[TundraManDan]

Hello,



I'm looking for a portable tire pump to carry in the tractor manual tube on my TW which is approximately 3"x12". Years ago I had a great one but cannot find anything like it. Ideally I would like it to have a hose for attaching to the valve. So far the only one I can find that might fit my need is this one but it is close on the length (11.8 inches).



http://www.rei.com/product/831755/lezyne-hp-micro-floor-drive-mini-pump



Your thoughts on this will be appreciated. I would like to get an air pump, my tire gauge, and some patches into that tractor manual tube.



Thanks,

T-Dan

 

[qwerty]

Visit a real bicycle shop or two.



EDIT: The better pumps are usually fitted with a chuck that fits higher dollar bikes that use Presta valves. The TW tubes use Schrader valves. Some pumps have a convertible chuck, but the compromise is added complexity and the risk of losing some of the parts. Definately switch to a dedicated Schrader valve chuck.

 

[Mad Mac]

Some people buy the inexpensive electric pumps that plug into a cigar lighter, take them apart and just keep the pump.

 

[pushinluck]

The pump I use. Fits in the tube.

 

[TundraManDan]

The pump I use. Fits in the tube.

Very nice - may be the one I buy and a decent price.



T-Dan

 

[Stromper]

Walmart Slime Pump $11

 

[peruano]

Among the hand pumps the Topeak Road Morph and Mountain Morph pumps are hands down favorites among touring bicyclist. They have a bit of hose which allows pump to be placed on ground, held in place with foot, and the handle flips perpendicular to act like a real pump (also have built in gauge in hose). These are capable of inflating bike tires upt to 100 psi or more, but thats also an indication that they have the volume to fill a big tire to low pressure. Using any bike pump to inflate a tw tire will be slow, but faster than walking for other assistance.

The slime and other 12v pumps are an alternative but probably do not fit in the tractor tube. All options have trade offs. Cheers, Tom

 

[Point37]

Visit a real bicycle shop or two.



EDIT: The better pumps are usually fitted with a chuck that fits higher dollar bikes that use Presta valves. The TW tubes use Schrader valves. Some pumps have a convertible chuck, but the compromise is added complexity and the risk of losing some of the parts. Definately switch to a dedicated Schrader valve chuck.

some online bike stores i have bought from if you don't have a shop close to you...i have a blackburn pump for my mountain bike that i like but it has the reversible chuck that qwerty is talking about

http://www.performancebike.com

http://www.coloradocyclist.com

http://www.nashbar.com

 

[TundraManDan]

Thanks for all of the help. I ordered the one pushinluck recommended since it fit my specs and also a set of 3 tire irons. So, now I just need a patch kit and two decent wrenches to fit the nuts so that every thing I need to fix a flat is in the tractor tube. I already have a good low pressure tire gauge.



I do plan to go to our local bicycle shop for the tube patch kit and also to look at handlebar bags as I would like to find a small bag and those on the web don't have dimensions specified. I also need to find a bag to put all of the stuff in that goes in the tube so that I can easily pull it out.



This whole discussion reminds me that I need to take those small nuts off of my valve stems so that I can see if my tire is slipping at all on the rim due to running low tire pressures. And, if it does with that nut on it will rip the valve stem off and a patch kit won't help with that.



Dan

 

[Bagger]

Dan,

I squared off the ends of two tire irons (11") and cut the box end off of two inexpensive combination wrenches and welded them onto my tire irons. Total length is just under 12" and I save the weight/bulk of the wrenches.



Bag

 

[qwerty]

Heat the end of the third iron and bend it 90*, then grind an angled notch to hook on a spoke. VOILA!, the oft missing third hand.

 

[TundraManDan]

Dan,

I squared off the ends of two tire irons (11") and cut the box end off of two inexpensive combination wrenches and welded them onto my tire irons. Total length is just under 12" and I save the weight/bulk of the wrenches.



Bag

Good idea!

Thanks,

T-Dan

 

[TundraManDan]

Heat the end of the third iron and bend it 90*, then grind an angled notch to hook on a spoke. VOILA!, the oft missing third hand.

Interesting - I'll have to wrap my brain around that idea.



Thanks,

Dan

 

[peruano]

Interesting - I'll have to wrap my brain around that idea.



Thanks,

Dan

Take a peak at any set of tire irons for a bicycle. They typically have a notch on the inboard end to catch on a spoke so your attention can focus on the other irons. Just saying. tom

 

[DonBenito]

Have you thought about a CO2 cartridge tire inflator? You could probably fit one of those, quite a few CO2 cartridges, and a bunch of other knick-knacks in one of those storage tubes.



There's definitely a higher cost associated with the CO2 cartridges over a hand pump, but the speed of re-inflation to highway pressures might be worth it to you. I know having an on-board air compressor was well worth the investment on my old Suzuki Samurai.

 

[TundraManDan]

Have you thought about a CO2 cartridge tire inflator? You could probably fit one of those, quite a few CO2 cartridges, and a bunch of other knick-knacks in one of those storage tubes.



There's definitely a higher cost associated with the CO2 cartridges over a hand pump, but the speed of re-inflation to highway pressures might be worth it to you. I know having an on-board air compressor was well worth the investment on my old Suzuki Samurai.

That is a good idea. But, I have the pump now and I would not think it would take too long to get it back to 10 psi. From the discussion of how tough it is to break the bead in the field I may just carry the pump and gauge and not the tire irons and just limp out if I get a flat - keep the irons, bead breaker and extra tube in my vehicle.



I has a Samurai once - fun rig. It would get 25mpg no matter what - highway or city.



T-Dan

 

[darnold87]

I have a CO2 inflater that works as a hand-pump if your CO2 runs out. Pretty handy. It was like $25 at Cycle Gear a couple years ago.

I sometimes carry green slime and a $10 electric pump (cig. lighter style) from AutoZone. Only experienced one flat while riding the TW, but breaking the bead on the rear tire is a major pain, with just regular spoons.

 

[Gerry]

At this point, I have all of the above. CO/2 is very nice and compact, BUT, if your patch job was marginal, here is to hoping you have more than a couple of air cylinders. Electric pumps seem ok. I guess, inexpensive ones will do for that infrequent emergency as long as you know your engine will run to help the process along. Hand pumps take lots of time, but have as much air as you have energy.



Just watched the 'Around the world epic motorcycle video' and they seemed to use (often) an electric pump. Suspect, this was not a $11. Slime unit.



For most of us dabblers, inexpensive is likely OK. Suspect the cost of a 'good' electric would be more than a good 'high volume' hand pump. As is always said; to each his own. Gerry

 

[Rhodetrip]

I also need to find a bag to put all of the stuff in that goes in the tube so that I can easily pull it out.



Dan

I use an old sock.

 

[qwerty]

I use an old sock.

You deserve a missing link award for this stroke of genius.