TallRider

A framebuilder (Erik Billings at CB Cycles in Oakland, if you're interested) is going to make some modifications to a nice lugged steel frame for me. Since the frame will need repainting afterwards, I wondered if there is any type of pump attachment that I should get added onto the frame. The bike will be a road-sport use, some fast rides (but no racing), light touring, some lower-key gravel roads.

I'm pretty happy with my Lezyne mini-pump, whose bracket attaches to the bike behind the water bottle cage. But since the framebuilder could braze any sort of mount or peg to the frame, the convenience of buy-a-minipump-and-attach-behind-bottle-cage doesn't really matter here.
I've used a traditional frame pump mounted under the top tube, and the Lezyne minipump is better than my Zefal hpx. Plus I'm super-tall, and don't need a frame pump that covers the whole length of the top tube.

What's the best possible scenario for attaching a lightweight pump to a bicycle?

_ForceD_

After four decades of cycling I just very recently got brave enough to go with a CO2 inflater, and find myself leaving the pump at home. This thanks to the urging of other CO2-using forumites. Maybe he could fashion a frame-mounted CO2 cartridge holder for you.

Dan

AnkleWork

"To thine own self be true."

dsbrantjr

[QUOTE=_ForceD_;21106902]After four decades of cycling I just very recently got brave enough to go with a CO2 inflater, and find myself leaving the pump at home. This thanks to the urging of other CO2-using forumites. Maybe he could fashion a frame-mounted CO2 cartridge holder for you.

Dan[/QUOTE

Maybe they could fashion something like this for you: https://www.steintool.com/portfolio-...ridge-carrier/
although I dislike CO2 cartridges, they generate waste and when you run out you are stuck, unlike a pump which has an unlimited supply. Plus you get some exercise using them.

HillRider

I'm also a fan of CO2 cartridges. A small thread-on valve adapter (mine is a Planet Bike) and two or three 16 gm threaded cartridges should get you by almost any on-road flat tire situation. I also carry a minipump to do the initial inflation and to be sure the tube is seated properly and holds air before committing a CO2 cartridge. Together this combination weighs less than a Zefal HPX and is far more convenient.

BTW, threaded CO2 cartridges are insanely expensive from a bike shop but bought in boxes of 15 or 20 from Amazon they are quite reasonable.

One caution about the Lezyne minipump; if you have removable Presta valve stems, its thread-on pump head will also remove the valve stem when you unscrew it. This can be very frustrating. Try it on your tubes first.

sch

Topeak Road Morph is my favorite: it has a short retractable tube from pump to tube valve and
has a flip out top handly that improves leverage and best of all a flip out step on at the base so
you can get from 70 to 95# without blowing out the biceps of you and one other. i.e. the pump
works well vertically so you use your body weight instead of upper arms.

OTOH it does not require a frame peg, only a fairly straight section of tubing to mount.

I have a Lezyne on one bike: it needs 160 pumps to get to the 80-90# range. The first 80 of
which are easy and at 1 pump/sec go fast (though passerbys may wonder what you are doing
hunched over there) but the last 40 are more like 3-5sec/pump plus rest time and use most of
my upper body strength.

squirtdad

The zefal HPX would be a good option for a frame fit pump, my recently due to bikes without pump pegs, I just use my lezyne mini pump attached at the water bottle. takes a lot of pumps, but overall I lke it better than my trusty zefal

as for you C02 guys, not for me, have have had enough double flats or replacement tube does not hold air to depend on a finite source of inflatabiliyt.....I just use the pump but back in the day builders would put a water bottle insert on the bottom of the downtube for CO2 nflaters

lobstermike

Tried a few pumps in the past. Still think the full size Zefals that sat snugged between the frame tubes were best.

mpetry912 

I'll put in a vote for a frame fit Silca Impero with Campagnolo head. Painted to match, of course !

But don't actually USE it. for any serious inflation, the CO2 cartridge is best

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA

Jeff Wills

I used to be a "you can pry my Silca Impero from my cold, dead fingers" guy until I found the Topeak Morph pumps. Now I have one on most of the bikes I own. It's very easy to get to 100+psi. I only wish the gauge were easier to read, but that's more due to my crappy vision than the gauge itself.

Darth Lefty 

Ryobi One+

Loose Chain

Silca of course painted to match. But you do not really use them, they are too valuable and difficult to find these days, though they do work. They are just for looks now, in the seat bag is a CO2 inflator and two cartridges and a spare tube.



The Silca can also be stuck into the front wheel of an annoying cyclist or swung wildly at potential assailants, probably useful for some other things too but mostly they just look right on the bicycle.

Here is an invention for somebody to patent maybe, now that frame pumps are obsolete, a Bike Billy. It would have a spring loaded extend and weighted end to whack whatever with and a rechargeable battery powered Taser head. The Taser head would have the two prongs capture the frame just as the Silca pump end does and the extendable, spring loaded end would capture the frame pip.

ThermionicScott 

Peter Weigle is partial to the "OH-HEC" brand for his builds.



I like the idea of mounting the frame to a seat stay and freeing up the space around the seat tube, but I haven't pulled the trigger on getting any custom frame brazing yet.

Andrew R Stewart 

My best advice before buying any pump is to try it first. How a pump works for your abilities, wheels, pressure levels is of primary importance.

Those of us with strong hands or learned how to work a full length pump will say a Silca Imperio or Zefal HPX are among the best. Riders with strength or technique issues might like the "Mini floor" pumps that mount to the frame, the Topeak Morphs being the best known. So try the pump, and to full pressure, before buying it.

Having said all that the right answer is the Zefal HPX. Andy

HillRider

I found the HPX quite a bit easier to reach full pressure with than any mini pump, including the Road Morph. However, CO2 is easier to reach full pressure with than any of them.

BTW, your middle photo showing the HPX mounted under the top tube reminds me why I stopped doing that. Every time I'd pick up the bike to carry it anywhere, I'd dislodge the pump.

Andrew R Stewart 

Dave= I agree about under TT pump locations. But sometimes in life we make choices that come with some cost. This middle photo is of my touring bike, so consider the "cost" of trying to lift a bike/gear weighing 115+ lbs... But the benefits of the extra bottle cage was nearly priceless when I was crossing ID and MT in the heat. Andy ( who also had about a gallon in MSR bags in the pannier bottoms).

Reynolds 

+1 on the Zefal HPX. Great for high pressure tires.

San Rensho 

Hello. SIlca frame pump with a campy head. My 1970 version still pumps up my tires to a little over 100 psi.

Andrew R Stewart 

Fine if you have good frame pumping skills and strong hands/arms. Many guys I have met have one of these but fail at the other. Many women I know have less of each. But, yes, the Campy head is the only way to run a Silca. Andy

San Rensho 

Conti sew-ups, Silca pump and a very small swiss army knife and when I flatted, which was often, I took off the rear wheel, cut the sew-up, pealed it off the rim. Then, I put on the spare Conti, which was stretched and had lots of glue on it, and pumped it up to thumb feel "high pressure".

I could change a flat much faster with sew ups than I ever can with clinchers and CO2.

delacrue96

+1 for the Topeak morph. Fits great on my women's bike on frame bottom.

70sSanO

I used a Zefal HPX for years, painted to match. I then went with a Topeak Road Morph, which works quite well. I recently wanted to go back to a frame fitted pump and found a Topeak Road Masterblaster, which is currently in transit. It doesn't have a pressure gauge, but if it works as well, or better since is has more volume, as the Road Morph, I'll be happy.

John

davidad

You can take the gauge apart and put a mark on the desired pressure with a felt pen. Makes it easy for an old fart to see.

79pmooney

Another fan of Zephal HPX pumps. They work. They get to full road pressure easily. 120 psi - no big deal. They are the pump that gets used to bail out others when they have pump or CO2 issues. (The "Classic" is an HPX with the older HP silver and stying if you do not care for black.)

Edit: I forgot - a peg on the headtube so you can carry two water bottles.

Bill in VA

This! I have two with the plastic head and it is still going strong after 40+ years. I only use it on the road, otherwise I use a Silca Floor pump of the same vintage. My most recent bike uses a Zefal HPX. People often laugh about a full frame pump. I will let someone use the Zefal, but not the Silcas, although I will offer to pump their tire with the Silca.