What foot pump
Author
Discussion

croyde

Original Poster:

26,351 posts

259 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
As it now seems that most garages are charging 50p to check and pump tyres and that's only if you are quick, can anyone recommend a very accurate foot pump.

Obviously it's good to check the car once a week but my motorbike's handling get's downright dangerous if I'm down 2 psi or more in the front tyre but as I only ride it occasionally it means it's usually trying to kill me whilst I ride around looking for a garage with a working airline. biggrin

Any help appreciated people, ta.

supersingle

3,205 posts

248 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
You need a separate gauge and footpump.

kambites

71,471 posts

250 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
If you really need it be that accurate, I'd get a cheap pump and a good gauge.

colonel c

8,053 posts

268 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
Is it not free air at Sainsburys

TJenkos

99 posts

237 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
I've got the Michelin double barrel pump which I use for my car and track bike. recommended in the track scene...

Jw Vw

4,922 posts

192 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
colonel c said:
Is it not free air at Sainsburys
yes

I've got a cheapo jobbie from Halfords. Does the job.

sawman

5,168 posts

259 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
Ive had a double barrel halfords one for the last year, I use it regularly, every time I do I think it will be the last time - it feels like it will fall apart any time. I can just about pump the jeep tyres up to 32psi but it takes while to get that last pound

LeoSayer

7,824 posts

273 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
TJenkos said:
I've got the Michelin double barrel pump which I use for my car and track bike. recommended in the track scene...
I've got that one...

The first one stopped working after less than a year. The second one has a couple of niggly problems. I'm sure there must be better ones out there.

TallPaul

1,524 posts

287 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
I hope you dont think garage forecourt gauges are in any way accurate? Especially the type that has the gauge on the end of the airline & regularly gets dropped on the floor/run over...
As others have said, by a cheap pump and a quality gauge.

sparkyhx

4,200 posts

233 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
TJenkos said:
I've got the Michelin double barrel pump which I use for my car and track bike. recommended in the track scene...
another vote for the excellent Michelin double barrel pump - got mine from halfrauds. Previous cheapy one just collapsed after a few uses.

Double barrel also means much quicker pumping up.

no problems with mine. Stored in a garage so not the best conditions either


Edited by sparkyhx on Thursday 17th November 20:57

croyde

Original Poster:

26,351 posts

259 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
OK, so I do have a pump but suggestions for an accurate gauge, cheers.

Do you mean those metal things the size of a pen as I have a couple of those but have always been unsure how good they are.

Kong

1,503 posts

200 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
LeoSayer said:
TJenkos said:
I've got the Michelin double barrel pump which I use for my car and track bike. recommended in the track scene...
I've got that one...

The first one stopped working after less than a year. The second one has a couple of niggly problems. I'm sure there must be better ones out there.
It's funny you should mention that. Our £5 ASDA pump just bit the dust after about a year. Yesterday I decided i'd spend a bit more and get a decent one which will last. I checked out some online reviews and EVERY pump I could find got a st review. The AA, Michelin, Draper, Dunlop pumps all seem to fall apart.

So I decided i'd go with another cheap one rather than gamble £20 on a 'good' one.

In the end i went for this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DOUBLE-BARREL-TWIN-CYLIN...

£6.45 posted with a 1 year warranty, can't complain with that.

I'll 2nd those suggesting buying a seperate digital pressure guage, much more accurate than the guages on most pumps.

Classic Grad 98

26,500 posts

189 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
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John D.

21,002 posts

238 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
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No foot pump. Get the plunger type ones sold for push-bikes (operate with hands/arms rather than foot!).

sawman said:
Ive had a double barrel halfords one for the last year, I use it regularly, every time I do I think it will be the last time - it feels like it will fall apart any time. I can just about pump the jeep tyres up to 32psi but it takes while to get that last pound
I had one of these and it blew the seal the first time I used it. Utter cack. Took it back and got the type I described above from the Halfords bike section. No problems in a couple of years use. Pressure gauge is in-accurate but I have small digital one anyway.

John D.

21,002 posts

238 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
TallPaul said:
I hope you dont think garage forecourt gauges are in any way accurate? Especially the type that has the gauge on the end of the airline & regularly gets dropped on the floor/run over...
As others have said, by a cheap pump and a quality gauge.
My local BP was last time I checked actually, to my surprise! I agree that generally they are fked.

Or at least it matched my Michelin digital gauge to the nearest Psi. Which let be honest is good enough for a road car.

supersingle

3,205 posts

248 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
quotequote all
Anyone struggling with modern footpumps, try to get one from the 1950s. They used to be made from brass and are very solid. Good ones go for about £100 but they go on forever and if they do break they can easily be repaired.