Manual Tyre Pressure gauge and pump

[Jed]

After 3 mths of bike riding and almost 3k miles - i am starting to get the hang of this biking lark ( i thinks ), it's about time that i start looking at the technical stuff (for me ) like checking tyre pressures

I've read loads of threads on reliability of the BM tyre pressure monitor, whilst I am happy to take what it's telling me i would like to also check them myself - OCD and all that.

Any recommendations for a decent tyre pressure monitor and foot pump - BM garage told me to be careful not to snap the thing in the tyre you attach the pump too ( gives you an idea of my level of technical expertise). I went into Halfords and they only had crappy plastic branded stuff, i would rather pay extra and get something a bit more quality

recommendations and location of purchase would be appreciated (i did search threads to try and find it myself but couldn't)

 

[rodders]

I've had a SNAP ON dial gauge for ages... Easy to read, button on the side to enable controlled release of air out so you can get pressure bang on. Connector on the end of hose so fits on awkwardly positioned valves.

 

[Sprocket]

I've used the Michelin Twin-Barrel Footpump for a couple of years. Accurate and good connector:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/208100/michelin_twinbarrel_footpump.html

 

[Wapping]

A foot pump from Halfords or somewhere similar.

I have this one. It works, but the gauge is shite. You just get used to knowing that say two pounds is twenty pumps, or whatever. http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_564265_langId_-1_categoryId_165648

A tyre pressure gauge from somewhere like Halfords. Digital or analogue it is up to you. The pencil ones are perfectly adequate. I use a pencil one that my father used at Dunlop, which must be well over fifty years old. I also have a Blue Point (Snap-On) gauge, with an air bleed, which is no more (or less) accurate.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_566825_langId_-1_categoryId_165648

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_566825_langId_-1_categoryId_165648

None of the items will be a fortune.

Or you can read your way through this lot: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/Ride Magazine/Product test pdfs/9 SEP08 Pressure gauge test.pdf

 

[AberdeenAngus]

I spit in ze face of your, zo called, foot pump - ftooey.

Don't mess about - get one of these.
http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-10-cyclepump.aspx

Packs up small and pretty good quality too.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I've used "Pencil" pressure gauges for years. Sometimes they come free with bike or car magazines. I've had DRAPER and cheap non branded ones. They are all very close to each other with regard accuracy.

Any foot pump, or stirrup pump will be fine.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=8500

I prefer stirrup pumps. More air per pump.

 

[geordie458]

I spit in ze face of your, zo called, foot pump - ftooey.

Don't mess about - get one of these.
http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-10-cyclepump.aspx

Packs up small and pretty good quality too.

Almost £90 delivered? What a bargain !!!!!!!

 

[swissrob]

just buy the generic pressure guage that is marketed as GTmoto brand.

this guage is carried by many retailers under various brands.
i have checked it against a calibrated air pressure source at work and it îs contantly within 1psi tolerance.

only issue i had was the battery fell out of the holder after spending 3 months in my top box.

 

[Wapping]

I spit in ze face of your, zo called, foot pump - ftooey.

Aha, mon sewer, vous avez oubliez la gauge de la pressure. Une item tres important, non?

Et, auci, mon sewer la novice (who 'as, ow you say, askie le question) will sans doubt plugez la compressor dans le socket auxilaire... et il ne marche pas, paceque, la compressor draws beaucoup de cinq amperes

Tres neat device, toot la meme

 

[Hax]

l use a Joe Blow track pump as can be seen in Miff's linky (it has a pretty accurate gauge),

but l use a halford's digi gauge *the head is at 'right angle' to the body!
because the ones with the head at say 45 degree's to the body/grip got fouled up / as did my hand on the brake discs! (remember the thing' you've not to brake in the tyre valve)..the 'right angle' means l dont need to ''pull' the valve over to get to it & measure pressure.

l try and keep mine 2.2 front, 2.5 rear (bar) (COLD TYRES) they might drop the odd point or so before l correct them weeks later.

last summer, boiling hot day ridin like l stole it through Glen Coe the readout on handlebar gauge was 'bout 2.7 & 3.1 HOT TYRES pressure, which reduced as cooled !

 

[dxtans]

I've tried most foot pumps and the lifetime of them are about the same.. 6 months if used regular. I use mine on 2 bikes and 2 cars weekly , to check /adjust pressure.

dxtans

 

[t'other dave]

For snapping the TPS valve (what BMW told you to be carefull with) it's not the quality of the pump thats the problem it's the fact that the cr@py ally valve stems after a few salty winters tend to disintegate and if your not carefull snap off when attaching awkward fitting airlines. Get any cheap footpump and a decent pencil gauge to make sure you put correct pressure in.
Dave

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Aha, mon sewer, vous avez oubliez la gauge de la pressure. Une item tres important, non?

Et, auci, mon sewer la novice (who 'as, ow you say, askie le question) will sans doubt plugez la compressor dans le socket auxilaire... et il ne marche pas, paceque, la compressor draws beaucoup de cinq amperes

Tres neat device, toot la meme

Mais oui, vous require ze aux sockette pour le beucoup amperes or le clips de croc.
Le gauge dial de pffft et tres bon.

 

[forest biker]

I spit in ze face of your, zo called, foot pump - ftooey.

Don't mess about - get one of these.
http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-10-cyclepump.aspx

Packs up small and pretty good quality too.

metal mule was selling these [or very similar ] at the ace cafe meeting last week for around £85ish if that helps anyone find one

 

[Gremlin Serbia]

I got this one, and I'm pretty happy:

http://www.slime.com/product/69/Portable-12-Volt-Tire-Inflator-(COMP-04).html

 

[AberdeenAngus]

metal mule was selling these [or very similar ] at the ace cafe meeting last week for around £85ish if that helps anyone find one

Same same. MM are now distributers for Cyclepump.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Although I think the Cycle Pump looks a great piece of kit...

....are they not more of a travel, or 'on the road' method of tyre inflation?

I'd buy one of those, and take them on a trip for use in an emergency, or routine maintainence....

....but if I went into the garage to pump my tyres, I'd want to use a standard twin cylinder foot pump.

Or is that just me?

In which case any half decent foot pump will do..I have a Michelin one that was on offer in Halfords..and then check the pressure with my Halfords digital guage.

 

[Jed]

All - many thanks for the advise it is appreciated.
(Wapping don't worry - i'll handle the French on the day trip )

So i've bought one of those Cyclepump things for touring/travel - as I def plan to do lots, whilst i was on the site i also looked at their pressure gauges but thought they were a bit steep - £24 - unfortunately my fat fingers somehow added it to cart and it seems i've just spent £115 on what should have cost me £20 odd from halfords

Not such a problem as i'm sure it'll all get used.

i also bought a normal foot pump for the garage from Halfords - guess i'll show the wife that receipt

Thanks again.

 

[Wapping]

guess i'll show the wife that receipt

A fine plan and one that has been tested before, no doubt