So what's the best ...
 

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[Closed] So what's the best mini-pump for carrying?

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Looking at removing the backpack and putting stuff on the bike, so have already done the internal tool, bottle cage and bottle to fit the frame, saddle bag and strap for spare tube, but the pump is where i am struggling.

I had a real nightmare getting a bottle cage on, it's a giant e-reign in small, so no room, i ended up with the fidlock with smallest bottle (and weirdly most expensive!), but had to cut down the bolts to remove the spacers to make it fit, so adding any pump add on will not work, plus it's twist so would probably foul the bottle. This leaves me either carrying it via bumbag, or being able to attach it to my fox raceframe armour via velcro or the likes.

So, what is the pump of choice these days, has to actually function, had to bin the last one as it literally fell apart when using it for the first and only time, luckily i also carry CO2.


 
Posted : 22/12/2020 7:58 pm
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Someone recently had a thread on here carting a wee lezyne in their headtube, was pretty nifty.


 
Posted : 22/12/2020 8:04 pm
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Someone on here popped a tiny pump in the fork steerer (from the bottom) and plugged with a kayak bung. Looked neat.


 
Posted : 22/12/2020 8:04 pm
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https://www.blackburndesign.com/p/core-co2fer-bike-mini-pump/

Slips nicely in to a pocket or pack when on MTB. Sits there under a cage on the gnarmac bike.


 
Posted : 22/12/2020 8:05 pm
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Lezyne all the way. At the very least, get a CNC aluminium barrel.


 
Posted : 22/12/2020 8:41 pm
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I used to say Lezyne. Then I had the fun of the pump unscrewing the valve core. No bother, I thought, I've got wee tool to screw that back in. Did that. Connected pump. Pumped up tyre (again) and unscrewed the pump. And the valve. No matter what I did it kept unscrewing the valve core.
Rode home with the tube from the pump strapped to one of the spokes and still attached to the valve!
Ended up replacing the valve core and it stayed put. But I decided that I wasn't risking going through that again so got a topeak pump with a standard lever actuated valve head.

Still got a Lezyne for the road bike as that doesn't have removeable valve cores.


 
Posted : 22/12/2020 8:47 pm
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I've had exactly the same issue with my Lezyne. Great pump. Worked fine for a couple of years, and now it unscrews my valve core every time.
I used a mates Specialized Air Tool Big Bore MTB pump. Was very good. Loads of volume. Has a similar flexy head to the Lezyne but it doesnt screw on. So no valve cores coming out 🙂


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 12:51 am
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Gosh my Lezyme did the same thing, found I had to unscrew the pump from the lead. Real PITA.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:13 am
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Might have a look around then, lezyne was on the list, i can't put anything in the steerer as just fitted a tool in there, had a look at the spesh big bore, but some negative reviews out there as well.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 9:27 am
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One that will actually inflate your tyres without you putting more effort in than you have on your ride.

Tiny pumps that fit in steerer tubes are all well and good for those all important instabangers, but lets be honest they're not going to inflate your 2.4" trail tyre in a reasonable time, they're meant for road bikes with relatively tiny volumes to inflate.

A good MTB type one is a Topeak Mountain Rocket, fits in a back pocket or you can even use the supplied adapter to mount it to your cage bolts so you never forget it.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 9:34 am
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Tiny pumps that fit in steerer tubes are all well and good for those all important instabangers, but lets be honest they’re not going to inflate your 2.4″ trail tyre in a reasonable time, they’re meant for road bikes with relatively tiny volumes to inflate.

True, but it all depends how often you puncture and need a pump. If it's not very often then just carry the smallest / lightest pump you can find and accept on the rare occasion you use it, it will be a slow faff. If you puncture all the time and sealant doesn't fix it, maybe look at getting some tougher tyres...


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 10:01 am
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Did those Leyzene have the ABS valve?

That made the difference for me.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 10:22 am
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I used to like the Blackburn co2fer but when I came to use it it was full of crud and wouldn’t work it had been fastened on the bike and somehow filling with mud. When I got home I found it was really corroded inside. It’s heavy too. I’m on leyzene now. Not sure how much better it is though. Anyone used the one up one?


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 10:47 am
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True, but it all depends how often you puncture and need a pump. If it’s not very often then just carry the smallest / lightest pump you can find and accept on the rare occasion you use it, it will be a slow faff. If you puncture all the time and sealant doesn’t fix it, maybe look at getting some tougher tyres…

Yup, agreed, I couldn't tell you the last time I had to use my wee pump. And if I'm in a rush (rare!) I'd fire a CO2 in anyway.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 11:18 am
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I keep looking at the Topeak and Lezyne mini pumps, but my ~20 year old Toys'R'Us special still works and comes out with me to work and to the South Downs.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 11:21 am
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I'm with footflaps and nobeer. I can't remember the last time I used a pump on the trail. I carry one for emergencies, so prefer the tiniest, lightest one possible and accept any faff associated with that.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 11:23 am
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ive got on of these

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lezyne-alloy-drive-pump/rp-prod175339

its good but i want something smaller.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 11:32 am
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In my hip pack is a Topeak Race Rocket.  Like many it rarely gets an outing, but we did use it last summer to do the same tyre twice, once after the first replacement inner tube exploded!  It took a while but did the job, it also unscrewed the valve core, so was careful not to over tighten the host the next time.

It's smaller than the Lezyne Sports Pumps (which have worked fine when needed) I use for my road (jersey pocket) and gravel bikes (cage mounted) so I may swap one of them into my pack and use the Topeak for my road rides.

May eventually buy an EDC pump and tool, but struggling to justify the £100 to do so at the moment.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 11:33 am
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I have the Blackburn CO2fer thing linked above. When I first tried to use it after a few months with it on the bike, the pump didn't work. It would not push any air out of the chamber.

I haven't carried a pump on a MTB for about 4 years since that incident. I just use cartridges now whilst out riding. Tube, tool, levers and a cylinder/head bundled with a couple of reusable cable ties and then attached with velcro straps to the frame. Spare cylinder/cylinders taped to seat stays.

You should be able to just use any pump though without a specific frame mount. Just tape it to your frame somewhere. Wrap some spare tape round the pump first so that you can reattach it to your frame after use.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 11:52 am
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Like many I have the valve unscrewing Leyzene. I don't know why i still carry it because I have never yet managed to blow up a tyre and get it off without unscrewing the valve! Had a Topeak before but it didn't last long before the seals gave out. My best and most reliable, as well as the lightest, is a little plastic push/pull pump from Wilkos. Has never let me down, despite me thinking it will surely snap in half every time I use it!

Edit: Just checked and they no longer sell them 🙁


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 11:57 am
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Airbone super nova. You can also get one with a Co2 inflator built in.

https://www.airbone.com.tw/ZT702Product.htm


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:23 pm
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Those new Bonty ones are great.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 1:48 pm
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I borrowed one of these last time i had a puncture:

Topeak Pocket Rocket Mini Hand Pump | Tredz Bikes

It was so good that I bought one the next day to replace the POS lezyne thing that I was trying to use beforehand.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 5:02 pm
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A small smear of Vaseline sorted the lezyn pump / valve core extractor out for me. Good pump. Got the one with the flip out bit to stand on.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 5:12 pm
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Ahh, I forgot about the integrated valve core remover. I went to Schraeder. Maybe some grease in the adaptor would solve that.


 
Posted : 23/12/2020 5:33 pm

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