Floor pump recommendation



M

Mark Atanovich

Guest
Looking for something with a universal presta/schrader head that removes
easily from the stem and doesn't need to be reconfigured for each type,
fairly inexpensive (<$40) and above all reliable. I bought a Topeak Joe
Blow Pro a couple years ago and it truly is a POS.

Thanks,
Mark
 
Mark Atanovich writes:

> Looking for something with a universal Presta/Schrader head that
> removes easily from the stem and doesn't need to be reconfigured for
> each type, fairly inexpensive (<$40) and above all reliable. I
> bought a Topeak Joe Blow Pro a couple years ago and it truly is a
> POS.

Forget about the $40 pump if you plan to ride a few years and get the
Blackburn Air Tower-5.

http://tinyurl.com/73zyw

Super light double action pump with all the features a floor pump
should have. Check out the low friction seals that make it slide like
a trombone. Like a drum with a hole in it... can't be beat!

Jobst Brandt
 
Mark Atanovich wrote:

> Looking for something with a universal presta/schrader head that removes
> easily from the stem and doesn't need to be reconfigured for each type,
> fairly inexpensive (<$40) and above all reliable. I bought a Topeak Joe
> Blow Pro a couple years ago and it truly is a POS.
>
> Thanks,
> Mark
>
>
Somehow I am ashamed to admit that I have been pretty happy with my Nashbar
Blue Pump
<http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&sku=2420&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=>
but I shouldn't be. I bought it on a whim a couple years back because of the
low price and the nice, dual-size head. I figured it would prove less useful
than my old, retro Silca floor pump but since I have had it, the Silca stands
completely idle. With my ancient eyes, I'd prefer the guage dial be located
higher like on the Red or Orange models but they weren't available back then
(and I cannot comment on their quality since I have not seen them).
 
David White wrote:
> Mark Atanovich wrote:
>
> > Looking for something with a universal presta/schrader head that removes
> > easily from the stem and doesn't need to be reconfigured for each type,
> > fairly inexpensive (<$40) and above all reliable. I bought a Topeak Joe
> > Blow Pro a couple years ago and it truly is a POS.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Mark
> >
> >
> Somehow I am ashamed to admit that I have been pretty happy with my Nashbar
> Blue Pump
> <http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&sku=2420&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=>
> but I shouldn't be. I bought it on a whim a couple years back because of the
> low price and the nice, dual-size head. I figured it would prove less useful
> than my old, retro Silca floor pump but since I have had it, the Silca stands
> completely idle. With my ancient eyes, I'd prefer the guage dial be located
> higher like on the Red or Orange models but they weren't available back then
> (and I cannot comment on their quality since I have not seen them).

That's nothing to be ashamed about. I replaced the hose/chuck combo on
my Silca floor pump with the Nashbar Blue Pump hose & dual-size head
for ~$7 and couldn't have been more pleased with the results. This was
over a year ago.

The current Silca chuck designs are the very definition of POS. They
had another reversible design in the mid 80's that worked really well,
and since they changed that design all their new chucks have been ****.
 
I'm happy as can be with my Joe Blow Max, which I picked up for $20.
The head's a little gimpy, but I'll replace it when it wears out.

If it's indeed the head you don't like, have your LBS get you a real
fancy one--and you can recycle the Joe Blow.
 
landotter wrote:
> I'm happy as can be with my Joe Blow Max, which I picked up for $20.
> The head's a little gimpy, but I'll replace it when it wears out.
>
> If it's indeed the head you don't like, have your LBS get you a real
> fancy one--and you can recycle the Joe Blow.

It's not the head. The plating on the shaft is flaking off and gets
into the valves which then leak. I wire brushed the plating off and
cleaned the innards but it appears the damage has been done.
 
Mark Atanovich schrieb:
> Looking for something with a universal presta/schrader head that removes
> easily from the stem and doesn't need to be reconfigured for each type,
> fairly inexpensive (<$40) and above all reliable. I bought a Topeak Joe
> Blow Pro a couple years ago and it truly is a POS.
>
> Thanks,
> Mark
>
>
The best floorpump from europe is the "Rennkompressor" from SKS, the
pump far more popular as the Silca and not "Made in China" like all
the Topeak, Blackburn, Specialized, Trek or Cannondale pumps.
http://www.sks-germany.com/en/stage.php?mod=detail&cid=1&id=50&zg=1&seite=2&start=3
 
On Tue, 27 Dec 2005 23:05:59 +0100, Volker Leimann
<[email protected]> wrote:

>(PeteCresswell) schrieb:
>> Per Volker Leimann:
>>
>>>http://www.sks-germany.com/en/stage.php?mod=detail&cid=1&id=50&zg=1&seite=2&start=3
>>
>>
>> Which begs the question: what is a "track" pump?
>A "track" pump is the same like a floor pump, but the "SKS
>Rennkompressor" has the advantage to inflate tires up to 16 bar
>(thats 240 psi), for tubular track tires.

Nice, from what I can see. For a tool that's going to be left at home
anyway, the choice of materials is appropriate as well. I really
don't understand the obsession with making things from carbon fiber
composite when weight is not an issue and steel will do the job.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
 
Volker Leimann writes:

>> Looking for something with a universal presta/schrader head that
>> removes easily from the stem and doesn't need to be reconfigured
>> for each type, fairly inexpensive (<$40) and above all reliable. I
>> bought a Topeak Joe Blow Pro a couple years ago and it truly is a
>> POS.

> The best floorpump from europe is the "Rennkompressor" from SKS, the
> pump far more popular as the Silca and not "Made in China" like all
> the Topeak, Blackburn, Specialized, Trek or Cannondale pumps.

http://www.sks-germany.com/en/stage.php?mod=detail&cid=1&id=50&zg=1&seite=2&start=3

Let's not get too nationalistic about this but the one you prefer is a
one stage (single action) pump that talkes at least four times the
number of strokes to fill a tire. Two stage pumps have always been a
goal for users and pump manufacturers. An alternative is to make the
cylider of a single action pump nearly twice as long since no
significant work is done for the first half of the downstroke... or
more. Even that doesn't approach the efficiency of a good two stage
pump. As I said, try the Air Tower-5 at your local bicycle shop.

http://tinyurl.com/73zyw

Jobst Brandt
 
Volker Leimann writes:

http://www.sks-germany.com/en/stage.php?mod=detail&cid=1&id=50&zg=1&seite=2&start=3

>> Which begs the question: what is a "track" pump?

> A "track" pump is the same like a floor pump, but the "SKS
> Rennkompressor" has the advantage to inflate tires up to 16 bar
> (thats 240 psi), for tubular track tires.

"Rennkompressor" aka "racing pump", no ordinary pump, this!

The allusion to the bicycle track is common in bicycle lore, there
being the place where bicycle tales most prevalent, higher speeds,
higher pressure, lighter tires, stronger rim glue, tougher chains,
lighter bicycles and many more. I recall local riders who would often
mention their "track pump" concerning tire inflation. It's not new.

Just the same, maximum inflation pressure is limited mainly by
operator strength, or for practical purposes the diameter of the
output cylinder. The smaller the volume the higher the pressure, and
the longer it takes to inflate a tire. That is why two stage pumps
are desirable. They use a small diameter output cylinder filled by a
large diameter first stage on the otherwise wasted up-stroke. The
pump is effectively one with a cylinder the size of its first stage
but requiring no more force than a single stage pump for output.

The two stage pump is the true Rennkompressor.

Jobst Brandt
 
Dans le message de news:[email protected],
[email protected] <[email protected]> a
réfléchi, et puis a déclaré :
> Volker Leimann writes:
>
>>> Looking for something with a universal presta/schrader head that
>>> removes easily from the stem and doesn't need to be reconfigured
>>> for each type, fairly inexpensive (<$40) and above all reliable. I
>>> bought a Topeak Joe Blow Pro a couple years ago and it truly is a
>>> POS.
>
>> The best floorpump from europe is the "Rennkompressor" from SKS, the
>> pump far more popular as the Silca and not "Made in China" like all
>> the Topeak, Blackburn, Specialized, Trek or Cannondale pumps.
>
> http://www.sks-germany.com/en/stage.php?mod=detail&cid=1&id=50&zg=1&seite=2&start=3
>
> Let's not get too nationalistic about this but the one you prefer is a
> one stage (single action) pump that talkes at least four times the
> number of strokes to fill a tire. Two stage pumps have always been a
> goal for users and pump manufacturers. An alternative is to make the
> cylider of a single action pump nearly twice as long since no
> significant work is done for the first half of the downstroke... or
> more. Even that doesn't approach the efficiency of a good two stage
> pump. As I said, try the Air Tower-5 at your local bicycle shop.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/73zyw
>
The Blackburn may not be too available - I have not seen any in France,
other than the one I brought (aluminum barrel, which split, after many
years, at the base). But, it's true, you will see the Rennkompressor
widely, and it's a pleasure to use. Mine replaced the Blackburn. For the
head, though, Zefal makes one switchable one, and it never leaks or wobbles
for me.
--
Sandy
--
Les faits relatés ici ne sont que pure fiction, et ne sauraient être
utilisés ou rapprochés d'une situation réelle existant ou ayant
existée
 
Tim McNamara writes:

>> As I said, try the Air Tower-5 at your local bicycle shop.

http://tinyurl.com/73zyw

> "Lightweight carbon fiber barrel?" On a floor pump? Are there any
> good two-stage pumps on the market that are more likely to be
> durable?

I am dismayed at what the marketing people did to this pump that is
basically the design I presented here of my stainless steel double
acting pump on occasion in years past. At least they took the hint
and built one and, from what I can tell, it works well besides being
lighter than made of balsa wood. It's main improvement is that it has
low friction seals, probably Teflon, that make it a light touch.

You may have noticed that FSA also chose carbon fiber instead of
aluminum for the base plate when they built my tensiometer.

http://tinyurl.com/7ogpr

What can I say? Carbon is in for everything bicycling.

Jobst Brandt
 
On 27 Dec 2005 11:52:22 -0800, "m.atanovich@[NOSPAM]cox.net"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>
>landotter wrote:
>> I'm happy as can be with my Joe Blow Max, which I picked up for $20.
>> The head's a little gimpy, but I'll replace it when it wears out.
>>
>> If it's indeed the head you don't like, have your LBS get you a real
>> fancy one--and you can recycle the Joe Blow.
>
>It's not the head. The plating on the shaft is flaking off and gets
>into the valves which then leak. I wire brushed the plating off and
>cleaned the innards but it appears the damage has been done.

Topeak usually stands behind their products, have you tried getting
the pump repaired/replaced under warranty? I would contact them. It
can't hurt, at worst they say no, at best a new pump.

My Joe Blow Sport with the upgraded Smarthead, works fine.


Life is Good!
Jeff
 
On 27 Dec 2005 22:22:52 GMT, [email protected] wrote:

>Let's not get too nationalistic about this but the one you prefer is a
>one stage (single action) pump that talkes at least four times the
>number of strokes to fill a tire. Two stage pumps have always been a
>goal for users and pump manufacturers.

Let me get this straight, this design pumps while the handle's going up as
well as down? Doesn't that make it fatiguing to use? Pulling strength
takes much more out of you than pushing strength.

Jasper
 
[email protected] writes:

> Tim McNamara writes:
>
>>> As I said, try the Air Tower-5 at your local bicycle shop.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/73zyw
>
>> "Lightweight carbon fiber barrel?" On a floor pump? Are there any
>> good two-stage pumps on the market that are more likely to be
>> durable?
>
> I am dismayed at what the marketing people did to this pump that is
> basically the design I presented here of my stainless steel double
> acting pump on occasion in years past. At least they took the hint
> and built one and, from what I can tell, it works well besides being
> lighter than made of balsa wood. It's main improvement is that it
> has low friction seals, probably Teflon, that make it a light touch.

So they don't have an equivalent version with a steel barrel.
Bummer. I'll have to track one down to look at it. I suppose- not
knowing much about materials- that if the CF is thick enough it might
be reasonably durable. If the inside of the barrel is CF where it is
in contact with the seals, though, I would be concerned about wear.

> You may have noticed that FSA also chose carbon fiber instead of
> aluminum for the base plate when they built my tensiometer.

I did. And a darned handsome tool it turned out to be. But an
aluminum plate could make it cost about $50 less...

> http://tinyurl.com/7ogpr
>
> What can I say? Carbon is in for everything bicycling.

Good point. Even where it makes no sense whatsoever.
 
On 27 Dec 2005 22:22:52 GMT, [email protected] wrote:

>Volker Leimann writes:
>
>>> Looking for something with a universal presta/schrader head that
>>> removes easily from the stem and doesn't need to be reconfigured
>>> for each type, fairly inexpensive (<$40) and above all reliable. I
>>> bought a Topeak Joe Blow Pro a couple years ago and it truly is a
>>> POS.
>
>> The best floorpump from europe is the "Rennkompressor" from SKS, the
>> pump far more popular as the Silca and not "Made in China" like all
>> the Topeak, Blackburn, Specialized, Trek or Cannondale pumps.
>
> http://www.sks-germany.com/en/stage.php?mod=detail&cid=1&id=50&zg=1&seite=2&start=3
>
>Let's not get too nationalistic about this but the one you prefer is a
>one stage (single action) pump that talkes at least four times the
>number of strokes to fill a tire. Two stage pumps have always been a
>goal for users and pump manufacturers. An alternative is to make the
>cylider of a single action pump nearly twice as long since no
>significant work is done for the first half of the downstroke... or
>more. Even that doesn't approach the efficiency of a good two stage
>pump. As I said, try the Air Tower-5 at your local bicycle shop.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/73zyw

By comparison to a hand-operated pump that costs $200, a decent 110V
electric compressor at a much lower price becomes a much more
attractive alternative.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92161

or

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...0916639000&subcat=Air+Compressors+&+Inflators

(Yes, I know, right now the $200 hand pump is on sale for just $100.
For less than $100, a somewhat smaller electric compressor can be had
which will supply 115psi readily.)

Elegance in design and construction is nice, but for some of us,
getting the tire inflated as quickly, painlessly and cheaply as
possible is a more important consideration.

If there is a need to make the unit portable so that it can be carried
along into the field, then the hand pump trumps the compressor easily,
of course. (And of the battery-operated self-contained inflation
units that I've tested, none were as fast as a conventional hand
pump!)
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.
 
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