Old Bikey and the footpump.

[Vikki]

As promised, the story of Old Bikey, New Bikey and the footpump. OK, this story is going to make me look like a mad woman but I'm up for it.

I was out back at work by the bikeshed and I was talking to Old Bikey (it was the day before the Wisper was due to arrive) and telling him that he had done sterling work over the last 7000+ miles and was about to go into a gracefull retirement (ok, I talk to inanimate objects).

On the way home that night I was riding up Hart's Farm Way when I thought the back end of the bike felt funny. I stopped and looked back and saw I had a flattish kind of flat. In a Bontrager puncture resistant tyre. It didn't feel like a flat because of the anti-pinch protection the tyre has.

I hoped it was a slow puncture so I whipped out my trusty footpump and put some air into the tyre. It wasn't a slow puncture. It went down in 200 yards.

By now I'm on the A27 cycleway and by the last lampost illuminating the A27. Not a lot of light to work by but better than pitch black. I got my tools out and removed the tyre and pulled out the innertube. Did I say it was blowing a gale, it was ruddy cold and it was drizzleing with rain and my hair was in my face and the tyre was filthy? Well, it was all that.

I found the puncture pretty quickly and soon had a patch on it. Tube and tyre back in place I attach my trusty footpump and start to inflate the tyre - for two seconds! The shaft holding the cross bar in place shears at one end (why was it made of brass?) and I'm left with a seriously twisted footpump.

So, I've got one hoof on the bottom part of the pump to stabilise it while my other hoof is trying to apply a steady stream of pumps at an angle that only a sharpened brick in free flight should have. I get the pressure up to 50psi when top hoof slips and the whole pump gives up the ghost and flies apart Thank goodness I'd got it as far as 50psi because I didn't have a spare pump. It got me home safely but I couldn't help wondering if it was Bikey's attempt at a spot of revenge.

Vikki.

 

[flecc]

Great story Vikki.

It's good to laugh about later, but I bet you weren't smiling at the time.

Personally I hate footpumps for any purpose, a good full size stirrup pump is far better and quicker, no wobbly balancing on one leg while pumping with the other, and I use one even for car tyres. Too big to carry on a bike though, a track pump a better option then.
.

 

[Vikki]

Hi, Flecc.

I was thinking of a track pump the other day but I was under the impression they were quite long and I might have problems fitting one to the bike. I'd be interested to hear otherwise. I like the look of the Morph one with the gauge. I've got to go up Cycle World at the weekend end to get a new set of panniers (my old ones have had it, zip gone an all) so I can have a good look at the pumps.

I can't abide the ones that you have to hold as I really struggle to get above 50 psi. Actually, I struggle getting to 50 psi, anything above that is a muscle burning bonus at about 1 pump per 10 seconds.

Best regards.

Vikki.

 

[PED-AL]

Keep the stories coming Vikki - you should write a book as you certainly can tell a tale to raise a smile.
I have an interest in a Wisper so I will be watching for your posts on Bikey.
Allan

 

[Vikki]

LOL, I forgot to mention I had a mouthful of Cateye Opticube front lamp as well so I could see.

 

[Alex728]

I've had two of these car type pumps similarly disintegrate over the years.. also reminds me of how I ended up having to fix a flat on new years eve 2003/04 whilst enroute to a warehouse party outside Reading - ironically ended up fixing the tyre in Halfords car park of all places! Still got there in time for midnight

Hi, Flecc.

I was thinking of a track pump the other day but I was under the impression they were quite long and I might have problems fitting one to the bike. I'd be interested to hear otherwise. I like the look of the Morph one with the gauge.

bouught one of these a week ago - haven't used it much yet (also have a larger track pump at home) but its just the right size to fit in the panniers (the powacycle salisbury has oddly shaped tubing which is a tube one end and a rectangle the other, and its dimensions make it hard to find a convenient fixing point)..

 

[flecc]

Hi, Flecc.

I was thinking of a track pump the other day but I was under the impression they were quite long and I might have problems fitting one to the bike.

Vikki.

Decent bike shops stock mini track pumps with a swing out foot that fit on bikes Vikki. They come with the bits needed for frame attachment. Here's a photo of one, but there are shorter ones too. the only disadvantage with a short one is the need to be bent over quite a lot while pumping, but it's still far easier to get pressure in than a hand pump:

 

[Vikki]

Thanks, Flecc. I'll let you know what I come back with.

 

[flecc]

Here's a pic of one on one of my past bikes:

 

[Mussels]

Decent bike shops stock mini track pumps with a swing out foot that fit on bikes Vikki. They come with the bits needed for frame attachment.

That's pretty much what the Topeak Morph pumps are that Vikki was thinking of. I think it will frame mount on the Wisper, I'll check later.
I did try the Crank Bros dual piston alloy pump but it was pretty rubbish to use.

 

[flecc]

That's pretty much what the Topeak Morph pumps are that Vikki was thinking of. I think it will frame mount on the Wisper, I'll check later.
I did try the Crank Bros dual piston alloy pump but it was pretty rubbish to use.

The one I've shown on the bike above is a Topeak, bought at a local bike shop. They are good.
.

 

[Vikki]

I got the Topeak Road Morph G Masterblaster. It fits neatly on top of the topbar of the frame. I also got a trunk bag and a water bottle.

The water bottle isn't for water. I chose an opaque one and it's carrying my small tools (multi-tool, some spanners and Allen keys). Puncture repair kit was too much with all that in there so it goes a side pocket on the trunk bag.

Best regards.

Vikki.