I am getting back into tris after years of road and ultra-distance events. Bought a used bike and here’s my question.
Years ago we all carried frame pumps. I’ve noticed that everyone on the forum seem to use CO2. Does anyone use a mini-frame pump? If so, how and where do you carry it? I believe in being self sufficient and will carry an extra tube and CO2, but also patches and a pump, especially for training rides.
Thanks for your help.
Rob
A cell phone is alot lighter and easier to use then all that stuff : )… just kidding!
The only thing I carry is a cell phone. If I flat, I call my wife and she brings me a new wheel!!
Please tell me you are kidding ?
I dont bother with CO2 for training. Why spend money when you dont need to ? We’re turning into wusses here - whats a little effort to pump up a tyre ? Its as bad as pinching the handicap parking space outside the gym and then working out for a couple of hours.
Why would I be kidding? Its no big deal. My wife is my number one supporter and crew. She doesn’t mind at all and actually enjoys helping me out when I get stuck somewhere. She even removes wheels from bikes still sitting in the shop to bring them to me when I get stuck. She even brings spare parts and wrenches when I have other mechanical breakdowns so I can finsh my rides.
Also remember…we don’t have “real” jobs. We are pretty much free to leave the Inn whenever we like since we have full staff. Its kind of nice being free with your time.
Its not that I can’t carry a pump or use one when I need to…its that I don’t have to, so why bother.
The only air you need: Zefal hpx. Comes in different sizes, pumps to ~150psi, lasts forever. Put it under your top tube, get one of those foam/velcro straps to hold it in place and keep it from rattling (actually, I just use a piece of foam insulation between the pump and my top tube, but my bike has a pump peg).
Iron3x,
I’d have to say I’m partial to the Topeak Road Morph pump. No ripped out stem valves and all the leverage in the world to pump up the tire. The only way to go in my book if you are going to use a frame or mini pump.
I strap it to the underside of the top tube with the mounting clip supplied with the pump. You can get the pump at REI if there is one near you. If it turns out the pump doesn’t suit your needs and you want to go more “retro” you can return it as customer not satisfied with product even though it is not defective for a full refund.
Do you not stray far from home then ? I can be 50 miles away from the house with a flat. The idea of waiting for 90 minutes for my wife to find me stuck down a country lane somewhere doesn’t really appeal to me.
Self sufficient is good - you’d have to be in a race anyway.
Most of my routes are out and back. I live in the middle of the mountains in no mans land. All roads lead almost nowhere : )
Therefore on a 50 mile ride I can’t be more then 25 miles from home at the worst possible place, so its not really that big of a deal. We normally plan a day around my big rides that take me far from home. She’ll go shopping or such while I ride, she then picks me up and we go home.
Its pretty darn nice. She’ll drop me off at the base of a 13 mile climb, she’ll shop, I’ll ride up and back down, then toward home, and she’ll pick me up on my way back home after I’ve gone about 30 miles or so.
You don’t need a pump…you need a job thats not a “real” job : )…