OK, it’s not like buying a bike. I just want to avoid buying a lemon. So, what should I avoid ? Who likes the Park Tool shop mechanic pump ? I had a Topeak Twister digital gauge pump for 10 years but they’re $80-$90 now…
I like my Topeak Joe Blow Pro, but I bet most people are going to recommend Silca.
Blackburn TrackPump Pro 4. I do NOT like the JoeBlow, not because it doesn’t pump well, but because of where the hose attaaches. It’s very easy to break - especially if you travel with your pump. My JoeBlow lasted about three weeks because of this. My first Blackburn lasted 7 years (until the seals finally went, and I’ve been too lazy to rebuild it, but I could - and will). Then I got the JoeBlow because I needed a pump ASAP. Then when it broke, I fortunately was able to get a new Blackburn.
Definitely the Topeak Joe Blow series. You will only use the nostalgic Silca stuff once …
I had a Silca Pista for 2 years. Then the gauge broke. Then I bought a Joe Blow Pro. I stopped using the Silca which now sits in my basement. Maybe it won’t last for 20 years like people say the Silca will. Mine didn’t. I love the Joe Blow Pro.
I have a Blackburn Trackpump Max-TP 3 that I’ve had for 6-7 years that still works great!
avoid like the plague all the “universal” or “smarthead” floor pumps. in my experience, they work poorly, especially on high pressure presta fillings.
instead, get a pump that fits both presta and schraeder, but be sure there is a separate hole for each.
I’ve had a cheap Performance Bike floor pump with a “smart head” for two years and have used it without a problem for both presta and schraeder valves without issue. Spent about $30 on it I think.
Topeak for now but Kestrel has a new pump coming out in the Fall that is going to rock! We’ve been working on this for some time to get a pump that works well and gets to high pressure with ease.
Blackburn make nice pumps, but the head is that cheap plastic. I’ve had one and the head will not lock down on the valve consistently, the pin in the the lever, something in there does not lock down after normal usage. I don’t get it, nice pump all around, high quality, then put a cheap plastic head on it.
I know everyone here hates the “smarthead” but for me it works much better than the cheap plastic heads found on most pumps. The new blackburn airtower hp looks really nice and it appears they finally upgraded the head – all metal, rebuildable.
I’ve tried them all, joe blow, silca, wrench force, blackburn. I am currently using a bontrager pump – my local bike shop gave me a good deal on it. A nice pump with smarthead.
I have a Specialized Airtool Comp that I’ve used for about a year. A couple of my friends have them (including the guy who recommended them to me). He’s a shop manager at a pretty bike shop, and that’s what he uses. (outside the shop, since they have an air compressor indoors)
They’re about $40, have a nice gauge, and a smart-head (pffft. theirs is nice!)
Have a Joe Blow that i’ve rebuilt and is good, also a Nashbar Silca clone that is ok, but really like the Park #4 i just bought. More pressure per stroke, tight seal, typical Park quality.
I have a Silca…can’t wait for it to break…don’t care if it can be rebuilt…my wife has the Joe Blow and it is awesome but it is usually in her car.
I just got a great deal on a Blackburn Airtower in Carbon Fiber from Jenson USA. It’s a 200 dollar pump that I’ve been coveting since I saw one several years ago. Totally indulgent but it’s still a good pump.
Functional - Topeak Joe Blow family
Functional & stylish - Lezyne. Seriously, you’ll want to leave it in the living room next to the wine rack.
I have a lezyne cnc floor drive pump. That’s the Rolls Royce of the pumps.
x2 for the specialized air tool comp. On my second one. First one lasted almost 5 full years. Good value.