Mini Pumps

nonnac85

Need to get a new one as my old (cheap, supermarket) one broke at the furthest point (typical!) from home at the weekend.

Looking to spend around a tenner and both of these look ok for what I want. Any thoughts / recomendations appreciated.

Blackburn Mountain Air

Topeak Peakini

Thanks

blister pus

Flick a coin, both great pumps for the money. I've got the Peakini, mate's got the Blackburn. Both sturdy and do the job. Peakini T-handle is very ...err...handy.

JxL

I heard good things about Blackburn pumps...

However don't go by the price!

I bought a tesco pump a while ago for around £2.50, and recently a mini pump for £14. Guess which is better? Tesco.

blister pus

And on the flip side of that my Peakini replaced a £4.50 Beto pump which lasted approximately 3 months.

The Spiderman

My Blackburn Mammoth pump is still going strong after 3 years use.Good pump.
If I was to buy again I`d be tempted by a Lezyne,though even if they are a few quid more.

nonnac85

thanks for the replies.

ended up going for the blackburn as i found out they have a lifetime warranty.

Surf-Matt

I have a Lezyne Alloy Drive. It's only a pump yet it's somehow manages to be sexy.

If you have presta valves you MUST get a flexible connector. Those press on ones snap valve cores.

rowlers

this is a sexy looking pump:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=24595

don't know how good it is though.

Like this too:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=37218

llamafarmer

Surf-Matt wrote:

I have a Lezyne Alloy Drive. It's only a pump yet it's somehow manages to be sexy.

If you have presta valves you MUST get a flexible connector. Those press on ones snap valve cores.

Amen to both of those! I've also got an Alloy Drive - gorgeous bit of kit

ratty2k

Not slagging off, but really SEXY pumps? It has to work well, and hopefully will spend all its time shoved in my pack- not having punctures then....
I have visions of a few blokes sat round fondling their pumps- phwoar!

llamafarmer

ratty2k wrote:

Not slagging off, but really SEXY pumps? It has to work well, and hopefully will spend all its time shoved in my pack- not having punctures then....
I have visions of a few blokes sat round fondling their pumps- phwoar!

Sexy as in it looks beautifully made and feels so too. I haven't had mine long enough for a long term review, but I'm well impressed so far. Oh and it inflates tyres fast!

nonnac85

If you have presta valves you MUST get a flexible connector

Got schrader valves so hopefully it should be ok.

I wonder why there are so many people with fast inflating pumps on this forum?!?!

gaanrowl

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=24595


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=37218

has anyone had any experence of these pumps???

Surf-Matt

Gaan - I have the carbon Airstik and it kept snapping my valve cores off (Presta) so I gave it to Mrs Matt who has Schraeders. Works fine on hers.

I'm not sure why it's taken pump makers so long to realise that those push on pumps simply don't work with Prestas unlike you inflate tyres like a little girl. Any movement and the valve snaps. Funnily enough my old £3 pump worked better than my £30++ carbon Airstik!!

Now I have the Lezyne - great design and weighs naff all.

blister pus

Surf-Matt wrote:

I'm not sure why it's taken pump makers so long to realise that those push on pumps simply don't work with Prestas unlike you inflate tyres like a little girl. Any movement and the valve snaps.

You've gotta be careful for sure, I've always found it's straightening the valve out after that invariably snaps them. Although I was pretty impressed with Conti presta valves, seemed to be a lot stronger than other tube valves I've encountered so far. But there's a definite knack involved in not killing Presta valves with these pumps, starting with a decent sturdy pump with a good rubber seal. Making sure the pump head nozzle is wide open to start is a must, it's a breeze after that.

Placing the nozzle on the valve and screwing the nozzle tight round the valve and flicking the lever ensures a) you haven't rammed the pump onto the valve bending it b) got a really tight seal. I can use the pump pretty aggressively after that provided I keep it horizontal to the valve - that's the hard bit, you need to have a solid stance when you're doing it.

Getting the pump head off is easy provided you release the lever and unscrew the seal properly and give it a sharp downward smack - comes off nice and clean and doesn't bend the valve. .....that said, when you're knackered, sweaty and have places to get to and need to use the pump, the above isn't always possible (he says from bitter bent presta valve experience).

Surf-Matt

Blister - I had it happen three times - puncture in the middle of nowhere, spent ages pumping it up (always takes forever with any mini pump), pulled the pump off carefully then "snap" and "WHOOOOSH" and down goes the tyre sans valve core.

I don't have time for that hence getting an Alloy Drive with "old fashioned" style bendy valve tube. Simple is often best I find.

nonnac85

The Blackburn arrived today - pretty light.
Its gone straight into my pack for the bank holiday weekend :-)