Footpump - any recommendations?

[Theboybilly]

I've been using airlines at my local supermarket for a while but would like the convenience of a pump at home to top up my tyre pressures.
Using my bicycle track pump on the front is a breeze but on the rear there is not so much room to use the hinged 'clip' mechanism as the rear hub gets in the way. I don't like the idea of forcing the valve to one side. Today I borrowed my neighbours' Michelin footpume which has a screw-top valve. It was okay, it did the job but I've seen reviews casting doubt on it's long term durability. Is anybody using a pump that they would recommend please?

Bill

[Theboybilly]

Just had a 'lightbulb' moment. I could use an angled valve extender......doh!!

Bill

[gn2]

Alternatively you could use my preferred method, just never bother checking them.

[Slickvic]

Alternatively you could use my preferred method, just never bother checking them.

[maddiedog]

Alternatively you could use my preferred method, just never bother checking them.

That's horrendeously unsafe.


I keep a standard bicycle pump in my toolkit, just one of the normal ones that mounts on the bike frame.

[gn2]

That's horrendeously unsafe.

No its not.
If the tyre looks inflated enough it almost certainly is.
If you get a puncture you will in all probability be riding when it happens.
If it's not a catastrophic event and the tyre stays up enough to get to your destination then subsequently loses air once you stop riding then it will look and feel under inflated when you next get on.
I know that's a lot of "ifs" but I've done 14000 miles on the PCX and the only time I have checked the pressure was the two occasions when the rear was changed.
I have never checked the front and it has been on since new.
Modern tubeless tyres fitted properly hardly ever lose any air.
Unless you fanny around checking pressures and dirt gets into the valves...

[WhiteNoise]

How about something like this? I've got one, like it, use it. I plug it into the quick connect cable left under my seat that's connected to my battery (I use it in winter for my optimate battery tender).
I plug in the included cable in the kit to one under my seat and 1,2,3 it tops off tires
The connect valve clip on the pump's hose is a bit smaller than standard sizes I've used. Workable, easier. It's the rear tire that's a PITA.

[SmellyTofu]

Maybe an overkill but I use the pump for my bicycle on it. It's a Topeak Joe Blow which fits the front and rear.

[you you]

That's horrendeously unsafe.

No its not.
If the tyre looks inflated enough it almost certainly is.
If you get a puncture you will in all probability be riding when it happens.
If it's not a catastrophic event and the tyre stays up enough to get to your destination then subsequently loses air once you stop riding then it will look and feel under inflated when you next get on.
I know that's a lot of "ifs" but I've done 14000 miles on the PCX and the only time I have checked the pressure was the two occasions when the rear was changed.
I have never checked the front and it has been on since new.
Modern tubeless tyres fitted properly hardly ever lose any air.
Unless you fanny around checking pressures and dirt gets into the valves...

It's not good. I thought you had a bit of experience behind you?

Tyre pressures are important. It's best to check them regularly.

[SmellyTofu]

+1

Tyre pressure is important indeed. Maybe not check them every week but at least once every 2 months if not every month. Our tyres are small relative to a car so any air loss which will happen on these schrader valves will impact the pressures greater than a car tyre. On my bicycle I check it every time before I go on a ride but that's because it's even smaller (by volume).

[Theboybilly]

Gn2 you surprise me. I haven't really been out on my PCX since December mostly because I've had the opportunity to get to work by train. I checked my front and it was at 24psi and the rear was 25psi. Pumping them up to 29psi & 31psi respectively was noticeably better - a much smoother ride if you will. It looks like having low pressures have had an adverse effect on my fuel consumption too as I returned an increased mileage per gallon even though the 76 miles on this latest fill-up involved a fair bit of extra throttle to my usual sedate riding.

[gn2]

I thought you had a bit of experience behind you?

I do and it tells me that I don't need to check tyre pressures regularly because if the pressure gets too low it is obvious to me.
If other people want to check their tyre pressures regularly then go right ahead, whatever makes you happy.

[maddiedog]

GN2 is a wizard, his butt has a pressure gauge.

Seriously though, you may have the experience to feel the difference (especially from all your mileage), but I think you can agree that checking the pressure is important if you lack that level of feel for your bike. I can tell if my bike is down to 20psi. It just doesn't feel right by then. But even if the pressure is down to 25, I can't tell until I inflate it, and then I notice a huge difference in handling.

I check mine regularly, and it's safe to do so.

[gohjohan]

Just had a 'lightbulb' moment. I could use an angled valve extender......doh!!

Bill

Is that the proper name for those things? I've been looking for something like that. I too, have problems filling up the rear tire because the hub keeps getting in the way!

[Mel46]

We have several portable electric pumps which can be plugged into a cigarette lighter socket....or whatever they are called now. Since my Burgman comes with one, I can just plug the pump in and check the pressure on both bikes. Simple and quick. I wanted to install one of those outlets on our PCX but my wife said no. I really don't understand why she would be apposed to it, but it is her bike, soooo.