Hi Matt! Good question!
I find I need to have my pump handy a bit more often, thanks to things like goathead thorns and the remains of steel belts from exploded truck tires (the little wires can go straight through a Schwalbe Dureme, quick as a wink). As an old roadie, I find I prefer a longer frame-fit pump 'cos the longer stroke allows me to refill my flat tires more quickly. Pump pegs allow me to store the long pump where it is secure yet conveniently available. A mini-pump works as well, but requires more strokes to fill a tire.
I also carry a small Crank Bros mini-pump in my underseat bag as an emergency spare in the event the main pump fails. As a solo, unsupported cyclist in truly remote areas, I need to be sure I can refill a flat tire after a needed repair.
For urban and suburban cycling, my approach is overkill. Out in the forest or desert, with cars passing at 2-week intervals, having a pump (or two!) at the ready beats a
very long walk that might not end well.
...who stands back for a blast of wisdom from those who know better
Matt, I think your approach works well for the majority of riders, most of the time, in most places. My circumstances are a bit different, and having once broken a pump in the middle of nowhere (I stepped backward on it, breaking it in two. Fortunately, I was able to use the one belonging to my touring partner), I realized I need to carry a spare justincase. A pump can crack or break, and seals can fail. Most people never have need for
two pumps, but for my sort of touring, I feel better with a backup plan at the ready for when things go really bad.
Best,
Dan.
