Decent track pump

After far too long working 7 days a week 18+ hours a day (8 weeks straight) I'm finally back up and running after a lot of difficulties last year. Not been out on my bikes for ages until yesterday when after a decent night's sleep, I finally got on the Kalkhoff again. Was such a joy to be back on my bike.

 

Now I've got the car again and can ferry stuff back & forth to Devon in the boot, I've decided to treat myself to a decent track pump. Bit of an extravagance but not having to fart about so much with the flimsy "semi-foot pumps" would be a treat. Now that the weather looks like it's going to turn for a spell, thought this would be the perfect time.

 

Anyone have any recommendations ? I haven't looked into them at all so it's 'ground zero' with no pre-conceptions.

Personally I am a huge fan of Lezyne pumps and have actually got a couple in for a colleague at work who uses them to pump up tyres on his 4WD when coming out of sand-dune driving country.

 

The options in their range are listed at http://www.lezyne.com/products-floorpumps.php and IIRC I got in the classic floor pump.

 

The likes of Chain Reaction Cycles sell them. Maybe not the cheapest pumps around but they are good quality for sure.

 

Regards

Andrew

I've got a Topeak 'JoeBlow' Sport. Good gauge, fits either Schraeder or Presta without faffing with changing adaptors. Recommended.

I second Peerjay's call on that one. I've had my 'JoeBlow' a few years now and although it got broken once at the business end, I found a replacement head on ebay for pennies and it was next day delivery. After a two minute repair, all was well and the pump continues to give good service.

 

Tom

If you have access to a car, or even a car battery and a charger, why noit get a cheap 12 volt compressor?

If you have access to a car, or even a car battery and a charger, why noit get a cheap 12 volt compressor?

 

I have a cheap £5 garage job, and an old SLA battery in a toolbox, with a switch. It's really good, and will put 60psi into my tires, no problem. Also, very handy for my trailer/boat trailer/etc.

I bought a Blackburn track pump a couple of years back and with four bikes to service I should have got one years ago, around £20-00 at the time and the single connector fits both types of common valves without fiddling.

Dave.

If I'm near the car, then I use the pump part of a get-you-started battery from Halfords. But you asked about a track pump.

 

I carry a puncture repair kit, even though I haven't had a puncture for a very long time, because of the tyre, tube and liner that I use. But, of course, if I stopped carrying a puncture repair kit, the Pixies of Gotcha would send me a puncture very soon. So I carry a puncture repair kit, but I want it to be as small as I can get.

 

The limiting factor in the size of the kit, is the size of the pump. I got this:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360855296792?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

You can see the pump in the hand, it really is that small. Of course, to pump up a tire would need a zillion strokes, but I'm really not expecting to have to use this, it's just to keep the Pixies of Gotcha happy.

I have a red basic track pump from Halffords, works fine.

 

Having said that, I've used a Joe Blow and there's no doubt it has a smoother action than mine.

Thanks all. I've done a bit of research following all the recommendations and just ordered a Joe Blow Sport II from Wiggle. Pennies over £30 after Quidco cashback. Looks just what I need & was braced for £85 so well chuffed with the price.

 

Always tempted with the battery thing but in the end can never be bothered to connect stuff up, so for the sake of a few pumps if it's robust, stable and the connection isn't a load of faffing about it'll be just the job.

Edited May 12, 201411 yr by 103Alex1

Thanks all. I've done a bit of research following all the recommendations and just ordered a Joe Blow Sport II from Wiggle. Pennies over £30 after Quidco cashback. Looks just what I need & was braced for £85 so well chuffed with the price.

 

Always tempted with the battery thing but in the end can never be bothered to connect stuff up, so for the sake of a few pumps if it's robust, stable and the connection isn't a load of faffing about it'll be just the job.

 

Alex,

 

Good choice, the Joe Blow has a lovely smooth, almost hydraulic action which my cheaper pump lacks.

 

It's only a pump, but for the sake of an extra tenner or so over a cheapie, it's worth it.

I've tried a few track pumps over the years, never spending more than about £20, (because I'm a tight git).

 

Most have been pretty good, with reasonable gauges and so easy to use that I often use them on the car, if a tyre just needs a few PSI to top it up.

 

I've just bought one from Clas Ohlson though, and it's definitely the best so far. Quite a few ergonomic details that really make it the best so far for me:

• Steel cylinder
  
• extra tall, so less back bending and more air
   
  
• the accurate, full deflection gauge is at the top, so much easier to read !
  
• a much longer air line, so tyres can be pumped up on the bench, or behind other bikes
  
• a simple two sided head, so that Presta and Schrader valves can be inflated without fiddly adapters.
  

They list it for £19.95, but I bought one from my local Ohlson shop, where they were on offer for £15.

 

I find it far superior to the other track pumps anywhere near that price range.

 

http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Asaklitt-Bicycle-Pump-with-Pressure-Gauge/31-4844

 

Topeak Joe Blow is the nuts. Can't believe I waited so long. Must have been well skint last year - it was all those accessories I kept buying for the 2-wheeler conversion !

I like either the Aldi or Lidl track pump which retails for about a fiver. You simply connect the pump to the inner tube valve, move the pump handle up and down and the tyre pressure increases. Brilliant! What else could you possibly want from a pump?

I like either the Aldi or Lidl track pump which retails for about a fiver. You simply connect the pump to the inner tube valve, move the pump handle up and down and the tyre pressure increases. Brilliant! What else could you possibly want from a pump?

An accurate and easy to read pressure gauge.

What else could you possibly want from a pump?

 

A sturdy stable base, a twin-head connection that doesn't need screwing on, doesn't need changing between Presta & Schrader (and doesn't leak) and a smooth and effortless pump action. Plus a gauge that's easy to read !

A sturdy stable base, a twin-head connection that doesn't need screwing on, doesn't need changing between Presta & Schrader (and doesn't leak) and a smooth and effortless pump action. Plus a gauge that's easy to read !

 

You've just described the Aldi and Lidl pumps. They have it all for around a fiver.

^^ can't comment on something I haven't seen. But they don't deliver to your door and you can't guarantee they'll be on the shelf if you go in for one ! Anyhow, I'm very happy with my Topeak pump and looks sturdy enough to get abuse without flaking out. Don't grudge a penny of the cost and that's always the test. Thanks peerjay & oldtom for the recommendation.

I have one of these, really good pump for the money.

 

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOPHGF15/phaart-primp-high-polish-aluminium-floor-pump

I have one of these, really good pump for the money.

 

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOPHGF15/phaart-primp-high-polish-aluminium-floor-pump

Great name. They missed botty burp