Had to walk home, even with 2 spare tubes & a pump Grrrrr

[night cycler]

I got a punture today over a mile from home. I`m still trying to work out what happened, because I could not get enough air in the tube to even ride home "soft" in limp mode.

The pump is a Topeak Race Rocket HPX that I bought new in Nov 2015. The pump has had very little use at all.I much prefer the floor pump at home, which so far is still brilliant.

I tried 2 tubes today. One was was brand new and the other had a repair patch from the previous puncture. I am suspecting that the washers or seals (whatever is inside the pump) have shrunk in the cold weather and failed. I could hardly feel any pressure when trying to inflate the tube inside the tyre. It was similar to pumping without anything attached.

What do you guys think? Anyone had similar experiences with one of these mini pumps?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I don't have one but the link says it fits Schrader and Presta valves. Are you sure you were using the right pump attachment?

 

[User6179]

My topeak micro rocket sometimes loosens at the end , the bit you would unscrew to change the rubber washer , in your case the bit where you screw the adapter into might be loose , not sure though how your pump works but I would think it would unscrew to allow changing the seals .

 

[vickster]

Be glad you weren't 10 miles from home

I had a Topeak mini pump which never worked when I needed it! Lezyne ftw, a bit more expensive but worth it

 

[I like Skol]

Have you ever used the pump previously? Practice makes perfect as they say and personally I will always try out any critical new kit like a pump before it is needed. This checks that it is working and that I know how to use it. I will even usually go as far as doing a dummy run for a puncture occurrence on a new bike just to make sure I am carrying all the kit I will need.

 

[screenman]

Even though I have CO2 on every bike I still am in the habit of regularly checking the pumps that also are on each bike, they often need servicing.

 

[I like Skol]

Even though I have CO2 on every bike I still am in the habit of regularly checking the pumps that also are on each bike, they often need servicing.

My Topeak pocket rocket just works, everytime I have used it. It must be around 5 yrs old now because I bought it for my 2011 GT roadbike. Never had to fiddle/fettle.

 

[mjr]

Nothing to add to the great advice above except sympathy! I once had two tubes fail plus a wasted sealant canister (I think the valve had failed - it definitely had once that gunk had set!) about 20 miles away in freezing cold wet weather.

 

[screenman]

My Topeak pocket rocket just works, everytime I have used it. It must be around 5 yrs old now because I bought it for my 2011 GT roadbike. Never had to fiddle/fettle.

One day, that is all.

 

[aferris2]

I've got a Race Rocket which seems to be very similar. First time I had to use it found it wasn't doing anything. Discovered later that I had it set for presta and that doesn't work for Schrader. Much later tried to use it with a presta valve and couldn't unscrew the pump fitting. It had siezed solid during the winter comutes. I think I gave it a squirt of WD40 or something similar and it's been OK since.
I now use a Road Morph on the road bike and that froze solid last week (it was about -5C). Didn't really enjoy holding the pump against my skin to un-freeze it - but it did work.

 

[Salty seadog]

Had a puncture to fix on the mountain bike last night, took the opportunity to use both the Topeak race rocket and Lezyne road drive. Both in good working order. Then finished off with the Joe blow.

 

[screenman]

I've got a Race Rocket which seems to be very similar. First time I had to use it found it wasn't doing anything. Discovered later that I had it set for presta and that doesn't work for Schrader. Much later tried to use it with a presta valve and couldn't unscrew the pump fitting. It had siezed solid during the winter comutes. I think I gave it a squirt of WD40 or something similar and it's been OK since.
I now use a Road Morph on the road bike and that froze solid last week (it was about -5C). Didn't really enjoy holding the pump against my skin to un-freeze it - but it did work.

You should have just put it down the top of your trousers to warm it up.

 

[Lonestar]

I walked from Stratford to Bakers Arms once when I think my pump buggered up.Or I may have run out of innertubes.

 

[vickster]

He's not around just now.........

I know I'm afraid I missed that. Deleted

 

[Brandane]

Deleted

Likewise, as I don't know whether the notification would stay "live" as it was contained in the quote.