Tire Pumps- for backcountry
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Tire Pumps- for backcountry
I got a flat out riding this past weekend. Nothing unusual about that except I couldn't find it to fix and had a 11km walk home - gravel riding out on back country roads. Ends up it was a snake bite and my spare tire had a leak on the valve which again resulted in the walk.
My little tire pump (delivers pressure but not volume I'm guessing) couldn't put enough air into the tire to enable me to find the leak. Now I'm looking at mini-pumps to carry that deliver more air per stroke.
So was wondering what people are carrying for pumps that deliver a goodly amount of volume or if anyone has some tricks / tips on leak detection in the backcountry. I've looked at some of the "top 10 lists" but I find them to be kind of fence sitting with no clear winners.
Interested in what people are using especially if they are back country riding or bike packing far from the nearest services.
Thanks
My little tire pump (delivers pressure but not volume I'm guessing) couldn't put enough air into the tire to enable me to find the leak. Now I'm looking at mini-pumps to carry that deliver more air per stroke.
So was wondering what people are carrying for pumps that deliver a goodly amount of volume or if anyone has some tricks / tips on leak detection in the backcountry. I've looked at some of the "top 10 lists" but I find them to be kind of fence sitting with no clear winners.
Interested in what people are using especially if they are back country riding or bike packing far from the nearest services.
Thanks
#2
Senior Member
this guy works great when I run out of CO2 though its not super small.
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...drive-hvg-pump
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...drive-hvg-pump
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,344
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Liked 4,189 Times
in
2,472 Posts
The first issue I read is "mini" and "more" applied to the same pump. They tend to be opposing results
The second issue I read is that spare tube (not tire, I think) was also flat.
Many riders use a compressed "air" cartridge and if used with a connector that has a valve one can use just enough to inflate the tube for finding the hole and not so much that reinflating the repaired tire won't happen. One can reduce the tube's "volume" by folding it over part way around the tube to seal off one section. For flats that have big holes I do this to track where around the tube the air flows out. Patching a pinch cut is especially hard but desperate times.
My take a way is to check your spare tube periodically. Andy
The second issue I read is that spare tube (not tire, I think) was also flat.
Many riders use a compressed "air" cartridge and if used with a connector that has a valve one can use just enough to inflate the tube for finding the hole and not so much that reinflating the repaired tire won't happen. One can reduce the tube's "volume" by folding it over part way around the tube to seal off one section. For flats that have big holes I do this to track where around the tube the air flows out. Patching a pinch cut is especially hard but desperate times.
My take a way is to check your spare tube periodically. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
Likes For Andrew R Stewart:
#4
Senior Member
I put my tubes in a bag or leave them in the box.I keep finding loose valves so I carry space valves and a cap to tighten them.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 9,169
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Liked 2,171 Times
in
1,334 Posts
Topeak Road Morph G. Their Mountain Morph puts out a bit more volume, but the gauge on the Road Morph (small as it is!) makes up for it.
BTW, one of the posters here turned me on to a good idea. After repairing a batch of tubes, I put them on a spare rim with an old tire, pump them up, and make sure they hold pressure at least overnight. Takes a few days to run the patch batch through (at maybe 5 minutes per day effort), but it saves time and trouble when I flat on the road.
BTW, one of the posters here turned me on to a good idea. After repairing a batch of tubes, I put them on a spare rim with an old tire, pump them up, and make sure they hold pressure at least overnight. Takes a few days to run the patch batch through (at maybe 5 minutes per day effort), but it saves time and trouble when I flat on the road.
Likes For pdlamb:
#6
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,700
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Liked 4,538 Times
in
2,522 Posts
Well that’s unfortunate. The Mountain Morph, which is better for higher volume tires, used to have a gauge. All of my (very old) Mountain Morphs have gauges.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
The first issue I read is "mini" and "more" applied to the same pump. They tend to be opposing results
The second issue I read is that spare tube (not tire, I think) was also flat.
Many riders use a compressed "air" cartridge and if used with a connector that has a valve one can use just enough to inflate the tube for finding the hole and not so much that reinflating the repaired tire won't happen. One can reduce the tube's "volume" by folding it over part way around the tube to seal off one section. For flats that have big holes I do this to track where around the tube the air flows out. Patching a pinch cut is especially hard but desperate times.
My take a way is to check your spare tube periodically. Andy
The second issue I read is that spare tube (not tire, I think) was also flat.
Many riders use a compressed "air" cartridge and if used with a connector that has a valve one can use just enough to inflate the tube for finding the hole and not so much that reinflating the repaired tire won't happen. One can reduce the tube's "volume" by folding it over part way around the tube to seal off one section. For flats that have big holes I do this to track where around the tube the air flows out. Patching a pinch cut is especially hard but desperate times.
My take a way is to check your spare tube periodically. Andy
My spare is in my seat pack and I hadn't checked condition for at least a year - seems that I should to it more often (as painful as it is; probably less so than doing the "walk".
Likes For Vaughan51:
#10
If you want the Mountain Morph with a gauge, search for the Topeak Turbo Morph.
#11
Senior Member
I use this pump:
https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/854343...bike-hand-pump
It is bigger than a mini pump and also has 2 stages so that it pumps more air per stroke. It also has a short hose . Mine seems well made, but to be honest, I haven't needed to use it yet
https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/854343...bike-hand-pump
It is bigger than a mini pump and also has 2 stages so that it pumps more air per stroke. It also has a short hose . Mine seems well made, but to be honest, I haven't needed to use it yet
#12
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 14,671
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Liked 4,569 Times
in
3,060 Posts
So this is an easy one you didn't need the pump on the road necessarily you just need to pump your tires before you ride and that will eliminate the pinch flat you experienced at first. However it is good to carry a pump with you and the Topeak Mountain Morph is the way to go on that front. The Turbo Morph is a fine pump but a bit heavier, I have it in my tool box as a back up if I need to travel with my tools and pump a tire and don't bring a floor pump or don't have one available.
The spare tube that is unfortunate it does happen and I generally recommend swapping out tubes every so often in your kit so you don't run into an old tube that might cause issues having been sitting crammed in their for so long.
The spare tube that is unfortunate it does happen and I generally recommend swapping out tubes every so often in your kit so you don't run into an old tube that might cause issues having been sitting crammed in their for so long.
Likes For veganbikes:
#13
Senior Member
I've always had good luck with Lezyne HV (High Volume) pumps for my mountain bikes. They come in several varieties, including one or two with a built-in gauge. They work well and I've never had one fail.
#14
Senior Member
+1 on the Topeak Morph series. They're really excellent if you're willing to carry something slightly bulkier/heavier to get a roadside pump that actually #(*$&ing works. And I'll bet you check your spare tube better in the future.
Likes For cpach:
#16
I use a full-size Silca frame pump. They also make a mini pump, which is ever so slightly less eye-wateringly expensive. I add and subtract air on mixed surface rides, so the mini-pump thing gets old quickly, and CO[sub]2[/sub] cartridges would become untenable.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,873
Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter
Liked 3,307 Times
in
2,098 Posts
The Turbo Morph is probably ideal, but it's about 12" long & can be hard to stow if the plan is to keep it in a rear seat rail mounted bag or handle bar bag.
the hybrid rocket HP mini is under 6.5" long & might fit in places better. I've yet to find out if it'll stow in the downtube compartment of a Domane, as it's over 50USd & I don't really have the urgent need to spend money on a pump.
you might consider a cube portable electric bicycle pump to supplement your existing pump? It's pretty small & should have the juice to inflate a suspect tube.
the hybrid rocket HP mini is under 6.5" long & might fit in places better. I've yet to find out if it'll stow in the downtube compartment of a Domane, as it's over 50USd & I don't really have the urgent need to spend money on a pump.
you might consider a cube portable electric bicycle pump to supplement your existing pump? It's pretty small & should have the juice to inflate a suspect tube.
__________________
-YMMV
-YMMV
Last edited by Troul; 08-29-23 at 05:43 AM.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,380
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Liked 533 Times
in
358 Posts
I bought this Tiakia pump the other day and I'm extremely impressed with it.
Amazon.com : Tiakia Mini Bike Pump,Portable Compact Bicycle Pump,High Pressure Frame Pump 260PSI- Air Hand Pump Fit Presta, Schrader & Woods Valves,Aluminum Alloy Durable Tire Pump for Road/Mountain/BMX Bikes : Sports & Outdoors
Has a dual sliding cylinder so it expands to 3 times it's length. Haven't tested the "260 psi" rating but filled a tire on a scooter in seemingly a dozen strokes. Quite well made.
As an aside, I don't understand why you need a high volume pump to find a leak in a tube? What am I missing?
Amazon.com : Tiakia Mini Bike Pump,Portable Compact Bicycle Pump,High Pressure Frame Pump 260PSI- Air Hand Pump Fit Presta, Schrader & Woods Valves,Aluminum Alloy Durable Tire Pump for Road/Mountain/BMX Bikes : Sports & Outdoors
Has a dual sliding cylinder so it expands to 3 times it's length. Haven't tested the "260 psi" rating but filled a tire on a scooter in seemingly a dozen strokes. Quite well made.
As an aside, I don't understand why you need a high volume pump to find a leak in a tube? What am I missing?
#19
For longer rides I carry two spare tubes, an inflator and three CO2 cartridges. Then the pump is pretty much an afterthought - it's a Mini Morph copy, I can't remember the brand.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NW Oregon
Posts: 3,775
Bikes: !982 Trek 930R Custom, Diamondback ascent with SERIOUS updates, Fuji Team Pro CF, Specialized Sirrus Gravel convert '09 Comencal Meta 5.5
Liked 1,136 Times
in
807 Posts
glad i can help.
the best tool to find a tiny leak is your lips... lick them and run the offending tube past them... even the smallest leak will cool your wetted lips..
your lips are the most sensitive parts of your body.
this works great.
i repair a lot of leaky inner tubes... i do 20 or so in one session... i air them up then "water tank" them in my Bathroom Sink.
they then get Re-Tanked AFTER REPAIR to assure the patch held and there are no other leaks.
Last edited by maddog34; 08-29-23 at 04:55 PM.
Likes For maddog34:
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: California's capital
Posts: 640
Bikes: Litespeed Firenze, Spot Acme, Specialzed S Works Pro Race, Davidson Stiletto, Colnago Superissimo
Liked 421 Times
in
244 Posts
I like this Lezyme: Tech Drive HV. Very tidy package with all important bits hidden from debris and water. They claim 90 psi is possible...maybe? Mount fits beneath a bottle cage.
#23
Newbie
Thread Starter
Never used CO2 Cartridges or an inflator so I guess I'm going to have to check them out. I have gone to putting a second tube in my seat pack though.
It does look like the Morph pump in some form is pretty popular. So will be checking them out as well.
Appreciate all the input.
It does look like the Morph pump in some form is pretty popular. So will be checking them out as well.
Appreciate all the input.
#24
F* mini pumps. My pumps are as big as the frame will allow them to be. I'm a fan of Zefal pumps.
My repair kit also has a few valve guts and the tool for it. One more thing you should carry, a piece of canvas. If you slash your sidewall you would not be able to repair or replace the tube because it would pop at the gash unless you wrap it in said canvas.
My repair kit also has a few valve guts and the tool for it. One more thing you should carry, a piece of canvas. If you slash your sidewall you would not be able to repair or replace the tube because it would pop at the gash unless you wrap it in said canvas.
#25
That's called a tyre boot - Park Tool will sell you one, although people have reportedly used banknotes, and as the Park one costs £10 a £5 €5 $5 bill might seem a reasonable alternative. Otherwise pieces of tubular tyre used to be popular for this purpose, when tubs were more widely used.
Last edited by grumpus; 09-01-23 at 10:12 AM. Reason: Typo