K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Matno on April 23, 2004, 02:01:04 pm
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Just curious what others use. I've been using an old Avenir for years with no complaints, but it recently gave up the ghost, and neither SuperGlue nor epoxy seems up to the task of keeping it together (the lever that locks it onto the valve stem broke off).
At any rate, a couple of years ago, I bought an Innovations Slim Jim as a back up (it has a built in gauge and was only $4 on ebay). It works okay on the mountain bike but is pretty big and it's torture to use over about 50psi. Somewhere along the line I also purchased a CO2 pump, which is great except that the one time I had to use it, I needed it twice and didn't have a spare cartridge! DOH!
SOOO, today I got a Crank Bros Power pump. I'm pretty sure it's the smallest thing out there that's not a CO2 pump. 93g and only 1/2" longer than my CO2 pump! Also seems to be well built, doesn't require changing anything for presta or schrader, and has two settings (high volume or high pressure). I tested it out on my road bike and it worked great (as well as any mini pump should anyway, it's still not fast). I was really impressed with the output in the high-volume setting. So I guess this will be my new take-along pump. For most rides, I'll still carry the CO2 (it's SO fast, there's nothing like inflating a road bike tire to 100psi in less than 2 seconds!) But now I think I'll carry this Crank Bros instead of a 2nd (or 3rd) CO2 cartridge. For really light rides, it's all I need.
What pump do you use and why do you like it?
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I use a Topeak Einstein. It has an extendable barrel for more volume, a smarthead which adapts automatically to the valve type, a built-in tire lever which combined with the special axle clip allows you to quickly zip the tyre bead on and off and a handle that contains a small patchkit. It's also pretty solidly constructed. I do wish it had a built in pressure guage though.
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;)i have a crank bros. power pump alloy, the one with the gauge. i got a killer deal on one.
like matno says, it works great on mtb and road. it's rebuildable and the quality is second to none.
plus i like supporting a company like c.b., who seem to listen to what we want in a product.
just got their tool for $10 at their booth at the sea otter.
don't really need a new tool, but the price was too good.
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Zefal Mini Double Shot. In use since '91/'92 so it's reliable and with an extendable tube it has good volume to each pump. I think it's a little over 100 g. but when it goes I'll buy a Crank Bros. pump-great customer service and their pumps win most of the tests too.
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I got one of those Morph pumps, Topeak I think. I like it because it is high volume and has a foot stand so it is a breeze to use. It got poor reviews because of the size, but it fits in my pack so I'm happy. On the negative side it has a digital gauge which I thought would be great, but it is not worth shit so it's not so great! Also the durability seems to be questionable, I get the feeling that it is going to fall to pieces every time I use it, although it hasn't yet!
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crank bros. alloy pump, like a couple of the other guys.
mine, of course, has been painted blue to match the anodized parts on Blue Crush.
I love it because of the gauge, the high-low pressure thing, I really like the company and their cool products ( I also have their neogrips and their tool - 2 of them actually, one for the road bike and one for the mountain bike - just so I don't have to switch tool bags from bike to bike). for road bike rides, I use a CO2 inflator.
[smiley=groucho.gif]
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Topeak Mountain Morph with out the guage.
Brilliant pump, easy to use - like a mini track pump. Everyone else I ride with wants to use it if they have a puncture.
A bit big but lives inside a Camelback Blowfish with no problems.
Sprucey
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Matno.....aaaack! You use a mini with a road bike?
My mtbike uses a master blaster [smiley=laughing.gif] and roadie a full size ;Dframe pump. But I use both just as a backup as I carry co2 with both bikes. Extra weight, I don't really care.
[smiley=beer.gif]
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Hey, as long as it's just a backup to my CO2 pump, I want the smallest pump I can get! The plastic Crank Bros is TINY! Besides, I don't find mini pumps to be as much of a pain as others. It doesn't bother me to pump as many as 100 times or even more, although I don't think it really takes that long.
However, when my last pump died, I tried using my shock pump as a back up. Bad idea! I counted the strokes out of curiousity, but finally gave up and called my wife when I had not seen any noticeable difference at 1000 strokes! (I'm pretty sure it wasn't working right with my valve adaptor...)
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However, when my last pump died, I tried using my shock pump as a back up. Bad idea! I counted the strokes out of curiousity, but finally gave up and called my wife when I had not seen any noticeable difference at 1000 strokes! (I'm pretty sure it wasn't working right with my valve adaptor...)
[smiley=laughing.gif] ...... after 1000 strokes ???
good one, Matno! :D
[smiley=beer.gif]
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I use a no name plastic pump that I paid $5 for at Target. The day I bought it I was heading out to a remote area and felt I should be prepared, as I was passing the store, I decided to stop and see what they had. It has worked great to inflate flat tires 4 or 5 times over the years. I'm often tempted to go with a "name" brand high quality pump but mine weighs less, is very small and works great. It's about 1" diameter and 8" long and fits well in my Mule.
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I like my innovations second wind -- it is both a hand pump and a CO2 pump. Works best with CO2, but having the manual pump as a back-up is good security. Plus, it lets you partially inflate a tube before installation w/o wasting CO2.
It accepts either the $$$ threaded cartridges or the cheap-o threadless ones from Wal-Mart.