noheadwind
new member
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 13
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Have fianally received my much anticipated Calfeee tetra pro. The bike and I are just getting to know each other and a report will soon be coming. I want to thank all those who I tapped for information with questions or by reading the posts. I do have a question now that I have the bike.
I am a frame pump person. I usually just jam the blackburn pump underneath the top tube and there she stays. Is this safe with a carbon bike.The joints(wrong word?) are much different thatn any previous bike I have ever owned. Will the frame pump be safe to just jam in there? Or should I go with a smaller pump that I attach/mount to the frame.
Thanks
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 721
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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Don't worry about the gussets (joints as you called them) they are a lot tougher than you might imagine.
When I got my first Calfee (I've had three) I faced the same problem as you; where do I hang my frame pump? A smaller pump is less than satisfactory, and I didn't want to get involved with C02. I do a lot of organized charity rides, and invariably I help more than a couple of people with flats.
I wound up, after some experimentation, with a Topeak Road Master Blaster pump mounted vertically between my bottom bracket and seat tube gusset. The pump works excellent, it's easy to use and gets the tire pressure up quickly. Using the correct length pump insures snug mounting that stays put until you need it. I also use the same pump on my Kirk mounted underneath the top tube.
http://www.gearshark.com/cgi-bin/s/s_click_through.pl?m_id=2&to_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rei.com%2Fonline%2Fstore%2FProductDisplay%3FcatalogId%3D40000008000%26langId%3D-1%26storeId%3D8000%26productId%3D12127589
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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bfd
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 77
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I also use the Topeak Master Blaster full frame pump, but mount one along the left seatstay. You can get one at any LBS and for $25 or less, its a fantastic pump. Here's a pic posted in the gallery:
http://www.bikefanclub.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=525&password=&sort=1&cat=506&page=3
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Tom
new member
Reged: 12/29/03
Posts: 2
Loc: LA
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I used a frame pump for years myself and like you (and countless others) positioned the pump just below (and inline) with the top tube. Just after I built up my Tetra Tri I used (for about two rides) one of those rubber/Velcro mounting brackets that wrap around the top tube and the frame. But I quickly nixed that after it raddled so much you could hear me coming for miles (especially down hill).
After some advice from a few fellow riders I tried the CO2 cartridge route. Now, since I’m a tri geek perhaps that makes a difference on preference but I have to say filling my tube up via a CO2 is…instantaneous. No frantic pumping trying to get back in the race, (or just get started again) just puncture cartridge and shazam, the tube is full to about 110psi. I mean it is very fast.
But if the cartridge thing is not your “thing” then I would follow all the previous advice you received regarding the Topeak mount. Unlike the cartridge, with a pump you’ll never run out of air.
Good/Safe riding and congratulations on the new ride.
Tom
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noheadwind
new member
Reged: 12/27/03
Posts: 13
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Thanks for the responses. What I think I am going to do is go with the pump either mounted underneath the top tube or along the chainstay. I have always just shoved it under the top tube but the gussets seem to "intimidate" me putting it there. Cannot put along the seat tube as I would lose a water bottle and I need that in the hot weather. C02 scares me as I know I would screw it up. So I will buy a new pump(have to b/c this frame is smaller) and place it somewhere as suggested.
Again, Thanks.
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Kevan
journeyman
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 70
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Nohead, 
I hope you appreciate I'm risking it all bringing this up, but having done the frame pump and the mini pump, I'm now a co2 user...'ceptin' I ain't as yet used the pump in the season I've been carrying it.
I've taped two bottles together and loosely twisted the valve on one and carry it in my rear pocket when riding. No fuss, no muss. When I hang up the bike I slide the pump into one of my shoes so it isn't forgotten for my next ride.
Now that I've divulged all this information I'll need to stuff my shirt with enough spare tires, tubes and cartridges to support a pro team.
Me superstitious?! Nah...
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RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
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Anyone ever come across a mini-pump attachment that fits along side the water bottle cage? I saw one on a bike a while back but have not found one in stores. It appeared to be a minimal looking setup.
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It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
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Suds
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 22
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I have a Barbieri carbon fiber mini-pump. I was able to mount its bracket under the front water bottle cage. It seemed that the pump's bracket holes were large enough to allow them to slip over the carbon portion of the post mounts on the Tetra which in turn allowed enough thread through the bottle cage to get the nuts tightned down.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 721
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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is that it takes a bazillion pumps to get the 700c tires up to pressure. Some can't get even close to 100psi. Also because they are mounted to the side of the bottle cage, there is a possiblity that they could interfere with something.
I'll tell ya, with the pump being such necessary tool, I want something that works properly, with minimum fuss and will do it's intended job. Looks are important but very secondary to utility.
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Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
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Getting 'pumped up' is no problem. Mini-pumps work fine...but will not try to debate the 'looks' issue, though.
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It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
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RDP
captain
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 245
Loc: Kansas
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Suds,
Thanks...will do a search. Any clearance issues with it?
Thanks,
R
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It is about the bike.....BikeFanClub Forums
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Suds
new member
Reged: 12/18/03
Posts: 22
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RDP,
No clearance issues with the pump. Doesn't rub on the frame or get in the way of the water bottle in & out. And being constructed from a carbon fiber main tube it doesn't look to out of place asthetically speaking. I got mine from performance on sale for $25 last year, I think they run around $30 now. I have needed its use once and it got up to arount 105 pounds with average mini-pump effort.
Cheers,
Suds
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