I stopped piercing pop-ups as I found some would take on water faster. I attach mine by putting them in a loop, then tying it to the ring or hair loop.
Yeah that's the baits fault. Buy better pop ups.
My combi rig style I think works in a similar way to a stiff hinge. The stripped back coating behind the putty allows it to flip all over the place and the stiff material allows it to catch the carps mouth much more effectively.
I don't always overweight it but found better hookholds when it is. Even on tench and bream.