Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on January 15, 2009 at 6:54am

You might need to work on your technique: Your other hand should wrap thru' the spokes, so that you're holding at least two spoke w/the head of the pump in your palm. This transfers the force from one arm to the other, not into the stem. If you have the wheel off, you can put the head against a curb.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

"second question. are all hand pumps made equal? "

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Did I mention 'No'?


I have a Blackburn Shorty which I kind of wish I'd left at Three Floyds on Saturday. It doesn't have a hose on it like the Topeak Morph pumps, so I managed to break the barrel on two Presta tubes on the ride. Thankfully the second one held pressure to get me to Flossmoor fine.

The second problem is a result of the first. With putting horizontal pumping power on your valve, you just can't get a lot of air in the tube. You also can't pump like mad without possibly breaking part of the valve.

A Morph pump is definitely on my 'tax refund list.'

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Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on January 15, 2009 at 8:56am

I'm still buying a Morph pump, so :P

No, seriously, good advice. It might not make me love the BB Shorty more, but it's good technique. Thanks.

Homebuilt said:

You might need to work on your technique: Your other hand should wrap thru' the spokes, so that you're holding at least two spoke w/the head of the pump in your palm. This transfers the force from one arm to the other, not into the stem. If you have the wheel off, you can put the head against a curb.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

"second question. are all hand pumps made equal? "

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Did I mention 'No'?


I have a Blackburn Shorty which I kind of wish I'd left at Three Floyds on Saturday. It doesn't have a hose on it like the Topeak Morph pumps, so I managed to break the barrel on two Presta tubes on the ride. Thankfully the second one held pressure to get me to Flossmoor fine.

The second problem is a result of the first. With putting horizontal pumping power on your valve, you just can't get a lot of air in the tube. You also can't pump like mad without possibly breaking part of the valve.

A Morph pump is definitely on my 'tax refund list.'

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Homebuilt on January 15, 2009 at 9:15am

No prob.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

I'm still buying a Morph pump, so :P

No, seriously, good advice. It might not make me love the BB Shorty more, but it's good technique. Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by cutifly on January 16, 2009 at 3:34am

And the 'second' Condom is just in case she/he is extra nasty and the rag and the alcohol is really self explanatory, and the 'stick trick' is really that greasy tool that almost fell off yes, but yes, do not touch it, go straight to the doctor and get that shot.

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Permalink Reply by S on January 16, 2009 at 3:46am

travesty said:

for those who won't use a glove, at least bring something to clean up with, like a tiny bottle of degreaser or a little alcohol wipe. Rag might help too.

I've found a sock is pretty useful for this instead of a rag. It makes a handy pouch to keep a spare tube and protect it from other stuff in your bag.

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Permalink Reply by o0_dan_0o on January 16, 2009 at 6:22am

S said:

travesty said:

for those who won't use a glove, at least bring something to clean up with, like a tiny bottle of degreaser or a little alcohol wipe. Rag might help too.

I've found a sock is pretty useful for this instead of a rag. It makes a handy pouch to keep a spare tube and protect it from other stuff in your bag.

in days of old, when knights were bold.....

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Permalink Reply by cutifly on January 16, 2009 at 6:34am

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Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on March 7, 2009 at 3:24pm

I had a morph pump, and today while pumping the tire, the handle broke off. . . :( I'm debating whether or not to just get another, i tried gluing it but it won't stay on *sigh*

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

I'm still buying a Morph pump, so :P

No, seriously, good advice. It might not make me love the BB Shorty more, but it's good technique. Thanks.

Homebuilt said:

You might need to work on your technique: Your other hand should wrap thru' the spokes, so that you're holding at least two spoke w/the head of the pump in your palm. This transfers the force from one arm to the other, not into the stem. If you have the wheel off, you can put the head against a curb.

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:

"second question. are all hand pumps made equal? "

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Did I mention 'No'?


I have a Blackburn Shorty which I kind of wish I'd left at Three Floyds on Saturday. It doesn't have a hose on it like the Topeak Morph pumps, so I managed to break the barrel on two Presta tubes on the ride. Thankfully the second one held pressure to get me to Flossmoor fine.

The second problem is a result of the first. With putting horizontal pumping power on your valve, you just can't get a lot of air in the tube. You also can't pump like mad without possibly breaking part of the valve.

A Morph pump is definitely on my 'tax refund list.'

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by mindfrieze on March 7, 2009 at 4:33pm

RodimusPrime said:

I had a morph pump, and today while pumping the tire, the handle broke off. . .

In my experience, Topeak, the maker of the Road- and Mountain-Morph pumps, has fantasitic customer service.

A few years ago, some parts had broken on one of my Morph pumps through abuse on my part. I contacted Topeak to inquire about purchasing replacement parts, and without asking for a single detail, they requested my address and immediately sent me free replacement parts.

I would seriously consider contacting Topeak before spending a dime on another pump.

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Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on March 7, 2009 at 5:27pm

i've filled out a ticket for it. but i still feel uncomfortable about not having a working pump with me. .

mindfrieze said:

RodimusPrime said:

I had a morph pump, and today while pumping the tire, the handle broke off. . .

In my experience, Topeak, the maker of the Road- and Mountain-Morph pumps, has fantasitic customer service.

A few years ago, some parts had broken on one of my Morph pumps through abuse on my part. I contacted Topeak to inquire about purchasing replacement parts, and without asking for a single detail, they requested my address and immediately sent me free replacement parts.

I would seriously consider contacting Topeak before spending a dime on another pump.

• ▶ Reply

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