MrWasabi

Looking on Amazon for tire gauges and want something decent that can handle both Presta and Schrader valves. How's this Topeak?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A1M0GZGHL8F7T8

Thanks.

aggiegrads

That model seems to be a favorite among digital gauges. A lot of folks here prefer the dial gauges (Meiser is a favorite) but I am not aware of any that are capable of Schrader or Presta without an adaptor.

Digital gauges are “accurate enough” for most people’s use, but beware that just because a digital gauge shows three digits does not mean that they are correct. It is probably safe to say that the third digit is more likely wrong than right.

MrWasabi

Thanks for the input,

I'm not looking to drop a lot on one at this time but want something better and easier to use to check pressure than what's on my pump. My needs are basic for now and damn close is good enough for me. I'm more worried about ease of use and reliability.

Koyote

Right here: https://www.ghmeiser.com/

You can find them on Amazon. Just pick the valve type and psi range that you need.

MrWasabi

Thanks for the input,

I forgot to mention I'll be using it on several bikes and need it to be capable of at least 80ishPSI. I'd also like switching between Schrader and Presta to be as easy as possible, hopefully without extra parts (that I can misplace).

aggiegrads

Get one of each of the Meisers. The Topeak is $35 everywhere that I see it, the Meisers are less than half the cost.

mdarnton

I have two identical Zefal dial gauges, one a couple of weeks old and one that's 15-20 years old. I got the new one because I was getting a new bike and wanted a new, accurate gauge. Surprise: they both read exactly the same--within a pound! I'm happy with it. It's light and compact and does both valve types.

TWIN GRAPH - ZEFAL
The recent one was $10 from Walmart's web site. There may be two versions--one with just a bar scale, one with bar and pounds. Or maybe the bar-only isn't available in the US. Mine have both scales.

2_i 

I bought that gauge in the past, based on the positive reviews. It released so much air in the measurement that the pressure after the measurement was significantly different than before. The head is so thick that sooner or later you will run into a case where there is not enough room around the vent to squeeze the head in without risking a damage to the vent. I sold the gauge on Ebay, for somebody else to deal with this. The Meiser gauges will be recommended by everybody and their brother. They rely on mechanical operation that cannot handle low pressure. The interior corrodes over time and fills with dust. The begin to give wrong readings and you do not know it.

aggiegrads

Source? Bourdon tubes have been used since the 1850s in every application you can imagine. If they were as unreliable as you say, they would not still be in such wide use.

2_i 

I am the source. I have owned 4 Meiser gauges, 2 of which (Schrader/Presta) I trashed by now after they became unusable and I was not even completely aware. Below are photos. One shows results from measuring pressure for a tire pumped to about 75Psi, with good electronic gauges and Meiser. The latter shows about 68Psi. Lets not get into the issues of the precision in reading. One thing that can be said, though, about Meiser, is that it releases very little air, but that is also true for the good electronic gauges. The second photo shows the situation of checking pressure in a trailer wheel. It is not possible with Meiser as its head does not fit into the space (I am aware of the vent mismatch, but the head of the Schrader Meiser is of identical size and I already took the photo). However, all is fine with the electronic gauge. Yes, there are plenty of awful electronic gauges around.



3 Gauges



Trailer Wheel

veganbikes

I have been quite happy with my Topeak Digital Gauge but I am curious to try the Shuttle Gauge from them as you can attach a pump which is nifty if you are taking it with you or just want to check accuracy directly between pump and gauge.

grizzly59

If you are checking 23-25-28mm presta valves, any air that escapes while using a gauge drops the pressure a good bit, small tire volume. If your pump has a fill gauge, learn what a given pressure feels like with your thumb and fingers when you fill your tire. You won't need a gauge for those tires.

pdlamb

I use any of my pumps' gauge to pump 28 or 32 tires up to 85-90 psi. I know I might lose 2-3 psi when I pull the chuck off, but it's still close enough.

I'm curious, why do you need more accuracy than the pump gauge?

Trevtassie

The little blue digital Schwalbe ones work well and are accurate and cheap. Need a screw in adapter for Presta though which is easy to misplace. They'll survive one or two trips through the washing machine, 3 seems to be their limit.

2_i 

The blue Schwalbe ones are manufactured by the same company as those Presta/Schrader featured in the photo above .

MrWasabi

I really don't but want something I can check the pressure with quick and easy without grabbing and connecting the pump.

SJX426 

@MrWasabi - I have two of those Topeak guages in your original post. They work great for bikes or cars. I only loose about 1-2 PSI between readings on a 700-23 tire at 135PSI.

I have one of the Acu guage too and now never use it. It is for Schrader valves. The readings are not the same between the two. I know the Topeak is reading about 2 PSI lower than the TPS on my Evoque.

MrWasabi

Thanks again for the advice everyone,

I went ahead and snagged the Topeak SmartGauge D2 to give it a try.