[dilberto]

I've been carrying an EDC 100cc pump and tool with bacon strips and extra chain pliers for XC/Marathon races. Mostly marathon. I've never really been a CO2 person, and I do like the big stroke volume of the 100. I can usually even reseat a bead on 1/2 of a tyre. It's been pretty OK, but I'm curious what others are using. My thoughts regarding the EDC

• It's a bit slow to get out the multi-tool for simple adjustments which are most commonly needed, and fiddly to get back into the tool. In a race if I've needed to use the tool it rarely goes back neatly into the tool stack, just gets thrown into a jersey. So it might get lost. Same issue with the tyre lever. Basically, once I've used the thing in a race, it doesn't go back nicely because I'm in a panic... It just gets tossed into my jersey pocket. Which is fine I guess. Hopefully you don't use it.
• Weight seems a bit hefty, but maybe not. Most of that is in the pump, and I'm not sure I want to go back to a very light low stroke volume pump. I know... CO2.
• I like that's its all self contained, and can be swapped between bikes easily. But then again, it's also easy to forget to swap the pump over for training rides (first-world problems). A complete EDC pump and tool for each bike gets expensive.

I've toyed with putting the EDC lite tool in the headset, the quick access appeals to me. But then I'm looking at finding other chain tool, tyre levers, and pump options. I suspect if I do this, I'll probably come out on the wrong end of total weight. My steer tube is a bit short to put the full EDC tool in my headset on one of my bikes, and I'm not sure that's buying much as I still need the pump, and the same fiddly access issues remain.

Anyhow, just curious what others are using. I don't carry a pack in races.

 

[OttaCee]

What do you rank highest in priority?
Weight
Ease of access to tool
Inflating tires

 

[Circlip]

For general riding, I use an EDC/pump combo. It's always on the bike, so I don't have to think about it. Racing is a different ball of wax though. The EDC is optimized for the form factor and packaging. For racing, I want the easiest tools that I can access and use quickly. For that purpose, I carry a standard folding multi-tool in a back jersey pocket, along with the usual bits like a quick link, etc.

For racing, I carry CO2 as my primary inflation solution, but I also carry a very compact and light mini pump in my jersey pocket to use if the COC2 goes awry for any reason.

 

[dilberto]

Thanks, interesting to hear what others run.

Regarding priority, that's the rub of course. It's balancing weight/convenience/speed/robustness.

I find my jersey pocket real estate to be increasingly precious with longer events I'm doing. But indeed, the tool in the jersey pocket is of course always a very viable option, especially for shorter xc events.

 

[itsky]

My lenzyne pump (with hose) is lighter than a single large co2 and filler head. I was surprised by this.

 

[J.B. Weld]

My lenzyne pump (with hose) is lighter than a single large co2 and filler head. I was surprised by this.

If you're gearing for a race speed is paramount. I think it's best to have everything very handy. Lot's of racers tape dyna-plugs to their stem or top tube so they could potentially jam a plug in a puncture before losing much air and just keep rolling.

 

[Skier78]

When I am racing longer events I have tire plugs in the handlebar, minipump by the bottle holder and a swat box below the bottle holder with multitool, co2, spare tube. I need the back pockets for gel and a wind vest.

If I was buying new tools I think I would get the milkit hassleoff (not just for the great name). Seems to have quick access and fairly low weight.

Hassle'off - milkit.bike

Powerbox with more than 20 functions, with integrated tubeless plug-solution Super lightweight (only 135 g) Fits on every frame Flexible interfaces for

milkit.bike

 

[baker]

When I am racing longer events I have tire plugs in the handlebar, minipump by the bottle holder and a swat box below the bottle holder with multitool, co2, spare tube. I need the back pockets for gel and a wind vest.

If I was buying new tools I think I would get the milkit hassleoff (not just for the great name). Seems to have quick access and fairly low weight.

Hassle'off - milkit.bike

Powerbox with more than 20 functions, with integrated tubeless plug-solution Super lightweight (only 135 g) Fits on every frame Flexible interfaces for

milkit.bike

Looks cool. Being a realist, I'd almost for sure lose those loose bits in short order...

 

[jimPacNW]

The best tip I got was to use electrical tape to stick one or two of the most common size hex wrenches to the stem: A team mate twisted his shifter (that was a bit loose) early in a race while he was just in front of me, I was able to grab the wrenches off the stem and hand them to him as I passed without stopping or getting off my bike.
Check every fastener on the bike (and the pedal cleats), and carefully inspect the chain the night before, make sure you have adequate sealant too, that will eliminate most of your need for tools during a race.

 

[westin]

Prepared for mockery, but I still use a small transit/performance bike saddle bag In addition to taping a bacon strip on the top tube. I carry one CO2 and sometimes a lezyne mini pump (concur, weighs less than the co2/head but obviously much slower, and is a last resort) attached to the bottle cage. Jersey pockets are for food or race transmitter.
Never had to use chainbreaker in race but still carry very old one that works for 12 speed… Which was released about five years after I purchased the chainbreaker (spare links taped to breaker ). My 64 g multitool does not have a 2.5 mm allen so I rubber band loose allen to the multitool. The pre-race bolt snug check and topped off sealant has served me well thus far.

Timely thread. I was shopping for a new multitool on sale at REI. But between my old stuff, orphaned allen bits and gorilla tape and rubber bands I’m set for another race season.

 

[6thElement]

EDC 70cc with plugs and bacon in the small cannister, tube strapped on the back of my saddle.
Wife has multitool under Specialized bottle cage, a single 16g CO2, pedros lever and tube strapped on the back of her saddle.

We only ever race together on longer races, so she's able to grab her multitool faster if we need it. Or assist pulling out the tyre plugs if required.

 

[teK--]

Look at what EWS racers use; often they have the EDC tool. If they can manage with them when they are aiming for podiums I think we can!

 

[Circlip]

Look at what EWS racers use; often they have the EDC tool. If they can manage with them when they are aiming for podiums I think we can!

Enduro racers will usually try to ride out mechanicals to the end of the stage, then try to fix when they're not on the clock during transitions. I know they still have time limits during transitions, but they aren't necessarily losing time and/or positions like in an XC event when the clock is always running. That may yield different priorities for selecting tool solutions for XC versus enduro.

 

[RexRacerX]

My race partner had a lezyne hand pump with hose. We had to use it once in training. Worked okay but nearly pulled the valve core (first warning sign). Next time we used it was in a stage race. Pumped the tire only to have it fully pull out the valve core (not the same wheel as in training). Before he could finish pumping the tire again, the pump failed. Subsequent use of CO2 took all of 10 seconds. We lost 10 minutes in the faf + getting stuck behind slower teams. Lesson learned.

I still like the idea of a hand pump for marathon races where you may run out of CO2 if you’re super unlucky. But definitely will not be using a Lezyne pump in the future. N = 1 here, of course.

For racing, CO2 is so much faster than a pump, any difference if a few grams of no consequence.

 

[teK--]

My race partner had a lezyne hand pump with hose. We had to use it once in training. Worked okay but nearly pulled the valve core (first warning sign). Next time we used it was in a stage race. Pumped the tire only to have it fully pull out the valve core (not the same wheel as in training). Before he could finish pumping the tire again, the pump failed. Subsequent use of CO2 took all of 10 seconds. We lost 10 minutes in the faf + getting stuck behind slower teams. Lesson learned.

I still like the idea of a hand pump for marathon races where you may run out of CO2 if you’re super unlucky. But definitely will not be using a Lezyne pump in the future. N = 1 here, of course.

For racing, CO2 is so much faster than a pump, any difference if a few grams of no consequence.

For those screw on type hoses there is no need to tighten the hose too much. Just enough that it doesn't leak. Also helps to apply blue loctite on the valve core when installing.

 

[RexRacerX]

For those screw on type hoses there is no need to tighten the hose too much. Just enough that it doesn't leak. Also helps to apply blue loctite on the valve core when installing.

He’s not the most mechanically inclined for sure. But the bigger issue was the pump exploded on essentially the third use.

The good news is I’m no longer the only one with CO2 when we race. Ha.

 

[itsky]

My race partner had a lezyne hand pump with hose. We had to use it once in training. Worked okay but nearly pulled the valve core (first warning sign). Next time we used it was in a stage race. Pumped the tire only to have it fully pull out the valve core (not the same wheel as in training). Before he could finish pumping the tire again, the pump failed. Subsequent use of CO2 took all of 10 seconds. We lost 10 minutes in the faf + getting stuck behind slower teams. Lesson learned.

I still like the idea of a hand pump for marathon races where you may run out of CO2 if you’re super unlucky. But definitely will not be using a Lezyne pump in the future. N = 1 here, of course.

For racing, CO2 is so much faster than a pump, any difference if a few grams of no consequence.

This account doesn’t even make sense. I had this pump for years and used it a ton. The hose screws on simply and affirmatively. I can’t phathom how it could damage the valve or core. The pump is also easy to take apart and service and bomber. Sounds like user error and clue lessness.

 

[itsky]

He’s not the most mechanically inclined for sure. But the bigger issue was the pump exploded on essentially the third use.

The good news is I’m no longer the only one with CO2 when we race. Ha.

The fully aluminum body exploded? That’s impossible man.

 

[Jayem]

My lenzyne pump (with hose) is lighter than a single large co2 and filler head. I was surprised by this.

Yeah, but it's real slow to use with the separate hose and then occasionally you'll unscrew a valve core...like I did a week ago in Texas.

 

[Jayem]

For those screw on type hoses there is no need to tighten the hose too much. Just enough that it doesn't leak. Also helps to apply blue loctite on the valve core when installing.

They will, eventually, unscrew your valve core. Hopefully you'll be able to catch it when it happens. Sometimes you are just ultra-exhausted though and don't realize it's coming out with the pump head and BAM, it's gone.

There are 4 main types of pump heads I've experienced,

Screw-on, issue described above, also real slow to use.

Push-to-seal, among the lightest and most compact, but easiest to leak out air while you are attempting to pump and keep straight, plus it compresses the top valve o-ring and takes the pressure off of the bottom o-ring that's keeping air air in your rim in the first place. As small as a dry-erase marker. Every one of these I've tried was trash.

Push-to-lock, these are similar to the lever head and push-to-seal, except instead of a flipping lever, it's a direct-push that accomplishes about the same thing, it locks in place and doesn't require constant downward pressure. This is my favorite for quick filling of tires/adjustment of pressure.

Lever-to-lock, most secure, but sometimes you can bend a core/valve and in extreme situations, break an aluminum valve stem, gotta be careful about side-loads.