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Easy (Physically) Bike Pump ...

Old 07-07-18, 12:02 PM
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vja4Him
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Easy (Physically) Bike Pump ...

I have high blood pressure and it's getting to be too difficult for me to use my old Topeak Road Morph pump.

Can anyone recommend a pump that is much easier to use … ? Size is not even an issue. I just need a bicycle pump that is easy enough to use, so I don't pass out !!!
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Old 07-07-18, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by vja4Him
I have high blood pressure and it's getting to be too difficult for me to use my old Topeak Road Morph pump.

Can anyone recommend a pump that is much easier to use … ? Size is not even an issue. I just need a bicycle pump that is easy enough to use, so I don't pass out !!!
For home use, get a proper floor pump. There are typically high-volume versions designed for wider tires and lower pressures (use below 40 psi). For road bike tires, you want a high pressure, with a narrow cylinder. It will take more pumps but less effort per stroke.
For the ultimate in home use, a small air compressor works. It needs to be the kind used for tools though, so it can get to the ~100psi for road tires.

For mobile use, just use CO2. The cartridges are ~$1 ea, and they take zero effort. Carry 2-3 cartridges. Seriously, don't overthink this. You'll use maybe 2-3 per year.
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Old 07-07-18, 12:09 PM
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instead using a small pump you should be using a floor pump . almost any brand will work better for you . no matter which one you get it will give you a workout and maybe in time it will help bring down your blood pressure .
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Old 07-07-18, 12:21 PM
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I like the idea of CO2 cartridges …. Any recommendations which CO2 pump … ?
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Old 07-07-18, 12:22 PM
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I'm looking at the Lezyne Floor Pump ….. Does anyone have that pump ?
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Old 07-07-18, 12:42 PM
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So you want a pump to use at home, or for mounting on the bike? Because if it's for filling up tires at home,



...or any power inflator that uses batteries you already have. If you don't have any cordless tools, the Ryobi route is the cheapest. The inflator is $20, you can get a battery for $25, and a charger for $25. Comes with an excuse to buy any number of other 18V cordless tools.
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Old 07-07-18, 01:00 PM
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But does the OP have a need for high pressure ..? cars need large volume but not high pressure...

If not, tank and compressor sets from Sears, may be ok, too , then..
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Old 07-07-18, 02:35 PM
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I will be carrying the bicycle pump on eBike tours ….. I have the huge Surly Big Dummy panniers in the rear, and large Ortlieb Panniers in the front. So, weight and size is not an issue.
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Old 07-07-18, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by vja4Him
I'm looking at the Lezyne Floor Pump ….. Does anyone have that pump ?
I have one, great pump, spare parts available.
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Old 07-07-18, 03:39 PM
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Get a CO2 head and a box of generic CO2 cartridges, way lighter and easier than a floor pump.

Or get the Ryobi pump head shown above and tap into your E-bike battery for power
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Old 07-07-18, 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
So you want a pump to use at home, or for mounting on the bike? Because if it's for filling up tires at home,



...or any power inflator that uses batteries you already have. If you don't have any cordless tools, the Ryobi route is the cheapest. The inflator is $20, you can get a battery for $25, and a charger for $25. Comes with an excuse to buy any number of other 18V cordless tools.
I've used this exact electric pump for race day inflations. The only issues I've seen are the battery's lack of full charge (common problem with any user maintained battery) and the usual lousy valve chuck.
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Old 07-07-18, 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by vja4Him
I will be carrying the bicycle pump on eBike tours ….. I have the huge Surly Big Dummy panniers in the rear, and large Ortlieb Panniers in the front. So, weight and size is not an issue.
Spoken like a yet to really tour rider I second the on ride use of CO2 cartridges. I suggest to visit your LBS or friend and try out more then one design. Some are easier for some to use then others are. Remember to pay for, replace, the trial cartridges. Andy
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Old 07-07-18, 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by DrIsotope
If you don't have any cordless tools, the Ryobi route is the cheapest. The inflator is $20, you can get a battery for $25, and a charger for $25. Comes with an excuse to buy any number of other 18V cordless tools.
I like the way you think! More tools, Hmph (I'm sitting here making Tim the Toolman noises-use your imagination)
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Old 07-07-18, 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Bigbus
I like the way you think! More tools, Hmph (I'm sitting here making Tim the Toolman noises-use your imagination)
Ryobi makes everything in 18v. I’m 95% serious. Same battery pack from inflators to drills, saws, hedge trimmers, caulk and glue guns, even this thing:


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Old 07-07-18, 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by vja4Him
I like the idea of CO2 cartridges …. Any recommendations which CO2 pump … ?
Genuine Innovations G2644 Proflate CO2 Tire Inflator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009F94MTM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gywqBbJHFCREW

Something like this should work well. Honestly, your local bike shop or REI will have a good selection of options.

CO2 is ideal for emergency use, quick, compact and lightweight. Generally, most tires only need to be topped off every couple of days, so you can probably find a shop pump or compressor for top ups while touring.
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Old 07-07-18, 07:44 PM
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Seen in the past, Pro teams modified battery hand held inflator , added an accurate gage & PV head.

but they are professionals , have 20 + wheels to top up.
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Old 07-07-18, 07:47 PM
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Originally Posted by wsteve464
Get a CO2 head and a box of generic CO2 cartridges, way lighter and easier than a floor pump.
Buddy of mine put it this way.. "..you're already mad as hell you had a flat tire, now you're going to sit alongside the trail for another 15 minutes stroking that mini-pump 300 times? Put a cartridge in, PSSST. Change the cartridge.. PSSST. Reinstall the wheel on the bike & go.."
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Old 07-07-18, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by vja4Him
I have high blood pressure and it's getting to be too difficult for me to use my old Topeak Road Morph pump.

Can anyone recommend a pump that is much easier to use … ? Size is not even an issue. I just need a bicycle pump that is easy enough to use, so I don't pass out !!!
What tyres at what pressure are you pumping? Home or on bike? Lots of different options for different applications.
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Old 07-07-18, 09:31 PM
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There's also compact Li-Ion battery based pumps.
Typical example: https://www.amazon.com/CYCPLUS-Porta...dp/B07B65GN6W/

I have no idea how high pressure it can actually get to. I suspect no where near the 150psi rating, but some of the reviews claimed it got to 65psi with no trouble. This could be a good solution for touring where you have access to charging overnight.
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Old 07-07-18, 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by vja4Him
I'm looking at the Lezyne Floor Pump ….. Does anyone have that pump ?
I just bought one a couple of days ago. It doesn't take much effort to use. I just don't know how to compare it to the one you have. Does it really mess with your BP?

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B071WM...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

CO[sub]2[/sub] quickly leaks out of butyl tubes, so it isn't a good solution.
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Old 07-07-18, 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Racing Dan
What tyres at what pressure are you pumping? Home or on bike? Lots of different options for different applications.
I have Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires, with heavy-duty inner tubes and liner.
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Old 07-07-18, 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by wgscott
I just bought one a couple of days ago. It doesn't take much effort to use. I just don't know how to compare it to the one you have. Does it really mess with your BP?

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B071WM...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

CO[sub]2[/sub] quickly leaks out of butyl tubes, so it isn't a good solution.
I have an old Topeak Road Morph. Too difficult for me anymore.
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Old 07-07-18, 10:25 PM
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Since I don't have the Topeak pump, I have no way to compare them. Fundamentally, you will have to do the same amount of work to deliver the same amount of air (and the same PSI) to the tire, regardless of what hand pump you use. If this is a major problem, then some sort of powered compressor is probably your best option.
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Old 07-08-18, 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by vja4Him
I have an old Topeak Road Morph. Too difficult for me anymore.
Any real floor pump will be far easier than even a Topeak Road Morph (maybe 3-5X less effort?) which I also used BITD and it was awesome for emergency inflation, but I would never use it as my only pump. I have a Lezyne CNC floor drive pump and have a few gripes about it, namely the slow-to-use screw-on chuck and the gauge which broke after a short while but has since been replaced. It does hit high pressures very easily, appears well-made (noting that appearance isn't everything), and looks nice.
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Old 07-08-18, 12:02 PM
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The bigger the piston diameter is on any pump, the harder it will be to pump air to a specific pressure. However give the same length of stroke, they'll pump more air volume. So if you are looking for a manual pump of any sort, then that will help you make a judgement.

But what exactly get you tired on your current one? Pumping forever to get it up to pressure or the strokes get too hard trying to get to pressure?

I prefer fewer strokes no matter how hard it is to push that last stroke to get the pressure up there. So I like the floor pumps with larger pistons and long strokes.

For home use though, a powered compressor of any sort. For taking with you, CO2's good, but practice a few times before you have to depend on it. Some don't quite work so well or quite as you expect them. They are not intended for just topping off your tire pressure.
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