You will be needing one of these. photo:bike tester.com
Either CO2 cannisters or mini-pumps should be carried in jersey pockets (See Rule #31). The only exception to this rule is to mount a Silca brand frame pump in the rear triangle of the frame, with the rear wheel skewer as the pump mount nob, as demonstrated by members of the 7-Eleven and Ariostea pro cycling teams. As such, a frame pump mounted upside-down and along the left (skewer lever side) seat stay is both old skool and euro and thus acceptable. We restate at this time that said pump may under no circumstances be a Zefal and must be made by Silca. Said Silca pump must be fitted with a Campagnolo head. It is acceptable to gaffer-tape a mini-pump to your frame when no CO2 canisters are available and your pockets are full of spare kit and energy gels. However, the rider should expect to be stopped and questioned and may be required to empty pockets to prove there is no room in them for the pump.
This Rule must have been one of the original Rules to come down from the summit of Mt Velomis, it’s that old. If you want to still use a frame pump you are going to have to find a Silca pump and a Campagnolo pump head, both of which are on the shelf next to the leather Cinelli hair-net helmets in lower Serbia. Or grow a giant ‘stache, infiltrate the retro Strade Bianchi fondo and nick one off any 1970’s bikes there. Or go on eBay and easily find either item.
The italian company Silca has recently “left the building”. They were renown for their trusty floor pump and slightly less trusty frame pumps. The floor pump is indestructible; mine still hangs out in the dark corner of my shop, ready. It’s always ready. The frame pumps were less indestructible but then again, we were asking them to come on every ride with us, hanging on only by its own spring tension. Between crashes, potholes, and repulsing dogs, this frame pumps took some hits.
Silca has been reborn in the USA and their floor pump has been also been reborn hard as the most beautiful floor pump ever. The Silca name seems to be in very good hands. However, I’m not expecting to see a reissue of the frame pump anytime soon but I’m usually wrong. The mini-pump and these new fangled CO2 canisters may have truly sealed its fate.
Why would a Rule be so specific about its exceptions? Did Lord Merckx favor the Silca frame pump with a campy steel pump head? It’s a question of faith, isn’t it? A pump jammed in the rear triangle of the bike did look very studly, not unlike a Beretta casually stuffed betwixt pants and underwear, in the back, no holster. It’s a little crazy but very functional.
As The Rules go, I’ve been known to “interfere” with myself on this one (god love the Irish for that expression). But this is still preferable to using gaffer tape. Gaffer tape? Something must have been lost in translation between the ancient Flemish and today. Gaffer’s tape was only acceptable anywhere if your first name was Sean and last name was Kelly and you were such a Hardman that anything other than toe clips was a worse sin than interfering with one’s self.
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If the bike has a pump peg, it's getting my frame pump. I seriously don't remember the brand, the logos have worn off.
Co2's in the pocket with a mini pump if I don't ride a bike with a pump peg.
That new Silica pump is pretty slick. But that price could pay a dozen race entry fees, and my ten year old $30 pump works just fine.
@unversio
Oh WOW! I had one of these in the late '80's. I have no idea what happened to it but it was the perfect floor pump. Just bought a Lezyne High Pressure Steel Floor Drive pump and it is excellent, but still dream of my old Silca floor pump.
@Jay
Yup. Also lost my silver Silca top tube frame pump years ago. That should have been a keeper as well. I would still use one if I could find one that fit my 2007 Merckx Scandium frame. They are as sacrosanct as riding tubs. Pure old school class.
Frame mounted pump for my commuter machine.
Mini-pump in jersey pocket for road rides. Easy.
That said, I haven't tried to inflate to 100psi with my mini-pump yet. I might yet change my tune.
@RobSandy
I used to carry a mini-pump...until I had to attempt inflation of a few flat repairs. After that, it's been C02 all the way. Getting anywhere near 100psi on a mini-pump requires a non-cyclist's body type to pull off (in my experience).
@justindcady
Yes, well...I keep meaning to deflate a tyre and re-inflate with the mini as 'practice'. I just keep finding reasons to put it off.
I don't really have a cyclist body type (6ft and 92kgs) so I might have the puff to get that amount of air in. We'll see.
@RobSandy
I'm pretty similar - my commuter/touring type bike has a frame pump on its pump peg, but the fast bike doesn't get one. I use CO2 for the fast bike.
The MTBs generally keep a frame pump zip-tied to the seatstay in case of emergency and a couple CO2 bottles in the bag as well - a weekend away from civilization means I carry plenty of spares.
Decided to go with a Lezyne Sport mini frame pump for my commuter, as it didn't seem much different from the Road Drive and was half the price at the LBS. And, it's just my commuter. Well, second use earlier this week and there was some hissing from the hose where it met the Schraeder end, which was screwed into the pump.
Gotta check on it, but not happy if after two uses the hose is hissin'. I do like Lezyne stuff, but I have had some problems with some of their products.
@RobSandy My Blackburn Airstik SL mini pump is labelled as going to 160psi, but I usually get about 90psi max according to my track pump pressure measure. It's enough to get me home safely though so I won't complain. Plus it fits snugly in my jersey pocket and weighs next to nowt.