Puncture repairs - pumps?

[KoroJ]

I've always carried a puncture repair kit under the seat and some form of pump in the topbox because I've witnessed situations whereby the cannisters didn't fill a big tourer or cruiser tyre.

Initially I used a footpump (from Mitre 10) but I found that after awhile, they couldn't get the pressure over 30psi...then 20psi before I dumped it and bought a Gear-Up portable compressor from Repco. It was great but that could never pump a flat tyre in one go, then eventually seized totally so I ended up back to a footpump from the Toolshed. Once again, it did the job but I've just binned it and need to get a new compressor....But Which One?

I suspect the Gear-Up unit I had might have been a lemon, but.....Has anyone out there got any recomendations on these?

[Gremlin]

I have no idea how many tyres you're pumping up, or how regularly you're using it to run out that many compressors!?

I'm using one of these: http://www.advdesigns.com/mitipukitba.html Does get a little warm during operation and probably not the fastest, but it's portable and so far reliable.

[Blackbird]

I bought one of those black plastic compressors (Arlec?) from the Warehouse which is about the size of a lunchbox about 8 years ago. The plastic covering is huge compared with the actual compressor which is half the size of the palm of your hand. Cut the car plug off, chucked on 2 croc clips for a direct battery connection and it's run perfectly reliably ever since. Looks very much like the one Gremlin has provided a link to. Think it cost me about $25 at the time.

[Akzle]

I bought one of those black plastic compressors (Arlec?) from the Warehouse which is about the size of a lunchbox about 8 years ago. The plastic covering is huge compared with the actual compressor which is half the size of the palm of your hand. Cut the car plug off, chucked on 2 croc clips for a direct battery connection and it's run perfectly reliably ever since. Looks very much like the one Gremlin has provided a link to. Think it cost me about $25 at the time.

i also had one similar. Looks like mini compressor, not the ones that look like tyres.
Basicall a hi torq tamiya motor and small piston. I put a larger displacement top on, for a whopping 1.4cm3/stroke.(i question my maths and memory...but bigger than stock.)
Pays to lube em periodically and also reverse polarity, run motor in both directions.
Did about 7 years and now iv lost it.

[slofox]

I bought an SCA "thunder" about five years ago. Still going and does pump a 180 55 17 tyre from flat without exploding - so far anyway.

[KoroJ]

Thanks guys. I use it occassionally at home before a ride when the tyres are cold...and for the sake of using it to know it's going to work when I need it. And I have needed them a few time, on other riders bikes and back when I was having issues with the Storm 2's.

The foot pumps are flimsy and the frames tend to get a bit shakey, especially if using them on less than flat and smooth surfaces.

Only the one compressor but I guess I just happened to get the dud!?

I'll go back and have another look at what Mr Repco & Mr AutoCheap have currently got.

[Blackbird]

John,

The attached photo shows the guts of mine. The maximum dimension of the compressor itself is 110mm. Don't use the gauge as it's wildly inaccurate. As Azkle mentioned about maintenance, I give it the odd drop of lubrication (liquid teflon pushbike chain lube in my case) but by no means regularly and it just keeps going.

Geoff

[Hitcher]

I use one of those Michelin double-piston foot pumps. It goes well, although the bit that goes onto the tyre's valve can be a bit grippy and hard to get off.

[SMOKEU]

Buy a decent pump by a brand like Lezyne or Topeak. Don't fuck around with cheap hardware store pumps if you want reliability. My Lezyne Road Drive does just over 100psi, so it's enough for me.

[pritch]

For adjusting tyre pressures when cold I use a cycle track pump. It's easy to put a lb or two in, wouldn't particularly want to inflate a tyre from flat.
These days the connectors tend to fit both Schrader and Presta valves. The quality is probably a lot higher than the foot pumps but then it would need to be. So too is the price.

My name brand foot pump (Michelin?) gave up the ghost prematurely, didn't want another one.