So what's the best bang-for-the-buck in floor pumps these days?
10-11-18, 08:01 AM
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So what's the best bang-for-the-buck in floor pumps these days?
I've been running on an old Blackburn for years, and I love that thing, it's been a great unit, but I've been thinking I'd like to have a back-up on hand.
While looking around on-line, the things have gotten crazy expensive, and most of those still have fairly crappy reviews.
Are there any floor pumps out there that are reasonably priced, and that aren't complete junk?
While looking around on-line, the things have gotten crazy expensive, and most of those still have fairly crappy reviews.
Are there any floor pumps out there that are reasonably priced, and that aren't complete junk?
10-11-18, 08:03 AM
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I got a green Bell pump at Walmart for $17. Seems to work just fine, and it has both Schrader and Presta holes so it'll work with either, which is handy for keeping my car tires properly inflated. The gauge isn't super accurate though.
If it fails in 2 years and I have to get another one, I'm still coming out ahead versus buying some > $50 high-end pump.
If it fails in 2 years and I have to get another one, I'm still coming out ahead versus buying some > $50 high-end pump.
10-11-18, 08:04 AM
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10-11-18, 08:05 AM
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10-11-18, 08:11 AM
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I have one of these:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ai...yABEgJlpPD_BwE
Have had it for a long time. No problems whatsoever. Won't have to run back to Walmart every two years for a replacement. Ergo, I consider the cost reasonable.
The Comp and Sport models are less money.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/ai...yABEgJlpPD_BwE
Have had it for a long time. No problems whatsoever. Won't have to run back to Walmart every two years for a replacement. Ergo, I consider the cost reasonable.
The Comp and Sport models are less money.
10-11-18, 08:56 AM
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I do have a Pedro's Prestige at work that has stood the test of time but it doesn't get used all that much. My daughter has a JoeBlow Sport that has worked well for her for a long time. I now have a Lezyne CNC Floor Drive which is okay so far. It supposedly can be rebuilt so if the check valve melts again, I can replace it. Time will tell.
I hate to be such a gloomy Gus about pumps but I haven't found anything that I would whole heartedly endorse. The Pedro's is okay and it is cheap but, honestly, I don't use it enough to say that it's a great pump. It's way better than the Park and the JoeBlow Pro. The Lezyne CNC is solid but about twice as much as the Pedro's.
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10-11-18, 09:08 AM
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I bought a Nashbar Orange pump about a year ago that seems pretty well made, was inexpensive, and seemed to have good reviews. I like it pretty well but there is one annoying trait. It takes a lot of force to push the head onto the stem. I mean a lot. Took me a while to get use to that.
Interesting to hear that people have so many failures of pumps. What goes wrong with them?
Interesting to hear that people have so many failures of pumps. What goes wrong with them?
10-11-18, 09:13 AM
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The new ones are pretty nice too.
Last edited by manapua_man; 10-11-18 at 09:17 AM.
10-11-18, 09:20 AM
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So it wasn't just me. My Park was probably the worst one I ever owned. The chuck was terrible, and had problems with the connection between the cylinder and the base.
10-11-18, 09:29 AM
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I bought a Nashbar Orange pump about a year ago that seems pretty well made, was inexpensive, and seemed to have good reviews. I like it pretty well but there is one annoying trait. It takes a lot of force to push the head onto the stem. I mean a lot. Took me a while to get use to that.
Interesting to hear that people have so many failures of pumps. What goes wrong with them?
Interesting to hear that people have so many failures of pumps. What goes wrong with them?
10-11-18, 10:00 AM
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This has been my new favorite, in use for 6 months. It's tall w/ long stroke, so good if you're tall, maybe not as good if short.
https://www.amazon.com/Velowurks-Pri...velowurks+pump
Taken over the top spot from the Specialized one linked by indyfabz, which is very good.
https://www.amazon.com/Velowurks-Pri...velowurks+pump
Taken over the top spot from the Specialized one linked by indyfabz, which is very good.
10-11-18, 10:13 AM
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Many thanks to all for the solid replies. To answer the question about what I consider "reasonable", I was thinking around $40 bucks or so. (It sure as hell ain't $120+ !! 
)
I took a look at the Pedros recommended above, but they seemed to have a high number of bad reviews on Amazon.
The Nashbar Orange looks like a solid candidate, but they have another one that's even cheaper, that has even better reviews.....
https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...p-bn-egfp-base
)I took a look at the Pedros recommended above, but they seemed to have a high number of bad reviews on Amazon.
The Nashbar Orange looks like a solid candidate, but they have another one that's even cheaper, that has even better reviews.....
https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...p-bn-egfp-base
10-11-18, 10:28 AM
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JoeBlow Sport. $30.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...lusive-40-5465
https://www.performancebike.com/shop...lusive-40-5465
10-11-18, 10:33 AM
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I bought this one which was rather expensive, but very nice.
Lezyne CNC Digital Floor Drive Bicycle Pump
One thing I did discover was that you need to have your valve stems screwed in really tightly, or it will extract them.
Lezyne CNC Digital Floor Drive Bicycle Pump
One thing I did discover was that you need to have your valve stems screwed in really tightly, or it will extract them.
10-11-18, 10:33 AM
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I got this one as a gift a couple of years ago. Lots of good reviews. Supposedly has a lifetime warranty, whatever that means. Anyway, it works great , the gauge can be off by as much as 7 psi though.https://www.amazon.com/Performance-F...elli+bike+pump
10-11-18, 10:36 AM
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Interestingly enough, I've never had a floor pump fail. Right now I'm using a Nashbar pump, a blue one, that I must have bought at least fifteen years ago. It still works fine. I bought it so long ago that I don't remember how much I paid, but believe it was the cheapest one in the line of pumps labeled by a color. If I were to buy a new one, I'd buy a Nashbar one.
10-11-18, 10:45 AM
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As an addition to your list, my Park PFP-7 "Professional Mechanic's Floor" pump blew up the (rubber, NOT fabric reinforced) hose at that base of the frame and it was hard to get it hooked back up. Not designed intelligently for use. Guess that's why its discontinued.
10-11-18, 11:25 AM
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I bought a Schwinn pump in '73. Still works fine. Gotta keep the leathers oiled.
10-11-18, 01:07 PM
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A used Italian Silca Track floor pump
For P/V,
I have had 30 + years out of mine, and it still works fine..
...
For P/V,
I have had 30 + years out of mine, and it still works fine..
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-12-18 at 12:10 PM.
10-11-18, 01:12 PM
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Joe Blow has been working great for me for 4+ years. I use it to top up my cars wheels as well when temps drop. The base has picked up some rust from being outside in the wet but otherwise it works just fine. The gauge isn't super accurate but I don't care much about that. I'd buy it again, looks like there's an updated version available: https://www.sierratradingpost.com/jo...-pump~p~482tg/
10-11-18, 01:30 PM
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This is what Lezyne told me
I didn't think that I was using the pump "excessively". I have 7 bikes but I don't pump up the tires every day on all of them.
Unfortunately [the check valve] not replaceable with the plastic base, due to them melting after excessive use.
We try and let shops know that customers that will use pumps regularly and often should really get a pump with a metal base.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
10-11-18, 01:40 PM
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10-11-18, 01:43 PM
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I've had no problems with the Bontrager floor pump I picked up (as an emergency purchase) at the LBS. It was ~$35, though it looks like the newer model is $40.
I've had it for about three years, and it's still going strong - and I use it almost daily for about 8 months out of the year. There are also replacement parts available.
I've had it for about three years, and it's still going strong - and I use it almost daily for about 8 months out of the year. There are also replacement parts available.
10-11-18, 01:44 PM
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I still don't understand why manual floor pumps are still a thing.
My "floor pump" that I bought many years ago: https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-.../dp/B000IE0YIQ
1. Set dial to desired pressure.
2. Connect pump.
3. Flip switch.
4. Tire inflates to set pressure and shuts off automatically.
And since this unit has no tank, there is no waiting around for it to uselessly pressurize a tank.
It is what I also use on my car and motorcycle.
My "floor pump" that I bought many years ago: https://www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-.../dp/B000IE0YIQ
1. Set dial to desired pressure.
2. Connect pump.
3. Flip switch.
4. Tire inflates to set pressure and shuts off automatically.
And since this unit has no tank, there is no waiting around for it to uselessly pressurize a tank.
It is what I also use on my car and motorcycle.