Pump advice - how to avoid snapped valves?

sparkins1972

Can anyone recommend a decent pump to fit on the frame of my bike while out riding. I have a track pump at home, but have run into a few problems while out on the road with my current pump (a Topeak) snapping the valves.

Take Saturday for example, I got a puncture after 10 miles, stuck my brand new spare tube in, tried to inflate it to around 80psi (as in my experience anything less than that runs the risk of pinch punctures) - I got to around 60 PSI and the valve snapped clean off. I then repaired the original tube and the same thing happened again - a long walk back to the nearest bike shop to get it sorted. It seems after 60psi, a huge amount of effort is needed to get any more air into the tires and this in turn places a huige amount fo pressure on the valve as modern pumps apply a lot of lateral force on the valves. anyone come across a pump that can actually safely pump up road tires to appropriate pressures?

Thanks

skyd0g

I use one such as the Lezyne that has a 'traditional' hose.
Such as: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lezyne_Pressure_Drive_Mini_Pump_Medium/5360034753/

cougie

Use a lezyne pump - they have rubber connectors that screw on between the pump and valve - old school style. The valves are breaking cos you're wiggling the pump too much - this will avoid that completely.

sparkins1972

That is what I thought too cougie - once I got past 60psi, the force I was having to put into pumping it up further was causing the valve to snap. Seems a fundamental flaw in the design of the Topeak style pumps. they are advertised as being able to pump up to 120psi, but I would challenge anyone to do that.

Can you get decent pressures wth the lezyne pumps?

cougie

Oops crossposted with skyd0g.

Yeah I reckon you can get to 100PSI or so with the lezyne pretty easily, and I think thats all you need. In the comic this week there was a pro talking about things he wished he knew earlier and he was saying hes riding better now with 95- 100 PSI in the wheels and he's not flatting as much.

sparkins1972

Great stuff - thanks to both of you - will be ordering a new pump today - it's no fun getting punctures at the best of times but when it is 31 degrees and you snap the valve off too, it gets beyone frustrating, especially as I had to brave the local Halfords to get stocked up with new tubes before setting out once more!

As for tyre pressures I never really go over 95psi, as i find it is more comfortable on longer rides, but rolling resistance doesn't seem to be impacted much if any.

cheers

Stephen

Monty Dog

Firstly, don't believe manufacturers' claims for most mini-pumps - for 120psi on the packet, read 80psi 'on the road. Your forearms usually run out of puff long before the pump does - anything more than 100 strokes IME is getting ridiculous - by which time your ride buddies may have left to continue their ride.

Get a proper frame-fit pump if you want decent pressures with reliable, minimum effort

Secondly, hold the pump head securely to the wheel - hook your thumb over the tyre. Supporting the wheel against a tree or wall helps too.

Lezyne mini pumps are better than most. - but a frame fit is better.

keef66

I have a Topeak Road Morph which:

has a mini gauge

has a flexible connector

clips onto the frame

works like a track pump so you're pushing downwards against the ground


100 psi and no snapped valves. I still don't own a track pump

squigs

I am of the opinion that no pump other than a track pump will ever get anywhere near the pressure you need. Even at 60psi the tyre feels solid, so just get some air into it so you can get to the end. Is the valve nut tight enough so it doesnt move around too much when pumping?

sparkins1972

Yep, the valve nut is tight and I have experimented with all kinds of grips etc to try to prevent the valve bending but no joy so definitely going to have a look at some of the options mentioned on here.

thanks for all the input

Rich Hcp

squigs wrote:

I am of the opinion that no pump other than a track pump will ever get anywhere near the pressure you need. Even at 60psi the tyre feels solid, so just get some air into it so you can get to the end. Is the valve nut tight enough so it doesnt move around too much when pumping?

I agree.

To me, frame pump is a "Get me home" device", all you can do it get as much air as you can and support the end of the pump on the valve

danowat

I know the whole "you can only carry so many canisters" argument, but IMO, I swear by CO2.

I recently had a puncture 6 miles into a very warm 73mile sportive, tube changed and pumped up in no time at all, the last thing I'd have wanted to be doing was standing at the side of the road furiously pounding away with a mini pump!!!!

Monkeypump

danowat wrote:

I know the whole "you can only carry so many canisters" argument, but IMO, I swear by CO2.

I recently had a puncture 6 miles into a very warm 73mile sportive, tube changed and pumped up in no time at all, the last thing I'd have wanted to be doing was standing at the side of the road furiously pounding away with a mini pump!!!!

I'm surprised the first mention of CO2 inflators is this far into the thread. A few canisters will be enough for most eventualities, and they're quick with zero-effort.

sungod

this one...

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Lezyn ... 360040908/

goes over 120psi without huge effort - i was day dreaming as i pumped, didn't check the gauge!

long hose, flip out foot so it works like a mini track pump, light, lovely build quality

co2 is the fastest/easiest, but unless you carry muliple cartridges, or ride with pump-carrying chums, you cannot rely on co2 only when riding far frome home/help - save co2 for races where it can save a couple of minutes vs a pump

in may i had to use the pump three times in just two hours when riding up in the hills in portugal, and a few more times on other days, there's no way i want to carry so many cartridges just to be sure i'm covered

the lezyne weighs about the same as four co2 cartridges, and it doesn't run out of air

CarleyB

+1 for the leyzne floor drive mni pump

DCowling

I may be stating the obvious and apologies if I am but do you actually brace your hand against the wheel whilst inflating, to stop the movement on the valve. as your arm will be going like a fiddlers elbow and this movement transfers to the pump
I usually hook my index finger or thumb onto the wheel so it stops the movement on the valve and also makes you more efficient with the pump.

don't want to sound patronising but thought it was worth mentioning

sparkins1972

Not patronising at all - but in answer to your question I have tried the full kama sutra of hand / pump / wheel / spoke / leg grip combos. It's been quite an adventure but, alas, largely unfulfilling

dennisn

keef66 wrote:

I have a Topeak Road Morph which:

has a mini gauge

has a flexible connector

clips onto the frame

works like a track pump so you're pushing downwards against the ground


100 psi and no snapped valves. I still don't own a track pump

+1111111111 for the Morph.

Berk Bonebonce

Buy inner tubes/tubeless tyres with replaceable valve cores, eg. Vittoria.

Headhuunter

keef66 wrote:

I have a Topeak Road Morph which:

has a mini gauge

has a flexible connector

clips onto the frame

works like a track pump so you're pushing downwards against the ground


100 psi and no snapped valves. I still don't own a track pump

Me too. Got a Topeak Road Morph as part of my recent Cycle Scheme order and it's amazing! I had a cheapo Decathlon version before. On the Decathlon, 2 weeks in and the pressure guauge broke and getting tyre pressure up beyond about 60psi (limp hom levels) was pretty much impossible.

The Road Morph is amazing. Flexi hose to fit to the valve, decent if small and hard to read pressure guauge and effortless pumping. Getting up to 90-100psi is a complete breeze. 120psi takes a little more effort but I've managed to inflate the tyre from zero to 120psi within about 30 seconds. The contrast between the Road Morph and the cheapo Decathlon is amazing. No need for CO2 and no probs with valves snapping.

sparkins1972

the Morph seems to get a lot of positive feedback, as does the Lezyne - how bulky are they, do they fit on the frame easily enough? i am not worried about the odd oz or 2 extra weight, as my gut adds considerably more than that, but just want to make sure they are inobtrusive on the bike

Ta

Headhuunter

sparkins1972 wrote:

the Morph seems to get a lot of positive feedback, as does the Lezyne - how bulky are they, do they fit on the frame easily enough? i am not worried about the odd oz or 2 extra weight, as my gut adds considerably more than that, but just want to make sure they are inobtrusive on the bike

Ta

The Topeak comes with a bracket to fit it to the bike and weighs about 250 grammes. I don't actually put mine on the bracket I just stick it down the back of my shorts....

John C.

Glad I'm not the only one this has happened too. I was half way up Boltby bank when the rear went down, It was the middle of winter and my fingers were freezing after 2 minutes, I snapped the valve and failed to repair the old tube properly with numb fingers so I just pumped it up rode like hell home untill too flat to ride, re pumped rode like hell...................... think it's called interval training.
As said I've been very careful using the pump since and just pump up enough to get me home or to a bike shop where I can use a trck pump. I did notice it was a long valve which snapped and maybe it was too long for the rim.

rake

sparkins1972 wrote:

That is what I thought too cougie - once I got past 60psi, the force I was having to put into pumping it up further was causing the valve to snap. Seems a fundamental flaw in the design of the Topeak style pumps. they are advertised as being able to pump up to 120psi, but I would challenge anyone to do that.

Can you get decent pressures wth the lezyne pumps?

challenge met. before i had my track pump i used my topeak pocket pump to pump all of my tires. never had a problem. i can see how you could have a problem being ham fisted though. when you say break the valve off which part is that. the screw piece at the top, the stem from the rubber or other. i would be happy to come round and prove it can be done. most importantly, hold both ends of the pump and dont have the wheel agaist anything solid. if the wheel can move about freely no force can be put on the valve.

boondog

sparkins1972 wrote:

they are advertised as being able to pump up to 120psi, but I would challenge anyone to do that.

thats a marketing trick, it's the pressure the pumps seal can withstand, not the pressure you can pump your tyre up to.

Headhuunter

rake wrote:

sparkins1972 wrote:

That is what I thought too cougie - once I got past 60psi, the force I was having to put into pumping it up further was causing the valve to snap. Seems a fundamental flaw in the design of the Topeak style pumps. they are advertised as being able to pump up to 120psi, but I would challenge anyone to do that.

Can you get decent pressures wth the lezyne pumps?

challenge met. before i had my track pump i used my topeak pocket pump to pump all of my tires. never had a problem. i can see how you could have a problem being ham fisted though. when you say break the valve off which part is that. the screw piece at the top, the stem from the rubber or other. i would be happy to come round and prove it can be done. most importantly, hold both ends of the pump and dont have the wheel agaist anything solid. if the wheel can move about freely no force can be put on the valve.

Yep, as mentioned before, my Topeak Road Morph can get up to 120 psi without too much effort

#7rider

Ditch the mini pumps !

I got a puncture and broke mine in frustration on one of the coldest days of the year at Notting Hill not quite half way home.

Stranded I nearly froze in the station waiting for lift from my wife

I think most of the mini pumps are poor value for money and wouldn't buy one again, like you I've ruined a few tubes by busting valves

Get a frame pump like the Zefal HPX this will get you to 100psi and some clips from Halfords or velcro to help attach if needed

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Zefal ... 360043670/

If you're in real hurry also use co2 cannisters, Innovations combine pump with co2

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Innov ... 9349/#more

jthef

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-t ... OPEPUMR280
.
easier to use as pushing down, no strain on valve, good to 110 psi asthis is the pressure I use.
I fit it to the bike with a Blackburn pump holder so well out of the way.