A solitary walk in cycling shoes

I vividly remember an almost nightmarish bike ride about a year ago, where the rain poured down in torrents. I had suffered several punctures, so multiple tubes had been replaced and all my CO2 cartridges - a total of 4 - had been used up. Normally, that would have been more than sufficient, in fact, a quantity I had always considered more than enough. Nevertheless, during this bike ride, I painfully realized how helpless one can suddenly feel when left without any more air cartridges. I was about 10 km from home, standing there with all my talents but no air in the tires. I had to check my phone to find the nearest bike shop to buy a new tube. The shop was more than 5 kilometers away, and since I obviously couldn't cycle there with a flat tire, I tightened my cycling shoes and embarked on the long walk with the bike by my side. Anyone who has tried walking in cycling shoes knows how frustrating it is with a stiff sole without the slightest flexibility. Perfect for cycling, but a challenge when on foot. Nevertheless, I managed to cover the 5 kilometers to the shop, where I acquired a new tube and a few extra CO2 cartridges to ensure a safe journey home.

I refuse to ride with a pump sticking out of my back pocket

When I returned home and shared my ordeal with my wife, she wondered why I hadn't just called a taxi to get home. My clear answer was, of course, that it simply wasn't an option, as my beloved bike was not going to be strapped onto a taxi, risking scratches from the rack. Those of you who share the same love for your bikes as I do will undoubtedly understand me.

"I therefore set out to find a pump that was as compact as possible, as I simply refuse to carry a bulky pump sticking out of my back pocket"

After that experience, I learned that it was crucial to have a hand pump with me on my cycling trips. Therefore, I set out to find a pump that was as compact as possible, as I simply refuse to ride with a pump sticking out of my back pocket. Although I am aware that there are systems where you can mount the pump securely on the frame, my aesthetic sense overrides my common sense, so it simply won't happen

Now I always have my reliable little pump with me

I've found the perfect small hand pump from Airbone, called ZT-702, and it truly impresses. In addition to its surprisingly low price of around 200 DKK. it measures no more than 10 cm and weighs just over 62 grams. But don't be fooled by the size, it has an impressive capacity of 7 bar (100 psi). I must admit, I was initially somewhat skeptical – could such a small pump really handle the task of inflating a tire completely? The answer is yes. However, it's no secret that it requires patience to pump the tire up to the desired pressure, but it's certainly not as bad as one might fear, especially considering its compact size.

Now I never leave on my bike without having my reliable little pump with me. Airbone ensures that I can always manage in case of emergency, even if I were to run out of CO2 cartridges. It gives me an extra sense of security, and I no longer need to worry about sudden punctures and lack of options for inflating the tire. This little pump has proven its worth as a faithful companion on my bike rides, and it's now an indispensable part of my cycling gear.

Check out

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