A pump that's easy to use?

[Rose]

I must be ridiculously weak or inept or something, but I can't succeed in pumping up my tyres, even with a foot pump. I have to get my husband to do it but he finds it hard work and says it's worse than cycling up steep hills (on an ordinary bike). Does a pump exist that will do the job easily?

 

[Fecn]

I mostly use a small cigarette-lighter powered car tyre compressor for keeping my tyres topped up. However, I also carry one of these Crank Brothers pumps when I'm out and about.

+++ CrankBrothers - PowerPump Alloy +++

The pump has a switch on the bottom allowing you to choose between high-volume and high-pressure modes. The high-volume mode is good for getting lots of air into the tyres quickly up to about 20psi (great when pumping from flat), and the high-pressure mode puts less air in on each stroke, but takes me all the way up to the 65psi I like in my tyres.

 

[JohnInStockie]

Tesco, Aldi and Lidl all sell a Track pump, costs lese than £8 and includes a gauge. From experience I can tell you that these are easy to use.

The best £6.49 (Tesco) that I have ever spent.

John

 

[Mussels]

+++ CrankBrothers - PowerPump Alloy +++

The pump has a switch on the bottom allowing you to choose between high-volume and high-pressure modes. The high-volume mode is good for getting lots of air into the tyres quickly up to about 20psi (great when pumping from flat), and the high-pressure mode puts less air in on each stroke, but takes me all the way up to the 65psi I like in my tyres.

I had one of those and found it very hard in high pressure mode, not the worst pump I've had but when it got nicked I replaced it with a Topeak Morph pump. The way the Morph converts to track pump style makes it the easist pump I've seen to use*, the downside is it's size but if you get a puncture you'll be thankful.
* Apart from proper track pumps but they are too big to carry on the bike.

 

[Alex728]

I've always keep a Topeak Turbo Morph in my pannier bags and would recommend it. I think there are two models, the cheaper one doesn't have the pressure gauge..

also got a track pump at home, my other bike is a hybrid and has 700c wheels and tyres usually pumped to 6.5-7 bar.. (95-100psi)

 

[flecc]

I'm also a Topeak fan, but at home I have always used a full size stirrup pump since these pump anything with ease, car, motorcycle or bike, and much better than wobbling about using a foot pump.
.

 

[Rose]

Thanks for all your replies - lots to think about there.

My husband says he finds that what makes it hard work is not that the pumps don’t pump well, but that the connection to the valve doesn’t work well. Or if one does work well (like the Aldi ones) it soon breaks.

 

[Rad]

I'd also recommend the Tesco track pump that John in Stockie mentioned. Well worth 8 quid.

 

[musicbooks]

Hi Rose,
I bought a Bell track pump from ASDA direct, £10.99. Very easy to use. Pumps up tyres to correct pressure in seconds.

BW
musicbooks

 

[stokepa31_mk2]

I also have the tesco track pump and it takes me up to 80psi very easily. Are you using woods valves on a kalkhoff as these can be a pain to pump easily. if you are, I would recommend changing your tubes to shrader or presta valves.

 

[Barnowl]

Thanks for all your replies - lots to think about there.

My husband says he finds that what makes it hard work is not that the pumps don’t pump well, but that the connection to the valve doesn’t work well. Or if one does work well (like the Aldi ones) it soon breaks.

Hi Rose,

I have half a dozen pumps at the moment and the only one I'd recommend is Topeak. They're worth it. Your husbands right. The Aldi track pump and mini pump I bought are a tight fit and somehow fail to push much air into the tyre. Also one of the feet broke off the Aldi track pump.

I find when I just want to pump my tyres up to 100 PSI with as little effort as possible and cycle off I use the Topeak.

 

[winterdog]

You have probably tryed this but...
i have had slime stuck in my valve befoure it makes it real hard to pump up. got a valve removal tool from my nice local bike shop and hoopla all was well again

davidk

 

[Barnowl]

Always pump tyres with slime in the inner tube with the valve at the 9 - 12 o clock position. The slime pools at the bottom of the tyre and can block the valve. If you block presta valves you can't remove the valve.

 

[tenderbehind]

A great little air compressor.

I can highly recommend the Ring RAC 600 air compressor. Worked by the cars 12 volt cigar connection it has the acclaim of being the ''What Car'' mag Winner, the ''Which'' Mag Winner and ''Auto Express'' Highly Commended.
I bought it from Motabitz at £25 00, this was an on line price strictly but the chap in the shop let me have it for that price.
It's very efficient, easily pumping up the Wisper tyres to 60 psi, I haven't tried it higher, though doubt if thee would be a problem. It easily pumps up the car and van tyres I have, by pre set pressure, ie turning off automatically, or manually set pressure. it puts in air at a fast rate, about 1 psi every 2 seconds or so, though I admit I have never tried timing it, but you certainly don't have to wait long for high presssure to be achieved. It has a in built torch, a white flashing automatic SOS, and, (I think), a red warning light; it comes in a neat carry case with other adaptors. The valve fitting 'tube' screws on to the tyre valve which I find far easier than the clip on types which always seem to lose some hard earned pressure when pulled off.
I'm going to Wales for a week in September with the Wisper in the back of the estate car, and the Ring will certainly be coming with me.