Cyclaire pumps

In article <[email hidden]>

Michael Klontzas said:

I am thinking about buying one of those Cyclaire pumps
<http://www.cyclaire.com>. Apparently, they are highly recommended. I
ride a tourer with tyres inflated to 100psi (Presta) but I need a pump
for 'get back home' situations. Can someone explain the difference
between the Original and Rapid version? The price is the same and it
seems the first one achieves 120psi while the second one only manages
80psi. That's the confusing part. I would expect the newer version to be
better and more expensive, but this is not the case the way they describe
them, which makes me think there are other differences as well. Are they
compatible with both Presta and Shraeder? Interestingly enough they don't
mention that on their website -- I would think this is an important piece
of information but it's missing.

It's just the same as the difference between conventional fat and thin
pumps - fat ones shift more air so they're better for soft fat tyres,
while skinny ones make it easier to get high pressure so are good for
hard skinny tyres.

Rob Morley said:

It's just the same as the difference between conventional fat and thin
pumps - fat ones shift more air so they're better for soft fat tyres,
while skinny ones make it easier to get high pressure so are good for
hard skinny tyres.

In that case I suppose it would make sense to go for the fast, up to
80psi version, although my tyres take 100psi, because I need a pump for
when I fix a puncture and I need to get back home, where I have a proper
floor pump.

--
Michael Klontzas
Before enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
After enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
Zen Proverb

Michael Klontzas said:

I am thinking about buying one of those Cyclaire pumps
<http://www.cyclaire.com>. Apparently, they are highly recommended. I
ride a tourer with tyres inflated to 100psi (Presta) but I need a pump
for 'get back home' situations. Can someone explain the difference
between the Original and Rapid version? The price is the same and it
seems the first one achieves 120psi while the second one only manages
80psi. That's the confusing part. I would expect the newer version to
be better and more expensive, but this is not the case the way they
describe them, which makes me think there are other differences as
well.

You never get something for nothing with any bike pump. The price you pay
for higher speed is lower maximum pressure.

Quoted message said:

Are they compatible with both Presta and Shraeder?

The Cyclaire Original is compatible with both, and I would expect the Rapid
is too.

I ordered an Original on behalf of a cyclist with minimal strength and
agility, and had a go of it myself first.....

It's actually pretty good and fast at low pressures, but once much over 50
or 60 psi, it becomes tiresome in general and uncomfortable on the hands in
particular. A violent vibration from the pistons is transmitted up the cord
and through the handle. It's so bad that Cyclaire include a sort of health
& safety disclaimer about it in the instructions and advise you to
frequently swap hands. It's the punishment you have to endure for the
reward of not having to bend down and push hard on a normal pump. See what
I mean about not getting anything for nothing.

I had intended to see what max I could get out of it but gave up before that
from boredom and sore hands. My back wasn't too happy either since the cord
is a bit short for a tall person (though it would be easy enough to alter).
I didn't even bother to check the pressure at that point, I'd already made
up my mind that I wasn't going to buy one for myself.

It's not particularly small or light either. I can't recommend it to
anyone able to use a normal pump - such as Zéfal HPX or an Axiom Sprint Air:
both excellent for their sizes. A CO2 inflator is another good alternative
(with a micro pump for backup).

Quoted message said:

Interestingly enough they don't mention that on their website -- I
would think this is an important piece of information but it's
missing.

Yes, they are missing a trick there.

Quoted message said:

Also, do you find the carry case useful in preventing
scratching in a rack box etc? I don't attach my pumps to the frame
anyway.

Scratching's not going to be a problem and it's large enough already without
bulking it out more. There are better ways of filling up a bag or box, IMO.

~PB

"Michael Klontzas" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rob Morley said:

It's just the same as the difference between conventional fat and thin
pumps - fat ones shift more air so they're better for soft fat tyres,
while skinny ones make it easier to get high pressure so are good for
hard skinny tyres.

In that case I suppose it would make sense to go for the fast, up to
80psi version, although my tyres take 100psi, because I need a pump for
when I fix a puncture and I need to get back home, where I have a proper
floor pump.

--
Michael Klontzas
Before enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
After enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
Zen Proverb

I use the original 120 psi pump to inflate my tyres and I am very happy with
it. Hard work but hugely better than any other mini pump I have used on the
road. A bit noisy and quite a bit of vibration but I always achieve tyre
pressures needed without paralysing my hands and arms!

Last used in anger somewhere on the Danube in June last year ( I installed
Marathon Plus tyres when I got back home). No punctures since then but I
use it at home to top up my tyres as necessary! It travels with me at all
times on all my daily runs.

Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Michael Klontzas said:

Rob Morley said:

It's just the same as the difference between conventional fat and
thin pumps - fat ones shift more air so they're better for soft fat
tyres, while skinny ones make it easier to get high pressure so are
good for hard skinny tyres.

In that case I suppose it would make sense to go for the fast, up to
80psi version, although my tyres take 100psi,

I don't think that would be sensible. It's bound to be hard work as it
approaches 80, and you really want 100 anyway. The Original is the version
that's intended for your sort of tyres.

Quoted message said:

because I need a pump
for when I fix a puncture and I need to get back home, where I have a
proper floor pump.

You won't need to "get back home" if you have a proper portable pump.
You'll get your tyre up to full pressure and carry on enjoying the rest of
your ride as normal.

~PB

Pinky said:

I use the original 120 psi pump to inflate my tyres and I am very
happy with it. Hard work but hugely better than any other mini pump I
have used on the road. A bit noisy and quite a bit of vibration but I
always achieve tyre pressures needed without paralysing my hands and
arms!

What pressure is that?

Quoted message said:

Last used in anger somewhere on the Danube in June last year ( I
installed Marathon Plus tyres when I got back home). No punctures
since then but I use it at home to top up my tyres as necessary! It
travels with me at all times on all my daily runs.

What size are your tyres?

Thanks.

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

Michael Klontzas said:

I am thinking about buying one of those Cyclaire pumps
<http://www.cyclaire.com>. Apparently, they are highly recommended. I
ride a tourer with tyres inflated to 100psi (Presta) but I need a pump
for 'get back home' situations. Can someone explain the difference
between the Original and Rapid version? The price is the same and it
seems the first one achieves 120psi while the second one only manages
80psi. That's the confusing part. I would expect the newer version to
be better and more expensive, but this is not the case the way they
describe them, which makes me think there are other differences as
well.

You never get something for nothing with any bike pump. The price you pay
for higher speed is lower maximum pressure.

Quoted message said:

Are they compatible with both Presta and Shraeder?

The Cyclaire Original is compatible with both, and I would expect the Rapid
is too.

I ordered an Original on behalf of a cyclist with minimal strength and
agility, and had a go of it myself first.....

It's actually pretty good and fast at low pressures, but once much over 50
or 60 psi, it becomes tiresome in general and uncomfortable on the hands in
particular. A violent vibration from the pistons is transmitted up the cord
and through the handle. It's so bad that Cyclaire include a sort of health
& safety disclaimer about it in the instructions and advise you to
frequently swap hands. It's the punishment you have to endure for the
reward of not having to bend down and push hard on a normal pump. See what
I mean about not getting anything for nothing.

I had intended to see what max I could get out of it but gave up before that
from boredom and sore hands. My back wasn't too happy either since the cord
is a bit short for a tall person (though it would be easy enough to alter).
I didn't even bother to check the pressure at that point, I'd already made
up my mind that I wasn't going to buy one for myself.

It's not particularly small or light either. I can't recommend it to
anyone able to use a normal pump - such as Zéfal HPX or an Axiom Sprint Air:
both excellent for their sizes. A CO2 inflator is another good alternative
(with a micro pump for backup).

Quoted message said:

Interestingly enough they don't mention that on their website -- I
would think this is an important piece of information but it's
missing.

Yes, they are missing a trick there.

Quoted message said:

Also, do you find the carry case useful in preventing
scratching in a rack box etc? I don't attach my pumps to the frame
anyway.

Scratching's not going to be a problem and it's large enough already without
bulking it out more. There are better ways of filling up a bag or box, IMO.

~PB

Have to disagree with Pete here.

I have had an original for a over a year,I have only used it in anger
once to help out someone on the way to the York Rally whose cheapo pump
had exploded.It did such a good job and impressed them both so much that
it was the first thing they bought when they got to the Rally.

As for being heavier I weighed it in comparison with an HPX and it is 10
grammes heavier,not a lot really.

It does vibrate a bit but I don't find it too bad,certainly not in the
short time it takes to get to 100psi.

It is easier to carry off the bike as well as opposed to a normal pump
which can be a bit unweildy.If going any distance I hang it on the rack
to give a bit more saddlebag space.

The case is tight fitting so doesn't add any bulk to it.

If you have any in depth questions I should e-mail them.I e-mailed once
and got a reply within minutes.

Sam Salt

Pete Biggs said:

Michael Klontzas said:

In that case I suppose it would make sense to go for the fast, up to
80psi version, although my tyres take 100psi,

I don't think that would be sensible. It's bound to be hard work as it
approaches 80, and you really want 100 anyway. The Original is the version
that's intended for your sort of tyres.

That makes sense, although I use my tourer almost exclusively for
commuting, so when I get a puncture, which is fairly rare anyway, it's
usually a matter of riding for another hour or so before I get access to my
floor pump. I've been known to ride on tyres inflated to 30psi in similar
situations -- not very healthy for the rims but with my previous bog
standard mini pump going beyond that was almost impossible without risking
breaking the presta valve in the process. It happened to me before and I
didn't have a spare tube with me. Three hours walk in the middle of the
night without a black cab in sight was the result. This is another thing I
liked about Cyclaire. It has a hose so you can't easily break the valve.

--
Michael Klontzas
Before enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
After enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
Zen Proverb

Pete Biggs said:

It's not particularly small or light either. I can't recommend it to
anyone able to use a normal pump - such as Zéfal HPX or an Axiom Sprint Air:
both excellent for their sizes. A CO2 inflator is another good alternative
(with a micro pump for backup).

Thanks for the useful, detailed comment. I am surprised though, because all
the contributions I've seen so far seem to agree that Cyclaire is highly
recommended. As I said in another post, I like the fact it has a hose so
you can't break the presta valve, and I am sure it must be easier to go up
to 50-60psi with this one compared to my old pump, possibly many other mini
pumps too.

--
Michael Klontzas
Before enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
After enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
Zen Proverb

Michael Klontzas said:

I've been known to ride on tyres inflated to 30psi in similar
situations -- not very healthy for the rims but with my previous bog
standard mini pump going beyond that was almost impossible without risking
breaking the presta valve in the process.

I can get over 100psi into my tyres with my mini pump. No model in
particular, all 3 of mine (one fitted to each bike) have done this. The
most recent purchase was a Topeak Rocket Micro CB.

Yes it hurts my hands to get it fully pumped up, isn't very fast, but
with about 3 punctures per year I'm willing to accept that.

-Alex

"Michael Klontzas" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As I said in another post, I like the fact it has a hose so
you can't break the presta valve

Topeak Road or Mountain Morph pumps do this too.

cheers,
clive

"Michael Klontzas" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Pete Biggs said:

It's not particularly small or light either. I can't recommend it to
anyone able to use a normal pump - such as Zéfal HPX or an Axiom Sprint
Air:
both excellent for their sizes. A CO2 inflator is another good
alternative
(with a micro pump for backup).

Thanks for the useful, detailed comment. I am surprised though, because
all
the contributions I've seen so far seem to agree that Cyclaire is highly
recommended. As I said in another post, I like the fact it has a hose so
you can't break the presta valve, and I am sure it must be easier to go up
to 50-60psi with this one compared to my old pump, possibly many other
mini
pumps too.

--
Michael Klontzas
Before enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
After enlightenment / chopping wood / carrying water
Zen Proverb

I broke quite a few presta valves with my hand mini pump on earlier
travels. You know that is is always raining/cold when you have a puncture!

I haven't broken any in 2 years now. The tyres on my new Thorn Raven Tour
( Velocepanther3) are Marathon Plus 26 x 1.75 (Max 70 psi -- which is what I
run them at) On my VeloP2 they are Marathon Plus 700c x38 (max 85 psi --
run at 80 psi on tour) since I got back from my Danube tour last year.

Using a touring mini pump I could never achieve those sort of pressures (
regardless of what the manufacturers claimed about their pumps)

The cyclaire pump served me very well on my Danube trip last year and I
quickly coped with 4 punctures in 5 days ( it took me that long to find the
minute sliver of wire in my front tyre that was giving me them.)

The pump travelled in the rear pocket of one pannier together with all my
tools and spare tubes. I loaned it to other cyclists struggling with
reinflation 2ce on the Danube and 3 times on this years Rhein Mosel tour.

Very happy with its performance and it isn't that heavy when it performs so
well. It is also small and compact and, as you will have deduced, I like it!
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Sam Salt said:

As for being heavier I weighed it in comparison with an HPX and it is
10 grammes heavier,not a lot really.

I said it was "not particularly light", which it isn't by any portable-pump
standards.

If a pump weighs about the same as the heavy HPX, I expect it to be as good
to use. Personally, I don't find it as good.

( By the way, your HPX is heavier than average or your Cyclaire is lighter
than the one I weighed. There's a few more tens of grams of difference with
the products I've weighed, though I appreciate that's not very important. )

As for portability, it's short but not very small. Smaller, lighter and
even quicker to use is the combination of a super-light mini pump and a CO2
inflator. If it's only for very occasional use, the cost of CO2 cartridges
is not an issue, and the mini pump is backup in the unlucky event of running
out of gas. I think it's a near-perfect solution.

~PB

Michael Klontzas said:

Thanks for the useful, detailed comment. I am surprised though,
because all the contributions I've seen so far seem to agree that
Cyclaire is highly recommended.

I've seen one or two other criticisms before, but I have to accept I'm in
the minority of those who have tried the product, and the number of awards
it's won is impressive as well. I think it's because it appeals to those
who really hate pushing a pump hard and would do anything to find an
alternative, even if it is worse in several other ways. I'd like to point
out at this point that I have pipe cleaners for arms :-)

Quoted message said:

As I said in another post, I like the
fact it has a hose so you can't break the presta valve, and I am sure
it must be easier to go up to 50-60psi with this one compared to my
old pump, possibly many other mini pumps too.

It's always puzzled me how anyone can break a valve. I've /bent/ a few, but
they were still useable, and I don't even bend any now since I use better
pumps and take more care.

What do you think about my CO2 suggestion?

~PB

Pinky wrote:
.......

Quoted message said:

The tyres on my new Thorn Raven
Tour ( Velocepanther3) are Marathon Plus 26 x 1.75 (Max 70 psi --
which is what I run them at) On my VeloP2 they are Marathon Plus 700c
x38 (max 85 psi -- run at 80 psi on tour) since I got back from my
Danube tour last year.
Using a touring mini pump I could never achieve those sort of
pressures ( regardless of what the manufacturers claimed about their
pumps)

100 psi is achievable with a good modern mini pump + 1 average adult male,
though of course some hard work is involved.

I'm glad you've found an alternative that you're happy with.

~PB

Michael Klontzas wrote on 19/11/2006 23:44 +0100:

Quoted message said:

Thanks for the useful, detailed comment. I am surprised though, because all
the contributions I've seen so far seem to agree that Cyclaire is highly
recommended. As I said in another post, I like the fact it has a hose so
you can't break the presta valve, and I am sure it must be easier to go up
to 50-60psi with this one compared to my old pump, possibly many other mini
pumps too.

Have a look at the Topeak Road Morph. It is a mini track pump with hose
and will easily go to over 100psi while fitting where a pump usually fits.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?W=0&Manufacturer=&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=Pumps%20-%20Road&ProdID=5360022930&UberCat=0

--
Tony

"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using
his intelligence; he is just using his memory."
- Leonardo da Vinci

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]> writed
in news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

It's always puzzled me how anyone can break a valve. I've /bent/ a
few, but they were still useable, and I don't even bend any now since
I use better pumps and take more care.

What do you think about my CO2 suggestion?

In about 35 years of cycling I have never broken / bent a bicycle tube
valve (done it on a motorbike though!) - I think modern pumps with no
hose require much more care. My main pump for out-and-about use is the
much derided Pneuforce - long pump with a hose.
I bought a CO2 system about 18 months ago which has been like a lucky
charm, in that I've not yet had to use it due to a puncture yet (however,
due to prolonged illness, I've done no where no more miles as in previous
years).
I see the CO2 as being a 'get you home' solution, or at least a 'get you
to the nearest dry / warm place' where the puncture can be dealt with
properly.

"Pete Biggs" <[email hidden]>typed

Quoted message said:

100 psi is achievable with a good modern mini pump + 1 average adult male,
though of course some hard work is involved.

Yebbut I never was an average adult male. I have more mouldy mini pumps
in the garage than I can count but *love* the zéfal hp-x.

--
Helen D. Vecht: [email hidden]
Edgware.

Helen Deborah Vecht said:

Quoted message said:

100 psi is achievable with a good modern mini pump + 1 average adult
male, though of course some hard work is involved.

Yebbut I never was an average adult male. I have more mouldy mini
pumps in the garage than I can count but *love* the zéfal hp-x.

And the person I bought the Cyclaire for was never an average adult male
either - and does find it easier to use than an HPX to get a 700x38 up to
40psi.

I'm surprised everyone else seems to find the vibration tolerable at 70psi+.
Actually "vibration" is too small a word for it. It's like being hit with a
hammer several times a second at the base of your fingers.

~PB