Decent pumps

(Rory) said:

Is that the one that switches from double action to single action? An excellent pump that (bought
my brother one for xmas - think I'll get another for myself). Save the CO2 for your soda stream.

Ah well each to their own. I rather like my CO2 inflater. Small light and pumps up the tyres in
seconds, just what I want when it's cold and dark. Sure if I get three punctures in one ride I'd be
in trouble, since I only carry 2 cylinders. But since I've never had more than one I'm not over
worried. For a longer ride when I'm carrying panniers anyway I'll stick a minipump in as well but
I've never had to use it.

Cheers,

Andy

The message <[email hidden]> from "Just zis Guy, you know?"
<[email hidden]> contains these words:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

So can you either reccomend a good compact pump that will acheive 100psi or thereabouts to carry
on my bike or point me to the relavent thread.

Quoted message said:

Is there any pump other than a Zéfal HPX?

Not really.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden] Edgware.

Helen Deborah Vecht said:

Quoted message said:

Is there any pump other than a Zéfal HPX?

Quoted message said:

Not really.

Thought not :-)

--
Guy
===
I wonder if you wouldn't mind piecing out our imperfections with your thoughts; and while you're
about it perhaps you could think when we talk of bicycles, that you see them printing their proud
wheels i' the receiving earth; thanks awfully.

highwaycode.gov.uk09.shtmlOpen ↗ highwaycode.gov.uk09.shtmlOpen ↗

Just zis Guy said:

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Is there any pump other than a Zefal HPX?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Not really.

Quoted message said:

Thought not :-)

Having been really impressed by the simple good engineering of the Zefal HPX I thought I had
discovered a bicycle pump manufacturer who really understood the physics of bicycle pumping. But
Zefal also produce extremely silly inefficient bicycle pumps, just like all the other pump
manufacturers. Is this because there is a strong market for [censored] pumps which won't buy anything
good? Or could it be that Zefal made this pump by accident and haven't a clue why it works well, or
even that it's actually a good pump?
--
Chris Malcolm [email hidden] +44 (0)131 650 3085 School of Artificial Intelligence, Division of
Informatics Edinburgh University, 5 Forrest Hill, Edinburgh, EH1 2QL, UK
[dai.ed.ac.ukcamOpen ↗ ] DoD #205

(Chris Malcolm) said:

Just zis Guy said:

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Is there any pump other than a Zefal HPX?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Not really.

Quoted message said:

Thought not :-)

Having been really impressed by the simple good engineering of the Zefal HPX I thought I had
discovered a bicycle pump manufacturer who really understood the physics of bicycle pumping. But
Zefal also produce extremely silly inefficient bicycle pumps, just like all the other pump
manufacturers. Is this because there is a strong market for [censored] pumps which won't buy anything
good? Or could it be that Zefal made this pump by accident and haven't a clue why it works well, or
even that it's actually a good pump?

These are precisely the thoughts I've had over this pump. I saw it recommended, did a bit of reading
and took all the advice on board. Then I bought one. And yes, it's great. It works nicely. Even my
girlfriend was pleased with it, who couldn't use anything hitherto to get air in her tyres. But
what's the big deal? It's a pump for god's sake. Is there anything else other than the slightly
'smaller bore' that facilitates the relative ease with which this pump functions?

No complaints here though.

bob

Bob Flemming said:

No complaints here though.

I'm sure I could complain if I really tried. Let me see.... Ah, yes: I had to grease the thing last
week, and it's only twenty years old! There, clearly a [censored] product :-)

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. chapmancentral.comchapmancentral.comOpen ↗ (BT ADSL and
dynamic DNS permitting)
NOTE: BT Openworld have now blocked port 25 (without notice), so old mail addresses may no longer
work. Apologies.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Having been really impressed by the simple good engineering of the Zefal HPX I thought I had
discovered a bicycle pump manufacturer who really understood the physics of bicycle pumping.
But Zefal also produce extremely silly inefficient bicycle pumps, just like all the other pump
manufacturers. Is this because there is a strong market for [censored] pumps which won't buy
anything good?

Yes, a lot of cyclists are unwilling to spend more than about £6 for a pump. They see a load cheapo
pumps on the market and think they must be good enough.

As well as an HPX, I've got a Zefal SP - a simple cheap plastic job - which has worked reasonably
well for many years, BUT is only any good up to about 95psi - and does always require more effort
than the HPX. And most other cheapo pumps are just about ok for low pressures.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Or could it be that Zefal made this pump by accident and haven't a clue why it works well, or
even that it's actually a good pump?

These are precisely the thoughts I've had over this pump. I saw it recommended, did a bit of
reading and took all the advice on board. Then I bought one. And yes, it's great. It works nicely.
Even my girlfriend was pleased with it, who couldn't use anything hitherto to get air in her
tyres. But what's the big deal? It's a pump for god's sake. Is there anything else other than the
slightly 'smaller bore' that facilitates the relative ease with which this pump functions?

That is the main thing, but the spring lockout feature and quality & design of the head
helps as well.

My only major complaint is the weight. Does it really have to be so heavy? Anyway, nevermind, the
_extra_ 100g is worth it. More important to have harder tyres than carrying less weight. Also, the
grip could be made more comfortable and effective. I removed mine (after it slipped a bit) and it's
better without (except in very cold weather)!

Zefal could flog more of them if they reduced the weight, updated the looks - perhaps with colour
choices, and supplied it with accessories to fit bikes in alternative ways. (Yes, DIY methods can be
used but still many people don't realise how versatile the pump is).

~PB

In message <[email hidden]>, Bob Flemming
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

(Chris Malcolm) said:

Just zis Guy said:

Helen Deborah Vecht wrote:

Quoted message said:

>> Is there any pump other than a Zefal HPX?

Quoted message said:

> Not really.

Quoted message said:

Thought not :-)

But Zefal also produce extremely silly inefficient bicycle pumps, just like all the other pump
manufacturers. Is this because there is a strong market for [censored] pumps which won't buy
anything good?

I think so.........

Quoted message said:

But what's the big deal? It's a pump for god's sake. Is there anything else other than the slightly
'smaller bore' that facilitates the relative ease with which this pump functions?

The ability to 'lock' the handle so you don't have to compress the spring each time makes quite a
difference, leave it 'unlocked' and try
it.
--
Chris French, Leeds

In message <[email hidden]>, James Annan
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Graham Glen <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In message <[email hidden]>, Rory <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

>
> Or else just carry the compact pump. I'm impressed with the Crank bros minipump - it's short
> enough to fit into a small saddle bag along with tube and other essential tools, yet still
> quite adequate IME.

Is that the one that switches from double action to single action? An excellent pump that
(bought my brother one for xmas - think I'll get another for myself).

Yes, single & double action, presta and schrader (sp?) valves and a pressure gauge.

Not quite the one I have. The smaller one fits in the toolkit as well as being cheaper and lighter,
but the bigger one may be a bit better functionally.

I didn't realise they made two - looking at the website there's a powerpump and a powerpump alloy
(which is what I have). Apart from the body being made of alloy and having a gauge, the other
difference is length - the alloy is nearly 4 inches longer.

Graham
--
Graham Glen

Andy, I just bought a Zefal Co2 pump too, but the simple instruction hard cover is useless. I already missused 2 canister just for training and I'm not going any way. Can you please give me some guidance on how to use the pump.

If the step-by-step is too long, you may want to send it directly to my email at [email hidden]