How to Buy a Bike Pump

There are two types of pump - floor pumps and frame pumps. The floor pump stays at home and gets frequent use; the frame pump goes with you on the road and is generally reserved for roadside repairs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Minipumps
• Frame Pump Holders
• CO2 Cartridges
• Bike Pumps (floor)
• Bike Pumps (frame)

1. Buy a quality floor pump. Look for one with all metal construction and a gauge. The gauge is very important - it will help you maintain the proper pressure in your tires.

2. Make sure the floor pump you purchase can accommodate both presta and schrader tubes.

3. Buy a frame pump that will fit well on your bicycle. Make sure this pump can accommodate the type of tubes you have on you bicycle.

4. Look for frame pumps with a metal pump head.

5. Consider a minipump if weight is an issue or you don't have room on your bike to hold a frame pump. Minipumps aren't as powerful as frame pumps, but they'll get you home if you have a flat.

6. Consider CO2 cartridges only if you're obsessed by weight and hate to pump, but understand that they can be somewhat unreliable.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your local bike shop what floor pump they use in the back. Often, this will be the toughest, most durable pump.
• Always maintain proper pressure in your tires. See Related eHow, "Maintain a Bike's Tire Pressure for Good Performance."
• Be careful when inflating a tire with a frame pump or minipump - it's quite easy to damage the valve stem.

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on 3/22/2006 Actually there is a third type of bike pump, which works by means of a pull-cord. These pumps come half way between floor pumps and frame pumps - quicker than a frame pump, with more pressure capability, but more portable than a floor pump.

These pull-cord pumps are ideal for people who want a pump to take with them, but struggle to get the pressure from normal frame pumps.