Electronics, Lighting, & Gadgets - Best bicycle pump for the money

I have a cheap floor pump I use for pumping up basketballs, my old bike when I had it, etc. But it's old and doesn't have a universal head for my bike. I know I can try to find the right adapter. But I figure since I have a new bike (Trek 7.3 FX (http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/fx/73fx/)), I might as well get a new pump. :thumb:

That said, what floor pump would you recommend? I believe my Trek's tires need to be inflated to 100 or 110 PSI. They have 700x32c tires. I'm browsing through Performance Bike's (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/sub_cat.cfm?subcategory_id=4360) products, but I'm willing to buy from elsewhere. I'd like to keep the price low, in the $20-$30 range.

TIA.

I'm no expert but I would think the cheapest of those pumps from Performance would serve your purposes.

if you do a search, you'll find that everyone seems to like the Topeak Joe Blow Sport. With the extra 10% off at Performance, it's under $30. I'm probably going to buy one of those or the Pro next weekend.

Thanks for the replies. So this (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=18239) is what you're recommending. It's currently selling for $35 before the 10% discount and whatever tax and shipping will be. It's got very good reviews on PB :), but mediocre reviews on Amazon. :(

I noticed that some pumps have a barrel made of aluminum whereas some (like the aforementioned JoeBlow Sport) is made of steel. What are the pros and cons to either? Also, what's the difference between a dual head and a universal head? :thumb:

That's the one. Although it's more expensive, I just found out that the Joe Blow Sprint is $52 at REI. It has a pressure relief, aluminum barrel and elevated gauge. It's probably worth the extra $$, so I may actually go that way. I still think the Sport is a good pump based on the reviews though.

By the way... what part of TX are you in? There is a few Performance stores in the bigger cities (a few near me in Ft. Worth and Dallas). You can get the same 10% off at lunch on Tuesdays and on Thursday nights if you have a women make the purchase (or at least go with you). My wife hates it, but she's gone with me a few times to get the discount! It would also save the shipping costs. Look on http://www.performancebike.com/inform/store_locations.cfm for details about the discounts and locations.

I'm going through this search as well. I am very confused by all the topeak models. I have my eye on the highest end planet bike pump which has a good amazon discount http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0015RA1RE/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance It's a newly redesigned pump so there are few reviews available.

Here's the Joe Blow Sport for $38, shipped.

http://www.bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=List&SubCategory=Accessories:%20Pumps

I have a Joe Blow Sport and love it. Best pump for the money in my opinion.

I have the Joe Blow Sport...zero problems with it. I have recommended it to some friends and they bought it, too; no complaints from them.

TexasBubba, I'm in FW. The closest PB shop from me is by Hulen Mall. But that's still almost a half hour drive.

Great to see so many rave reviews here about the JoeBlow Sport pump. I'll do some price shopping on it. I'm just a little confused why these Amazon reviews (http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-JoeBlow-Sport-Floor-Bike/dp/B000FICB90) say so many poor things about it. :confused: Much of the criticism was on the Presta valve head and durability issues (a few saying the pump died in less than a year). : \

My experience is that you can't expect more than a year or two out of a sub-$30 pump. The guys on here seem to get a lot more, which would be great.

I think most of those complaints were about the head (as you say). The Sport or Sprint allow you to put the Pro's Smarthead on there, so I'll just do that if I have a problem with the head. It's about $15 or $20 at Performance and that should be a year+ from purchase.

I see the Joe Blow Sport Pump at JensenUSA.com (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/PU707A02-Topeak+Joe+Blow+Sport+Pump.aspx) for about $30 shipped, for what it's worth.

I"m currently using a Schwinn Air Driver 1100 Floor Pump (a 5-in-1 pump) from Target that looks remarkably like the Topeak. It was on sale for about $18. I needed one quickly and bought the best looking one I could readily find (probably would not have been my top choice if I'd had the luxury of being able to do any research).

The Schwinn pump had bad reviews at Amazon.com, but I'm pretty sure that was because half the users weren't adept enough with pumps to figure out how to properly attach the pump head to the tire valve (the locking mechanism works the opposite of most pumps and flips up to lock rather than down to lock). It works for me and has both Presta and Schrader attachments, a flip-up ball inflator and and adapter for other inflatables. I don't particularly like the gauge on it, but everything seems to function just fine for me . . . however, most of the inflation I do with it is not over 50 psi.

http://www.cyclaire.com/

I got one in the USA off ebay a while back. don't see them anymore

http://www.cyclaire.com/

I got one in the USA off ebay a while back. don't see them anymore

Ditto - got one off Ebay Australia. Great pump. The Cyclaire site said they were out of stock -- that was a couple of months back.

Topeak makes high quality stuff. Their customer support matches the quality of their products and is the best I've ever experienced. Years ago I bought a low-end Joe Blow floor pump and although I had no problems with it over the course of more than a year, Topeak surprised me by shipping me a high-end, aluminum model replacement under a product recall that I knew nothing about (send in your product registration!) I've had that pump for over 5 years and the only thing that wore out was the hose that cracked from age. I made a quick e-mail request to Topeak and they sent a free replacement hose in three days, free of any charges.

Joe. Blow. Sport. Picked one up at Marshalls a couple of years ago for $20.

Picked up a Blackburn Airtower 4 at REI on sale for $35 a few months ago. Use it every other day to pump up our tandem to 120lb. Nice pump, effortless, nice large guage on the top easy to see first thing in the morning when my eyes are barley open.

Thanks for the inputs. It looks pretty unanimous for Joe Blow. The next time PB runs a decent sale, I'll pick one up.

geranimo, why do you have to pump your tires so frequently (every other day)?

I just got the Pro for $59.99 at Perf. They are showing $69.99 in the store, but will honor the online price.

I run 120lbs on my burley tandem. After 2 days they are always down to 90-100lbs.

FWIW, I like floor pumps with the pressure guage at the top of the tube rather than midway down or at the bottom. Easier to read. I have a Nashbar Pump l'Orange that I've had for 3 years and it works great.

Here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=410701&highlight=formula+inflation+tire) is the best formula for determing tire pressures that I've found.

I weigh in the low 160's and run 100/110 in the front/rear (700x23) respectively. No pinch flats and a nice ride. I used to air up to 120 on both tires. No more. It does make a difference in the ride.

Hope that helps.

Edit: I always check my pressure before riding. I find I loose 5 to 10 psi per day.

Picked up a Blackburn Airtower 4 at REI on sale for $35 a few months ago. Use it every other day to pump up our tandem to 120lb. Nice pump, effortless, nice large guage on the top easy to see first thing in the morning when my eyes are barley open.

yep, eveything I own that says Blackburn works very well. I also have a serfas FP 200 here at work which I rarely use but seems to work well too. I jsut have not used it nearly as much as the Blackburn I have at home.

I'm curious- the higher end pumps tend to be aluminum vs the steel of the lower end. Is there any advantage to aluminum other than a slight weight difference?

wont rust?

FWIW, I like floor pumps with the pressure guage at the top of the tube rather than midway down or at the bottom. Easier to read. I have a Nashbar Pump l'Orange that I've had for 3 years and it works great.

Here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=410701&highlight=formula+inflation+tire) is the best formula for determing tire pressures that I've found.

I weigh in the low 160's and run 100/110 in the front/rear (700x23) respectively. No pinch flats and a nice ride. I used to air up to 120 on both tires. No more. It does make a difference in the ride.

Hope that helps.

Edit: I always check my pressure before riding. I find I loose 5 to 10 psi per day.

Thanks for the formula. That seems handy. But my bike salesman told me my bike should be pumped to ~100-110 PSI. Yet when I plug-in that formula, it comes out to 67 PSI (700x32c, 150 lbs). :confused:

Thanks for the formula. That seems handy. But my bike salesman told me my bike should be pumped to ~100-110 PSI. Yet when I plug-in that formula, it comes out to 67 PSI (700x32c, 150 lbs). :confused:

That sounds high for a 32c tire. What does it say on the sidewall? I'd guess 85psi for the max on those tires... but I could be wrong.

And yes, per the formula, your math is correct. See the example Psimet posted at the end of his post.

Of course, YMMV.

More info:
http://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#pressure

That sounds high for a 32c tire. What does it say on the sidewall? I'd guess 85psi for the max on those tires... but I could be wrong.

And yes, per the formula, your math is correct. See the example Psimet posted at the end of his post.

Of course, YMMV.

More info:
http://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#pressure

Thanks, that site has some useful info. :thumb:

What confuses the heck out of me is that my tire inflation recommendation is extremely different. My bike is a Trek 7.3 FX with 700x32c tires. The link says I should inflate to 67 PSI given my weight of 150 lbs. Yet the sidewall of my bike's tires says to inflate to a max. of 110 PSI. That's a huge difference. :eek:

I know this is the Internet and no one can be trusted. So for anyone who thinks I'm lying or am blind, I took a couple pics of it w/ my phone and can post it here once I offload those pics.

You could modify the formula with Sheldon's advice. Air up to 67/60 psi then check to see if you have a slight bulge when you sit on the bike. If so, that's probably about right. If it seems low, add 10 psi and check again.

Running the formula to see what rider weight it would take to get to 110 psi for a 32c tire comes up with a 402 lb rider! Yowza.

As always, YMMV.

Purchased a Schwinn Air Driver 1100 at a local Target out of necessity when my high end brand new pump died on me. The manufacturer of the high end has been very nice and has offered to replace the pump but cannot tell me what went wrong with it. While I'm waiting for the replacement I still need to ride--hence the 1100. I learned a bit about so called high end pumps and it seems the majority of them come out of the same 3 factories in the Far East. Depending upon who the brander is the pumps are made to different specs but Chinese manufacture has come a long way. The Schwinn 1100 is no exception. For $17 I can't believe the quality I got. A solid well painted steel barrel and a 5-in-1 switchblade head that works just fine on my presta valves. Took the tires right up to 105 psi ( a bit short of 116 optimum) once I learned how to properly engage the solid and weighty aluminum lock. You can disassemble the rubber and plastic components of the washer head and reassemble it to handle presta without any adapter, even though the pump comes with the standard brass screw on adaptor. The gauge is accurate and the rubber tubing has joints that can be adjusted. Pump build is excellent. I don't think you can say "cheap Chinese junk" and be accurate anymore. Holy cow.

Purchased a Schwinn Air Driver 1100 at a local Target out of necessity when my high end brand new pump died on me. The manufacturer of the high end has been very nice and has offered to replace the pump but cannot tell me what went wrong with it. While I'm waiting for the replacement I still need to ride--hence the 1100. I learned a bit about so called high end pumps and it seems the majority of them come out of the same 3 factories in the Far East. Depending upon who the brander is the pumps are made to different specs but Chinese manufacture has come a long way. The Schwinn 1100 is no exception. For $17 I can't believe the quality I got. A solid well painted steel barrel and a 5-in-1 switchblade head that works just fine on my presta valves. Took the tires right up to 105 psi ( a bit short of 116 optimum) once I learned how to properly engage the solid and weighty aluminum lock. You can disassemble the rubber and plastic components of the washer head and reassemble it to handle presta without any adapter, even though the pump comes with the standard brass screw on adaptor. The gauge is accurate and the rubber tubing has joints that can be adjusted. Pump build is excellent. I don't think you can say "cheap Chinese junk" and be accurate anymore. Holy cow.

Wow, apparently a great product and at a excellent price. I don't see that pump on target.com, so I'm tempted to go to my local Target to see if they sell the Schwinn Air Driver 100 there. Thanks for the info.

Edit: I just found that product on Wal-Mart's (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5750771) site for $12 with so-so reviews. Hmm ... : \

Also, on Amazon's (http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Driver-1100-Floor-Pump/dp/B000OMRR1Y) site for $18 with a 2/5 rating. :(

Wow, apparently a great product and at a excellent price. I don't see that pump on target.com, so I'm tempted to go to my local Target to see if they sell the Schwinn Air Driver 100 there. Thanks for the info.

Edit: I just found that product on Wal-Mart's (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5750771) site for $12 with so-so reviews. Hmm ... : \

Also, on Amazon's (http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-Driver-1100-Floor-Pump/dp/B000OMRR1Y) site for $18 with a 2/5 rating. :(

That pump is pretty much a hit and miss. I've read about the pump actually popping off the valve once it hits 90 PSI or so. Thought about buying it because I need one, but I think I'll wait and save up money for a better one.

I (thread starter) bought that Schwinn 1100 Deluxe bike pump from Target for $20. It comes w/ a Presta tire valve adapter (small brass piece). I hate it! The pump won't stay on the adapter. Every time I start pumping it, it falls off. It's a 2-man job - one to pump and the other to hold. :rolleyes:

I'm going to return this and find another bike pump that has a built-in Presta adapter. It's a PITA dealing w/ multiple parts. Terrible design. The Amazon reviews where 2 people rated it 1/5 are completely correct. Lesson learned. :mad:

The Joe Blows work fine and good bang for the buck.. Pedros Prestige works great.. Easy getting to 120-130psi..

http://jensonusa.com/store/product/PU707A03-Pedros+Prestige+Pump.aspx

^ Yeah, I'm leaning toward Joe Blow. It's a bit of a hike to get to PB's store (half hour drive), but I'll just go w/ that, it seems.

I'm not familiar w/ that Pedros pump, but one of the reviews said it's a PITA to work w/ Presta valve (which is what I have). : \

I only use presta valves and it works fine.. I use a few times a week with no issues..

The pump won't stay on the adapter. Every time I start pumping it, it falls off. It's a 2-man job - one to pump and the other to hold.


Are you sure you're locking the lever in the correct position? This pump locks with the lever up instead of lever down. If you're pressing the lever down, you're not locking it in place. That seems to be the most common mistake with the 1100 pump. Or does it not work the same way with the Presta valve?

Hey Beowulf, you don't need to use a Presta adaptor with the 1100. The trick is this: unscrew the plastic cap on top of the pump head. There is a small plastic insert underneath. Take that out and reverse it. Reinsert it into the head. Carefully screw the cap back on, the threads are fine make sure you don't damage them. You now have a presta head. Just push the assembly onto the presta valve and close the lever. Pump. It will not fall off. I get 120 psi out of mine. These pumps will drive you crazy. I now have a very expensive one and a very cheap one. They both work equally well. The only time they might come loose is if you happen to have nonthreaded valve stems. Still I am able to pump almost to capacity even when the pump head shoots off one of those.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. var, I was not aware that the locking position was vertical and not perpendicular. I will try locking it the other way around. michelin, hmm, that's an interesting idea. I did try to mess w/ the cap on the pump, but it wouldn't unscrew. I didn't try very hard, so I'll try it again. :)

Sorry about the hijack, but I have a pump-related issue....the joe blow holds onto the valve well, maybe too well....so every couple of months my tube fails at the valve....are you supposed to lube the head??

I've gone through two Joe Blows as well as sveral others including the Park shop. The best pump I've found is the lowest price model from Specialized. It sells for $30-$35.

http://www.cyclaire.com/

I got one in the USA off ebay a while back. don't see them anymore

Ditto - got one off Ebay Australia. Great pump. The Cyclaire site said they were out of stock -- that was a couple of months back.


What PSI are you getting out of that thing?

Are you sure you're locking the lever in the correct position? This pump locks with the lever up instead of lever down. If you're pressing the lever down, you're not locking it in place. That seems to be the most common mistake with the 1100 pump. Or does it not work the same way with the Presta valve?

(I didn't realize I forgot to reply to this post.) Even trying to lock it like that causes the bike pump to still pop out after a certain PSI (which is nowhere near the 110 my tires require). Therefore, I'm going to get rid of this Schwinn and probably get the Joe Blow or something else that my local bike store carries. I don't want to deal w/ adapters either. That's a PITA and something that can get lost easily.

I think I finally got a bike pump that will keep me happy for a while. I bought the Bontrager TurboCharger (http://bontrager.com/model/05265/en) from my LBS. It's got a smart head that locks in place. It takes a little bit of effort to get my hybrid tires to 100 PSI, but it's a good forearm workout. :thumb: