AIRTOOL BIKE PUMP PORTABLE
AIRTOOL BIKE PUMP TV

AIRTOOL BIKE PUMP PORTABLE

The mighty Specialized empire has eight track pumps in its range, but apart from its more portable Airtool Compak, they all same the same basic format, one that has been familiar for years. Other than that, though, the price is our only quibble. Yes, the hose could have been a tad longer, but at 110cm it’s easily long enough for most situations. And after a few minutes of downtime it turns itself off to maximise battery life. The head switches easily between Presta and Schrader valves, it is very stable and has an air of durability about it all. You can set your chosen pressure, it’ll take tyres up to a whopping 240psi and it does it quickly – reaching 100psi in just 20 strokes with no backbreaking effort. That said, this is a pleasingly straightforward pump to use, with a bright and very clear display that even our middle-aged tester’s eyes could read without squinting. Is there anything wrong with analogue? Nope, it has served us well for hundreds – or thousands – of years. Not Truflo, with its digital-age Digitrack pump (there’s a clue in the name, see). Most pumps are happy to make do with a good ol’ analogue gauge. The Zacoo Maha III is now called the Maha-Apogee III, and is essentially the same, aside from some slight refinement to the pump head and a slightly longer pump barrel. Not sure what that Zacoo Maha moniker is all about, but this is a great quality pump at a very, very good price. It reached a 100psi in 20 strokes, the real wooden handle is comfortable, the wide base is very stable and the pumping action – thanks to the large diameter shaft – is reassuringly solid. The rest of the pump is equally impressive. And Birzman knows what it’s doing too, as the Snap-It works very well indeed. Yes, it’s a fraction slower to use than a push-on head, but there’s never any chance of increasing pressure blowing the chuck off the valve. This combines the security of a screw-in chuck without the chance of accidentally unscrewing the Presta valve core, which can happen with some screw-on heads. More significant for day-to-day use is Birzman’s unique ‘Snap-It’ valve.

The first is that the barrel is not vertical, but is offset by five degrees Birzman claims that this is ‘for ergonomic comfort’, though we noticed little difference from a standard upright pump.

AIRTOOL BIKE PUMP TV

It adds cost, of course, but if all your music, TV and entertainment is now digital, then why not your track pump too? Best track / floor pumps Birzman Zacoo Maha III – best on testīirzman’s oddly named pump has a couple of distinctive features, not making do with a single USP. If your bike’s on a workstand a longer hose will be an advantage.ĭigital: It’s a moot point whether you need to go digital, but one of our test pumps has gone down that route. Hose: Broadly speaking, the longer the hose, the more convenient it is. They vary a lot in size, so check these out before purchasing, especially if you have trouble with your eyesight. Some are mounted on the top, some at the bottom, and some have a pointer so you can set your chosen pressure. Gauge: All our test pumps come with pressure gauges. These offer a very secure seal but some designs can unscrew the Presta valve’s core if you’re not careful. Most of our test pumps have chucks that push on to the valve, with a locking lever to keep them in place, though a couple of them have screw-on chucks. Some have a single head unit with reversible washers to switch between the different systems, while others have separate heads. Head: All our test pumps are suitable for both Presta and Schrader valves. The latter gives more stability, but there’s little to choose between them. Our test pumps tended to have a pair of feet either side of the barrel or a triangular base. What to look for when buying a track pumpīase: Weight isn’t much an issue for a track pump, though a heavier base with a larger footprint will offer more stability. Looking for a more portable pump? Try our Best mini pumps for road cyclists roundup.

Airtool bike pump