I’ve said it once before, but it bears repeating now: adherence to Rule #29 carries with it the ultimate mission of the aspiring Velominatus, which is to geek out endlessly over the minimum amount of gear which yields maximum security in the event of a mechanical incident while riding.
The goal here is twofold. First, with no European Posterior Man Satchel dangling off the back of your bike like an elephant’s nutsack, pocket real estate is at a premium; filling them up with unneeded tools seems wasteful. Second, sagging pockets are as distressing as an EPMS, so care must be taken to ensure the pockets stay as light as possible.
Minimalist multi tool, lightweight inner tube or tubbie goo, and tire levers are all obvious choices; one is left only to endeavor to find the lightest model of each which still functions reliably (a lifetime can be devoted to this task). But that leaves us with the delicate matter of how we choose to resupply the air which provides a simple yet critical element to repairing the most common mechanical of all, the flat tire. The question in this case is, of course, whether to choose a chuck and cartouche c-oh-duex or minipump. Ignoring the obvious utility of being able to challenge someone to a mini-pump duel in the event of irreconcilable difference of opinion on critical matters of La Vie Velominatus, both means of air resupply have their merits.
Dictum 1 above has historically put me in the camp of using a chuck and two C02 cartridges. (One cartouche is not enough, I am much too clumsy to depend on my ability not to bugger the first one up.) First of all, the Lezyne Trigger Drive appeals to my sense of aesthetics; it’s small, nicely crafted, feels great in the hand and can provide hours of fidgeting should it find its way into my pants pocket. I can’t get excited about any particular C02 cartridge, but they are small and simple and I have an inherent appreciation for anything with a thread on it.
Dictum 2, however, does give me some pause; the ensamble is anything but a featherweight. Enter my Lezyne Carbon Roadlite, which was given to me when Lezyne came onboard as Air and Tool Supplier for Keepers Tour 2012. Initially, the pump only accompanied me on wet rides (C02 has a tendency to cause some freezing when discharged in cold, wet weather – very unpleasant). But before long, it began to creep into my thick noggin that the little devil hardly weighs a thing and is more than small enough to fit in my pocket without protruding out of the top, which is most unsightly and considered entirely unacceptable. Today, I find myself reaching for the pump more often than I do the chuck as it lightens my kit a bit, allowing me to consume an additional ale or two without contributing to any overall rider-kit-bike weight gains.
I find myself wondering where others fall in the Great Debate; which path do you walk, Pump or Chuck?
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@Nate
At my age the self adhesive patches are a godsend
Mini pump for me. I've yet to try a CO2 cartridge - call me Amish...
I am guilty on sporting the European Posterior Man Satchel at times. Especially off road, since a 29er tube is too annoying to carry in a jersey pocket.
I was actually semi-stranded the other day, flat 29er in the woods, very old mini-pump DOA. That Lezyne mini pump looks damn cool. I gotta check one out...
I have a lezyne mini pump that has thankfully only been used once in the last 3000km.
However, I am chuck curious - i'll probably switch over at some point.
Lezyne Road Drive here, attached to the frame using a Lezyne CNC bottle cage with integrated mount: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=46298
I'd consider switching to CO2 for group rides, where the speed is helpful and spaces are moochable, should the need arise but for solo rides it'll always be a pump.
Having once been unlucky enough to get 3 punctures on very bitterly cold and soggy winter ride and having only 2 tubes I have learnt the hard way. I was forced to admit defeat and call upon my support vehicle (aka the wife) to come up pick up my frozen soggy arse the lanes of hampshire.
Since then I always carry 2 tubes plus a set of parker adhesive patches which work a treat and take up no space at all. The only down side is if its wet but i'm sure you can stick a patch on under your rain jacket.
Planet x phart mini Pump all the way, my wrists are now stronger than steel yet I have not gone blind. co2 is for the lazy and the weak.
I feel completely degraded now! I have to "come out" and declare myself to be a fully functioning and proud "Man Satchel" user. This stems from a desire to compress and compact the maximum amount of kit in to the minimum space and I have a regular battle with the zip of my "little willy"
There is absolutely no whiff of compressed air anywhere near my bike (well obviously the contents of the tyres/tubes aside) my view is that if struck by lightening on a ride these canisters could very well represent a health hazard in the subsequent explosion. People have pointed out that it would be lighter to carry these and maybe not have an entire bike shop tool set compressed in to my man bag.....but.....I just can't help the fear of being stranded 40 miles from home all out of canisters after my second, third or even sixth puncture and having to call my wife for a pick up! It has happened once and it will NEVER be allowed to happen again!
I can only offer a sincere apology for letting the side down and I guess if you are going to "man bag up" then there is no other way to go than Italian style...
I guess I will await putting in the stocks for people to throw their old pumps and satchel bags at me :(
@Deakus I completely get the desire to pack as much as possible into your willy, but please could you not keep such perversions to yourself.
By the look of it, a willy of that size would fit neatly into a jersey pocket where it need not offend anyone.
@Chris The SciCon Elan 210 Carbonium Black is very slim. I use it only in the jersey pocket and keeps sweat off. And now that I will be taking the valve and CO2 out of the picture, I will want a smaller bag/wallet. And a Roadlite pump.
@unversio
@itburns That's rather pretty but I'm still lusting after @Steampunk's Cannondale Immix cages. Pure, simple beauty.