Comments on: The Best Bike Pumps for Getting Pumped http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Wed, 22 May 2013 00:36:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: bicycle pump http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-1639356 bicycle pump Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:11:28 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-1639356 Lezyne is THE pump to get if you ride a road bike. It's a high pressure bicycle pump, very light, quick to set up and delivers air efficiently for its small size. Lezyne is THE pump to get if you ride a road bike. It’s a high pressure bicycle pump, very light, quick to set up and delivers air efficiently for its small size.

]]> By: Avril McCormack http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-1269026 Avril McCormack Thu, 18 Oct 2012 13:59:21 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-1269026 Agreed the Lezyne Micro Floor Drive is excellent. I was looking for a pump that was made of metal for durability, had a hose so I had no risk of breaking my valve stem, and had a gauge. This pump fulfills all those requirements, with the bonus that it can be used like a floor pump so it's way easier on my arms. I have wide tires, so I only go up to four bars, but it's really pretty easy to get there. Read more: http://www.istumbledupon.com/lezyne-micro-floor-drive-hpg-bicycle-floor-pump/ Agreed the Lezyne Micro Floor Drive is excellent.

I was looking for a pump that was made of metal for durability, had a hose so I had no risk of breaking my valve stem, and had a gauge. This pump fulfills all those requirements, with the bonus that it can be used like a floor pump so it’s way easier on my arms. I have wide tires, so I only go up to four bars, but it’s really pretty easy to get there.

Read more: http://www.istumbledupon.com/lezyne-micro-floor-drive-hpg-bicycle-floor-pump/

]]> By: Rob E. http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-996016 Rob E. Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:10:33 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-996016 I tried Slime when I was flatting regularly. It works on the right kind of flat: small puncture on the outside of the tube. That's probably the most common flat, so maybe it works most of the time, but for me it seemed like it didn't work a significant amount of the time. And when it doesn't work, you can get Slime places you didn't want it. On my wife's bike which came with pre-slimed tubes, Slime got out every time you re-inflated the tube, gumming up the valve and the pump. When she finally got a puncture that the Slime couldn't fix, I was happy to swap that tube out for a Slime-free one. On my own bike, I just got more robust tires. I always have a pump and some tire levers. I try to have a spare tube and a patch kit, but right now my spare tube has been floating, unprotected in a pocket in my trunk bag for a while, so who knows if it's good. The patch kit moved into my touring panniers the other week, and I haven't moved it back yet. Also still in my touring gear: the tool I need to remove the rear wheel. I used to think being prepared for a flat was absolutely essential, and I do make an extra effort to be prepared if I'm riding any distance, but I haven't had to change a flat on my commute in years, and if I got one, there's always the bus, or even walking. I'll still be annoyed with myself when I do get that inevitable flat and I don't have what I need to fix it, but the absolute best thing I bought to deal with flats turns out to have been some decent tires. I tried Slime when I was flatting regularly. It works on the right kind of flat: small puncture on the outside of the tube. That’s probably the most common flat, so maybe it works most of the time, but for me it seemed like it didn’t work a significant amount of the time. And when it doesn’t work, you can get Slime places you didn’t want it. On my wife’s bike which came with pre-slimed tubes, Slime got out every time you re-inflated the tube, gumming up the valve and the pump. When she finally got a puncture that the Slime couldn’t fix, I was happy to swap that tube out for a Slime-free one.

On my own bike, I just got more robust tires. I always have a pump and some tire levers. I try to have a spare tube and a patch kit, but right now my spare tube has been floating, unprotected in a pocket in my trunk bag for a while, so who knows if it’s good. The patch kit moved into my touring panniers the other week, and I haven’t moved it back yet. Also still in my touring gear: the tool I need to remove the rear wheel. I used to think being prepared for a flat was absolutely essential, and I do make an extra effort to be prepared if I’m riding any distance, but I haven’t had to change a flat on my commute in years, and if I got one, there’s always the bus, or even walking.

I’ll still be annoyed with myself when I do get that inevitable flat and I don’t have what I need to fix it, but the absolute best thing I bought to deal with flats turns out to have been some decent tires.

]]> By: BluesCat http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-992992 BluesCat Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:49:28 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-992992 listenermark - I shoulda made the gloves and wipes another pair of tips. Good catch! I buy a 40-count dispenser box of cheap, food-server-type gloves; the nitrite kind. Toss a couple pairs in a sandwich bag and throw it in the seat bag. And having two little granddaughters who LOVE to "help" Grampa with his bikes, we discovered --- as you have --- how great baby wipes are for getting grease off of any size of fingers. listenermark – I shoulda made the gloves and wipes another pair of tips. Good catch! I buy a 40-count dispenser box of cheap, food-server-type gloves; the nitrite kind. Toss a couple pairs in a sandwich bag and throw it in the seat bag.

And having two little granddaughters who LOVE to “help” Grampa with his bikes, we discovered — as you have — how great baby wipes are for getting grease off of any size of fingers.

]]> By: listenermark http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-991789 listenermark Wed, 06 Jun 2012 02:58:34 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-991789 Bagging your tubes w/talcum is a smart strategy. A pair of surgical gloves will keep your hands nice and clean while changing that back tire, they weigh nothing, and take up little space your bag. Single pack baby wipes can be handy as well. +1 Topeak Road Morph Bagging your tubes w/talcum is a smart strategy.

A pair of surgical gloves will keep your hands nice and clean while changing that back tire, they weigh nothing, and take up little space your bag. Single pack baby wipes can be handy as well.

+1 Topeak Road Morph

]]> By: Island Dave http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-981318 Island Dave Fri, 01 Jun 2012 10:23:31 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-981318 I have had just one flat on my velomobile in 16,600 + miles in just over 30 months of riding this bike. I ran one set of front tires over 3,800 miles trying to get a few more miles out of them. They were beyond worn out. I swap in a new pair just about every 3,000 miles ever since. Riding out in the lane is the best place to ride because all the road debris is in the gutter. With my much slower Diamond Frame bikes I would ride closer to the side of the road and at times on the shoulder and was prone to getting more flats. Even with slime there was the giant fish hook that must of been left over from the filming of "JAWS" that went in the tread and out the side wall, spraying panniers, frame and legs with slime. I had to cut that hook with my Leatherman wire cutters. I do carry a Road Morph pump, patch kit, spare tubes in talced baggies and a tool kit. The nice thing about the velomobile is that all three wheels are a one sided strut mounted so that pulling a tire off or on does not require removing a wheel. Finally went completely car free just about a year ago. I even got an Undrivers License....(-: I have had just one flat on my velomobile in 16,600 + miles in just over 30 months of riding this bike. I ran one set of front tires over 3,800 miles trying to get a few more miles out of them. They were beyond worn out. I swap in a new pair just about every 3,000 miles ever since. Riding out in the lane is the best place to ride because all the road debris is in the gutter.

With my much slower Diamond Frame bikes I would ride closer to the side of the road and at times on the shoulder and was prone to getting more flats. Even with slime there was the giant fish hook that must of been left over from the filming of “JAWS” that went in the tread and out the side wall, spraying panniers, frame and legs with slime. I had to cut that hook with my Leatherman wire cutters.

I do carry a Road Morph pump, patch kit, spare tubes in talced baggies and a tool kit.

The nice thing about the velomobile is that all three wheels are a one sided strut mounted so that pulling a tire off or on does not require removing a wheel.
Finally went completely car free just about a year ago.

I even got an Undrivers License….(-:

]]> By: Joel http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-980523 Joel Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:09:12 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-980523 BG, Arnold would be proud of you as you "Pump things up!" When you find a counselor who does not outright reject your problem, email the address because he/she sounds very open minded! 8)! BG,

Arnold would be proud of you as you “Pump things up!”

When you find a counselor who does not outright reject your problem, email the address because he/she sounds very open minded! 8)!

]]> By: bg http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-980162 bg Thu, 31 May 2012 22:04:31 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-980162 I also carry a spare tube and a patch kit, and a small pump. I use it to fill my AirZound air horn (life-saver!) and to pump up the tires. To pump up the tires I use what I call the "Charleston" method. I grip both ends, squat and use my knees to aid in the squeezing. 100psi is fairly easy using this method. If you happen by while I'm pumping, depending on what angle you see my from, I either look like the robot from Metropolis doing the Charleston dance, or like someone in need of counseling. I've recently seen the small pumps with fold-out feet. I'd like to try those. I also keep full-size floor pumps at home and at the office. Never more than 10 pumps to 100psi with these. I also carry a spare tube and a patch kit, and a small pump. I use it to fill my AirZound air horn (life-saver!) and to pump up the tires. To pump up the tires I use what I call the “Charleston” method. I grip both ends, squat and use my knees to aid in the squeezing. 100psi is fairly easy using this method. If you happen by while I’m pumping, depending on what angle you see my from, I either look like the robot from Metropolis doing the Charleston dance, or like someone in need of counseling. I’ve recently seen the small pumps with fold-out feet. I’d like to try those.

I also keep full-size floor pumps at home and at the office. Never more than 10 pumps to 100psi with these.

]]> By: BluesCat http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-978591 BluesCat Thu, 31 May 2012 03:42:58 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-978591 rybolov - I've got mixed feelings about dealing with Slime mess. Maybe if I flatted as much as bka does I'd seriously consider it. Now, pre-Slimed tubes might be interesting. doubclik - Great idea about the powder! It would have helped one time with one of the mountain bikes that had a sticky tube; wound up with the tube pinched between the bead and the rim, a bubble, and an explosion that sent my poor dog running for cover! rybolov – I’ve got mixed feelings about dealing with Slime mess. Maybe if I flatted as much as bka does I’d seriously consider it. Now, pre-Slimed tubes might be interesting.

doubclik – Great idea about the powder! It would have helped one time with one of the mountain bikes that had a sticky tube; wound up with the tube pinched between the bead and the rim, a bubble, and an explosion that sent my poor dog running for cover!

]]> By: Tim Sherman http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/05/30/the-best-bike-pumps-for-getting-pumped/comment-page-1/#comment-978520 Tim Sherman Thu, 31 May 2012 02:55:32 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=19274#comment-978520 I commuted with a frame pump only to find that if I did not tighten the lock nut it would fall off on the way to or from work. After replacing the nut twice I decided to carry my pump in my bag. I have not lost the lock nut since. I was lucky that REI had a Road Morph service kit and the mechanic in the bike shop there gave me the replacement parts for free. I put a water bottle cage on to replace the pump. A missing water bottle is easier to replace. Carry your pump in your bag to protect it. I commuted with a frame pump only to find that if I did not tighten the lock nut it would fall off on the way to or from work. After replacing the nut twice I decided to carry my pump in my bag. I have not lost the lock nut since. I was lucky that REI had a Road Morph service kit and the mechanic in the bike shop there gave me the replacement parts for free. I put a water bottle cage on to replace the pump. A missing water bottle is easier to replace. Carry your pump in your bag to protect it.

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