Pump recommendations please
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- Dave Barter
- Posts: 3821
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 6:21 pm
Pump recommendations please
Had to make a call of shame back home on Saturday as my Lezyne mini pump failed completely when the seals destroyed themselves.
I'm after a reliable pump for bike packing. Must meet the following criteria:-
- has a hose and presta fitting
- can handle getting wet a lot
- can see off a chav at 30 yards when waved threateningly
- does not need an app or bluetooth
- fit in backpocket of jersey or very small frame bag
I'm after a reliable pump for bike packing. Must meet the following criteria:-
- has a hose and presta fitting
- can handle getting wet a lot
- can see off a chav at 30 yards when waved threateningly
- does not need an app or bluetooth
- fit in backpocket of jersey or very small frame bag
Elite keyboard warrior, DNF'er, Swearer
- Bearbonesnorm
- Posts: 24197
- Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:53 pm
- Location: my own little world
Re: Pump recommendations please
I've got a Topeak Race-rocket MT and it does all you ask ... except, it will sometimes unscrew the valve core when you remove it, which sort of defeats the object of blowing yer tyre up. However, if your cores are nicely 'nipped up' it's not a problem.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- In Reverse
- Posts: 1855
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 9:08 pm
- Location: Manchester
Re: Pump recommendations please
I use one of these:

Not aware of any seal issues - by losing at least 2 pumps per year I've been able to mitigate that risk before it gets chance to develop.

Not aware of any seal issues - by losing at least 2 pumps per year I've been able to mitigate that risk before it gets chance to develop.

Re: Pump recommendations please
Yeah, that one or similar. I've had mine about 6 years now and it's been bulletproof.In Reverse wrote:I use one of these:
- Dave Barter
- Posts: 3821
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 6:21 pm
Re: Pump recommendations please
That Lezyne is same design as mine that failed
Elite keyboard warrior, DNF'er, Swearer
Re: Pump recommendations please
I've got the same and not had any issues. How old was it? I think the main seal on the piston is just an o ring. Have you ever greased it?Dave Barter wrote:That Lezyne is same design as mine that failed
Mine came apart in my frame-bag, unscrewed itself into the separate parts due to all the vibration I guess. I cleaned up the pieces and re-greased the inside of the barrel with some grease for use in car brake cylinders, put it back together and I've not had any problems since.
Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
- Dave Barter
- Posts: 3821
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 6:21 pm
Re: Pump recommendations please
Quite old, 3-4 years. I had not greased it I admit.sean_iow wrote:I've got the same and not had any issues. How old was it? I think the main seal on the piston is just an o ring. Have you ever greased it?Dave Barter wrote:That Lezyne is same design as mine that failed
Mine came apart in my frame-bag, unscrewed itself into the separate parts due to all the vibration I guess. I cleaned up the pieces and re-greased the inside of the barrel with some grease for use in car brake cylinders, put it back together and I've not had any problems since.
I'm wondering about one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Micro-F ... r+drive+hp as the pressure relief valve stops the unscrewing problem Stu talks of
Elite keyboard warrior, DNF'er, Swearer
Re: Pump recommendations please
I have that leyzne mini pump too and it's been fine for both MTB and road use.
Thankfully I don't seem to get that many punctures, maybe a couple a year, so its not been over worked.
Thankfully I don't seem to get that many punctures, maybe a couple a year, so its not been over worked.
- In Reverse
- Posts: 1855
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2015 9:08 pm
- Location: Manchester
Re: Pump recommendations please
It's one of the character building tenets of cycling to pump up a tyre, particularly a high-volume one that's taken ages to inflate using a tiny pump, only for all the air burst free in a nano second as the valve core unscrews. Bonus points if you also lose the seal on the rim. Double combo bonus if it happens when other people are waiting for you. And it's raining.Dave Barter wrote: the unscrewing problem Stu talks of
Re: Pump recommendations please
I've got one of them as well, it's what I take in the car to the start of events as it's much smaller (and better) than my Park track pump. It will also unscrew a valve core.Dave Barter wrote:I'm wondering about one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Micro-F ... r+drive+hp as the pressure relief valve stops the unscrewing problem Stu talks of
I think any pump with a screw on fitting has the potential to unscrew a valve core. I think the issue is not the pumps but the fact that some tubes and tubeless valve assemblies come with the cores screwed in finger tight. I now check mine and do them up with a proper tool and don't have any issue, and I also don't screw the pump hose on any tighter than necessary.
Have you taken your pump apart? If it's just the o ring it may well be fixable.
Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
Re: Pump recommendations please
The first time it happened to me it was raining - and blowing a gale - and dark, pre-tubeless days so I had just put my spare tube in and blown it up only for all the air to escape. I refitted the valve and blew the tyre back up. Turned the bike back over and the other tyre had gone flat. As I was only a couple of miles from the end of the ride and getting colder by the minute I gave up on inflation and just ran with the bike to the end and my carIn Reverse wrote:It's one of the character building tenets of cycling to pump up a tyre, particularly a high-volume one that's taken ages to inflate using a tiny pump, only for all the air burst free in a nano second as the valve core unscrews. Bonus points if you also lose the seal on the rim. Double combo bonus if it happens when other people are waiting for you. And it's raining.

Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
Re: Pump recommendations please
I've just bought the road version of one of those mini track pumps for taking away on trips with me (so I can use it alongside my airshot if required). On paper they seem fantastic.
- Dave Barter
- Posts: 3821
- Joined: Sun Jun 16, 2013 6:21 pm
Re: Pump recommendations please
Apparently it can be eased if you release the pressure between pump and valve before unscrewing. I can see how this increases the tension on the valve. I thinksean_iow wrote:I think any pump with a screw on fitting has the potential to unscrew a valve core. I think the issue is not the pumps but the fact that some tubes and tubeless valve assemblies come with the cores screwed in finger tight. I now check mine and do them up with a proper tool and don't have any issue, and I also don't screw the pump hose on any tighter than necessary.Dave Barter wrote:I'm wondering about one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Micro-F ... r+drive+hp as the pressure relief valve stops the unscrewing problem Stu talks of
Yes, the pump head is firmly jammed in the shaft which is full of bits of seal (I think that is a Right Said Fred song?). I just can't trust it againsean_iow wrote: Have you taken your pump apart? If it's just the o ring it may well be fixable.
Elite keyboard warrior, DNF'er, Swearer
Re: Pump recommendations please
I'm really pleased with mine. This might be obvious, but it wasn't too meRichard G wrote:I've just bought the road version of one of those mini track pumps for taking away on trips with me (so I can use it alongside my airshot if required). On paper they seem fantastic.


Adventure without risk is Disneyland - Bikemonger
Re: Pump recommendations please
I've been very pleased with my Lezyne Alloy Drive. I have a mountain morph as well but I stopped carrying it since getting the alloy drive
Re: Pump recommendations please
Dave, all pumps will contain seals. They are all prone to failure. They're a wear item really.
At least with Lezyne you can take it apart and rebuild it, and buy seal kits.
https://www.upgradebikes.co.uk/Catalogu ... -Seal-Kits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYZ5Smx4FmQ
Use some silicone grease
At least with Lezyne you can take it apart and rebuild it, and buy seal kits.
https://www.upgradebikes.co.uk/Catalogu ... -Seal-Kits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYZ5Smx4FmQ
Use some silicone grease

Re: Pump recommendations please
So the next question is should I strip my pump down to regrease the seals? Or just ignore it and carry on as per normal?
- Chicken Legs
- Posts: 492
- Joined: Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:49 am
- Location: Mid Essex
Re: Pump recommendations please
I have got that pump Dave, it does not unscrew the valve core and I will be replacing with the same when its finished.Dave Barter wrote: I'm wondering about one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Micro-F ... r+drive+hp as the pressure relief valve stops the unscrewing problem Stu talks of
Will shake to bits in a bag as the cap unscrews.
Comes with a bracket to fit under your bottle holder on the frame.
Nice and light for the size of it.
Edit - don't get the one with the gauge, not necessary.
Last edited by Chicken Legs on Mon Jun 18, 2018 9:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"What is man but the sum of his memories"
Re: Pump recommendations please
Yep - I got one too. I like it, not used much to be fair , Fits neatly to bikeChicken Legs wrote:I have got that pump Dave, it does not unscrew the valve core and I will be replacing with the same when its finished.Dave Barter wrote: I'm wondering about one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Micro-F ... r+drive+hp as the pressure relief valve stops the unscrewing problem Stu talks of
Will shake to bits in a bag as the cap unscrews.
Comes with a bracket to fit under your bottle holder on the frame.
Nice and light for the size of it.
2924 miles per Gallon
Re: Pump recommendations please
Definitely Ben, either silicone grease like Zip says, or suspension greasebenp1 wrote:So the next question is should I strip my pump down to regrease the seals? Or just ignore it and carry on as per normal?

Ever Feel Like You're Being Orbited?!
Re: Pump recommendations please
I have one which is referred to as “ The Swedish c##k Pump” for some unknown reasonDave Barter wrote:I'm wondering about one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Micro-F ... r+drive+hp as the pressure relief valve stops the unscrewing problem Stu talks of

It’s a great pump, and light.
The only thing is it’s not very small for putting in a frame bag
- ZeroDarkBivi
- Posts: 1267
- Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2014 9:18 am
- Location: Somerset
Re: Pump recommendations please
Tracking this thread, as I also should replace my ancient Lezyne pump, although it has never let me down yet, I have never done any maintenance either, so failure must be imminent!
That looks a bit over-engineered and bulky for on-the-bike, and the pressure gauge inadequate for normal mtb pressures. That's assuming it is accurate to start with - my Lezyne track pump works fine, but the gauge is massive inaccurate when checked with a proper gauge. Used to have a Mtn Morph, which worked fine, but also a bit large to stow on the bike.Dave Barter wrote: I'm wondering about one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lezyne-Micro-F ... r+drive+hp as the pressure relief valve stops the unscrewing problem Stu talks of
Re: Pump recommendations please
Yeah, the gauges are sh*t on them, but I've used them as a starting point before putting my little electronic pressure gauge on to get the value exactly right.
You could always go for the eyewateringly expensive digital version though: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lezy ... prod171328
You could always go for the eyewateringly expensive digital version though: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lezy ... prod171328
Last edited by Richard G on Mon Jun 18, 2018 6:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Pump recommendations please
I switched from the Serfas Big Stick (still alive after 4 years with no maintenance...barely) to the Lezyne HV. The valve core unscrew thing is a PITA but nothing that tightening the core in the first place doesn't fix. Wife swiped my Mountain Morph years ago and I've not seen it in a while.
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