Floor Pump with Accurate gauge

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digitalnorbs
Posts: 441
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:49 pm

by digitalnorbs

Can some one please advice me on a good floor pump that has a pretty accurate psi gauge.
My specialized is on its way out=(

thank you

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allezkmiec
Posts: 621
Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2005 10:01 pm

by allezkmiec

My Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive is always within 1-2 PSI of my SKS digital gauge, at both road and mountain bike pressures, and I've had it almost two years. Pretty darn accurate in my book.

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thisisatest
Shop Owner
Posts: 1980
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:02 am
Location: NoVA/DC

by thisisatest

technically, no pump really measures the tire's pressure unless something in the head is actively holding the valve pin down. (like a screw-on schrader valve head).
if you want a really accurate gauge, try one of the ones used for auto racing. available in different ranges, even just 0-15psi

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Ruds
Posts: 765
Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:56 pm

by Ruds

allezkmiec wrote:My Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive is always within 1-2 PSI of my SKS digital gauge, at both road and mountain bike pressures, and I've had it almost two years. Pretty darn accurate in my book.


I have one as well, its the best pump I've had, I like the screw on head very useful and precise.

digitalnorbs
Posts: 441
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:49 pm

by digitalnorbs

thanks guys, Lezyne it is!

mrfish
Posts: 1749
Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:49 pm
Location: Near Horgen, Switzerland

by mrfish

Topeak also make a digital pressure gauge. Good Xmas present.

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Rick
Posts: 2034
Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:30 pm

by Rick

I'm a mechanical engineer, and I work for a company that has an agressive QC system and regular certified calibration of all measuring instruments. So, naturally, I was also skeptical of the accuracy of cheap pressure gages for both my car and bike.
Since pressure gages are cheap, I bought about 6 of them, and I also have two pumps with built-in gages (Silca and Joe Blow)

I then pumped up a tire (repeatedly) and immediately compared all the gages to each other. The surprising result was that, to within my ability to read the gages, all of them read exactly the same.

I know this isn't proof that all of them are accurate. But it satisfied me that most, even very cheap gages, are actually pretty accurate. Certainly accurate enough for me to use on bicycle tires. So if you just compare a couple gages and they are the same, you are probably OK. Of course you could also send your gages out to a local test certification laboratory. They are in nearly any reasonable-sized city.

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Gearjunkie
Posts: 877
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:17 am
Location: NZ

by Gearjunkie

I like the new Topeak digital SmartGauge D2 because it allows you to read the pressure in real time as you let air out with the release button on the gauge. So slightly over inflate your tyre with your floor pump, measure the pressure with the Topeak gauge, press the adjust button while keeping the gauge on the valve, and then gradually release pressure.

Very easy to get within 1 psi of your target. Not sure if the gauge is as accurate as that, but seems to be consistent which is what counts for me - once I find the road feel I like, I can replicate it using the same observed pressure reading.

Cheers

GJ

thisisatest
Shop Owner
Posts: 1980
Joined: Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:02 am
Location: NoVA/DC

by thisisatest

i didnt realize this was in the ROAD section, my bad.
some crossers and mtbers look for pressure changes of 1/2psi...

i like the topeak gauge too, but find it's too easy to release a good amount of air when putting it on the valve. i like the sks airchecker better for that reason. also, you dont have to switch anything when going from presta to schrader, and most importantly, it's lighter!

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WasFab
Posts: 261
Joined: Sun Mar 11, 2012 1:40 am

by WasFab

allezkmiec wrote:My Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive is always within 1-2 PSI of my SKS digital gauge, at both road and mountain bike pressures, and I've had it almost two years. Pretty darn accurate in my book.


I have just got the Lezyne alloy floor pump and I'm quite struggling with screwing the Presta head into the valve. I have a valve extender on my aero wheels and I find it difficult to screw in the Presta head, it basically turn the extender instead of just screw on top of it down. Also when I tried to screw it out, it turned the extender out of the tyre valve.
Any recommendation how you use it? I guess I'm doing something wrong..?

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brycerider
Posts: 127
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 11:59 am
Location: Australia

by brycerider

Silca used to be good but quality not there now. Lezyne alloy floor drive is good. Just make sure you tighten the remove able valve cores a bit to avoid undoing one in error.

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NealH
Posts: 548
Joined: Sat May 12, 2007 3:40 am
Location: Ormond Be, FL

by NealH

fabiancanchelara wrote:
allezkmiec wrote:My Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive is always within 1-2 PSI of my SKS digital gauge, at both road and mountain bike pressures, and I've had it almost two years. Pretty darn accurate in my book.


I have just got the Lezyne alloy floor pump and I'm quite struggling with screwing the Presta head into the valve. I have a valve extender on my aero wheels and I find it difficult to screw in the Presta head, it basically turn the extender instead of just screw on top of it down. Also when I tried to screw it out, it turned the extender out of the tyre valve.
Any recommendation how you use it? I guess I'm doing something wrong..?


I don't know what people like about the Lenzyn, as there is nothing easy about using it. If you use a pump a lot like I do, then you'll likely want something quick, reliable and accurate. There are several good pumps on the market (SKS Airbase, Nashbar makes a good one, etc).

Having said that, I've heard remarks lately that Lenzyn is putting a quick release head on their pumps now and if you just purchased one, they will refit the head. You might want to contact them about this.

madmole
Posts: 138
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 4:29 pm

by madmole

For the UK guys I'd recomend Halfords own track pump.

metal
Gauge at top so you can see it
Head fits schraderand Presta with no swapping
Reliable
£28
Work well enough to even pump the monster tyres on my Landrover up 265/75-16's so huge
Pump to 150 easily, 110 one handed

I run a small bike workshop so pump a LOT of tyres, I have 2 of these in the workshop and 1 in the van and they are dependable (7 years old the oldest at moment) and work better than any pump I've ever owned. Guages are spot on. Lovely not having to worry about the valve type

They even hold on stupid valve extenders!!!!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165661
Cervelo S3 2011. Blinged 6.718 Kg

em3
Posts: 883
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 2:57 pm
Location: NYC

by em3

I've had a Silca Pista for over 25 years...after very heavy use during that time the gauge is till perfectly accurate and I have only had to change the leather and grommets every 7-8 years. Best tool investment ever!
EM3
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by Weenie


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CrimsonKarter21
Posts: 95
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:30 pm

by CrimsonKarter21

The OP has probably already found a pump, but my Giant Control Tower Pro is the best pump I've ever used. Accurate guage, tons of pressure per pump and better than any Joe Blow, Specialized, Blackburn, Lezyne or Silca I've ever used. I inflate my car tires with mine with no problem.

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