Rubbish Pump (?)

charliew87

Hi all

Dusted the bike off today, hadn't used it thus far in December due to being drunk/hungover/scared of the wind. Tyres felt a tad soft so got out the pump I was given free when I got the bike. It's a really small one, which told me the tyres were at about 55psi each. I then spent about 20mins furiously pumping with this infernal thing, and got them both to 75psi before I nearly passed out and my arms fell off.

Is this normal? Am I doing it wrong? Should I invest in a more substantial pump?

cheers

pottssteve

Did you try the pump on both tyres, thus eliminating the chance that the one you were pumping had a puncture of some sort? I'm assuming you unscrewed the valves.....

If so, it sounds like your pump could indeed be rubbish. What make/model is it? Is it an Aldi special? Often the part that goes over the valve can become difficult to attach, thus not forming an airtight seal. If you're after a replacement in the sales I can recommend that Top Peak Mini Morph or any of the small Lezyne models.

Steve

Mad Roadie

I used to struggle for ages with pumps - then decided if you were at home get a track pump (Joe Blow or Bontrager) and on the road use gas - (Leyzene's 22g head its so small and light - no bits on the frame etc, and moves with me from bike to bike

cougie

Yes mini pumps are often rubbish. Treat yourself to the joe Blow track pump for home and get a lezyne mini pump to ride with.

Gizmodo

As others have said, a free tiny frame pump will be rubbish. For home use you need a Track Pump, Argos do a good one that is reviewed well on this site, http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3334931/Trail/searchtext%3ETRACK+PUMP.htm

Then for the road, assuming you carry a spare inner tube or repair kit, you will need a decent frame pump like the ones others have recommended.

charliew87

This is what I've got
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165661

I'll go buy a stand up one.

t.m.h.n.e.t

Mini pumps are really for emergency only,they aren't too capable of 100+PSI but just enough to get you home in a fix.

Good track pump will see you right! Mine is a £25 jobbie from Argos and I love it

charliew87

Bought a £25 track pump. Took 5 secs to do what took 10 mins with the other piece of shit!

dizzyblonde82

I have just ordered one of these: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-high-p ... loor-pump/ gets good reviews and only £11.50.

pottssteve

For home use I have a Joe Blow - excellent pump.

dabber

charliew87 wrote:

Bought a £25 track pump. Took 5 secs to do what took 10 mins with the other piece of shoot!

So true... SWMBO got me a track pump (Joe Blow) for Christmas... I can't believe how easy it is. I must have been mad struggling on with my Lenzyne Pressure Drive (great as it is for emergencies on a ride).

t.m.h.n.e.t

I was quite often out of breath struggling with a mini-pump. Now I sometimes deflate my tyres for fun

cyberknight

most mini pumps are hard work to get a decent pressure.

At home i have a track pump , on the weekender i carry ..

http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/racerocket_black

For the commuter i carry this and you will get up to over 90 psi very quickly , it does come with a frame mount if you do not mind carrying a larger pump
http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/RoadMorphG

uneasyonwheels

I got various Aldi/Lidl pumps. The pin on the bit where you fit it on to the valve tends to come out on one side and the pump will not inflate. I replaced this with a nail and bent it over to stop it coming out and no further problems.

woodywmb

You won't go wrong with an old style bicycle pump. Keep the pump itself in your garage for heavy duty use and simply take the adaptor (airhose) out when you go cycling. It screws easily onto the tyre valve and you just bend down and blow (hard) into the tube. Takes some puff to get the tyre hard but avoids all the flaff with a pump. Also toughens up your lungs for hard pedalling sessions.