How long to pump up a tyre?

littledove44
littledove44 Posts: 871
edited January 2014 in Road general
Preparing for a trip away I thought I would see how self sufficient I am.

So, I took my tyre off, without levers, and refitted it. (with the logos aligned of course).

I do carry CO2 cartridges, but thought I would see how long it took me to pump up my tyre.
25mm conti 4 seasons.
Specialized air tool mini road pump.

I did 400 pumps. First two hundred quite easy, last two hundred required some effort. Resultant pressure only 60 psi.
God knows how long I would have to go to get up to 100 psi.

Yes, I know I could get home on 60 psi, but if I puncture at the beginning of a sportive I would rather not rely on 60psi or CO2. I would also rather not buy another pump.

Have I missed anything?

Comments

  • roger_merriman
    roger_merriman Posts: 6,165
    Thats about right for small pump like that, size matters. I have a race rocket master blaster which is a touch bigger and thus will get to 100+psi with out much effort.

    very few mini pumps are much use for their intended purpose.
  • nigeldoyle
    nigeldoyle Posts: 78
    I bought a Specialized mini pump. I took it back because I couldn't get 100psi as claimed on the card. The salesman in the bike shop couldn't get 100psi either. I swapped it for a longer one where if I persist I can get about 95psi.
    Strava Profile: http://app.strava.com/athletes/2006066
  • Strith
    Strith Posts: 541
    If you don't want to buy a better pump, use the one you have now to pump your tyre to a reasonable pressure then use co2 to get it the rest of the way.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    littledove44 wrote:
    Have I missed anything?

    Yes, most mini-pumps are useless bike ornaments - buy a decent one like a Lezyne that doesn't need the forearms of Popeye and patience of a saint to reach a decent pressure.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • littledove44
    littledove44 Posts: 871
    Time to take it back I guess.

    Anyone know what pressure a CO2 cartridge will do on it's own?
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    littledove44 wrote:
    Anyone know what pressure a CO2 cartridge will do on it's own?
    100 psi (or more probably), two seconds. I've only tried it on 23mm tyres.

    It's quite scary the first time. You want to make really, really sure that the tube isn't pinched against the rim anywhere, and that the tyre beads are properly inside the rims all the way round.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    To be sure either a bigger pump, co2 or a small pump and "strength of the bear". That's the only choices and the issue is caused by the high pressures in road tyres.
  • Jon_1976
    Jon_1976 Posts: 690
    Monty Dog wrote:
    littledove44 wrote:
    Have I missed anything?

    Yes, most mini-pumps are useless bike ornaments - buy a decent one like a Lezyne that doesn't need the forearms of Popeye and patience of a saint to reach a decent pressure.

    I've got a Small Lezyne tech drive and ,whilst it is decent in terms of build quality, I'd say it's bordering on useless. Think the most I've managed is about 80psi, it took ages and was hard work. Obviously better than being stranded on a solo ride and used as an emergency get home situation. Not so good at the start of a long ride though.
    I guess that's the trade of having something pocketable.
  • Jon_1976
    Jon_1976 Posts: 690
    Kajjal wrote:
    To be sure either a bigger pump, co2 or a small pump and "strength of the bear". That's the only choices and the issue is caused by the high pressures in road tyres.

    Do bigger pumps actually make it easier to get to higher pressures (100psi) or they do they just make it quicker?
  • littledove44
    littledove44 Posts: 871
    Reporting back as I bought a Topeak race Master blaster today.

    Almost exactly the same size as the Specialized air tool.
    But, it does both types of valves and has a nice short big of tube with a screw on fitting so less air loss when pumping.
    100 easy pumps, 50 medium and 50 that required a bit of effort got me just over 80 psi. Certainly enough for emergencies.

    Thanks for the help.
  • Ouija
    Ouija Posts: 1,386
    oxoman wrote:
    I use a Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster mini bike pump and get 100 psi fairly easily, i usually use my track pump at home and the pocket rocket when out on the bike.

    Owned two of those and while they were nice pumps they struggled to reach high pressures due to the poor seals. Having gone through more expensive pumps than i can remember i keep going back tothese cheap things as they can get my 28mm Gatorskins from 0 to 100psi in under 150/200 pumps...

    Only £7 but not the slickest looking things i've owned (bought too many pretty looking mini pumps that were useless).
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    Jon_1976 wrote:
    Kajjal wrote:
    To be sure either a bigger pump, co2 or a small pump and "strength of the bear". That's the only choices and the issue is caused by the high pressures in road tyres.

    Do bigger pumps actually make it easier to get to higher pressures (100psi) or they do they just make it quicker?

    Both to some extent, my track pump gets to 105 psi quickly and easily. My mini pump struggles to get over 60psi and it is hard work. Somewhere in between could be a better compromise for some people and I am looking at getting a better pump for longer rides.
  • shoddy
    shoddy Posts: 63
    ChrisAOnABike wrote:
    littledove44 wrote:
    Anyone know what pressure a CO2 cartridge will do on it's own?
    100 psi (or more probably), two seconds. I've only tried it on 23mm tyres.

    It's quite scary the first time. You want to make really, really sure that the tube isn't pinched against the rim anywhere, and that the tyre beads are properly inside the rims all the way round.

    I have got a little regulator that fits onto C02 carts. It means that you can increase the pressure a bit at a time rather than in one go. Makes using carts a lot easier.

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