ronbridal

Last weeknight group ride for the year tonight and I got a flat 2 blocks in. It gets dark here early now so I told the group to take off, I would take care of things on my own. The flat was a slow leaker, so I figured I could just pump it full and maybe make it back to my apartment a mile away. No such luck. My mini Crank Brothers pump didn't work and I was stuck making some phone calls for a ride. Fortunately a guy stopped by that I trusted and I threw my bike in the back of his pickup and he gave me a ride home. A big thank you to him. Now the dilema. I need a new pump and I am kind of looking for something besides a mini-pump or frame pump. I know that gives me one option: CO2 pump. Any suggestions on a particular brand or pump? Thanks for the help! Ron

socalrider

CO2, either the Planet Bike Red Zeppelin or Genuine Inn. Air Chuck SL.. Both are small and work well.. You need to use threaded cartridges but that is no big deal..

CycleFreakLS

Been said here before but ... Topeak Road Morph is a great pump. There isn't a frame pump around that will get you to 120 psi faster (fewer strokes).

SSP

From my perspective, threaded cartridges ARE a big deal. They're much harder to find, and they cost a whole lot more than the non-threaded ones. I can purchase 12g non-threaded cartridges at Wal-Mart for around 80 cents each. The 16g threaded cartridges tend to run around $3 each.

Non-threaded cartridges are also readily available at local hardware and sporting goods stores. Threaded cartridges, on the other hand, are generally only found at bike shops.

To the OP - go with CO2. You'll get back on the road a whole lot quicker, and you won't have to have an ugly pump strapped to your bike. I recommend the Innovations brand...easy to use, takes threaded or non-threaded, and with the trigger dispenser, filling is not an "all or nothing" affair. It's easy to fit the inflator (with one cartridge in the body), and 2 additional cartridges, in my small seat bag. With this kit, in over 20,000 miles I've never once not been able to get home due to running out of CO2.

bvfrompc

Actually my CO2 takes a lot less strokes and gets me to 120psi much faster and is a lot lighter and why the heck did it take me so long to go CO2 becuase it is like magic and the only place for a pump is a nice floor pump at home.

puddin' legs

The pump doesn't matter if you don't carry a spare tube.

Jarery

Topeak road morph if you stay with a pump.

CO2, shrug, i need reliability at 6:30 in the morning in the pouring rain and pitch black during an hour long commute. If your just recreational rider, then co2 im sure works great. If it fails and your outta cartridges, you can phone home for a ride.

shnapper

My wife and I carry these...........

On left genuine Innovation ultraflate pro, aprox $19.99 and discontinued for a more stupid looking
design.

On right performance bike Hurricane quick shot (same indenticle inflator except for color)
$12.00 and I believe still currently available.

Remember these are the same product most likely made by the same asian factory. Spend
your money wisely, shop around and get more for your hard earned buck.

lws

Last week I got a flat for the first time in years. In a cold rain, no less. When I tried to fix it, I discovered that my Topeak frame pump had failed. When I tried to fix the pump, I discovered that it was glued together and can't be fixed -- not permanently, not temporarily, not jury-rigged, not nohow. What's the point of a frame pump if it's not reliable? Might as well use CO2.

DieselDan

That why I carry both CO2 and a minipump. I use the pump to set the tube and tire, then the CO2 to quickly finish the job. No wasted CO2, no blown out tires, and, if I ever have mroe flats then cartridges, a back up system to limp home.

fogrider

he said he had a slow leak. if you have co2, it might not be enough to get you back. if your pump fails, then some of the blame has to be on you...you have to be responsible for checking your equipment. sure you can blame the store that sold it to you, or the company that made it, but you're the one that bought it.

I have a full size frame pump on one bike and a mini pump on another. it may not look as cool as co2, but they have yet to fail me. it you're really concerned about the look of the pump...all I have to say to you is: POSER!

ronbridal

I never stated I was concerned about the look of the pump. I just stopped by the lbs and will be buying an Innovations CO2 pump. It fits both types of cartridges and appears to be similar to something I have used before for purposes other than filling a tire. And yeah, from another post, I probably would have been better off making sure the pump was still in perfect working order before I embarked on my 2 block journey. . . live and learn. Thanks to all! ROn

Jaye

Not to be a jerk or anything but why did a flat ONE MILE from home necesitate a calling spree? Should be a pretty easy walk.

ronbridal

Simply put . . . I didn't want to walk. I live in a relatively small town so it wouldn't be any trouble for a friend to get me. Besides, walking in shoes with cleats sucks.

DieselDan

Not in road bike shoes.

wheezl

The Road Morph rules. I will never waste time with CO2 again.