That's not even a little bit true. Several mini-pumps have been mentioned in this thread that will inflate a tire in ~100 pumps or less.

Some pumps and CO2 inflaters come with guages--One of the Lezyne models does as does the significantly bulkier Topeak Road Morph.

But doing it by feel works well enough to get you home, usually.

Topeak Morph Pump & ride sensible to avoid using it. Usually a flat happen when the other option was to ford a ravine, exchange paint with a vehicle, or end up with a pinch flat. Easier to just replace/patch the 1 hole...

You probably determine chicken is cooked by pushing on it instead of using a digital thermometer.

...

Since discovering the type I have a couple of small pumps with hose and fold out foot. . . mini floor pumps. Less tiring, less risk of breaking a valve, slightly faster and easier because you aren't wasting half your energy just to keep the valve end steady. I have several, on different bikes, and they all work OK, even the $10 Ebay one.

My comment was based on LDL's statement- - I have no idea how long LDL's pump lasted- could have been 1 week or 10 years, not sure. Either way, LDL doesnt recommend it so LDL clearly didnt find value in it.
- I didnt claim it uses as much raw materials as disposable cartridges. I simply said a full size frame pump that breaks in half after a small drop is a big environmental waste.
- I have 0 idea how much raw material goes into a cartridge and I have 0 idea how much raw material goes into a full size frame pump.
- I very much doubt that most people test their pump before every ride to ensure it is working. So a seal dries out over time since a pump is used rarely, and it doesnt work when finally needed. Thats on the person for not testing before every ride, I guess, but its like blaming someone for not reading itunes TOS since so few test every part of their bike before every ride.



Ease up, my goodness.

Might depend on how often you flat. If you flat a lot, then CO2 cartridges will just add to your expense. Though I've found that you can get the same size cartridges threaded or not from food service industry suppliers for way cheaper than other suppliers.

If I was to flat often, then I'd probably carry a larger frame pump that fits under the top tube. The tiny little pumps, to me, are great for topping off, but not to fully inflate without giving a workout.

Since I'll go 1 or 2 years between flats, I only carry a CO2 inflator. I'm not sure why others might consider them something to fill up land fills, I put mine in the recycling bin. Metal is very recyclable. I sometimes crush them just to ensure they don't think they are still pressurized.

I took it to mean the fools that discard the empty cartridges along the road or trail.

I use full length frame pumps that fit in front of the seat tube or under the top tube. Depends on the bike. The wife uses a vintage Silca Impero, I used an Impero, but now use a Zefal HPX. Both Imperos are close to 40 years old and plastic and work perfectly and are rebuildable. Both Imperos and the Zefal HPX are compression mountings that do not need a pump umbrella, and fit between the frame tubes..

Which is why I don't recommend the Zefal. It came with the bike and lasted just about a year. It was a good pump the three times I had to use it, but I was shocked by how brittle the plastic was. Now that I know, I agree with you, it's disposable waste.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing people for using co2, That's just my personal calculation.

I carry a CO2 inflator, and 3 CO2 bottles. I also have a small pump with a flexible hose on it. Get one like mine with a short hose so you dont put pressure on your presta valve stem.

I carry a CO2 inflator, and 3 CO2 bottles. I also have a small pump with a flexible hose on it. Get one like mine with a short hose so you dont put pressure on your presta valve stem.

I prefer full frame pumps. On my carbon disc bike with a curved top tube I've been carrying a mini pump. But I think I'm going to buy a Co2 cartridge holder that bolts to the bottle cage mount. Two on that and one in the pocket.

Two theories of on-the-road puncture repair:

1. You don't have a puncture very often so it doesn't matter very much how long it takes you to re-inflate your tire afterward.
2. Since you got a puncture, you're already upset. The quicker and easier you get back on the road, the less upset you're apt to get.

Which one more accurately describes you?

...


.

I like the Lezyne Road Drive. I have one in the medium size, and recently ordered one in the large size.

I have a frame pack that hangs underneath the top tube. It can accommodate one of these pumps, spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, small multitool, etc., along with my flip phone. I keep my Topeak SmartGauge D2 in there, too; not terribly concerned about the grams.

For my city loops I carry a small pump on my frame (on the water bottle bracket). A Lezyne I think. It does the job with some effort. Which ever one it is it's a highly rated one. On long rides I carry my trusty Silca Pocket Impero pump. I don't mess around. If I'm off trail in more remote areas I carry the Pocket Impero pump and a CO2 inflator as a backup.

BOTH!!! Situation specific.

My last flat a few weeks ago and the first in years (well, the one I discovered at home does not count) was on a new bike. REAR, of course, My first thru-axle. Off comes the one pannier. Dump it on street. Next figure out thru-axle (not much but first time). Now try locating cause - absolutely easy, A damn staple with both legs in tire. Memorize location (not needed went with spare tube). Now dump pannier's contents looking for tire irons, pump, patch kit, tubes. Now bust a gut (first time) getting tire off rim. Getting hot and bothered. Pump up tube free of tire and it is good. Replace tube and BUST gut second time trying and trying and TRYING to mount tire on rim. My friend gives it a try. Busts her gut. Some pedestrian with fresh fingers offers and we accept. He succeeds. Oh, yes, little leyzine with flex tube and small foot loop. Pump, pump.... pump. Feels very firm - no guage. EXHAUSTED. Complete last 15 miles of 20 mile ride. At home, tire was within 3-5 pounds of 85. Not bad.

NOT fun but success. All it took was the right tools and THREE people, one of which was not along on the ride! I've never used CO2. Most of the exasperation was removing and fitting the tire. The pumping was work but at that point ....

Depending on how you feel about carrying more gear, you might consider a Kool Stop bead jack.

I don't carry one myself, but that's because I know that the tires I'm using are manageable without one.

What point am I misconstruing?

That's in large part because the 110 psi we used to get in 100 strokes with our full frame pumps is now 70 psi. (I lent my HP to a 45 yo clubmate to put 120 psi into his tires for a TT. He was a small, skinny engineer. Not an issue at all. I challenge you to do that with any mini and be able to come back and say that was fun with a straight face,

I'm with 3) - wanting the right tools for the job. For a bicycle tire pump up, a floor pump. If I have to carry it with me, a good full frame pump. A pump that can reach full pressure easily. A pump I don't mind using anytime I want more pressure than I am currently riding. (I really don't like coming off a great gravel ride and squishing the last 35 miles of pavement home.)

I used to run CO2 until I got 4 flats in a single ride. Then I switched to a pump until I had the seal fail on me. Now I carry both.

Your concern about size vs function is valid, as I have had pumps that seem to take forever. I carry a Pro Bike Tool "Mini Floor Pump" on the tandem because it works well, but it is a little large. Makes me wonder if the same brand's "Classic" would be a good compromise, but I have also seen excellent reviews for the Lezyne which is the same price. I guess what I'm saying is, I'm just here to see what others say about the Lezyne or other brands.