Submitted by
Marv
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2011
Strengths: I bought this pump about a year ago to use on my road bike with Presta valves. The pump is very solid and the gauge easy to read. The head hooks up to the presta valve easily and does not leak. With the easy to read gauge it's possible to pump up the tire to an exact pressure by adjusting the pump handle height on the last stroke. Very happy with the pump for Presta valves. Have not tried the pump on Schrader valves.
of them
I have had several pumps before, although all cheaper than the Air Tool. I frequently had difficulty getting the head to seal tightly on the presta valve. Not so with the Air Tool.
I rated this down slightly only because I have not use the pump on scharder valves and thus cannot give it a perfect recommendation
Submitted by
AGG-Austin
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX USA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2009
Strengths: Solid, sturdy, reliable.
Weaknesses: Trim pressure release button in the middle of the handle, only a problem if you pump one handed on the center.
Bottom Line:
This is a very solid pump. I'll buy another one just like it if I ever need to replace it. The only time I have problems with leaks is if the valve stem is too short for the wheel and the tire is completely flat. Even then I can get the pressure started by just holding the chuck down and pressing against the tire to push the valve out. I don't see that as a problem specific to this pump. As far as the hose cracking, that is normal for any rubber material, especially if stored in the garage or close to ozone generating machines. A friend warned me about hose cracking where it bends as you clip it, so I vary where I clip it so it's not in the same place every time. I keep the pump indoors too. I have mostly used on presta valves but have used on schraeder a couple of times with no problems.
Strengths: Long hose. Sturdy. Solid base. And, at least I don't smash my knuckles into the cogs when I try to get he head off. Specialized got that part right.
Weaknesses: Gauge doesn't work. Leaky pressure release valve. Switch hitter head doesn't go on easily, or rather, it's difficult to get it on correctly.
Bottom Line:
From the get-go this pump never worked well. The gauge reads incorrectly. The head is weird to get on correctly and the pressure release valve just hisses the entire time. Not happy with this pump at all, especially given the dollar amount.
Submitted by
Chewy
a Weekend Warrior
from Menlo Park, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2007
Strengths: Comfort, solid, good air flow, easy to read guage
Weaknesses: Can be hard to lock onto tire with little air; lock mechanism seems backwards -- you pull up instead of push down, but that may just be my preference
Bottom Line:
I'd give this a 4 o5 5 up until the hose cracked at the spot where it was bending at the storage clamp, after 3-4 years. I taped it up and it got me up and running, but today, the hose broke off at the base; no way to tape that. I checked with the mfr a while back and got a rather dismissive, if not downright rude, response. Like, tough, you must be to blame for the cracks all up and down the faulty materials of the hose. Oh, the recommendation was to buy a new pump! That or I could try to get it fixed -- the replacement hose was something like $15, PLUS S/H! I won't buy another product from this company.
Submitted by
ATBScott
a Cross Country Rider
from Castro Valley, CA - USA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2006
Strengths: Very efficient, seems to be built to last, long hose, bleed valve (useful more on my Mtn bike than the road bike), comfy handle, large gauge is easy to read.
Weaknesses: Platform/foot rest design is a bit funky, but it may be more of a personal dislike more than anything - not a big deal but would prefer something that folded for stashing in the car for a trip or race.
Bottom Line:
This pump is probably the best pump I havee used. As a professional mechanic for many years, and doing race support for a while, I have used about everything at one point or another. Silca Track Pump at one point was the high point. This pump is as efficient in pumping as that old Silca, and easier to use with the dual-valve head and larger gauge. It is pricey, but it works very well. Specialized is usually pretty good about maintaining small-parts inventory, so if that is true for this pump it could last for 10+ years. If it doesn't, then the price may be it's only weakness, but that remains to be seen. Mr. Synyard, if you read this then I hope you'll support the rubber parts for this line of pumps. I'll give a "4" for value (great) but it's close to getting a fiver. Definitely "5" for use and function! If you wrench on your (and/or others) bikes or have multiple vehicles, consider this pump an investment and get one.
Similar Products Used: Medai, Park, Blackburn, Silca Track pump many moons ago...
Bike Setup: Presta Valves on all the human-powered bikes, Schraeder valves on my motorcycles :o)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy Cottle
a Racer
from Kirkland, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2005
Strengths: Air Tool Pro is built like a tank. The pump head is easy to get on and off the valve stem. I bought this pump due to the annoyance of cutting my fingers on my bladed spokes each time I tried to use my older Park Professional Floor pump. (the pump head just won't let go!). The pressure guage also reads accurately from the moment you hook it up to your tire (You have to pump the Park up to equal your tire pressure before the guage fucntions!). Pressure release button on top of pump is a nice touch.
Weaknesses: Maybe need to replace gasket eventually, like other reviewers mention. For now though, mine doesn't leak at all, even above 120psi. However, my Park Pro leaks at anything above 100, so it's no comparison. Kind of expensive, but if you only want to buy ONE pump, it's worth the price.
Bottom Line:
The Specialized Air Tool PRO (don't bother with the comp) is *the* pump to buy. If you ride in a group/on a team, this is the pump everyone else will want to borrow, even if they have their own, inferior pumps on hand. Remember to write your name on it!
Similar Products Used: Park Professional Floor Pump
Bike Setup: Full XTR custom hardtail for XC racing, Bianchi Cross Concept for 'Cross.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
joe therider
a Cross Country Rider
from midatlantic
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2005
Strengths: sturdy construction, valve release on handle, long hose, delivers alot of air
Weaknesses: switch hitter chuck leaks horribly, even after the rubber thing was replaced.
Bottom Line:
I hate this pump. There is nothing more frustrating than hearing the hiss of air as u attempt to pump yer tires. I have tried pushing the chuck onto the valve stem (all the way to the rim) and the damn thing still leaks, the rubber squash gasket thing was replaced but it didnt reduce the excessive crappieness of this pump. Im gonna try to replace the chuck from a different pump. everything else seems to be designed ok,which seems a little more insulting somehow
Submitted by
darren brown
a Cross Country Rider
from sylmar, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2005
Strengths: Stability, huge gage, pressure relief valve, long hose, switch hitter head, thick alloy body - I'm not worried about denting this baby.
Weaknesses: Hose routing could be placed further away from the main body a la Joe Blow Pro to prevent scratching and clanking when put away, steep price, short learning curve for switch hitter head - for presta, unscrew valve completely and push the pump head on firmly and flip the head closed
Bottom Line:
A good pump time will tell if it is a great pump. I think I have the 05 model though. Almost seventy bucks is a lot to shell out for a bike pump, but it is lasts 15 years and there are replacemeent parts, its well worth it. I gave it only four chilis because of the hose routing and the uncertain reliability.
