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Floor pump - best value?

Old 02-08-20, 09:56 AM
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horatio 
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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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Old 02-08-20, 10:16 AM
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floor Pump

Check out Sierra Trading Post on line. They have a Lezyne floor pump on clearance for $39.00 which lists for $70. These are very nice pumps.
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Old 02-08-20, 10:33 AM
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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.
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Old 02-08-20, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by tak2
Check out Sierra Trading Post on line. They have a Lezyne floor pump on clearance for $39.00 which lists for $70. These are very nice pumps.
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.
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Old 02-08-20, 11:59 AM
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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.

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Old 02-08-20, 12:12 PM
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I have gone through a few over the years and the best for me has been Topeaks Joe Blow.

B
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Old 02-08-20, 12:54 PM
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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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Old 02-08-20, 01:10 PM
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I bought an air compressor about 13 years ago.

SO glad I did.
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Old 02-08-20, 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by horatio
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?
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.

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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Old 02-08-20, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by BFisher
I bought an air compressor about 13 years ago. SO glad I did.
x2

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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Old 02-08-20, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Salamandrine
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.
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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Old 02-08-20, 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
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.
Did that with my first Blackburn pump. The replacement head failed too. I still have the blasted thing!

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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Old 02-08-20, 04:20 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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Old 02-08-20, 04:23 PM
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I've been using my joe blow for 4 or 5 years now and dont have any issues.
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Old 02-08-20, 04:31 PM
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The SKS Rennkompressor will last a lifetime.

My very modified SKS Rennkompressor with, pressure bleed valve, quick release high and low pressure gages and hoses, for presta and schrader valves,



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Old 02-08-20, 04:38 PM
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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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Old 02-08-20, 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Bajabri
I have gone through a few over the years and the best for me has been Topeaks Joe Blow.

B
Same here; I've got a Joe Blow that has lasted about 10 years and still going strong.
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Old 02-08-20, 08:02 PM
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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
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Old 02-08-20, 08:09 PM
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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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Old 02-08-20, 10:46 PM
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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
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Old 02-08-20, 11:22 PM
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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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Old 02-09-20, 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by mechanicmatt
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.
I also, recently, obtained one of those Blackburn pumps, was abandoned in the basement of the LBS. Yes the head sucked so I replaced it. But I agree it's a well made pump and fully serviceable. How rare. Works fine. My pressure gauge is NFG (not fully operable) but I don't care. My NAPA stick gauge is more accurate anyway.

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Old 02-09-20, 06:28 AM
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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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Old 02-09-20, 06:36 AM
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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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Old 02-09-20, 08:12 AM
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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
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