mini pump

I have written about pumps previously but with a new bike in the garage I wanted a new pump for it. I liked my existing mini pump so much that buying another was a no-brainer. It is of course a Lezyne Road Drive.

So here are a few words of reminder as to why I like these pumps so much, this time with a few photos.

Although I bought another this one is a different size from the first. Given that my new bike has wider tyres (28mm – 32m depending on set up) I went for a “medium” size for a bit more air volume.

Frame mounted mounted pumps are exposed to water and dirt from the road so it is essential that they are fully sealed to keep muck out. This pump has rubber caps at the ends, which are relatively common but is also has a seal around the barrel which is not.

I once had a pump where the shaft went very rusty so after that I took to sealing the handle and shaft of mini pumps with tape. This Lezyne pump has a nice rubber seal to keep things nice a clean.

Perhaps controversially this pump has a hose with a screw on attachment for the valve. This type of fitting brings the guys at my cycling club out in various allergic reactions.

There is the real issue of the valve core unscrewing when you remove the pump head and I have seen that happen. However this pump comes with 2 features to avoid that calamity. Firstly there are cut outs in the fitting at one end of the hose that can be used as a valve core key to ensure it is tight before you start. Secondly there is a small pressure release valve so that the valve fitting is not under pressure when you start to unscrew it. Seems quite straight forward to me.

I really don’t like pumps that fit directly on the valve, in my view they risk damaging the valve or worse pulling it out of the tube when you pump which would be a real disaster.

Finally the pump comes with a small aluminium bracket for mounting to bottle cage mounts. Some foam pads stop any rattles and a velcro strap secure the pump in place.

 

 

On the bike I think it looks as sleek as you are going to get. Its a nicely designed and well made thing. Normally I would be looking forward to using a new acquisition like this in anger, but just like a fire extinguisher, in this case I can wait.

 

I did however test it in the garage, it took a few minutes of furious pumping and so many strokes that I lost count. However it did get a 32mm tyre up to 100psi. Not quite as slick as a CO2 cartridge but you know you can rely on a pump to do the job time and time again. A pump is not going to give you frost burns and it is much better for the environment.