Small Tire Pump w/Gauge Suggestions? Recommended tire pressure for 20" folding bikes?

[Vandon]

Hello. I am curious to know of any good experiences with a small tire pump. (Anything with an attached guage?) I am trying to get all of my needed accessories in order before getting my new E-Joe Epik SE. Thanks!

 

[Brambor]

I use this CO2 Pump

 

[Vandon]

I use this CO2 Pump

Looks like an excellent tool. I am looking for manual though. Pennies turn into dollars!

 

[Brambor]

I'd say get a nice big pump for home and check your tires before you leave. For the road carry as little or the lightest option to pump your tires up in case of emergency.

 

[Charly Banana]

I've had this pump for years and has always worked for on the road flat repair. Works better for schraeder valves but will do presta. When I had presta I used presta to schraeder adapters and then the pump works great.
http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Road-M..._sbs_sg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1NZQJBT1X29NBSAX83BN

 

[JoePah]

bought this gem and it works fine.. very compact and 3.3 oz

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DUUNRHK/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Aushiker]

Hello. I am curious to know of any good experiences with a small tire pump. (Anything with an attached guage?) I am trying to get all of my needed accessories in order before getting my new E-Joe Epik SE. Thanks!

(a) The recommended maximum tyre pressure is the one marked on the tyre by the manufacturer. Sheldon Brown (RIP) has some advice on tyre pressures.

(b) As to the pump, I haven't come across a 20" specific pump so it really comes down to a suitable pump for at home use and one for carrying on the road. Personally I prefer to use a floor pump (as has been suggested) at home and my vote is for a quality pump such a Lezyne floor pump. On the bike if you want a pump with a gauge then again Lezyne have an offering. I use two of their HP variants of the Lezyne Micro Floor Drive pump and on my mountain bike I have the high volume version. All have proved reliable, unlike my previous pump I used for touring a Topeak Mountain Morph. Having it fail with the next LBS some 2,000 kilometres away was not fun.

(c) I also carry CO2 for a quick blow up and move on repairs when I am in a hurry, however I am a little concerned using it my 20" wheels as a single canister will give me 100 PSI in a 700C tyre so I am concerned that using a canister in a 20" tyre with a lot less volume I am seriously over inflating the tube. I would suggest using a CO2 inflator that gives you some control if this is a concern. I now use a Lezyne Trigger Speed Drive in part for this reason. One other thing to remember with CO2 is that it leaks out of the tube fairly quickly (day or two) so if you inflate a tube with it, you do need to when you get home re-inflate the tube with good old air.

Andrew

 

[Vandon]

Thank you for your advice. I will certainly invest in a few different methods! I will be going 6 miles a day RT. I am not too concerned but you know how it is. You want to be prepared!