Best Long Lasting Bicycle Pump

[man_of_all_time]

I have done several searches on this forum but there did not appear to anything that has directly addressed this subject that I could find.

From reading people's stories on this forum it inspired me to ride my bicycle. I am an amatuer and not very knowledgable about bike equipment. My bike is nothing fancy, I bought it used, cheap!

I had bought a bicycle air pump from Walmart which was made by Bell. After a few months I discovered how poorly built it was. The part that attaches to the air stem wore out. Which those parts of the air pump were all made of plastic. Which leads me on a search for an air pump that would last years (preferably) before needing to be replaced for long term PAW survivability.

I realize that part of the equation could have been how I used it. So any suggestions there might help.

[Jacob Creutzfeldt]

Park Tool generally makes good stuff.

http://www.parktool.com/

[velojym]

I don't think you can go wrong with Park, though I don't have much of their stuff.

As for pumps, there are two I've ended up using exclusively: Topeak Morph
and the Joe Blow.
The former is a portable, frame mounted pump with a foldout footpeg and folding
grip. It also has a flexible hose. Once deployed, it pumps a lot like a regular floor pump. Heckloads better than
trying to steady a regular frame pump while working it.

The Joe Blow is a really good floor pump. Great volume and stout enough to put all your weight into it. I'm on
my second Morph, after having worn out the valve on the first one. I'm pretty sure it can be rebuilt, and it went
through several years of heavy use (I used it as my primary pump for about 4 years). It'll last a lot longer when
used as intended.

Both of these pumps work fine on my low-volume/high pressure roadie tires as well as the high-volume/low pressure
mtn. bike tires. I've also used the floor pump with good effect on aircraft tires. I found that it's less trouble than
pulling the hose out of the hangar and digging out the chuck.

I've used a Serfas pump that cost a bit less than the Topeaks, and my wife is still using it now. The biggest reason I
went to my current models is the ability to use the heads on Presta as well as Schraeder valves.

[meatshieldChris]

second for the topeak morph series. I used to commute to work every day by bike with it in my bag, and weekend warror it offroad. I've fallen on it, gotten it in car accidents, fallen on it some more, ridden over it, and generally used and abused it for a good 3 years, and it's still working good. and LOADS better with the hose/feet. I can get a road tire up to 120 psi without a whole lot of work in a minute or so.

my only complaint is that while it's a dual valve type chuck, it takes a minute to switch it. you've gotta unscrew the chuck, and flip the inside around.

[velojym]

second for the topeak morph series. I used to commute to work every day by bike with it in my bag, and weekend warror it offroad. I've fallen on it, gotten it in car accidents, fallen on it some more, ridden over it, and generally used and abused it for a good 3 years, and it's still working good. and LOADS better with the hose/feet. I can get a road tire up to 120 psi without a whole lot of work in a minute or so.

my only complaint is that while it's a dual valve type chuck, it takes a minute to switch it. you've gotta unscrew the chuck, and flip the inside around.

Yeah, the smarthead on my Joe Blow has me spoiled now.
No muss, no fuss... just slip it on and pump.

[andygates]

For a frame-fit pump the Zefal HPx is the standard of awesome over here.

For a home pump, I use a Specialized Air Tool Comp; the SKS Rennkompressor is also very highly rated. There's no reason any of these pumps should fall apart in years of regular use.

[Jacob Creutzfeldt]

Was the pump really crappy, or do you use it very often? If you get a lot of punctures, you might want to take some precautions against that.
Correct tire pressure is the most important thing to prevent punctures. Check the tire, it should have some markings regarding pressure. You could also get puncture-resistant tyres. Schwalbe is a good brand. What tyre model to pick depends on the bike and how and where you ride.

[man_of_all_time]

In reply to Jacob, I think the pump was just really crappy. I would use the pump about every other week.

I want to thank everyone for thier replies.

a lot of good experience is reflected from real world use on the recommendations. That is one reason why I like this community so much. Its not all talk!

[andygates]

Bump that up to once a week for best result. It's a good part of the weekend drill: check the lights, lube the chain, pump the tyres.

[unsafeatanyspeed75]

+1 for the Topeak Morph, easy to pump and the hose connector means there's no chance of tearing the valve out of the tube

-1 for Park pumps, Park stuff is normally good, but I've killed 2 of the home mechanic pumps, they melt with heavy use

At the moment I've got a Specialized Windpipe, it's not quite as easy to use as the Topeak Morph, but it also doubles as a shock pump, has a hose connector and patches in the handle

[cygor98]

i have this for my floor pump
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18238&subcategory_ID=4360
its great, will go up to 160 PSI and unless you are in the velodrome on a track bike that is all you will ever need.
nice universal head so it works on presta or schrader valves. its also very solidly built, and i see it lasting for a long long time.

This is what i keep on my road bike so i can pump to 105 PSI
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=25135&subcategory_ID=4361
Works well but takes a LOT of time to get up to that high a pressure But it has saved my ass on several occasions

For a mountain bike its not as big of a deal for a really nice frame pump because you don't have the pressure that you do on a road bike.


Edit: i pump my tired ever time i go out, not as important sub 50 PSI but much above that and the rubber seeps air so its not bad to get into a habit of airing up on your way out.

[FlashDaddy]

I used a Bontrager charger floor pump for the last 12 months, until the head started leaking badly. I really want a dependable floor pump that will last for years. I don't need to go into the ZPAW and have my pump crap out. My LBS recommended the Blackburn air tower 3, which I am using now. It has a good long reach, which I need to replenish my air horn bottle. It works on Shrader and Presta; handy since I have both types.

I'd really like to hear other folk's experiences with pumps, whether it is floor, frame, cartridge, etc. I'm using an innovations CO2 cartridge fitting now, for airing up after fixing a flat.

There is some excellent advice in this thread already. This thread ought to be a sticky, or maybe we need a dedicated subforum for bicycle threads.

[TacAir]

For a frame-fit pump the Zefal HPx is the standard of awesome over here.

For a home pump, I use a Specialized Air Tool Comp; the SKS Rennkompressor is also very highly rated. There's no reason any of these pumps should fall apart in years of regular use.

I have an Zeful HPx and and even older one, (both frame mounts) - older than my adult children - that still works superbly.

It is never a bad thing to pay for quality...

[velojym]

Amen on the paying for quality. I spent $1200 on Jake, and after a bunch of Century rides and nearly 40,000 miles, the bike still looks like new. Get quality stuff, and take good care of it. If I'm afoot in the PAW, and see a Box mart bike someone left in a ditch due to a flat tire (most common "breakdown" of such bikes, usually ending up being given to charity or moldering in the garage), sure I'll fix the tire and use it, but I'd rather start out on my own *good* bike in the first place.

Same goes for everything you need to support it, and since flats are the most common problem, a good pump is high on the list. Some folks will go for "air free" tires to avoid this, and I'd even consider a set of "bugout tires", but for most of my riding, I prefer pneumatics... so again... good pump with me.

Still on the Morph train. While a few folks have mentioned that it doesn't "look" right mounted on the frame, they're more than happy to see it when it's needed.


Jake and me, in front, finishing our first official Century (Arkie 100) in 2002. My Morph pump is mounted on the seat tube, though it's not real obvious in this photo.