Floor pump - best value?
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Floor pump - best value?
I’m giving up on the last Blackburn floor pump I purchased. The pump head leaks. I’d rather replace with new than repair. What’s a reliable, accurate pump that won’t break the bank?
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I've been using a Meidai pump for 15 years. The one with the stamped sheet metal foot plate, not the one with the foot plate made of bent wire. Before that, it was my grandpa's. He says he got it while he was stationed in Korea, during the Korean war. You can find them on Ebay for less than a hundred dollars. They will outlive us.
My parents had a Meidai too, but they threw it away when all it needed was a new hose. I will never forgive them for this. They replaced it with some sort of Lezyne floor pump, which they say is good, but they've only had it four years or so.
If you like a minimalist lifestyle, you might also consider the excellent folding floor pumps that are available nowadays. I have a Lezyne "micro floor drive HPG" that I use when I'm on the road. Fits into the large size Berthoud bag and folds out into a pretty full-featured floor pump with gauge. Doesn't take too long to pump up even fat rando tires. I've only had it a year, so I can't say how it lasts, but it feels well-built. My previous portable pump was a Topeak Road Morph, which I used heavily for 15 years. It still works, but didn't fit into the Berthoud bag.
My parents had a Meidai too, but they threw it away when all it needed was a new hose. I will never forgive them for this. They replaced it with some sort of Lezyne floor pump, which they say is good, but they've only had it four years or so.
If you like a minimalist lifestyle, you might also consider the excellent folding floor pumps that are available nowadays. I have a Lezyne "micro floor drive HPG" that I use when I'm on the road. Fits into the large size Berthoud bag and folds out into a pretty full-featured floor pump with gauge. Doesn't take too long to pump up even fat rando tires. I've only had it a year, so I can't say how it lasts, but it feels well-built. My previous portable pump was a Topeak Road Morph, which I used heavily for 15 years. It still works, but didn't fit into the Berthoud bag.
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Last edited by scarlson; 02-08-20 at 10:37 AM.
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#4
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I have one of these Lezyne pumps and have been very pleased with it. Nice hose connectors and quality construction. I believe STP is where I purchased it, and for the same price.
#5
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I have an SKS Rennkompressor which I can vouch for. Very solid and reliable, similar to an old Silca track pump. Wood handle, steel body, no frills, no bs. It's around the same price as the Lezynes.
Stock head is OK, but I replaced it with a Kuwahara, which is superior, but costs as much as the pump. The stock head uses a lever, unlike the Lezyne, which I believe has to be screwed on. I'm not that patient.
The old Meidai pumps were a bike shop standard for many years, but I don't think they are still available. Most shops had (at least) one of those for schrader valves, and a Silca track pump for presta.
Stock head is OK, but I replaced it with a Kuwahara, which is superior, but costs as much as the pump. The stock head uses a lever, unlike the Lezyne, which I believe has to be screwed on. I'm not that patient.
The old Meidai pumps were a bike shop standard for many years, but I don't think they are still available. Most shops had (at least) one of those for schrader valves, and a Silca track pump for presta.
Last edited by Salamandrine; 02-08-20 at 12:05 PM.
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I have gone through a few over the years and the best for me has been Topeaks Joe Blow.
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I buy whatever is good and cheap (used) and for me that's the place real value is. This has resulted in quite a few Silcas and I prefer the "Super" Pistas with comfortable wooden handles and larger volume. I have NO qualms about repairing pumps and Silca parts are still available so Bravo! I also have picked up a number of Topeaks Joe Blows (several variations) and have had good luck with them: modern and pretty well made but I don't expect to get anything like the life-span of the Silcas. But these are often sold (used) for less than half of what a Super Pista fetches.
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Failing that, you can cut off the old chuck and install a new one, using a hose clamp. Silca offers some good choices, for both Schrader and Presta valves.
https://silca.cc/collections/floor-pumps
I still use a 40 year old Silca track pump for which replacement gaskets are still available. The Hiro chuck is supposed to be very good, but I have no personal experience with it. I replaced the Schader chuck on my Meidai pump with one of the locking Schrader chucks several years ago when the Meidai gaskets gave out and couldn't be replaced. N.B. I've since seen the locking Schrader chuck available at a farm equipment store, with their air tools, and at a fraction of the price Silca charges.
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Specifically, I got one of the little couple-gallon red pancake compressors from Porter Cable that came with a hose/utilities kit when it dropped to $99 on woot. Basically this one on Amazon, which is branded as Craftsman, but I suspect it's the same manufacturer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KHHDJGD/
One gauge tells you the tank pressure, one tells you the air-out pressure. It's wise to set your outlet pressure accordingly per your tire.
Oh, and I'll tell you, it's freaking amazing with one of these heads which easily does presta or schrader with no finagling: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJDC3CM
(Note: Lezyne actually sells a head you can potentially put on your existing gun if you prefer!)
Specifically, I got one of the little couple-gallon red pancake compressors from Porter Cable that came with a hose/utilities kit when it dropped to $99 on woot. Basically this one on Amazon, which is branded as Craftsman, but I suspect it's the same manufacturer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KHHDJGD/
One gauge tells you the tank pressure, one tells you the air-out pressure. It's wise to set your outlet pressure accordingly per your tire.
Oh, and I'll tell you, it's freaking amazing with one of these heads which easily does presta or schrader with no finagling: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TJDC3CM
(Note: Lezyne actually sells a head you can potentially put on your existing gun if you prefer!)
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Yeah, but you can get them used on Ebay! They're like cockroaches, you cannot kill them. I had the same Silca trackpump for presta, but it kept having problems (which I could always fix but still..), so I sold it and bought a second, used Meidai and a Presta adapter.
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#12
Hump, what hump?
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If the only problem is that the chuck leaks, perhaps it only needs a new gasket? Not sure if Blackburn supplies these, but there's a reasonable chance it could be a standard part. If you can remove the gasket, take it to a hardware store and see if they can match up a replacement.
Failing that, you can cut off the old chuck and install a new one, using a hose clamp. Silca offers some good choices, for both Schrader and Presta valves.
Failing that, you can cut off the old chuck and install a new one, using a hose clamp. Silca offers some good choices, for both Schrader and Presta valves.
The "new" pump came from Dick's Sporting Goods. It was probably defective from the start, but I wasn't riding as much then, so only rarely used it. I have a 1-gallon air compressor, so that may be a future option
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2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports
Last edited by horatio; 02-08-20 at 03:52 PM.
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The first pump I ever bought is the one I still like best: a Lezyne Steel Floor Drive. I have a Meidai as well, but I like the Lezyne better. More stable, more secure.
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I have two that have been working just fine (one travels, one lives in my shop). Neither was expensive to start with. One is a Vibrelli, the other is Rav-X. I've had the Vibrelli for about 4 years, and the Rav-X for 7 or 8. Have had zero issues with either, and have used both for bicycle and auto tires. The pressure gauges on both are quite accurate.
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I feel like a broken record everytime I suggest it. Get this head, works awesome until the seal gets worn but it takes 5 years or so. Make sure to oil the shaft of the pump too. Comes with an extra long hose. I have this on a Silca and a Blackburn. I love the Blackburn the most. Unless it has a plastic shaft I'd keep it.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Twinh...1213328&sr=8-5
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-Twinh...1213328&sr=8-5
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Proof. Also I had the old Blackburn head, it sucked especially at the end, this makes the pump lovely. The pump itself, I have found out later is well made. Only wearing part is two O-rings that are easily found. Well besides the pump head.
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Last ten years, I've been using a $20 Schwinn branded floor pump from Target, like this one...
https://www.target.com/p/schwinn-cyc...BoC2nAQAvD_BwE
https://www.target.com/p/schwinn-cyc...BoC2nAQAvD_BwE
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I have a Lezyne as pictured above and the orange SKS pump- I prefer the SKS pump. There’s probably cobwebs on the Lezyne. (Not that the Lezyne is bad or poor or anything- I just prefer the SKS)
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Another vote for the Lezyne. Smooth operation, comfortable handle, clear gauge, stable base, and a long hose. I received mine as a gift a few years back. Great value at $59. An absolute steal at only $39.
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I haven't had any issues with the AerGun Automatically adapts to presta or schraeder 35 bucks. https://www.amazon.com/AerGun-X-1000...s%2C159&sr=8-3
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Another vote for Topeaks Joe Blow. I have two, one at home and one at my shop. I have had them for a couple of years , always take one with me when traveling or camping. I have never had any issues at all. I have a nice compressor at my shop but prefer using my Joe Blow for my bikes. I have the yellow ones, I think they are the sport model. Watch REI for sales and grab one at a great deal. Joe. joesvintageroadbikes.wordpress