Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Few Mini Pump Questions...which one? Do you attach to frame or store elsewhere?

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Few Mini Pump Questions...which one? Do you attach to frame or store elsewhere?

Old 07-12-20, 03:16 AM
  #1  
kosmo886
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 224
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 192 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Few Mini Pump Questions...which one? Do you attach to frame or store elsewhere?

So I have had bad luck with a few of the cheaper mini pump options. Either hard to attach to the valve or don't pump well at all. Which are people finding work well? Given this will be used more for "emergencies" I would prefer lighter and smaller even if it means a bit of extra pumping (as long as it can still adequately get the job done!). My online research has narrowed to Topeak Race Rocket HP and Lezyne Road Drive pumps. The Road Drive comes in Small, Medium and Large. Has anyone had experience with the full size line? Curious how much of a trade off in pumping the small or medium would be given they obviously would store away easier.

Right now my preference is to store a pump in my Aero Wedge attached to the seat post if it fits. I have no interest in storing in a jersey pocket. Do most people attach to frames or store pumps elsewhere? Looking for the most efficient setup I can get together.

Thanks!
kosmo886 is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 03:57 AM
  #2  
datlas 
Should Be More Popular
 
datlas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 42,952

Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix

Mentioned: 560 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22507 Post(s)
Liked 8,829 Times in 4,110 Posts
Lezyne because the hose eliminates stress at valve. Larger size means fewer strokes to inflate, that’s a trade off. Put it wherever you prefer, that’s your choice.

edit: I see the newer Topeak also has a hose. Kudos to them for doing this, previous versions did not. So in this case,, either should be good.
__________________
Originally Posted by rjones28
Addiction is all about class.
datlas is offline  
Likes For datlas:
Old 07-12-20, 04:50 AM
  #3  
znomit
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk
 
znomit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 4,623

Bikes: Giant Defy, Trek 1.7c, BMC GF02, Fuji Tahoe, Scott Sub 35, Kona Rove, Trek Verve+2

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 549 Post(s)
Liked 721 Times in 365 Posts
Each bike has a Lezyne on the downtube.
znomit is offline  
Likes For znomit:
Old 07-12-20, 05:56 AM
  #4  
billridesbikes
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 701
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 347 Post(s)
Liked 418 Times in 250 Posts
Like the other two posters, Lezyne. I believe I have the Carbon Road Drive on the road bike and a Mirco Floor drive for the long distance bike.
For the Carbon Road Drive I have the ‘small’, because it’s a backup to a single CO2 cartridge.

The Microfloor drive has only one size, but it’s awesome to set it on the ground or hotel room to pump up tires, has a built in pressure gauge, and it weighs not much more than a full frame pump.
billridesbikes is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 06:06 AM
  #5  
Germanrazor
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 262

Bikes: Trek Madone

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 98 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times in 54 Posts
I have yet to find a truly easy to use hand pump. I keep one on the bike frame which is a Pro Bike Tool brand. Has a dual valve type and a built in gauge. Would it get a 23 tire to a full 110 lbs. if you ride at that pressure.......NO. But around 90 is doable. I also use CO2 which is the easiest way to quickly dump air into a tire when on the road and you get a flat.
Germanrazor is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 06:07 AM
  #6  
atwl77
Kamen Rider
 
atwl77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: KL, MY
Posts: 1,071

Bikes: Fuji Transonic Elite, Marechal Soul Ultimate, Dahon Dash Altena

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 351 Post(s)
Liked 277 Times in 164 Posts
Topeak Hybrid Rocket HP. It's essentially a Topeak Race Rocket HP with CO2 inflator, kills 2 birds with 1 stone. It lives on the downtube of my bike and, on the rare occasions that I need to use it, has always worked reliably.
atwl77 is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 06:10 AM
  #7  
Germanrazor
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 262

Bikes: Trek Madone

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 98 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times in 54 Posts
I just looked at the Lezyne folks are mentioning and my Pro Bike Tool is identical as the Lezyne Road Drive pump in every respect. I assume one makes the other.
Germanrazor is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 06:14 AM
  #8  
WhyFi
Senior Member
 
WhyFi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505

Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo

Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times in 4,663 Posts
Lezyne, also. They come with a mounting bracket that installs on your water bottle bosses (while still allowing you to install a water bottle cage).

Since I run 28mm tires and top out under 70psi, I went with an HV model so that inflation doesn't require as many strokes. Previously used an HP model; it worked when I needed it, but mini pumps in general are such a pain to use on the roadside that it (along with my flat frequency) spurred me to make the move to tubeless.
WhyFi is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 07:13 AM
  #9  
canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
 
canklecat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4558 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times in 1,798 Posts
Originally Posted by Germanrazor
I just looked at the Lezyne folks are mentioning and my Pro Bike Tool is identical as the Lezyne Road Drive pump in every respect. I assume one makes the other.
I have a Pro Bike Tool mini pump -- found it a few weeks ago on a ride. Tried to return it via Facebook cycling groups but nobody claimed it.

I noticed the similarity to the Lezyne design as well. And it includes a pressure gauge.

But I found it very difficult to use. It requires a lot more effort than my Topeak and Blackburn mini pumps. And the Presta setting would either close the valve again or remove the core.

Well made pump but too many bugs to make it useful. Presumably the Lezyne doesn't have these problems or the reviews wouldn't be good.

I might save it for my least used hybrid with Schrader tubes.
canklecat is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 07:22 AM
  #10  
canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
 
canklecat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4558 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times in 1,798 Posts
I always recommend the Topeak Race Rocket because they work so well and are excellent values. I've had the short HP for a few years and used it a lot on my hybrids with Schrader tubes and road bikes with Presta. No problems. I got the slightly longer HPX for another road bike -- the longer stroke makes it just a little easier to get higher pressure.

The shorter HP will fit my jersey pocket, jeans rear pocket, or a medium sized Serfas Speed Bag saddle bag. It's the smallest practical mini pump I'd bother with.

I also have a Blackburn Core Slim, about the same length as the HPX. Excellent pump, although the ergonomics aren't quite as good. Sharp metal end caps. On the plus side it includes a useful metal valve core wrench. The Topeak Race Rockets supposedly include valve core tools but they're useless -- soft plastic that won't grip anything.

I usually clip them onto the water bottle cage mount. Occasionally I've carried the Race Rocket HP in a pocket. Same with the Race Rocket HPX and Blackburn Core Slim. The Blackburn has the best bottle cage mount -- it secures the pump well enough I didn't bother replacing the rubber band retainer doodad after it broke. The Topeak bottle cage mounts aren't quite secure enough to depend on without the rubber band, or a twist tie, on rough roads. After the original rubber band retainers broke I used a regular rubber band, twist tie, whatever was handy.

Pros:
Good ergonomics. The rounded end caps and rubber grip make 'em easy and comfortable to use, compared with similar mini pumps with hard metal end caps or sharp edges rather than rounded.
The hose, as other folks noted. Makes it a lot easier to use. Unlike the Lezyne and Pro Bike Tools, the hose is integrated into the Topeak and Blackburn.
Convertible for Presta or Schrader, just by twisting the threaded chuck, following the clear diagram.
Smooth operation.

Cons:
The plastic rounded end caps on the Race Rockets supposedly house a valve core stem wrench, but they're soft plastic, useless.
The Race Rocket HP takes a lot of strokes to reach full pressure. I usually quit after 200-250 strokes. That's riding pressure, around 65-75 psi. The longer HPX and Blackburn Core Slim require fewer strokes.

Last edited by canklecat; 07-12-20 at 07:26 AM.
canklecat is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 09:58 AM
  #11  
jnesss
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts
I had 2 bad ride experiences using a leyzne multiple times. it was tiring af. it's now been replaced by a silca tattico. pumping ease is a night and day difference.. plus it looks badass 😂

Last edited by jnesss; 07-12-20 at 10:02 AM.
jnesss is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 10:12 AM
  #12  
genejockey 
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
 
genejockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,649

Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace

Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10242 Post(s)
Liked 11,594 Times in 5,942 Posts
I have a Lezyne that goes in the jersey pocket, but so far I haven't needed it. On my classic frames, I used a frame pump. I wish I could carry one on the compact frames!
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."

"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
genejockey is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 01:14 PM
  #13  
bruce19
Senior Member
 
bruce19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,456

Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1722 Post(s)
Liked 1,272 Times in 734 Posts
I have a Lezyne mini that I stick in a back pocket of my jersey.
bruce19 is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 01:15 PM
  #14  
jimmyodonnell
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 131

Bikes: Specialized Langster SS Specialized Sirrus X 4

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Liked 51 Times in 37 Posts
I have a Crankbrothers Klic HP mini pump. The HP is the high-pressure model for road tires, and they offer an HV model which is optimized for for high-volume tires (mountain, some gravel, 42mm and up I think).
this is a good tool. I can't compare it to any Lezyne models, as this is the only mini pump I've ever used.

It has a hose which lives inside the pump shaft and extends with a flick of the wrist. The hose is a huge plus when working a mini pump, it allows flexibility in your work position and it relieves stress on the tube stem as you pump.
The hose contains an integrated pressure gauge, and the pump housing also holds a flip/flop adaptor you place onto the stem for either presta or Schrader valves.
It also has a CO2 adaptor of good design -- the adaptor screws onto the tube stem, then you screw your CO2 cartridge to the other end of the adaptor, and you control the flow of C02 by quarter-turns of the cartridge.

It comes with a bracket that mounts to the bottle cage bolts -- you remove the cage, place the bracket on the bolt holes, reposition the cage then reinsert the bolts.
the bracket places the pump right along the seat tube or down tube, and the pump has not interfered with the movement of my bottle in and out of the cage.

As others have already said, pumping a tire to riding pressure using a mini pump can be exhausting or at very least a buzzkill.
So I now use the pump just for partial inflation, to get the tube in good position on the rim -- like 10 or 15 pump strokes -- then I reseat the tire and complete the inflation with CO2.
I then have to pull the CO2 tool off the stem so I can apply the gauge, but the CO2 doesn't leak because of the design of the adaptor, it seals the cartridge even if my canister is partially full and partially spent.

Last edited by jimmyodonnell; 07-12-20 at 01:20 PM.
jimmyodonnell is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 02:36 PM
  #15  
yashinon
Senior Member
 
yashinon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Upstate, NY
Posts: 762

Bikes: Trek Domane

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20 Post(s)
Liked 10 Times in 8 Posts
I use lezyne mounted on the downtube next to bottle cages and a CO2 pump. I also a larger Topeak laying around somewhere.
yashinon is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 06:36 PM
  #16  
la rosa 
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: mid MO
Posts: 234

Bikes: 12 lynskeys, 1 IF, 2 colnagos

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
I use Silca Tatico attached to frame.
la rosa is offline  
Old 07-12-20, 08:04 PM
  #17  
biker128pedal
Senior Member
 
biker128pedal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Eastern VA
Posts: 1,702

Bikes: 2022 Fuel EX 8, 2021 Domane SL6, Black Beta (Nashbar frame), 2004 Trek 1000C for the trainer

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 260 Post(s)
Liked 443 Times in 262 Posts

Lezyne with gauge hose bought separately. I should just stuff a good gauge in seat bag if there was room.
biker128pedal is offline  
Old 09-18-20, 10:36 PM
  #18  
mattcalifornia
Full Member
 
mattcalifornia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Ellay
Posts: 339

Bikes: 2002 Eddy Merckx Team SC Resto-Mod; 2019 Ibis Hakka MX; 2017 Spot Brand Ajax Belt Drive

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 168 Post(s)
Liked 192 Times in 121 Posts
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I was looking for a new mini pump since my old Crank Bros. is ancient and kind of beat up. I want one that is super light and small since I like to carry it in my jersey pocket. I think it's kind of funny how many people spend big bucks for aero bike frames and then attach a pump to the side. (btw, my frame is not aero at all)

Any recommendations?
mattcalifornia is offline  
Old 09-18-20, 11:41 PM
  #19  
canklecat
Me duelen las nalgas
 
canklecat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,522

Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel

Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4558 Post(s)
Liked 2,798 Times in 1,798 Posts
Originally Posted by mattcalifornia
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I was looking for a new mini pump since my old Crank Bros. is ancient and kind of beat up. I want one that is super light and small since I like to carry it in my jersey pocket. I think it's kind of funny how many people spend big bucks for aero bike frames and then attach a pump to the side. (btw, my frame is not aero at all)

Any recommendations?
Topeak RaceRocket HP. I can't imagine pumping a road bike tire to rideable pressure with anything smaller.

I also have the longer RaceRocket HPX and Blackburn Core Slim, but still tote the RaceRocket HP most rides on my bikes without frame mounts. It's short enough and has a grippy rubber handle so it stays put in a jersey pocket. It takes about 50 more strokes than the longer pumps to reach riding pressure: about 250-300 strokes on my 700x23 and x25 tires.

Last edited by canklecat; 09-18-20 at 11:43 PM. Reason: add links
canklecat is offline  
Old 09-19-20, 12:06 AM
  #20  
HTupolev
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Seattle
Posts: 4,261
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1971 Post(s)
Liked 1,297 Times in 629 Posts
Originally Posted by mattcalifornia
Any recommendations?
I like the Topeak RaceRocket HP. It's very small and lightweight (I weighed mine at ~87g). It's got a pretty narrow cylinder that allows decently high pressures, and although this means that it takes a lot of pump strokes to fill a tire, the hose design makes it easy to pump at a high rate without worrying about damaging the valve stem.
Even when it is mounted on the frame using the included bracket, it looks slicker than most pumps that mount at the bottle cage bosses. The bracket is both easy to access and very secure.
HTupolev is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.