Stand alone tyre pressure gauge - worth it?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,993
Bikes: Argon 18 Gallium, BH G7, Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 512 Times
in
306 Posts
Stand alone tyre pressure gauge - worth it?
I use the tyre pressure gauge that's on my pump to determine when the tyres on my bike are properly inflated.
At my LBS today I saw they had stand alone tyre pressure gauges on sale. My question is, are they worth the price? Does anyone have one? If so, how frequently do you use it?
At my LBS today I saw they had stand alone tyre pressure gauges on sale. My question is, are they worth the price? Does anyone have one? If so, how frequently do you use it?
#2
Full Member
There's a huge range of acceptable tire pressures for your bike. The pressure gauge on the tire pump is more accurate than you need. If I fix a flat on the road, I just inflate until the tire feels good enough (or until I get too tired to want to pump any more.)
Likes For tclune:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 70
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
My 2 cents: not worth it. Bought one once at MEC, used it a few times, returned it. I prefer my pump's gauge, which is accurate enough for my purposes as far as I know! Or my thumb.
Likes For wannabemekon:
#5
rebmeM roineS
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216
Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times
in
226 Posts
I trust the accuracy of my gauges more than the accuracy of the pumps' built-in gauges. The gauges are higher quality than the pumps but either are better than just feeling with fingers. But I only check pressure every few rides on my bikes. And pump as needed.
Don't carry a gauge when riding - just a pump.
Don't carry a gauge when riding - just a pump.
__________________
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer
#6
Really Old Senior Member
On skinny tires you often lose too much air trying to use the gauge, so it's often pointless.
#7
Senior Member
I've had the same well made zefal stand alone for donkeys years, not sure how many, but while I use my floor pump nearly always, I like having the small and light gauge when touring.
Useful for verifying or confirming pressure changes that make a real difference in handing or comfort.
In my opinion, there is still a place for them. Mine is light, which is a real bonus.
Useful for verifying or confirming pressure changes that make a real difference in handing or comfort.
In my opinion, there is still a place for them. Mine is light, which is a real bonus.
#8
Heft On Wheels
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 3,123
Bikes: Specialized,Cannondale,Argon 18
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 560 Times
in
346 Posts
Nope. Gauge on pump more than good enough. I can squeeze the tire in between inflations during the week or whenever to see if it’s close enough.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,888
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4788 Post(s)
Liked 3,911 Times
in
2,544 Posts
Ben
#11
Non omnino gravis
The lower your operating pressures, the more you can benefit from a standalone gauge-- provided you get one with a more narrow range of measurement. Most on-pump gauges aren't well suited to things like fatbike tires, but you can buy a standalone 0-15psi gauge.
For roadbike pressures, any gauge will do (including those on pumps,) so long as it provides repeatable results.
For roadbike pressures, any gauge will do (including those on pumps,) so long as it provides repeatable results.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Salt Lake City, UT (Formerly Los Angeles, CA)
Posts: 1,145
Bikes: 2008 Cannondale Synapse -- 2014 Cannondale Quick CX
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 212 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 83 Times
in
54 Posts
I use the tyre pressure gauge that's on my pump to determine when the tyres on my bike are properly inflated.
At my LBS today I saw they had stand alone tyre pressure gauges on sale. My question is, are they worth the price? Does anyone have one? If so, how frequently do you use it?
At my LBS today I saw they had stand alone tyre pressure gauges on sale. My question is, are they worth the price? Does anyone have one? If so, how frequently do you use it?
I own a standalone gauge that I never use because it is really hard to get any kind of reading out of it (you have to align it perfectly on the stem), and because the bike pump is adequate. The few times I have tried to use it, I end up leaking enough air on my road bike tires that am assured of needing to use a pump again.
#13
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
There's a 10 psi difference between my Nashbar Earl Grey floor pump gauge and Nashbar standalone gauge with burp button (the latter reads 10 psi lower). The standalone gauge is easy to use without losing air. It seals well and holds air. The only trick with Presta valves is to crack the valve open just enough but not too much.
Which is accurate? I figure it's like camera light meters. Check the same scene with three different meters, get three different readings. Photos from each usually look fine.
I just split the difference. If the floor pump says 100 psi, I call it 95. Then I go by how the bike feels on our rough roads. I'll pssst out some air until the ride feels comfortable but not sluggish, well above the pressure needed to avoid pinch flats (I weigh 150 now, down from 160 last year, and have never pinch flatted even blasting across unexpected or unavoidable rough spots).
Which is accurate? I figure it's like camera light meters. Check the same scene with three different meters, get three different readings. Photos from each usually look fine.
I just split the difference. If the floor pump says 100 psi, I call it 95. Then I go by how the bike feels on our rough roads. I'll pssst out some air until the ride feels comfortable but not sluggish, well above the pressure needed to avoid pinch flats (I weigh 150 now, down from 160 last year, and have never pinch flatted even blasting across unexpected or unavoidable rough spots).
#14
Senior Member
Do you really need to know the exact pressure? All I need is a gauge that reads the same every time. If the pressure inside the tyre is really 90 or 85 psi, I dont care about, I just pump to a reading I know I like. In that sense the scale could be arbitrary, as long as you only have one pump.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Down Under
Posts: 1,936
Bikes: A steel framed 26" off road tourer from a manufacturer who thinks they are cool. Giant Anthem. Trek 720 Multiroad pub bike. 10 kids bikes all under 20". Assorted waifs and unfinished projects.
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1188 Post(s)
Liked 1,154 Times
in
640 Posts
Use one all the time when touring, especially moving from gravel to road or back. My tires are very sensitive to inflation deflation. One little sssst can change the pressure a whole lot. Surprising for 2.5" wide, but there you go... I use the Blue Schwalbe one, doesn't seem to take much lost air to work
#16
Senior Member
When one begins to pay more attention to small pressure changes in how handling and rider comfort are concerned, this is where a small light gauge really shines.
Going from too harsh pressure to letting some out but not actually knowing the pressures is the key issue here.
I ride bikes with different tires with different loads on very different surfaces and speeds. The operating pressures can range from 25 to 100 psi , and the very apparent riding changes that come from a couple or 5 psi can be very much felt and appreciated.
So if you are a rider who wants to improve handling or your comfort, and experiment with different pressures, and are atune to small changes--or even learn to be more sensitive to pressure changes, then a hand held is a very effective tool.
In all disciplines, small differences are the key to important improvements, and with tire pressures, it's fun to play with pressures and feel how they change how you can corner, ride faster over given surfaces, have more confidence in your front end which invariably leads to you being faster.
I guess for me I knew this from racing motorcycles a bit 35 years ago, and over the last while have become more aware of my bicycle pressures and the advantages of X vs Y psi and how changes make me a more comfortable, faster rider, while being able to confidently push harder in corners on various surfaces and conditions.
Going from too harsh pressure to letting some out but not actually knowing the pressures is the key issue here.
I ride bikes with different tires with different loads on very different surfaces and speeds. The operating pressures can range from 25 to 100 psi , and the very apparent riding changes that come from a couple or 5 psi can be very much felt and appreciated.
So if you are a rider who wants to improve handling or your comfort, and experiment with different pressures, and are atune to small changes--or even learn to be more sensitive to pressure changes, then a hand held is a very effective tool.
In all disciplines, small differences are the key to important improvements, and with tire pressures, it's fun to play with pressures and feel how they change how you can corner, ride faster over given surfaces, have more confidence in your front end which invariably leads to you being faster.
I guess for me I knew this from racing motorcycles a bit 35 years ago, and over the last while have become more aware of my bicycle pressures and the advantages of X vs Y psi and how changes make me a more comfortable, faster rider, while being able to confidently push harder in corners on various surfaces and conditions.
Likes For djb:
#17
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2761 Post(s)
Liked 2,534 Times
in
1,433 Posts
It depends on the range of the gauge on the pump and the pressure you want in your tire. If the range is up to 120 psi, and the pressures are around 40ish or higher (like for my road/gravel or commuter bikes) I’ll just use the pump’s gauge. Lower than that (like for mountain biking) I use a separate gauge that can differentiate a 1-2 psi difference better.
#20
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,631
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4729 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
Wasn't clear if OP was considering a standalone for accuracy's sake or convenience. If query was about out of convenience to determine if any air needs to be added, then I would say no, not worth it. If my tires have been sitting unused for even 24 hours, I attach the pump with the presumption that some (even a little) amount of air has been lost.
From accuracy standpoint, I also assume that my floor pump, if it is a bit off from 100% accuracy, is consistently off. I've now determined the pressure that works best according to my pump, so I inflate to that.
From accuracy standpoint, I also assume that my floor pump, if it is a bit off from 100% accuracy, is consistently off. I've now determined the pressure that works best according to my pump, so I inflate to that.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Los Alamitos, Calif.
Posts: 2,474
Bikes: Canyon Endurace
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1041 Post(s)
Liked 922 Times
in
539 Posts
I use the gauge on my 25 y/o Trek floor pump. I don't know if it's correct or even close but it's my point of reference. Why agonize over it. If your ride feels harsh let some air out and note where the pressure is at. If it's too soft, add some pressure and note where the gauge is at.
"A man with 2 watches never really knows what time it is"
"A man with 2 watches never really knows what time it is"
#24
Senior Member
The lower your operating pressures, the more you can benefit from a standalone gauge-- provided you get one with a more narrow range of measurement. Most on-pump gauges aren't well suited to things like fatbike tires, but you can buy a standalone 0-15psi gauge.
For roadbike pressures, any gauge will do (including those on pumps,) so long as it provides repeatable results.
For roadbike pressures, any gauge will do (including those on pumps,) so long as it provides repeatable results.
So the handheld gauge is very useful. I just pump up the tires a bit above where I want them, apply the standalone gauge, and press the button to release air until it is exactly where I want it.
Also, I occasionally use a compressor to fill tires on various bikes - I need an external gauge there as well.
#25
Senior Member
Agree, for the road bike where I'm up in the 85-95psi range, the gauge on the pump is pretty accurate and works well. However, for my tubeless MTB tires, the difference between 18psi and 22 psi is very noticeable. But due to the wide range of the pump gauge, there is no way to actually read it to that level of accuracy down at that point on the gauge. The width of the needle itself is almost larger than 5 psi...
So the handheld gauge is very useful. I just pump up the tires a bit above where I want them, apply the standalone gauge, and press the button to release air until it is exactly where I want it.
Also, I occasionally use a compressor to fill tires on various bikes - I need an external gauge there as well.
So the handheld gauge is very useful. I just pump up the tires a bit above where I want them, apply the standalone gauge, and press the button to release air until it is exactly where I want it.
Also, I occasionally use a compressor to fill tires on various bikes - I need an external gauge there as well.
but lets face it, a lot of riders dont care about details like this. They'll ride on underinflated tires without realizing, or overpump and find that "their bike" is uncomfortable and harsh. I have lots of friends who dont give a rats patootee or think about tire pressures ever.