Best pump: Zefal HPX, Blackburn FP1, Topeak MasterBlaster, Lezyne Road Drive etc..

Home:Ballyhoura · 07-12-2009 10:26PM #1

Hi guys,

I have a microscopic Topeak MicroRocket CB which does the job with great difficulty and is more for show than anything else! I then purchased a Co2 system which works great at times but can be expensive and has failed on me more than once. I want a really good pump, it's for a high mileage winter training bike, therefore looks, weight and even price will not compromise overall functionality and performance.

I was initially looking at the Lezyne Road drive (probably the large size for best performance) - video at the top here. It seems to get good enough reviews, easier to reach 100psi than other mini pumps, just about but nothing magical about it. I'm not convinced! Best part is the internally stored flexible hose to save those delicate valve stems and to hold it in a comfortable position.

They (Lezyne) also do a sort of portable floor pump, the Micro Floor Drive HP pump. See it here and here. Similar to the Topeak Road Morph. Good pump from the reviews, helped by the ability to get some weight behind the pump stroke. Main disadvantage being the bulkiness of the hose.

Next, I began to look at frame fit pumps. The Zefal HPX, Blackburn FP1 and Topeak MasterBlaster. So which one is it, the old trustworth Zefal, stylish Blackburn of modern Topeak? Any reviews and experiences for me? Also any info on sizing for these frame pumps, I know there are some on the interweb but the more the better!

As far as I know, they are all between €20 - €30 region so nothing ridiculous! What are your opinions? Any others I should consider, please vote in the poll and let me know which one you were thinking of if you vote for "Other - Please name it"

Thanks in advance for your help, I genuinely really appreciate it! I would hope I could get some advice from ye before midnight tonight incase I need to order off Wiggle as I can get the £5 off...you know me at this stage, chief bargain hunter! Cheers

ednwireland · 07-12-2009 10:38PM

Leyzne Micro Floor Drive HP

i have a lezyne road drive (med) and can get 90psi. Prob. Would have got 100 but got bored. I found it easier than a pump that pushes over the valve as it has a flexible connector.

Single Malt · 07-12-2009 10:40PM

Blackburn FP1

The Zefal has never let me down, as it can deliver high pressures with surprising ease (for a frame fit hand pump).

Beasty · 07-12-2009 10:47PM

I have the Crank Brothers Power Pump, which is compact, and can easily be fitted on the frame. It has 2 settings - high volume and high pressure which helps enormously when trying to get those last few psi in

rottenhat · 07-12-2009 10:57PM

Blackburn FP1

The Topeak Master Blaster is basically a knock-off of the Zefal HPX with slightly more modern styling. Might conceivably be a little bit lighter. Either one is a great pump. People will be begging you for a loan when they flat on club spins.

Home:Ballyhoura · 07-12-2009 11:21PM

Just looking at the Q&A's for the Zefal there and it raised a few questions. First of all, is the "HPX Classic" the most popular and sought after Zefal pump or is there any other one which I am missing out on like the mentioned "HPX ASV" model? Which one is the legendary pump that everybody is talking about?

Secondly, can this pump not be mounted under the top tube? I thought it could and can nearly swear I saw it under the top tube of a club mate and another cyclist I was with at the weekend? The only reason I ask is because in the Q&A Wiggle staff say it cannot. This is not really an option for me then as I need both bottle cages. Maybe that is why Blackburn are advertising theirs as "Under the top tube or along the seatstay" is it?

Thanks again

chakattack · 07-12-2009 11:59PM

I have the Zefal HPX and it's very good. It's relatively effortless pumping to 100 PSI. It has no gauge but I just "calibrated" it against my track pump to about 70 strokes.

I wouldn't use it with a carbon frame as it left small indentations in my alu frame. I'd pick the blackburn which is less sturdy but with soft rubber at the ends in that case.

I don't see why it wouldn't fit under the top tube (just be careful to get the right length).

I have it along the seat tube because my brake cable is in the way under the top tube.

Sucks not having a second bottle cage though. Does anyone know a way around this?

Home:Ballyhoura · 08-12-2009 12:05AM

OK, it's just because it says it needs pump peg. Don't fancy messing around with those or doing a DIY zip-tie job for one. Plus my cables run along the top tube too so the Zefal seems to be no longer an option!

Does anyone know how the Topeak would compare with the Blackburn so?

cdaly_ · 08-12-2009 02:11AM

Sucks not having a second bottle cage though

My mini pump (which is hard pressed to get up to 100psi) came with a velcro-secured bracket that bolted behind the water bottle. Something like

.

Or there's the "Bikeblock"...

SomeFool · 08-12-2009 03:18PM

I carry mine in my jersey pocket. Need both cages too. And it would uglyify my bike attached to the frame.

blorg · 08-12-2009 03:44PM

Bottle cage mounts go under the bottle cage, e.g. you don't lose a bottle cage by having a pump there. Anyway I just carry mine in a jersey with CO2 in a saddlebag.

Planet X · 09-12-2009 12:01AM

Blackburn FP1

Well, my Zefal HPX should be arriving tomorrow from Wig. (ordered Saturday night) Will feel alot more confident going out with it at the weekend.

Pumping up my tyre last Saturday with a pocket Spec. was a workout until I got a loan of a Zef. HPX.
You can huff n puff with a jersey pocket pump but they're not worth a f... when you experience a real pump.

Home:Ballyhoura · 09-12-2009 12:11AM

Planet X wrote: »

Well, my Zefal HPX should be arriving tomorrow from Wig. (ordered Saturday night) Will feel alot more confident going out with it at the weekend.

Pumping up my tyre last Saturday with a pocket Spec. was a workout until I got a loan of a Zef. HPX.
You can huff n puff with a jersey pocket pump but they're not worth a f... when you experience a real pump.

Please let me know how you get on with it, what size did you go for and what bike and size frame are you putting it on? Are you going to try it under the top tube or sacrifice a bottle cage and put it where it's meant to be on the seat tube? Best of luck with it, thanks for replying!

Planet X · 09-12-2009 12:18AM

Blackburn FP1

I ordered the size 2. Measured "under the top tube", was 19" exactly.

Apparently, size 2 is 19" to 20.5". Did a few searches / reviews, 19" is compressed (spring), 20.5 is uncompressed. Should be OK. Fingers crossed.
Yeah, I'll let you know no probs.

Planet X · 10-12-2009 04:35PM

Blackburn FP1

@Home Ballyer.

Got the pump yesterday. Size 2, too small for top tube, by about half an inch. Instructions say that it's to be fitted to seat tube only, not top tube. The recess in the handle (groove to fit around tubing is virtually non existant) is not made to grab top tube anyway. Instructions state that they will not be responsible for pump popping out / off bike if fitted to top tube.
So, on to seat tube, pump too big and would have to do away with bottle cage. I like my two bottles for long spins so I'm not going to put it there. Even if it did fit............well maybe I would

.

So, it's on top tube held on by two sturdy strips of Velcro. It won't budge. I'm happy. It's not going back to Wig.

chakattack · 14-12-2009 11:41PM

Planet X,

Would you mind putting up a pic of the HPX under your top tube please?

Bambaata · 15-12-2009 12:04AM

I got the joe blow pro pump this year and am delighted with it

sorry only realised ur more after a portable one

Home:Ballyhoura · 17-12-2009 06:40PM

Got my Topeak Master Blaster Road Frame Pump today, the medium fits nicely under the toptube of my 52cm Trek 1.5 (nice and neat, but I have added the included velcro strap for that bit of extra security). I seem very happy with it so far (indoor testing only), and will be interesting to see how to works out on the road. My first attempt and I blew the valve right off the tube at around 100psi, trying too hard. Snapped it right in two. Next go and I got up to 110psi with a fairly big effort. Not as easy as I had been hoping for.

Definitely not as smooth as the Zefal HPX with that springy feel it has, and maybe not as easy either (although the Zefal I used may well have been longer as it was on a larger frame bike). However, don't get me wrong it is still an excellent pump and great value at the €18 I paid for it but if there was a next time I think I might give the Zefal a shot (now that I find out you actually can use it under the top tube despite it not be made for that purpose)!

(I will report back with my impressions after I get my next flat)

Planet X · 17-12-2009 07:44PM

Blackburn FP1

chakattack wrote: »

Planet X,

Would you mind putting up a pic of the HPX under your top tube please?

Actually, returned the size 2 and got a size 3, below.

Sorry, well blurry, but in the second pic. you can see that the handle is not grooved (a lie, there is the slighest groove) and the last pic. a lump of Velcro to secure.

Best pump: Zefal HPX, Blackburn FP1, Topeak MasterBlaster, Lezyne Road Drive etc..

Which pump would you go for...i.e. the best out there? 12 votes

Comments