(Part 3) Best bike floor pumps according to redditors

I've created a short list of everything I have, linked items are the ones that I recommend.

Things for the road

Frame/ Mini pump

Saddle Bag

Patch Kit

Tire Boot (You can make your own for cheap, but these are still good)

Tire levers (See Multi-Tool, Levers Included)

Multi Tool (Super-Recommend)

Bike Lights

Spare Tubes (Optional for the road)

Bottles of choice

Sunglasses of choice

Gloves of choice (Important! For preventing impossible-to-heal palm scrapes)

Cycling compter

U Lock (no cable locks! they're garbage) <<I Have 3 of these, but then again, I live in Oakland.

Things for home

Floor pump

Tools (Pretty much covered by Multi-Tool, but there's things you may need like cassette tool, chain whip, etc)

Wet and Dry chain lube

Clothing (Optional, I only have the shoes and windbreaker)

Hi-Vis Jacket

Clipless shoes, I recommend SPD for easier walking

Jersey

Padded Shorts, or Bib shorts

Windbreaker

Leg Warmers

Most importantly, you need knowledge of cycling. Look up videos on youtube about safe riding on the road, traffic laws, hand signals, how to repair your bike on the road and at home, how to take a fall, and as much theory that you can)

EDIT: Do not let me trick you into thinking that a multi-tool is a replacement for the big-boy tools that are available on the market. Some of those tools are actually worth the investment. However, be that as it may, do your research first, because there's some overpriced crap out there ^^^Park ^^^Tools.

Posting pictures of the bike would be helpful. If you decide to do this, make sure to post a few high quality shots of your drivetrain which could show us if there's any critical wear.

However, before you post the pictures, it would be helpful to clean the bike. Get a bucket of soapy water, find a sponge or rag that you don't mind sacrificing and get to cleaning your mountain bike. Dry it off, and then post the pictures (that will make any critical deficiencies more obvious).

As others have mentioned, you'll most likely need to remove the chain. Here's a video from one of the best cycling channels on Youtube, Global Cycling Network (GCN), that shows you exactly how to do that. GCN and its sister channel, Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) offer a number of fantastic maintenance videos in addition to a variety of other content. If you're wondering where to get a chain tool, I would just spend a bit of extra money and get a good multi tool like the Crank Brothers multi tool which already comes with one.

Pump up the tires to see if they still hold air. If they do, fantastic. Nothing more needs to be done. If not, you'll need to get new tubes (most likely your mountain bike will need 26 in X 1.9-2.125 in tubes). Here's how to install a new tube.


As a bike commuter, you'll need a number of things to stay safe and make sure your bike stays in your hands. Here are the essentials:

1. Front and rear lights. I use this flashlight for my front light, and a rear light similar to this.
   
   
2. A helmet. From your posting history, you seem to live in Australia. All helmets sold in that country are required to meet the same safety standards so in all likelihood, spending more on a helmet will not make you safer. Buy one in a store and you're set.
   
   
3. A great bike lock. Read this to learn the proper way to lock your bike.
   
   However, staying safe is only the first part. You'll want or need a number of other items to make sure that your commute isn't frustrating. Here are some of the items off of the top of my head.
   
   
4. Bike pump. If you're going to mostly ride near gas stations which have air pumps that can inflate a tube, you probably don't need to carry around a mini pump on your rides. However, everyone should own a floor pump.
   
   
5. Degreaser. The cheap automotive kind is fine as is WD 40. This is used when you need to clean the drivetrain.
   
   
6. Bike lube. Stick with a bike specific one.
   
   
7. Disposable poncho. When I lived in an area where it often rained, I always had a dollar store disposable poncho in my backpack. It's just super handy if there's an unexpected downpour.
   
   
8. Fenders. I personally don't have them, but I live in a relatively dry climate. If you live in a place where it always rains, they're super helpful.
   
   
9. Bottle cage. A cheap plastic one is fine.
   
   
10. Tire levers.
    
    
11. Rear rack. Assuming you don't have a full suspension mountain bike and instead have a hard tail (here's an article if you're unsure), get a rear rack. Do not get one that is only mounted to the seat post like this Ibera, but rather one that connects to the bike frame. If your bike does not have any bolts that can attach, you can use P clamps to secure the rack. This post describes how to do just that.
    
    
12. Some way to transport groceries. While I use a milk crate that I ziptied onto my rear rack with bungee cords on top of the crate (similar to this setup), many others use panniers to transport groceries and other goods. This has the benefit of more storage, better center of gravity, and can be water proof. However, they are usually much more expensive unless you go the DIY route.
    
    
13. Bike bell. Cars won't be able to hear you, but if you ride in areas with lots of pedestrians or other cyclists, it's useful.
    
    
14. Spare tube. Fortunately 26 in tubes are cheap and super easy to find. Any department store with a bike section will carry them.
    
    /r/bikecommuting can be a helpful resource if you have other questions.

Road bikes have tires rated for 100-120psi. So, a bicycle pump can get you there.

It will take time, because car tires are a much larger volume. But if you're just maintaining pressure, it's no big deal - 50 pumps of a floor pump, like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-JoeBlow-Mountain-Floor-Pump/dp/B003RLE55K

If you get mountain bike specific pump, it will provide higher volume per stroke, which is more suited to car tires. Road bike pumps are low volume high pressure.

Concur on getting a pump that can handle Presta specifically. I'm very partial to my Lezyne.

I was just thinking about cycling gifts yesterday - trying to figure out what I should ask my wife for for Christmas. Here is a short list that I came up with:

lezyne travel drive floor pump: http://www.amazon.com/Lezyne-CNC-Travel-Floor-Silver/dp/B005UZMUDA

chain checker: http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-4000362-Chain-Checker/dp/B000OZFILW

cygolite 720: http://www.amazon.com/Cygo-Lite-Expilion-720-USB/dp/B00LXTP2FA/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1416395043&sr=1-1&keywords=cygolite+720

ritchey torque tool: http://www.amazon.com/Ritchey-TorqKey-5Nm-bits-T-15/dp/B009F93S9C/ref=sr_1_6?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1416259667&sr=1-6&keywords=park+tool+torque+wrench

leather pouch: http://www.eleven.cc/shop/cycling-ride-pouch/

50mm carbon clinchers...haha...I'm puttin em on there last, and don't even know which to suggest but we'll see what happens

Like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ZGQCO2/ref=twister_B0077APP7Y?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I've deflated and re-inflated 3 times without error. WOO!

This thing is fun, and for a cheapy from Sports Authority, it works pretty damn well (For Shrader valves at least)

It's a Blackburn AirTower 2 (in orange)

• Tire Irons
  
• Spare tube
  
• pump
  Tools - wrenches, sockets, vice grips.
  
  
• Tent I got this for $69 at the time. There are others that have good reviews for under $100.
  
  
• [Stove] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009PUQAU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) $70 This one can also run on gas from your bike/gas can
  
  
• Showers $30 Not sure about Australia but here there are buggers in the water.
  
  
• Sleeping Bag $60 You can get a good one for cheap, just check the temp ratings match the area and conditions you will be in.
  
  
• [Water Filter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000BBF2RY/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new) Although you can just boil your water it can still taste funny and contain dirt, etc., as such I recommend a filter. Be aware that some don't filter out viruses so you will still want to boil water if your water filter does not. I also like to pack a life straw and tablets. I actually got
  
  
  
  For a more complete check list see this guy's [packing list] (http://www.backcountrydiscoveryroutes.com/WABDR-Packing-List)
  
  So when it comes to keeping it under $500, don't sounds so blue as $500 can get you a longs ways if you shop around.
  

If you're using tubs... or tubeless (can't remember which), I can't help you much from experience, but I can tell you Lezyne makes some beautiful and well-engineered products and you'll need a shock pump to seat the tubular or tubeless tires onto the rim, so I would feel confident recommending this Lezyne floor pump.

On the other hand, if you run clinchers, I've had good luck with this Topeak Joe Blow pump, rated for up to something like 160psi

Also, you likely already know, but just in case, here's /r/triathlon

I have this one and I am quite happy wit it, it definitely can make the advertised 100psi and the construction is sturdy. Only minus is that it doesn't have a manometer.

This is what I use - I feel like it was around $20 when I bought it, but either way - it works great and I've never had an issue

Knew I should have sprung the extra $30 for a Lezyne when I got this JoeBlow!

I'll order that flex hose and see if it threads into my JoeBlow. I'm not too optimistic.

Thanks so much!

Edit: Was thinking about getting this guy. I'm just unsure if anything will thread onto my JoeBlow.
Edit2: Wait... I could probably just get the floor pump hose and replace my JoeBlow's. But then there's the fact that my JoeBlow's gauge has never worked properly... So now I just want a Lezyne. Haha!

The Scheels sporting goods near me has a similar pump, but it is made by Serfas and has an all metal construction. It also happens to be on sale for $50 so if you say it is that good I may go pick it up.

EDIT: I found the model name

http://www.amazon.com/Serfas-FMP-900-Steel-Floor-Pump/dp/B00J08E536

If he likes bikes and rides a lot having a nice floor pump is practically mandatory. You can taylor the price to exactly what you are willing to spend, but it really is worth spending the extra money on a nice one.

Here is an option.

http://www.amazon.com/Birzman-Zacoo-Maha-Floor-Pump/dp/B00FOLNSHW/ref=sr_1_7?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1418239985&sr=1-7&keywords=floor+pump

RockShox High-Pressure Shock Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D0SFMJS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Mk3oDb9S651RM

https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Shock-Hand-Shock-Gauge-1-5-Inch/dp/B007Q4O6M6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482173144&sr=8-1&keywords=SHOCK+%27N+ROLL This looks nice, does both.

Does it have a pressure gauge? If not, I recommend you buy one, even if it is another 20$ target one. You'll be suprised just how much air you have to pump in to get to 100psi+. (Before you do, maybe visit your LBS and explain your issue and ask if maybe they could pump up your tyres for you using one of their pumps? If you get no punctures, odds are it was this.).

Another thing you could do otherwise, is go to your LBS, pump up your tyres as you do normally with your pump, use a gauge to measure your tyre pressures (they will probably be low), then pump to 100 psi and sort of get a feel for just how hard you have to pump to get them that hard. That way, you might be able to save buying a pump.

Something like this should be good for you : http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Steel-Floor-Pump-Gauge/dp/B0018CX1EG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347060012&sr=8-3&keywords=floor+pump+with+gauge

Floor Drive appears to be these. In fact I have one. It is certainly not a portable one. Which one are you talking about?

I have the Alloy Floor Drive, but that's because I needed extra high pressure capability for my bicycle tires. Because you'll only be doing car tires (right?) a "Dirt" model would be better. Like this. The Dirt models are high volume low pressure, which will facilitate easier pumping for car tires. The one you have is low volume high pressure, which is awesome for skinny bicycle tires.

I have the anniversary edition of the SKS Rennkompressor. A very, very solid pump that didn't change much in decades. If something breaks, you can get the necessary spare parts from SKS (even after decades I have heard).