i need a bike pump. i need something light, packable (or easily attached to frame), and better still, something reliable, that WORKS (think: right-hand man)
perhaps i'm not spedning enough on something decent enough, or maybe it's a run of bad luck, but the pervading issue is that plastic sucks.
it cracks, breaks, and is then renders itself useless.
i don't mind throwing down loot, but at this point, i refuse to compromise quality.
recommendations?
thanks much.
lt

Mini pumps, you are going to find to get up to the right PSI. Even with the ones with high pressure low pressure switches.
I found a classic zefal http://www.zefal.com/en/traditional-pumps/109-hpx-classic.html by the side of the road biking once and this thing can do anything a floor pump can do. Comes with a frame mount, i usually just slide it in my backpack/messenger bag though.

What PSI do you run?

Edited by justaddfuel on 01/26/2012 10:02:56 MST.

This might be worth looking at though!
http://www.rei.com/product/779850/lezyne-pressure-drive-mini-pump

I have torn off valves a number of times using small pumps, so the hose is appealing.

Leslie,
The Topeak Road Morph ( http://www.topeak.com/pages/343/news/detail/41 ) is my favorite pump for bike touring. It has a hose with a pressure guage that helps prevent breaking stems off of presta tubes. It also comes with a foot peg that allows stability like a big floor pump. Yes it does have parts made of plastic but I haven't had any durability issues with mine. Since you have an aversion to plastic you might also look at the Lezyne Pressure Drive Mini Pump.
( http://www.rei.com/product/779850/lezyne-pressure-drive-mini-pump ). It's all metal with a cleaver reversable hose system that connects to either Presta or Schraeder vale stems without having to change the head. I carry the Lezyne on my road bike.
Best,
Carl

Lezyne has a pretty good reputation for durability. I also have the Topeak Road Morph and have had no issues with it. I rarely ever use my frame/mini pumps as they are really only built for occasional or emergency use. If you have a good floor pump, decent tires, and top off your pressure before leaving home you should rarely need the frame pump. Maybe you're doing a lot of long distance touring on bad roads.

Topeak Mountain Morph for me.

cool, thanks all.
i'll research the suggested.
one for the road:
the most widely used bike repair/maintenance book/bible-- if one exists?
thanks again.
lt

I like this one:

http://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/2077/

Between Park Tools maintenance articles on their website and YouTube you can learn anything you need to know for free. If you still want a book check out Lennard Zinn.

I second the Lezyne. Light, durable, reliable
Just a beautiful piece of equipment

I have not had any problems with my Lezyne M alloy drive. Get the M or L, so you can use the optional gauge hose with it, as well as move a reasonable amount of air

I've had my Lezyne for a number of years, still rocks. The plastic holder broke in a crash, I just put it in a butt pack now.