Shock pumps

[Done]

Having abandoned my '94 Cannondale Delta V 700 (with an elastomer Headshok) for a full-suspension Cannondale RZ 120-1, I'm learning about things like disc brakes and air shocks. Good stuff!

So, here's my question: How many people carry shock pumps on rides like the CTR, etc.?

Thanks!

[Mike Brown]

I did and always do, no matter what kind of ride.  Probably not necessary, but it lives in the pack.

[Done]

Thanks Mike. I'm leaning that way too, but I really hate the idea of carrying yet one more piece of metal for 500 miles! Of course, I'm not eager to push a broken bike either...

[joeydurango]

Toby, you can look into a dual shock/tire pump.  I haven't done it yet but am really considering it.  A blown fork would be bad news, although if it's really blown a pump won't help anyway.  However even a hefty change in temperature can make riding an air-sprung fork less than ideal.

I believe Buzzy's (QBP house brand) makes a dual-purpose pump.  I'll probably be getting one soon.

[donmeredith74]

I have a Fox shock pump that I'll let go for pretty cheap if anyone is interested. I'm only riding rigid forks these days.

[Marshal]

I carried a dual shock/tire pump on the AZT 300, GL, CTR etc etc, used it once for a tire on my 1st AZT.  
Did not take it on the TDR due to slightly more weight and larger size, --but I could have used once for my fork.

So after about 3+ yrs I could have used the high pressure function one time  (ha, if I had brought it)

Like all gear choices, there is always a trade off

[Done]

I've been looking into dual pumps--but it seems that they aren't very popular anymore. Which one did you use, Marshall?

[Marshal]

humm, I don't remember the brand and I think it's currently lost somewhere in my pile of garage/basement remodel junk

I looked on the briefly on the net for it but could not find it

did find this one, looks nice, Specialised makes one also

http://www.ravx.com/products/mini_pumps/dual_x_shock.html

[Done]

Cool, thanks Marshall!

[pro_out]

Toby,   I have used this for a shock pump in the back country. A thread-on CO 2 inflater with trigger. Care must be taken and just barely bump        the trigger or you could over inflate (blow up) the air chamber. If you get to much pressure in just purge a little until it feels right, you may have to repeat this process a couple times but you can get it pretty close.                                                                                                                                                 

  Another use for a CO 2 is setting beads back on tubeless tire set ups, it does a very good job if you have valve stems with removable cores. Also, you can air up tires and other inflatables  

                                                    Tony V

[Sean Allan]

This is what I use, ridiculously light. Takes a lot pumps, but it works well, as with most Lezyne stuff, it's a machinist's wet dream.

http://www.lezyne.com/shock-drive

[joeydurango]

Tony, I've never before heard of anyone using a CO2 for shock purposes.  Obviously, as you said, very real potential for damage if you overdo it.  That aside, however, I'm curious - any faster-than-normal pressure loss when you've used the CO2?  In tires CO2 leaks out much faster than air, which is why it's only a temporary fix.  Not sure about fork seals and their relative imperviousness, but in most forks the pressures are certainly higher than in MTB tires.

Any first-hand experience one way or another?

[bradh]

I've used the topeak microshock.  Good enuf in a pinch & very light.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Pumps/microshock

[Done]

Hi Sean,

I've been eyeballing that Lezyne pump for a while, but there are a few mixed reviews out there that suggest that the o-ring is weak. I assume that yours has been OK, which is reassuring. Sounds like maybe you've used it to pump up tires too?

Brad, I've been checking out the Topeak as well. I wish that it had a gauge like the Lezyne, but I suppose that it's not necessary.

[Sean Allan]

Toby,
I've not had any problems, but I take every pump I own apart and grease the O-ring, not for failure prevention but because it moves a bit more air. The gauge is not much use, but it's close and I usually just do it by feel. I've marked the location of the approximate pressure with a sharpie.  I only use it in times when I'm going lightweight or running out of room, otherwise I just carry a full size Fox.

[mnmtb]

Toby:

I have been using one of these (also Lezyne)
http://www.lezyne.com/alloy-drive

My reason was two fold, it can pump to 110 psi, and I run a Reba which for my weight only is about 90 psi and for a 29 Mountain King 2.25 requied 100 pumps to 25 psi was the best compromise of a single pump for both tires and shock.  I thought about taking CO2 for tires but decided a dual purpose reliable unit was a better choice.  Also, I put a couple extra O-rings in my misc. parts bag.

[pro_out]

Tony, I've never before heard of anyone using a CO2 for shock purposes.  Obviously, as you said, very real potential for damage if you overdo it.  That aside, however, I'm curious - any faster-than-normal pressure loss when you've used the CO2?  In tires CO2 leaks out much faster than air, which is why it's only a temporary fix.  Not sure about fork seals and their relative imperviousness, but in most forks the pressures are certainly higher than in MTB tires.

Any first-hand experience one way or another?

Joey, don't recall it being a problem. Could be the high pressure but low volume of a shock chamber. However temperature change does effects the pressure of CO2 more than compressed air.  I always have CO 2 with me but never a pump, so my shock pump is CO2.

[bartspedden]

I've never brought a shock pump with me on trail before. It's not a bad idea, but it's a on the "very" safe side for me. If a stanchion is scared and comprimises a seal in your fork, a pump won't help. Same goes with your shock. I'm sure folks have had things happen where a pump was helpful, but in the last 3 seasons of racing xc and downhill I have never had an air shock or air fork loose pressure. Quite the opposite actually. On long descents, the air heats up and creates more pressure. This isn't all that noticeable on my xc bike, but it is noticeable on big bike.  I've also blown up my fair share of air forks in DH, but never in xc. Marzocchi hooked me up with their coil 888 at nationals after wrecking my air shock and I'm loving it!

I think the important thing to do on long trips/races is to clean your bike as best as possible at the end of the day, no matter how tired you are. Something as small as taking a rag wiping down all your suspension parts goes a long way. The key is to keep you dust seals free from grim. I don't always do it, but I try, especially if it's wet and muddy. Another affordable thing you can do is to rebuild your shock before a big trip so that all seals and dust covers are in sweet working order. It's a simple task if you are running a fox air shock and costs under $10. Shocks are a little different and I've been lucky enough to have my fox fork (talas 32) maintained at races by the fox guys who ROCK! At the very least you can replace your shocks dust seals.

Great question! I liked reading everyone's different take on it. I had no idea about the dual duty pumps.

[Aslan]

I was curious about how light the Lyzene pump was so I emailed and asked. 87 grams with a pressure gauge. Reasonably light insurance; however, we have all been down the 'it only weighs a little' path and know where that can lead.

[goldenboy]

I was having shock issues last year before a planned overnight ride on the CO trail so I brought the pump with me for added security.  The shock kept losing air, especially with the kit strapped to the bike.  So the peice of mind knowing I could top up the shock and keep moving outweighed the additional weight of the pump.   
After two hours into the ride, and above treeline, the pump started to sag quickly. I was determined to get to the bottom of the trail before dark to set up camp in the fading light, but the shock was almost bottoming out on the descent.  I stopped along the trail to pump up the shock but when I attached the pump all the air and some of the oil blew out.  This basically ended my hopes of finishing the ride and on the rest of downhill the bike bottomed out on every little bump.  It was a horrible sound - thunk thunk thunk. 
The pump was of no help really and I would opt for a walk out or ride a saggy shock into town.  But I am jaded after that trip. YMMV