Modern bicycle pumps: what they are?

Hand pump bicycle - this is an accessory that you should buy immediately after purchasing a vehicle. When he is at hand, unforeseen situations are no longer so terrible. After all, in the event of an accident, the wheel can be quickly pumped up, and even if it lowers, it will be quite enough time to get home. And for bikers who like long trips, bicycle pumps - this is something without which to travel and not worth it. Let's consider what they are, on the basis of what should be done the choice of such a useful thing.

Mobility and convenience

Bicycle pumps can be either mobile or stationary. The most popular now is the model, which can be fixed on the frame of the bike. The old massive bicycle pump with a hose, which has been familiar to many since Soviet times, is surely going down in the past, and it is replaced by more elegant, small-sized and functional products. Despite the fact that stationary products are less popular, they have one very important advantage, which consists in the convenience of using them. Bicycle pumps of this type are preferred by bikers who use their vehicles for short distance trips, as well as those who have their own garage. The rest prefer mobile products. Mobile bicycle pumps are of two types: hiking (including the models with fastening on the frame) and miniature pumps, which are sometimes called "pocket" pumps. More perfect products are equipped with a manometer.

Characteristics

The most important part of any pump is its head. Unlike old models, modern bicycle pumps are for the most part universal. The head can be made in the form of a reversible liner, or instead of one there may be two. All this allows you to pump tires with both sports and automotive nipples. When choosing a pump, just in case, it is desirable to clarify this point from the seller. Old bicycle nipples now almost never occur. Modern types of this part are Schrader, Presta, Woods or Dunlop. The first is an automotive nipple, which is often found on walking or mountain biking. The "Presta" type is the thinnest, they are usually equipped with cameras of highway bikes. "Woods / Dunlop" occupies a middle position in thickness. In our country, it is rare, most common in Asia and England. The second point, which should pay attention when choosing a pump, is its maximum pressure. Usually this parameter is 100-120 PSI or 6-8 atmospheres. This is quite enough for a walking or mountain bike. But for a road bike, it is desirable to take the cycle pump more powerfully (120-160 PSI or 8-11 atmospheres). Third, what you should pay attention to is the availability of useful additions. In addition to the built-in manometer, they include a T-shaped handle that facilitates the process of inflating the camera, a protective boot (useful to those who live in rural areas), a dual-pumping technology. The latter invention allows air to be injected not only with the forward, but also with the return movement of the handle. Some models allow you to use balloons with gas to inflate, but if you are not a cyclist, this is unlikely to be useful, since 1 can of CO ₂ will last for a maximum of two uses.