I've got a couple of shock pumps. One is a bit of a faff to use but seems to put air in the shock/forks. The problem with this is that it needs to be fully twisted around to attach to the forks which is a big faff with the gauge in the way and I always seem to unscrew things incorrectly and let all the air back out of the fork at least once while I'm trying to check pressures or inflate. The other is a Beto or some such which I think was recommended ages ago. The problem with this is that it doesn't engage with my forks to actually inflate them so is pretty much an ornament as it doesn't do the job it should. Can anyone recommend a pump that will engage with my forks (Fox 36) and inflate them without the faff of the old pump?
Lifeline Digital works for me, it’s the same as the Fox/RS digital pumps but with a slightly smaller chuck
I just use the freebee rockshox one. Works fine and as long as you only use one pump, calibration isn't important.
Did the forks not come with a shockpump?
I got digital RS one, mainly because I got tired of trying to figure out small analog gauges and their values. I don't think digital gauge means more accurate reading between different pumps but at least I get to see value which can be written down for future reference.
I didn't get a pump with the bike/forks as second hand, but as above, I have 2 pumps and neither are great.
I don't really fancy a digital pump as I prefer a mechanical option for things like that. No reliance on batteries etc.
I do have a couple of Lezyne mini pumps which are pretty good. Any thoughts on Lezyne shock pumps?
Enduro Mtb mag did a test of a load of shock pumps, worth a look.
I have a lezyne track pump style shock pump, if you are a "more powerfully built athlete" like myself, it is a godsend.
Many moons ago I purchased the Phart Tommy Squeaker from planetx/0n-one, which has served me well.
Sadly, in what I can only assume is due to intervention by the fun-police, it appears to have since been re-branded:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJOSP/jobsworth-shock-pump
I do have a couple of Lezyne mini pumps which are pretty good. Any thoughts on Lezyne shock pumps?
Only digital, but they share some parts. Found that they didn’t appear to be designed for use with human hands, and also 2 fell apart (quickly) before I gave up. Maybe analogue ones are better, and they do look nice
I find the all break (fox, beco, halfords, RS), the hoses fails or something else fall off. Never seen the point in adding electronics to an already unreliable product. Currently I use an RockShox high pressure, as that the only one I know show decent scale over 300psi (especially after the Beco died), though I'm on my second as the hose died on the first (after a good few years). Otherwise they all tend to be generic units, I wouldn't pay over the odds for any of them.
Lifeline digital one for me following the recommendations on this forum. Works well and is easy to use. The main thing I would avoid is anything that claims it has something on it that will stop you loosing pressure when you remove it. In my experience they are far worse than just a simple valve
z1ppy
Free Member
I find the all break (fox, beco, halfords, RS), the hoses fails or something else fall off.
What are you doing to them? Also, hoses are replaceable on some models
I've had a topeak for about 15 years, think it's a DXG, but that's still going strong. Only my third shock pump.
First one was the original Rond thing that the nozzle used to snap regularly, had a zip lock with spares in my tool box. Then an RS one that the ex took with her (wasn't actually very good...) and then the topeak.
+1 for the Rockshox one, must be 5 or 6 years old now and still going strong.
The article linked to above recommends the Topeak or the RS so i think I'll take a look at those and see which is best suited.
Cheap beto for me- comes in loads of brands, I think one of mine is a bikehut and another is a lifeline but it's the exact same pump. For home use, perfect. Not so great for backpack use, they're a little bulkier than some and they don't really have any dirt protection so if it goes in a camelbak for years at a time it'll get a bit crunchy but, I don't do that so I don't care. If I had to carry a shockpump all the time the question wouldn't be "what shockpump" it'd be "what shock".
I've got a few in the drawer, some are picky about what shock/fork they will screw onto, some have got handles that fall off etc but the one that just works is a Topeak DXG.
I've got a few RS ones, only use one of they though. They're accurate enough to get the sag right, we're not talking messing about wo within the nearest psi here are we.
What are you doing to them? Also, hoses are replaceable on some models
Just using them, stuff just doesn't last especially rubber hoses (pulled an old SP out of a draw only for it to fail straight way on the hose), though I'd be interested to know who sells replacement hoses, as I've just never seen that..
I was about to ask a similar question about reasonably priced shock pumps (you’ve saved me the bother) as I just had to put air in my forks using my track pump. VERY CAREFULLY USING MY TRACK PUMP!!!!
We very rarely got more than a few months use out of any of the normal shock pumps in our workshop (though we often made Frankenpumps out of the salvaged parts). I'm currently using an SKS USP that's seen daily use for probably 5yrs, only needing the odd O-ring that seals to the valve. Not cheap, they retailed at around £80 when I bought it, and not sure whether Zyro Fisher import them anymore, but certainly worth searching one out.Edit - come down in price, Bikester knocking them out for £37.99 at the mo.
Replacement hose: https://j-techsuspension.co.uk/products/cane-creek-digital-shock-pump-replacement-hose
iirc this is the same as RS/Fox/Lifeline (Lifeline comes with a smaller chuck as standard)
Edit: stock seems to be an issue these days. Hopefully become available again at some point
Topeak DXG is very good.
I had a wrench force from 2005 that is now struggling to get above 150psi. I’ve just bought the rock shox one from the Bikester PSA with a load of discount pads. Pump was around £20.
I’ve got one of these - seems well built and works as intended and although I’ve probably only used it 20 times it still works fine after 2 years.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000X5YIBE?ref_=pe_3187911_248764861_302_E_DDE_dt_1
Surely hose is just hose? Most pumps you should be able to strip down and replace it with any air hose of a suitable size,and it'll probably be a standard size since bike companies tend not to want to make things harder unless it means they can sell a new wheel size or something
Probably is, I‘d be willing to bet that they’ve done something really handy like crimped on the connectors though
Worth getting one with a longer reach head unit (think the RS one has but my Topeak DXG does) if you have forks with a valve recessed quite down in the fork crown.
I get asked this a lot!
You can't go wrong with a bog standard Rockshox pump. Many brands have overly complex heads and fitments that are simply not needed.
Its a common misconception that you loose air when you disconnect the pump. What you're actually hearing is the air pressure releasing from the rubber hose as you disconnect the head from the fork/shock valve.
Ebay is full of bargain Rockshox pumps. The Lifeline digital pump is nice if you like to be fancy, and its also identical to Rockshox and Fox digital pump. Shhhh 😉
cheers @Mashr, I've never seen a replacement hose listed before, and pulling out the three broken shock pumps I've hoard for no good reason, they could probably all be resurrected with a new hose. Though only one is actually worth more the the £15 😀
You can’t go wrong with a bog standard Rockshox pump. Many brands have overly complex heads and fitments that are simply not needed.
Its a common misconception that you loose air when you disconnect the pump. What you’re actually hearing is the air pressure releasing from the rubber hose as you disconnect the head from the fork/shock valve.
Well ... partially true. I used my RS pump for several years with no issue, but it started to get to the point that it wouldn't unscrew quickly enough to avoid dumping a fair bit of air actually from the fork/shock. The Topeak one I have now is much better in that respect.
I gave my son my decent Topeak pump to take to uni as he does more riding than me. Bought a cheap Beto one to tide over til I get it back and it's fine. Just as good quality as any other I've used and I think I prefer the way the head screws on to others. £17.63 on Ebay.
As per my OP, I already have a Beto and it doesn't engage with the valve on my forks enough to actually put any air in them, so is of absolutely no use. Great if it works for you but a no go for me unfortunately.
+1 lifeline digital
All my high pressure pumps came with after market forks in the days when they were still thrown in for free. Pretty sure both the fox and RS ones are from the same factory.
The Magura is a step up
Longer barrel so fewer strokes
Much better handle so it’s easier to get to higher pressures (the others struggle at the higher pressures modern shocks seem to need )
Lever on the head means easier to attach and no air loss
https://www.bike-components.de/en/Magura/Suspension-Pump-p373/
I use a Topeak DXG. It has a more accurate scale (5 PSI increments) on the gauge than the generic ones, which are usually 10 PSI increments. Useful for small volume air shocks or forks like Mattoc Pros!
Not used a digital pump yet. I would assume they are even more accurate down to 1 PSI but with the downside of being prone to damage and the inconvenience of the battery running out.
I gave mine a loan of to my sister to pump up one of her car tyres.
Yes it was hilarious to watch 👿
3 years with a Giyo gs-02pt that cost me £12, and it's still going strong.
I carry it with me when riding, it's convenient enough. Either in a small triangular frame bag on a hardtail, or rucksack on a full-suss. It's been banged about a fair bit and not let me down
I've had other riders look down on it, but then be surprised when it performs similar to their expensive models.