This handy pump featuring AVACS (All Valves Automatic Connecting System), automatically adapts to any valve.. Telescopic tube offers effecient pumping. Mounts to side of water bottle cage for easy access.
Submitted by
able
a Weekend Warrior
from austin, texas, usa Date Reviewed: August 28, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Looks nice.
Weaknesses:
Didn't work.
Bottom Line:
Bought this pump and hooked it to my bike and never used it until last Saturday, after one year. I hooped it to the valve and the air just escaped. The pump is defunct.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jonowee
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth, WA, Australia Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Hup Leong Bicycle Company, Singapore
Strengths:
Review for replacement after initially purchased pump had a DOA leaky pump head.
- Solid feel, holding onto the fat aluminium outer body, sweet - Comfortable to hold - AVACS head works well if it works - Pump head seems to be the most leak-free one I've used on a hand pump, that's of cause for the working one
Weaknesses:
- After 10-20psi, it just feels like I'm compressing air in the pump instead of delivering it into the tube. Which defeats the main job of what a pump is suppose to do. - Even on Pressure mode, it feels like I'm still squeezing air - A plastic internal shaft!, what the hell! Bound to be one of the first parts to let go. - SKS's Frame attachment is too showy, just useless. A rubber clip that hooks barely onto the attachment and easily lose-sable. What's wrong with the old, simple and functional ABS frame clip and a hook & loops wrapping belt. - The solid feel of the outer tube might mean a thick wall, which to me is just overbuilding and adding unneccessary weight, especially when my Blackburn Airstik can feel thin walled-ish and still pump high pressure. -AVACS head's rubber ring seal is bound to wear out soon with continued use.
Similar Products Used:
- Blackburn Airstik - BBB WindGun - another one I dropped somewhere on the trail
When you're not pumping tyres, it feels great in your hand; sticky rubber, solid aluminium, nice balance.
But when it gets down to doing the job its meant to do, it just disappoints. Forget about road tyres, this has been demoted to pumping up sport balls, hmm... Swiss ball has gone a bit limp, time for the Matrix pump.
*1 Value Chilli cos if it don't work even to a modest degree, it's money wasted no matter how cheap it is.
*1 Overall Chilli cos it didn't work, if it actually could pump tyres without you winning a Strongman competition, I'd forgive it for it's horrible method of frame attachment and maybe even the dumb-butch thick outer walls.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
dean
a Weekend Warrior
from europe Date Reviewed: November 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
all good pumping light small not so expensive,NOT made from plastic
Weaknesses:
no
Bottom Line:
Dont read about bad reviews about this pump its great small pump BUT read owner manual before pumnping to see how you must use this product- you must put pump close to the valve. Because of this(they didnt read manual) wers some bad rewievs about this pump. FOR THAT PRICE HIGHLY RECOMENDED
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Conrad Seaman
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: May 19, 2005
Favorite Trail:
N/A
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$18.00
Purchased At:
MEC (like REI in Canada)
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
A pump is supposed to move air. This doesn't work at all. I had 3 bike experts, 4 pumps, 4 tires and 45 minutes at the local MEC and we couldn't get one tire to pump up. We did succeed in causing them to loose air though.
Similar Products Used:
Any pump that works.
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic
Bottom Line:
This product shouldn't even be on the market. I've never seen such a poor excuse for a pump. I suggest that anyone who has purchased this pump should write SKS like I have and complain. This has been a waste of my time and money. Maybe they'll take their 'best brand' stickers off after this screw up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland, OR Date Reviewed: August 29, 2004
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$19.00
Strengths:
Small, lightweight.
Weaknesses:
It can't do the one job it's supposed to. It's nearly useless on presta type valves and can't fully inflate tires. Does not get a good seal on the valve.
Bottom Line:
Don't bother with this pump. It may be small and look good but if you need to get air into your tires and the tires have presta valves, you'll be out out of luck. I really wish I would have used this before I threw away my receipt so I could take this back and get a pump that works. I'm going to tell the shop they should stop carrying this product and start selling something that works.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Weekend Warrior
from Corte Madera Date Reviewed: July 8, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Tam
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Small and attached well
Weaknesses:
doesn't work
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Jamis Durango SX
Bottom Line:
This product didn't work when I REALLY needed it. What a waste of money. I couldbn't get it to push air through the presta valve. I tried and tried but ended up walking :(
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Hessels
a Cross Country Rider
from Jakarta, Indonesia Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all over west java
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
somewhere in Holland
Strengths:
it's ability to look like a quality product at the time of purchase.
Weaknesses:
I haven't had a chance to find out it's weaknesses. The pump has been sitting in my bag for months. At the first (or was it second?) opportunity to use it it failed due a worn out (?) thread in the plastic part at the head ...
Similar Products Used:
specialized, zefal
Bike Setup:
scalpel 2000
Bottom Line:
buy something that doesn't look cool but works.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
T. J.
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham, MI, US Date Reviewed: September 24, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Maybury
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Cool looking. Good features.
Weaknesses:
Extreemly weak design for the frame mounting. If you lose that retaining bra, you might as well throw out the pump. And what is that strap attachment junk?
Similar Products Used:
Topeak
Bike Setup:
Specialized Stumpjumper, all XT.
Bottom Line:
A lot of people complain about it being useless when trying to pump with a presta set-up. I thought the same thing at first until I realized that you just shouldn't unscrew the presta valve all the way. About half way would do it and it pumps fine. It's a little hard to pump past about 30 psi, but I don't think that it is any more than usual. It is a wide diameter pump, after all, so it moves higher volumes but it also needs higher forces.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew Crook
a Weekend Warrior
from Palo Alto, CA USA Date Reviewed: September 24, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$10.00
Purchased At:
REI-outlet
Strengths:
None to think of. Does look nice though
Weaknesses:
Lots. Doesn't seal on presta. Pumping becomes hard above 35psi. Can't see it getting to 115psi without being Arnie. Rubber seal for handle tends to roll-up when pumping. Handle flimsy. Overall poor quality and would not recommend. Unfortunately I through out the box (Doh!) so I can't return it to REI (I may try though).
Similar Products Used:
$10 red see through mini-pump from Wal-mart. Pumps great upto 90psi. Minimal air loss on either presta or schrader (fits both).
Bike Setup:
NRS3
Bottom Line:
Tried adding some grease. Will try the drilling trick, but before I do will take the whole thing to pieces. Bottom line is don't buy and to SKS: sort it out!! Maybe I will add some chilis if the drilling, greasing and re-construction of the pump improves its performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Roland Werth
a Weekend Warrior
from Darmstadt Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Frankenstein
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
citybike24
Strengths:
Cool looking, almost undestructable Aluminium alloy body
Ok, normally German parts are a lot better than US parts or parts from Taiwan - it's the engineering and the quality. So after a short experience with a really lousy Topeak pump I tried this one. But what's this ? I should say : Shame on you, SKS ! The plastics are cheap type, no fibre-reinforcement, the rubber parts are not bonded and not fixed in anyway.The handling is also lousy,the valve-head is even critisized by professional engineers! Broke apart after 5-7 flats I had. This thing has to be over-engineered, newly designed and those guys should work the whole thing over. Better working than Topeak, better than cheap Italieri pumps, so not the worst rating. But guys, take something else, I say you ! (I'm German, but I'm not proud of this piece of s*** called mini-pump)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
divad nilar
a Cross Country Rider
from pasadena Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003
Favorite Trail:
durty ones
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$9.00
Purchased At:
rei-outlet
Strengths:
Purely cosmetic, rubber armor looks great, not hard on the eyes or hands. Consistency.
Weaknesses:
Consistency. German do-it-all engineering provides precise, equally lousy performance on schrader or presta, not much air movement at any pressure and tends to work off once every dozen strokes when over 35 psi. Mounting bracket laughable. Marginally functional in every way.
Similar Products Used:
Blackburn minis, one worn out in 5 yrs, the replacement misplaced bringing this disappointment my way. Glad it turned up after six months hating the SKS.
Bike Setup:
A Roast, a Mono Cog.
Bottom Line:
You get what you pay for. Some deals aren't.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Malden, Mass Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
any without glass or trash
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Overall german quality
Weaknesses:
ONLY the head
Similar Products Used:
blackburn,ect
Bike Setup:
Yes, it is!
Bottom Line:
Look I know everyone is having a problem with this pump,,,and I know why,,you say"No Flow" or "Lousy seal" well after buying the Zoom and Airbase on the same day based solely on appearance of quality I was dissapointed with similar troubles when I got home and tried it out. This is the problem or defect if you will, the pin that drops down to open the stem vavle is too long, it shoves down far enough to place the air passage in the stem down to where the seal sqeezes and it inturn reduces to compleatly close off any air passage. take a small drill bit and drill it down slowly, lil at a time, dont rush it or its shot, its alloy so it will not take much drilling to achieve desired effect, the pump "both" are now thebest I ever owned 10-15
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Yan
a
from Singapore Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003
Favorite Trail:
anywhere without traffic
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Looks cool Can use as a weapon to whack robbers on the head
Weaknesses:
Absolutely useless as an airpump
Similar Products Used:
Crank Bros Alloy Pump Some Zefal pieces of sh*t
Bike Setup:
Which one?
Bottom Line:
Am writing this primarily to lower the overall rating to reflect it's true nature and value. Absolutely hopeless at doing what it's supposed to do. Doesn't fit onto either S or P valves. Moves no air. Heavy mother. Looks really nice though, and if you always ride with friends who will happily change your flats for you using their equipment while you stand around shooting the breeze, and you're a fan of German engineering (or in this case, the lack of it) and you have a gray anodized frame with orange trimming, go for it! Otherwise, save your money and buy yourself a real pump.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from Golden, CO Date Reviewed: February 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All of 'em
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$24.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Small, compact design.
Weaknesses:
I've used many small pumps and this one just doesn't do it for me. First of all, the pump head wouldn't even attach to the presta valve stem. I tried everything, even dismantling the pump and checking it out. (I think the design of the head is good, but this pump didn't work at all for me) I could not get one pound of pressure into the tire. Secondly, the handle sucks...period. It's handle is plastic with soft-grip stuff on it and when you are sweating in the summer-time, you will still have a hard time keeping a solid grip. My hands kept sliding off. It needs to have a Tee handle so you can get some real leverage and apply some pressure. Thirdly, the ribbed, rubber surround that is supposed to hold the handle inwards for travel doesn't last long. After you pump about 10 strokes this stuff rolls up and gets in the way. Mine even started to tear. I don't think that rubber would last long. It would be much better to have a mechanical lock, not a rubber friction hold securing the handle. And last but not least, the short stroke. IF....I could get any air into it, it wouldn't have been much volume per stroke.
I figured being a German company, it would be a superior product. I was not impressed. I own an SKS floor pump and it DEFINITELY ROCKS!! The mini pump sucks though. Back to the drawing board guys.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Al
a Cross Country Rider
from Redmond, Wa. USA Date Reviewed: February 12, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$11.00
Purchased At:
REI Outlet
Strengths:
Small and solid construction Nice looking
Weaknesses:
Will only pump to about 55 psig (OK for Mtn bikes) Will not pump to 115 psig (not good for road bike) Difficult to get a seal with presta valves (did not try schrader valves). Also on the heavy side
Do to the inability to get a good seal and to pump to road tire pressures I will return the pump.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Philip
a Cross Country Rider
from Kodiak, Alaska Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Looks kinda cool. Nice rubber accents and a fat grip to hold on to. Very short and compact overall size. No head changes necessary to switch between presta and shrader valves.
Weaknesses:
Absolutely worthless for moving air. Head does not seal well on either presta or shrader. The first half of the telescoping barrel is a tiny diameter and does not contribute at all to the pumping. The action is very strange with the telescoping stages clacking loudly together on each stroke. This thing is HEAVY! All fashion and no function.
Similar Products Used:
Mount Zephals, Blackburn Mammoth Mtn, Avenir AirMax, Silcas, lots of others.
Bike Setup:
Which one?
Bottom Line:
This thing is worthless. It weighs twice as much as any other minipump I have used, moves far less air so it takes a milliion strokes to get the tire inflated, the head doesn't seal worth cr@p on either type of valve stem, and while pumping it sounds like a piece of heavy equipment throwing a track.
I bought it from REI based partially on the reviews here. Normally I get good advice on these pages and can usually concur with my fellow two-wheelers on the merits (or demerits) of a product, but this thing is just awful. I got it in the mail, unpacked it, tried it out on a few wheels in the garage, marvelled at what a POS it is, and will return it immediately.
The Blackburn Mammoth Mountain in the metal barrel style is the unit to beat. Light, moves air, works great.
One burning turd for value and overall. A total dud.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Mass Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$23.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Small,fits Presta/Schrader,decent volume of air for a mini pump.
Weaknesses:
The "gram fanatics" might find the aluminum version heavy.
Similar Products Used:
Zefal double shot,Blackburn AS-1
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight
Bottom Line:
It does a respectable job for a mini pump. Solid construction. The "zoom" function is easy to use. I found it was easier to connect to a Schrader valve than to a Presta but it does work on both without having to swap out any parts.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Elk Grove, California Date Reviewed: March 11, 2002
Favorite Trail:
anything offroad
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
friend
Strengths:
awesome design, plus metal parts very strong, AVACS design, no switching parts to compensate different valves
Weaknesses:
none yet, except if you have an irregular frame, its harder to mount on the frame itself just mount on handlebars, or under your seat, or near the bb
Similar Products Used:
blackburne mini mtn air pump
Bike Setup:
haro extreme X1
Bottom Line:
very nice pump for its price like most sks products, very reliable heck, pros use the sks air co2 air gun, so this german brand can't be too bad nice construction and design and color nice looking, and very short GET IT!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gary Gao
a Weekend Warrior
from Shanghai, China Date Reviewed: February 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
local MERIDA bike shop
Strengths:
the AVACS, the aluminum inner parts and the body, the versatile mounting rack...and the sexy colour match my bike very well
Weaknesses:
wait and see...i think none
Similar Products Used:
zefal switch alloy
Bike Setup:
bridgestone hardtail, psylo xc, xt-xtr drivetrain, selle italia nitrox gel, sks shockboard fender(carbon finish,looks so cool!)
Bottom Line:
the pump roles...i don't need to reverse the inner parts of the pump to fit Schrader or presta valve any more. all needed is just to flick the lock lever from 45 to 90, incredibly easy!!!and its mounting rack makes u able to place it anywhere on the bike, even on the handlebar. and its aluminum inner parts and body enable the pump to last. anything else u need from a pump?none for me. highly recommanded to every one who needs a excellent pump
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 29.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
