spoke50

Ok so I'm not mechanically inclined, but this can't be that difficult. I got one of these and I can't for the life of me figure out how to get the pump connected to the valve. The box shows a presta & shrader connection, do you guys know if you have to switch the head around to make it fit? I can't find instructions in the box or on the net.

chelmkamp

I just returned one of these to the LBS (a Topeak Masterblaster with a so-called SmartHead and a not-so-accurate pressure gauge). I found it useless -- not because it was hard to pump (that was expected from a mini pump) but that it was almost impossible to get it seated right on the valve and almost equally difficult to get back off. Once I got it on and the tire back up to pressure, I broke the valve stem just getting it off again and had to replace the tube.

The pump came with no clear instructions, so the LBS tried to have someone "show me how to use it right" -- yet even one of three LBS employees couldn't get it to work! I was somewhat insulted that people with some magic hand to be able to get it on and off properly thought I just needed to be shown how to use it. I had one of these mini pumps a number of years ago from a different manufacturer (I forget which one) and although it was difficult to use I didn't have nearly the same struggle getting it on and off the valve stem as I did with the Topeak. Until I find a better solution, I'm taking my chances and riding without a pump.

--Chris