Track pumps

[MartinS]

Any advice on good track pumps with pressure gauge would be most welcome. I am on number 3 which has a leaking body and u/s gauge and all have failed because of pressure gauge, head failure (single presta would be fine) and poor flexible hose connections - I expect to pay for the privilege but all I have seen so far are naf - help!

[Mark1978]

I use a Joe Blow. Can't say how it compares as it's the only one I've used but it works.

[86inch]

Have you tried Lezyne?

My main "home" pump isn't a Lezyne, but I bought a Travel Floor Drive as it fits neatly in my Dormobile. Superb quality I am really impressed and will buy a large model for home use when my other one gives up the ghost.

The best pump I ever had (30 years ago ) was a Columbus, the main tube was a Columbus tube and cast iron base. I've no idea what happened to it after I left home.

[rbreid]

Blackburn Airtower 2. Best I've used and I've had lots over the years

[Vorpal]

After having several pumps fail me in one way or another, last year, I bought an SKS Airkompressor, and I'm really happy with it. It's easy to use and I've had no problems with it whatsoever. TBH, unless I owned a bike shop or something where I needed long term reliability from a frequently used pump, I don't see a need to spend more than £30. However, if I did, I'd go for the SKS Rennkompressor.

[interestedcp]

Any advice on good track pumps with pressure gauge would be most welcome. I am on number 3 which has a leaking body and u/s gauge and all have failed because of pressure gauge, head failure (single presta would be fine) and poor flexible hose connections - I expect to pay for the privilege but all I have seen so far are naf - help!

I have used this model for years. It is superb; gauge is up high for easy reading, broad and stable stand, the hose is long, and the clamp on head works very well:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/xtre ... /aid:21228

Extra rubber inserts can be bought (never needed my spare though).

If it is only the head or hose that are broken, one can easily buy many different quality heads:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/sks- ... aid:654865

Or this one with inbuilt digital pressure gauge:

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/bike ... aid:555057
No idea about quality though.

A spraycan with pure silicone oil works wonders when it comes to maintaining pumps; it is a non-greasy lubricant (doesn't attract dirt), that repels water and doesn't swell o-rings or seals. Excellent and cheap way to prevent seals from drying up. Can also be used to flush cable housing (eg. Shimano uses silicone grease as lubrication in their cables).

People also speak fondly of their Topeak track pumps (I love their mini-pumps).

[martin biggs]

another vote for a Joe Blow sport

[Valbrona]

SKS.

[robc02]

I'm still using the Silca I bought in the late '70s / early '80s - albeit with a different connector (Topeak, I think). Spare parts still available - I recently replaced the leather washer and bought a rubber washer for the original adaptor, just in case I need to go back to it.

Similar model here:
http://www.ctcshop.org.uk/silca-super-pista-pump/

[PT1029]

SKS, I use them (Compressor) at work + an Airbase at home. All spares (and I mean all) available from Chicken (trade supplier).
Only qualifier is, get the head with 2 separate holes in (SV/PV).
The head with the clamp on SV head and the PV adaptor on the dangly chain can be OK, but it means the PV is push on only (not clamp on).
The single hole fits all valves head ("EVA") is total and utter rubbish, on PV excellent, on SV I get 6 bars on the guage when starting to inflate a flat (out of the box) innertube, 10 bar to get 4 bar in the tyre. How those usually efficient Germans release such rubbish I don't know. About <5% of the time, fit on SV and works perfectly.
If you buy a used compressor, establish it was made in Germany. They made some of the orange ones in China for a while a few years back, definately not so good......(not just talking about the pump heads either!)

[sjs]

I bought one at Halfords ("Bikehut", actually) years ago and have had no problems with it at all.

[gaz]

another vote for a Joe Blow sport

+1

[NUKe]

I installed a Joe blow sport in the Cycle shed at work for general use last year no one has reported any problems with it. So I would add to the list of recomenders.
At home I have old Beto one which has seen about 10 years service I occasionaly regrease the barrel but thats about it still works fine

[db8000]

I like my rennkompressor (whether its Chinese or not - i'm not sure - either way it seems quality) but I agree with the comments above about the pump head. I have the pv part on the chain and it doesn't clamp so well. You have to wedge the hose between the spokes so the pump head is at 90degrees or as close as possible. Then it works fine.
The added bonus is that its easily man enough to do the car and motorbike tyres too.
Dave.

[pedalsheep]

db8000 wrote

I like my rennkompressor (whether its Chinese or not - i'm not sure - either way it seems quality) but I agree with the comments above about the pump head. I have the pv part on the chain and it doesn't clamp so well. You have to wedge the hose between the spokes so the pump head is at 90degrees or as close as possible. Then it works fine.

I had one of these but couldn't get on with it at all (never thought of wedging the hose between the spokes) and eventually sold it on here and bought a Topeak Joe Blow which works very well and has never given me any trouble.