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21 Jan 2013
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Join Date: Jan 2013
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Compressor
Can anyone recomend a good quality small 12v compressor for pumping tyres up etc. Need it nice and compact to fit in panniers on BMW GS. Ive searched the forums for compressor but nothing came up
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21 Jan 2013
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 318
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I used to use an Airman Compact Compressor from Screwfix for about £14 (branded ones exactly the same for about £30). Not sure if they still do them.
Slime do very similar one, never used it but I hear a lot of others have recomended them.
Bestrest do one called cycle pump but never used it.
I now use the one from adventure designs, it's a bit expensive but it was a gift.
Any of those cheap generic micro compressors are good, just take the plastics off if you want them smaller. A lot of ADVers do this. Just a few tips... most have the 12v socket not the BMW DIN socket so you'll need an adapter or an aftermarket socket. If your bike has canbus and your running it via the OE socket it might cut out. No problem just restart the bike to reset the canbus. Keep the engine running while your using it because when you reach the higher pressures and it has to work harder it'll drain your battery.
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21 Jan 2013
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Location: London
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Have you thought about a cycle pump? A few years ago hubb threads were recommending good quality cycle pumps for tubed tyres as being much better than electric compressors.
Smaller, lighter, less to go wrong. No dependence on bike electrics. And in my experience faster as well.
So I bought one of these:
Topeak Mini Morph Pump | Evans Cycles
For a trip across Africa. Used it a few times, once changing a tyre, the other times for punctures. Once alone in the Namib.
Until you try one it's difficult to believe how quickly they can pump your tyres. To over 100psi if you want(!)
(The high pressure can be needed for pushing the beading right into place).
The technology is a bit amazing. But then again, look at the sizes of the tyres on some off-road bicycles these days!
Get the type where one end rests on the ground, makes it pretty easy.
I gave away the electric pump I'd also bought as 'belt and braces'. A few pounds weight saved!
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21 Jan 2013
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Utopia/Germany
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the "Cycle pump" for motorcycles !
Cycle pump... is the one you want to look at !
don't want to repeat my self, or post the same recommendation twice... there for... here the HU-link
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...152#post406572
because I was in the impression that I was posting in a bike related forum... well the 4x4 fraction got different ideas...
__________________
The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.
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27 Jan 2013
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: U.K
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I've used the Slime compressor for 5 years and it hasn't disappointed yet, I don't know how any other compressors compare as I haven't needed to try them.
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28 Jan 2013
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HUBB regular
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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I vote for bycycle pump also. With a tire pressure gauge it is:
-Lighter.
-Take less place.
-More reliable.
-Won't kill your battery.
-Cheaper.
Last edited by YGio; 28 Jan 2013 at 14:45.
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28 Jan 2013
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bristol, UK
Posts: 336
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I have one of these:
CyclePump Adventure - 12v Compressor
Only recently bought it after glowing reveiws from those who have used before
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28 Jan 2013
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Desert, SoCal, U.S.A
Posts: 35
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FWIW cost has very little to do with the longevity of these little compressors. Their biggest problem is that they tend to self-destruct from heat buildup due to poorly designed housings.
Most of them have a nice little fan attached to the end of the compressor intended to provide air.flow across the head of the compressor, then choke off that airflow by providing only little "slits" for intake and outlet of the air.
This crude 10 minute drill bit modification to a $12 Slime compressor will have it outliving many of the others 3:1 and it will no longer require frequent cooling off periods.
The six tiny holes in the face of this unit were the original air intakes. The exhaust end was modified similarly. Other brands are similarly handicapped and easily corrected by studying their housings, including a number of dedicated "motorcyclist" brands.
In addition to emergency tire repairs I may air up and down as many as 4-6 times in a day of local riding. This one has been going strong for nearly 3 years. YMMV.
Last edited by lizrdbrth; 28 Jan 2013 at 22:58.
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31 Jan 2013
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Gold Member
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Back in the Garage..regrouping.
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We use the Cycle pump compressor, got it from Metal mule. It's not cheap but it is faultless www.twobikesrunning.co.uk
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1 Feb 2013
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
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I also highly recommend the cycle pump. I bought mine in 2007 and it's not showing any signs of letting me down.
It's had a HARD life too. Crashed, smashed, thrown down the road and used on my infamous day of 25 punctures in Tanzania.
My riding mates were using it after their £10 petrol station versions were falling apart.
Buy quality, buy once.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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1 Feb 2013
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Location: Now Alberta, Canada! (originally the Netherlands)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots
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I have this pump, and it is complete rubbish!
They sell it like it is top quality and 'used in the army', but don't dare to give proper warranty on it! (one year, USA only).
I've used mine, when it started to rattle like a maniac I opened it up and guess what: the same cheap simple compressor is inside which you'll find in a big supermarket for 15-20USD.
Highly overpriced, good marketing... but not better than the cheap alternatives with a plastic casing!
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2 Feb 2013
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Contributing Member
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dstehouwer
I have this pump, and it is complete rubbish!
They sell it like it is top quality and 'used in the army', but don't dare to give proper warranty on it! (one year, USA only).
I've used mine, when it started to rattle like a maniac I opened it up and guess what: the same cheap simple compressor is inside which you'll find in a big supermarket for 15-20USD.
Highly overpriced, good marketing... but not better than the cheap alternatives with a plastic casing!
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I disagree.... Unless they've drastically reduced in quality over the last five years ???
They are MUCH better built. A solid aluminium chassis, proper shielded hose, a nice connector, good quality cables which are properly soldered.
I've seen countless cheap ones come and go. They fall to pieces in minutes rather than years. You can get lucky with them but for an extended trip ??? No thanks...
I agree that it rattles a lot but it's always going to. You can't avoid it. It's a small compressor in a metal box.
I can't comment on the quality of the compressor as I've never compared it.
All I know is mine has had YEARS of abuse on the road and never once failed me or anyone in my riding team.
However, I ALWAYS carry a 2-3 C02 canisters in-case the pump or my bike electrics fail on me.
The most important thing with ANY pump is to keep it away from dust. They don't have filters and the dusty air will destroy the piston on the compressor. I always place my cycle pump on it's legs, on-top of the red bag.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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2 Feb 2013
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tonto
I've used the Slime compressor for 5 years and it hasn't disappointed yet, I don't know how any other compressors compare as I haven't needed to try them.
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+1
I looked at this market a couple of years ago, and tentatively decided on a CyclePump because of all the hype .. BUT the price put me off.
Ended-up with a little Slime Tyre Pump, which I bought online from NippyNormans.com. I’ve used it a few times now, Verdict: bloody brilliant piece of kit .. 
0 psi to 32 psi in 4 minutes. Really!
And at GB£29, if it breaks down, then it's no big deal to buy a replacement.
----------------------
PS - I also carry a few CO² cartridges as back-up.
.
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3 Feb 2013
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NorthVancouver Island
Posts: 137
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dstehouwer
I have this pump, and it is complete rubbish!
They sell it like it is top quality and 'used in the army', but don't dare to give proper warranty on it! (one year, USA only).
I've used mine, when it started to rattle like a maniac I opened it up and guess what: the same cheap simple compressor is inside which you'll find in a big supermarket for 15-20USD.
Highly overpriced, good marketing... but not better than the cheap alternatives with a plastic casing!
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I have to agree with you, I repaired a flat for a fellow on a group ride and he pulled out one of those cycle pumps when the time came to add air... The pumping was so slow and before long it started to overheat... After about 20 minutes of dinking with it and getting no where some one put forward one of those $10 Walmart specials and in less than 5 we were aired up... I have since talked to others that got sucked in on the cycle pump with the same poor performance results...
I normally forgo carrying an electric pump, instead I use a co 2 inflation system along with a hand pump for backup... A while back I witnessed one of those little slime pumps {with the built in flashlight} in action and was totally impressed... It easily aired up 2 rear tires back to back, no pauses, no overheating and no strange noises... After seeing that I went out and bought one, I believe it cost me about $14...
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