Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

CO2 cartridges or a pump? I’ve decided.

11.11.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 10 Comments

After my fumbling experience with a flat tire last month, I decided to rethink my practice of carrying CO2 cartridges for dealing with flats on the road. I still think the cartridges are a neat solution to the space and weight challenge bikers face. But I’ve never felt that they worked the way they’re supposed to — that the tire inflated as much as it needed to (Yes, I know — it’s not the tool, it’s the carpenter). So I decided to go in the other direction. I bought a mini pump.

Actually, it’s kind of a hybrid between a frame mounted pump and a mini pump. It’s a Topeak Road Morph. And sharp-eyed readers will recognize that it’s not exactly new. On my first ride carrying the pump, it was the indirect cause of my fall.

The switch to the pump was not without some adjustments. Fall aside, I had to deal with two other problems: mounting it to the frame and a quality deficiency.

The Road Morph is not really a mini-pump, which some riders carry in their jersey pockets. It’s a little too big for that. So it must be mounted on the frame. Topeak gives the owner two options for that: fastening it to the top tube with zip ties, or attaching to the seat tube using the water bottle braze-ons.

I opted to zip tie it to the top tube. That turned out not to be the best solution, at least for me. The zip ties kept catching on the inside of my thighs when I dismounted, even after trimming the ties back as far as possible. I was concerned they would tear my riding shorts. Then, the hose popped out of its cradle when I rode on a rough stretch of road.

The second deficiency was a quality issue. The bezel that attaches to the tire valve was missing. It’s not an obvious thing, because the end of the hose looks pretty normal even without it. I didn’t discover it was missing until the morning of my century, when I had to scramble to find a floor pump to top off my tires. I rode the century with the pump zip tied to the frame, but pulled it off as soon as I got home after the ride.

pumpThe LBS was happy to exchange the pump for a new one — one that had the bezel. I decided I didn’t like the zip tie attachment, so I took off one of the water bottle brackets and mounted the pump there. Now it not only works the way it’s supposed to — it looks better, too. I think.

Yeah, I know, I’m down to one water bottle per ride now. Not a problem. One bottle is good for about 20 miles for me, and when I run low, I look for a gas station or some other place where I can fill it up. Since I’m not planning on riding another century anytime soon, I can get along fine with one bottle. And if I really need a second one, I can put it in one of my jersey pockets.

So far, I’m happy with my decision. The little pump has several features that make it act like the big guys. It has a little flange that flips out so you can hold it under your foot, just like a floor pump. Its handle can flip sideways to resemble a t-shaped handle for pumping. It even has a rudimentary pressure gauge.

I have yet to try the pump under battlefield conditions. It’s only been used to pump up some spare tubes in my garage. But it worked just fine on them, got them to full pressure without a hassle, and when my next flat comes (knock wood) I’ll be ready.

Like this:

Like Loading…

Related

Categories // Accessories, Equipment Tags // Accessories, cartridges, CO2, Equipment, pumps

Comments

  1. Jared says

    November 11, 2008 at 10:53 pm

    I know where you’re coming from on this one! I carry C02 on my road bike…and I have a pump on my mountain bike and touring bike. The CO2 almost bit me in the butt once…but I was lucky enough to have another rider around that had a couple more cartridges.

    Pumps are nice…but I hate the bulk. The weight doesn’t really bother me I just hate having them attached to my frame…for me they take away the aesthetics of the bike. Maybe I’m vain (I’m vain) but I like clean lines and such! So…I carry CO2 on my road bike and I have pumps on my mountain bike and touring bike…both of which I feel are more utilitarian…so looks don’t matter as much 🙂

    Reply
  2. Red says

    November 12, 2008 at 6:54 am

    I have a friend who has a road morph and I have used it. I have been tempted to buy one.

    Reply
  3. Apertome says

    November 12, 2008 at 9:07 am

    I have a similar pump, without the hose and flip-out foot thing. And I mount it using the water bottle cages too, but I was able to put a water bottle cage on top of the pump bracket. End result: I have both. You might try it, maybe it will work in your case as well.

    I wouldn’t be comfortable with one water bottle. In fact, I bought a bike that can hold 3! Not just for that reason, but I do a lot of riding in areas where water isn’t easy to find. It was a definite plus.

    Reply
  4. Jon says

    November 12, 2008 at 10:36 am

    I have the original version of that pump(it was called the “Comp”, in 2001). It has served me well for many years and countless flat fixes.

    I mount mine behind the seat tube, using the hook and loop (Velcro) mount that Topeak used, back in the day.

    Reply
  5. Joel says

    November 12, 2008 at 10:44 am

    I love the Morph line – had a Mountain which was stolen (along with the bike it was on) and now a Road. I strap mine to the non-driveside chainstay because I have almost always been in places where I have to carry my bikes a far enough distance that I put them on my shoulder. Putting the pump on the chainstay keeps the brazeons open for other things and keeps the pump out of my way. Also, I usually strap the hose down with the hook/loop strap that holds the pump into the holder, just to make sure.

    Reply
  6. Em says

    November 12, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    I just wanted to join in on the Topeak Morph love. Mine has saved me so many times. My road bike has a curved top tube and I needed both my water bottle cages so attached my road morph to the down tube just right of the water bottle cage. I had to thread the zip-ties through the water bottle cage to keep it from slipping down.

    Reply
  7. Charles Cushman says

    November 13, 2008 at 11:19 am

    I agree with Apertome, I put my water bottle cage on top of the pump bracket and have not had any problems.

    Reply
  8. gtinla says

    June 14, 2009 at 11:53 am

    You and I are so alike – I just wrote on my blog about yesterday’s unsupported century ride experience involving CO2. I am so with you, I am a pump guy after all.

    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get Email Updates

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 257 other subscribers

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • Getting Back on the Bike: Road Cycling Tips for Older Cyclists
  • Are BCAAs and EAAs Good for Cycling?
  • How to Fix Numb Toes When Cycling
  • How to Find and Vet a Bike Club
  • Celebrate Pearl Izumi with Big Savings in the Memorial Day Sale

Categories

  • Accessories
  • Bike fit
  • Bikes
  • Blogging
  • Books
  • clubs
  • Cold weather
  • Community
  • Commuting
  • Components
  • crash
  • cycling
  • Equipment
  • Favorite rides
  • fitness
  • food
  • guest post
  • Heat
  • Injury
  • logs
  • Maintenance
  • Mental
  • Nutrition
  • Odds 'n ends
  • People
  • Poll
  • Racing
  • Records & stats
  • Review
  • Rides
  • running
  • Safety
  • soreness
  • Specialized
  • Technique
  • Technology
  • Tips
  • tires
  • training
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • March 2022
  • October 2020
  • November 2018
  • May 2018
  • September 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • January 2016
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008

Copyright © 2026 · Modern Studio Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Go to mobile version
%d