I have been switching out a Crank Brothers pump from my mountain bike to my road bike, and then of course I forgot --- and got a flat (ran over a rock) about 12 miles from home. Having the extra tube did not help me a lot, so now I figure I could use two pumps - which will probably keep me from every having a flat again..

What type should I get? The C02 appear to be nice, light, and small. I used to have a Zefal on my previous road bike. There are many pumps, like the Crank Brothers. Currently am riding about 100 miles a week.

Of course, I could just carry a pair of walking shoes with me.

Jeff

I have been switching out a Crank Brothers pump from my mountain bike to my road bike, and then of course I forgot --- and got a flat (ran over a rock) about 12 miles from home. Having the extra tube did not help me a lot, so now I figure I could use two pumps - which will probably keep me from every having a flat again..

What type should I get? The C02 appear to be nice, light, and small. I used to have a Zefal on my previous road bike. There are many pumps, like the Crank Brothers. Currently am riding about 100 miles a week.

Of course, I could just carry a pair of walking shoes with me.

Jeff

Carry both a mini pump and CO2 if you can. But if you had to pick one, I would go with CO2. With a CO2, it takes about 10 seconds to get a tire inflated.

I'm with Jett. Getting my Vittorias to 120 psi with a mini pump used to wear me out so much I'd end the ride at that point.

Personal preference rules!!! We have this arguement about once per week.

If you choose to carry only CO2, be sure you know how and are comfortable using it. I would recommend you actually waste a couple cartidges experimenting with the inflator. When the time comes to use it in the field, you will be better prepared.

We ride long-say 200k+ on weekends. Between the 2 of us we have 2 CO2 inflaters, 4 cartridges and a good pump.

Beats ever having to walk.

You hear stories about people using up all their CO2 cartridges, or getting a blister from their mini-pump. Why not just use a full size frame pump. The weight difference is minimal by the time you count the 2 or more cartridges that any prudent person would carry, and you NEVER get stranded. It makes the decision easy for me, and even though I only get a flat every 3K miles or so (none so far this year in over 8K miles), I carry my Silca pump 100% of the time. I usually end up helping everyone else, who can't get theri tires up to pressure with their crappy mini pumps.

It's still a bear to get to 120 PSI with a full sized frame pump. My Zefal is in the garage and I always carry 2 CO2 cartridges, 3 on my MTB.

It's still a bear to get to 120 PSI with a full sized frame pump. My Zefal is in the garage and I always carry 2 CO2 cartridges, 3 on my MTB.

To limit yourself to 2 flats/ride is 'throwing the dice'....if you flat the first time, it doesn't mean that you don't have a sliver of glass in the tire that's only noticable when the tube is fully inflated...I always carry 2 CO2 cartridges too, but the Zefal has saved me from walking more than once (bad cartridges are not rare).

To limit yourself to 2 flats/ride is 'throwing the dice'....if you flat the first time, it doesn't mean that you don't have a sliver of glass in the tire that's only noticable when the tube is fully inflated...I always carry 2 CO2 cartridges too, but the Zefal has saved me from walking more than once (bad cartridges are not rare).

I "know when to fold 'em." After two flats on one ride, I figure I've angered the bike gods and call the wife/swag team to pick me up.

It's still a bear to get to 120 PSI with a full sized frame pump. My Zefal is in the garage and I always carry 2 CO2 cartridges, 3 on my MTB.

True, it is a bear to get to 120 psi with any hand pump. However, the general recommendation is 90 psi on the front tire, and 100 psi on the back. After all, Michelins are limited to 110 psi max. There is no reason you need to pump to 120 psi, so this is a non-issue. I can easily get to 100 psi with my Silca.

My Vittorias are rated at 7-9 bars which is 110-130 psi. I'm heavy so I find 120 works best.

hand pumps wont run out of air like a cartridge ,dont like to walk so a hand pump is always better,read between the lines ,guys that carry co-2 carry a hand pump,never got blisters on my hand either.

I can't easily carry a full-sized frame pump on my roadie due to space, not weight concerns. I need both the downtube and the seat tube for water, and the top tube for 'cross-style carry up the stairs to my apt.

Even with a full frame pump, in nasty weather it makes me grumpy to have to use my pathetic arms to pump up a tire. CO2 is the easiest thing in the world, and IMHO is most important to have on a group ride, so as to not make everyone wait for you to hand-pump. So get one. Wouldn't be a bad idea to still bring your mini, though. I usually do.

You know if you ride in a group alot, then it is not so much of an issue. There will always be plenty of tubes, CO2, and pumps.

However, if you ride solo, then a frame pump, if feasible, is the way to go. It is actually more common than you think to get double flats...especially double pinch flats. Two weeks ago, I saw one guy on our group explode two tubes with a CO2 catridge before he got the third one right (he actually used my frame pump on the 3rd). If he was solo, he was walking.

I carry a frame pump, one spare tube and a patch kit. I have never walked. (although I did ride a flat once for about 15 miles - but it was a tubular.)

Just some additional advise: If for some reason you are ever out on a ride and are miles from home, and you flat YOUR FRONT TIRE and you cannot fix it, move the flat tube to the rear wheel and the good tube to your front wheel. If you must ride, it is easier/safer to ride the flat rear home, than a flat front. Caveat: of course you end up destroying your tire, and possibly even your wheel, so keep that in mind too.

peace
Zac

The consensus here seems to be to carry both but in 14 years of riding and tens of thousands of miles, I've only ever had two flats on a ride once and that was because I didn't seat the tube right and blew it up inflating it. I'll stick to my cartridges and call for help if lightening ever does strike and I have three flats.

The consensus here seems to be to carry both but in 14 years of riding and tens of thousands of miles, I've only ever had two flats on a ride once and that was because I didn't seat the tube right and blew it up inflating it. I'll stick to my cartridges and call for help if lightening ever does strike and I have three flats.

I hear you, I have never double flatted either, and I have many more years and miles. My point was that double pinch flats happen. CO2 mishaps happen. I am sure frame pumps mishaps happen too, but at least for me, I have never heard of one.

My frame pump is my insurance policy. I do long solo rides and frequently find myself 50+ miles from home, on unknown rural roads. Cell coverage may not exist, I might not be near a land line telephone, and my wife may not be available. My frame pump works for me, and if I get two or three flats, the bike gods are telling me to get off the bike for a few (more) minutes and exercise my upper body for a change! ;)

peace
Zac

Or you could abandon the pump and just get a different wife!! Mine lives in mortal fear of me calling her from some country location that requires 15 turns to find, but it's never happened.

Is the topeak roadmorph. Small, but fold down foot-peg and a guage. I (and lots who have used it) have no problem getting tires to 100-110 with it. It is by far the best portable pump I have used.