only managed to get the tyres up to about 60PSI and that it was slow as it only had a small barrel. I explained that I wanted this one as several people had recommended it to me (who aren't interested in making more money.......). He jokingly said "Keep hold of your receipt for when you want to bring it back!"

I've just replaced the patched up inner tube from my old bike with a nice new one and used the Master Blaster to re-inflate it as a chance to try it out. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least :-) I must have much stronger arms then the guy in the shop as I got it up to 7 bar (about 100PSI) - which is the max my tyres recommend - without really struggling!!!! Needless to say I don't think I'll be returning it!

dennisn

I carry the Topeak Road Morph. Easy to use and will give you more than enough
pressure.

Dennis Noward