Floor pump - best value?
02-09-20, 09:11 AM
#26
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How much work is it to replace the gauge on the base? I'd love to find a gauge that will be more accurate - (ie: show 52 pounds instead of "somewhere between 40 and 60")
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02-09-20, 10:25 AM
#27
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Glad you mentioned the long hose, as I forgot to. I means I can use it while the bike is on the stand. A great plus in my book.
02-09-20, 03:46 PM
#28
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My Park PFP-8 floor pump doesn't seem to be a popular one, but it has served me well enough for a long time. This version looks different than mine, the gauge is in a different location.
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Last edited by mkeller234; 02-09-20 at 03:50 PM.
02-09-20, 04:55 PM
#29
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Just ordered one of the Lezynes. Thanks for the heads-up and reviews! 
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02-09-20, 05:11 PM
#30
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I've had my Topeak Joe Blow Race for a long time (10+ years?) with no issues. Long hose, schrader and presta, accurate gauge -- great pump.
Last edited by noobinsf; 02-09-20 at 05:16 PM.
02-09-20, 05:13 PM
#31
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To properly fit the 300 psi industrial air hose I had to tap the base to 1/8" NPT and use a 1/8 NPT to 1/4" hose barb fitting (1/8 - 27 tapered pipe tap, 21/64" drill), all hose clamps are Ottinger.
The rest of the fittings are 300 psi rated quick release air hose fittings, I don't remember where I got the bleed valve.
The gauges came from McMaster-Carr
: Mike
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02-10-20, 02:31 AM
#32
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Back in 2015 when I resumed cycling after a long break, some magazine reviews listed the Nashbar Earl Grey floor pump as a best buy in a bargain pump, and the Lezyne Steel Drive as a best buy at any price.
I was scraping pennies together that year so I got the Nashbar pump when it dropped to $20. The Lezyne was around $50-$60. The Earl Grey has been a very good pump, a bit easier to pump high pressure tires than some floor pumps. It seems to have a narrow, long column for low volume, high pressure. My only beef has ever been the pivot lever chuck locking doodad, but I've gotten used to it. It hasn't bothered me enough to replace it. But I prefer threaded chucks -- all my mini pumps have 'em.
If I was to buy another floor pump now it'd be a Lezyne, probably the Steel Drive.
I was scraping pennies together that year so I got the Nashbar pump when it dropped to $20. The Lezyne was around $50-$60. The Earl Grey has been a very good pump, a bit easier to pump high pressure tires than some floor pumps. It seems to have a narrow, long column for low volume, high pressure. My only beef has ever been the pivot lever chuck locking doodad, but I've gotten used to it. It hasn't bothered me enough to replace it. But I prefer threaded chucks -- all my mini pumps have 'em.
If I was to buy another floor pump now it'd be a Lezyne, probably the Steel Drive.
02-10-20, 07:56 AM
#33
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horatio I seem to remember Blackburn pumps are warrantied for life. Drop them a line to see if they’ll get you replacement parts or a new one.
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02-10-20, 08:38 AM
#34
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I want to be buried with my SKS Rennkompressor.
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02-10-20, 01:56 PM
#35
Hump, what hump?
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horatio I seem to remember Blackburn pumps are warrantied for life. Drop them a line to see if they’ll get you replacement parts or a new one.
I bought it with birthday $$, but can’t recall what year! 2017 most likely.
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Last edited by horatio; 02-10-20 at 03:10 PM.
02-10-20, 08:47 PM
#36
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Lezyne Steel Floor Drive.
02-10-20, 09:19 PM
#37
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I use a Specialized floor pump, which I've had for 12 or 13 years. Worked great for wheelchairs and bicycles alike. Reliable thus far. I've been happy with it.
02-10-20, 09:45 PM
#38
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I like to Pump!
02-10-20, 10:03 PM
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For the longest time I went without a pump. I’d fill up at whatever LBS was closet. So I was using a variety of pumps. Some of them didn’t perform too well. But the Topeak Joe Blow at one particular shop always worked like a champ.
I eventually picked one up off Craigslist. It had seen a lot of use before I got it, and it’s still performed without issues in the two years I’ve had it. I’d buy one new if I ever had to replace this one.
I eventually picked one up off Craigslist. It had seen a lot of use before I got it, and it’s still performed without issues in the two years I’ve had it. I’d buy one new if I ever had to replace this one.
02-11-20, 04:43 AM
#40
Hump, what hump?
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Thanks for all the replies. Ordered the Lezyne. $50 with tax and shipping. Meanwhile I’ll pursue the Blackburn warranty.
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02-11-20, 11:43 AM
#41
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FWIW- we also had a Planet Bike pump (with the "love handle" LOL). That was a nice pump- but I sent it up to our son when he got bikes for him and his wife. Which, of course, freed me up to get the SKS Rennkompressor and then the Leszyne.
Again FWIW- I had problems with the stock SKS head, I decided to return it and then ordered the Leszyne- but I contacted SKS and they sent me a new head. I've just preferred the SKS and I'm very appreciative of their customer service.
Again FWIW- I had problems with the stock SKS head, I decided to return it and then ordered the Leszyne- but I contacted SKS and they sent me a new head. I've just preferred the SKS and I'm very appreciative of their customer service.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
02-11-20, 12:47 PM
#42
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The pump base is a lump of cast iron and is very easy to drill and tap, you will need a 7/16" drill bit and a 1/4-18 tapered pipe tap. after tapping the gage port will accept any standard 1/4" NPT gage, the maximum gage diameter is 2 1/2" nominal.
To properly fit the 300 psi industrial air hose I had to tap the base to 1/8" NPT and use a 1/8 NPT to 1/4" hose barb fitting (1/8 - 27 tapered pipe tap, 21/64" drill), all hose clamps are Ottinger.
The rest of the fittings are 300 psi rated quick release air hose fittings, I don't remember where I got the bleed valve.
The gauges came from McMaster-Carr
To properly fit the 300 psi industrial air hose I had to tap the base to 1/8" NPT and use a 1/8 NPT to 1/4" hose barb fitting (1/8 - 27 tapered pipe tap, 21/64" drill), all hose clamps are Ottinger.
The rest of the fittings are 300 psi rated quick release air hose fittings, I don't remember where I got the bleed valve.
The gauges came from McMaster-Carr
Yet, the SKS with a Kuwahara head is by far the best floor pump I've ever used, and I've used a lot. Just a joy. For you other Rennkompressor fans out there, it is worth it. The stock SKS head isn't terrible, but the Kuwahara Yoko head upgrade with the SKS pump is just an awesome combination.
Last edited by Salamandrine; 02-11-20 at 12:52 PM.
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02-11-20, 01:17 PM
#43
52psi
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Only in the C&V will you find serious discussion of floor pump upgrades and mods. Man we're hilarious. 
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
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02-11-20, 05:18 PM
#45
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+1, very funny stuff
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02-11-20, 05:36 PM
#46
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I like my planet bike floor pump a lot. I've had mine for well over a decade now. Planet bike stocks small parts for the pump and they don't charge shipping for the small parts,
02-11-20, 06:43 PM
#47
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02-12-20, 08:49 AM
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02-12-20, 09:04 AM
#49
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Thanks for the tips, @mechanicmatt! Where are the two o seals on the Blackburn? And do you need to buy new o seals from Blackburn or do they come with the hose and head assembly you mentioned above? I ask because I tried repairing that Blackburn model with a Silca hose and head and couldn’t get the Blackburn pump to push air through. I must have missed replacing an o ring seal or two. (I bought a Lezyne, which is great except the threaded head is not quick and can unscrew loose valves). I’d love to get the Blackburn working again.
Thanks.
Thanks.
02-17-20, 08:20 AM
#50
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Thanks for the tips, @mechanicmatt! Where are the two o seals on the Blackburn? And do you need to buy new o seals from Blackburn or do they come with the hose and head assembly you mentioned above? I ask because I tried repairing that Blackburn model with a Silca hose and head and couldn’t get the Blackburn pump to push air through. I must have missed replacing an o ring seal or two. (I bought a Lezyne, which is great except the threaded head is not quick and can unscrew loose valves). I’d love to get the Blackburn working again.
Thanks.
Thanks.
