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Topeak
Combo Master Blaster Frame Pump
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Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Vero Beach, Florida
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$23.00 | | Strengths: | Nice design | | Weaknesses: | Mounting system makes the product all but useless. | | Similar Products Used: | Previously (and now currently) using CO2. | | Bike Setup: | Fuji Nevada 1.0 | | Bottom Line: | Initially, I really liked the pump ... until I tried to mount it on my brand new bike. So rocket scientist at Topeak didn't take into consideration that if you mount this on the roght side of the bike's down tube, it would hit the derailer. There is NO way to use the mount and still attach it to the down tube ... you'd have to use the other tube and that looks like (fill in the blank) and blocks the graphics. In other words, the tube mounted mini pump can't be used as a tube mounted mini pump. Tried contacting Topeak, their website has NO contact information. So, I had to take it back and get a CO2 system. VERY not impressed. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Half-Fast Biker
a Weekend Warrior
from Hollidaysburg, PA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Great Allegheny Passage | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$27.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | Ease of use, Quality, built in gauge | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal pumps | | Bike Setup: | 1991 Schwinn KOM S-7 MTB | | Bottom Line: | I've been using this pump since 1999...wow...it's been that long ?!....the thing still works like when it was new. The only "problem" I ever had with it was that the knurled tightening ring on the head of the pump unscrewed itself and fell off one day when I was mountain biking...one call to Topeak and they sent me a new one for free. Now I have a piece of electrical tape wrapped around the end of the pump head to keep the dirt out and to keep it from ever unscrewing again.
This pump is like carrying a floor pump with you...you don't have to kill yourself trying to pump up your tires anymore...flats are now just a minor annoyance instead of a major aggravation. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed Elefante
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Swiss American Bicycle | | Strengths: | Quick, light and easy to use. Customer support!!! | | Weaknesses: | A few pieces would break here and there, but with GREAT customer service, you can't go wrong! | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal, Schwinn | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Trek VRX200 Rocks!! | | Bottom Line: | See previous comment. I have had similar experiences with Topeak. I have had great experiences with the customer service. The pump has been great, from pumping 5 other Schraeder valve bikes and my presta valve Trek, this is a diehard pump! It has been through a lot and Topeak's Customer Service has come through in times of need!! GREAT JOB!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Monica, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Out there | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Palms Cycle | | Strengths: | Reliable. Fast. Easy to use. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Number 1 pump, Zefal, Silca, others | | Bike Setup: | Ritchey Ascent commuter, Turner 5-spot mountain, Ritchey Ascent tow beast for my trailer | | Bottom Line: | This review is of the old-style Combo Master Blaster. It's not like the one in the picture; it has an extendible hose, built-in gauge, and flip-out foot lever.
The pump has been flawlessly reliable since I bought it five years ago. It goes with me commuting and mountain biking, and to the beach to help repair other people's tires.
What I want to add to other people's comments here is one about Topeak's customer service. This is as outstanding as the pump.
Recently I was at a friend's house, using the pump to fix his son's bike. While doing this I lost the clamp nut from the back of the pump's head. So, I called Topeak today to see if I could get a replacement. No longer made, but they said they'd send me a new head for my pump! No charge, he'll send it today. Amazing.
The Combo Master Blaster has been replaced by the Morph series. These look a lot like mine. If you're looking for a pump to depend on when you're far from home, this is it.
--Larry | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sprocketeer
a Cross Country Rider
from Narashino, Chiba, Japan (native of New York)
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | I like it rough and dirty, baby!! | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Seo Cycle pro shop at LalaPort Tokyo Bay shopping mall, Funabashi, Chiba, Japan | | Strengths: | It's lighter than any other pump I've seen out there or used myself--I don't know what all these people are saying about it being heavy, about a hose, and a foot pump. Do you all see the picture at the top? That's the pump I have, and I know the name of it as well.
Anyway, it's small, light, powerful, sturdy, the gauge is accurate, pumps up to 100 and something psi, and has a mud cap. Also, the operation and maintainance instruction sheet explains very well how to maintain it and this only has to be done once in a great moon. People complaining about it breaking probably never bothered to read the operating and maintainance instructions.
It's very secure on it's frame mount, though easy to remove and replace.
The seal is tight and doesn't leak at all, especially if you bother to keep it from drying out and/or hardening from lack of maintainance.
What else can I say but that it greatly exceeds reasonable expectations in performance, design, and just plain looking cool. | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely none if you bother to read the operation and maintainance instructions. | | Similar Products Used: | Zefel frame mounted pump which pumps OK, but doesn't mount securely, is longer, heavier, has no gauge, and isn't even good for wacking the occasional dog nipping at your ankles. | | Bike Setup: | Trek race geometry frame with select, race-level components--my own creation. | | Bottom Line: | The only thing I would say against this pump is that if you're going to pump your tires to about, say, 60 psi or over, it's laborious on the arm--and that's coming from a former boxer with plenty of arm strength.
On the other hand, this is a pump for use out on the trail and if you haven't bothered to spring for a regular floor pump with a gauge at home yet or you're wondering which to buy first, I'd say get this one because it will be there when you need it most.
The gauge measures both psi and how many "bars" which is a larger unit of measure that I don't recommend using because the difference between 80 psi and 85 psi on, say, a Hutchinson Alligator Gold (top of the line mountain bike tire with a psi rating of 80) can cause the tube to leak around the valve--and that would only be the fault of the person using the pump, not the tire, tube, or pump itself.
Another thing, if you break this pump in normal use it has just got to be your fault for not bothering to follow the simple maintainance instructions included with the pump. just spray a little chain lubricant--I use Finish Line Teflon Plus--on the moving parts and rubber seals to keep them from stiffening up. If you really want to keep this pump working for years and years, it's a good idea to take it apart and do a full maintainance on it about once a year, which is as easy as it could be. Of course, it's cheap enough that you could just buy a new one if you're not up to doing this.
Floor pumps tend to be fairly maintainance free, but frame pumps--especially ones as light as this one which takes on all the weather beating that any bike component does, and maybe more--need to be cleaned and lubed once in a while.
Anyway, this is the pump to buy in my opinion. Lauds to Topeak. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisville
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ottercreekblue/yellow | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | Topeak Mountain Morph:great pumping power, stays on the valve head, doesn't leak, gauge works and is easily seen while pumping.Works great on mountain and road tires | | Weaknesses: | I put mine in my Mule so it doesn't get trail gunk on it. | | Similar Products Used: | Crank Brothers mini you could pump for days and barely get enough to ride on | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight X | | Bottom Line: | Ignore the lame review in Mountain Bike October 2001. This review is for the Topeak Mountain Morph. This is a beautiful piece of equipment that restores your belief that someone thinks about and uses a design before putting it out there. Light, strong, pumps up quickly, handle stops just in time so it doesn't scrape your knuckles as you pump,hose extends so it stays easily on the valvehead. Gauge works great so you know you have the right air pressure. Works as well as a good floor pump, but its in your pack! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Gold
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar Online | | Strengths: | Easily pumps road tire to 120 pounds. Has built-in gauge. Not much bigger than a mini pump. Has a foot stand and flexible hose so it is like a floor pump. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Wrench Force mini pump | | Bike Setup: | Airborne Zepplin road bike | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Topeak Road Morph. I can now put my old, useless mini-pump to rest. The Topeak is only slightly bigger than a mini-pump, but it works like a floor pump. Fairly easy to inflate road tires to 120 pounds. I am no longer concerned about flatting and burning 10 minutes and 5,000 calories trying to pump up my road tires over 80 pounds. If you're looking for a small, easy-to-use pump that can actually fill up your road tires, I recommend the Topeak Road Morph. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Tillotson
a Cross Country Rider
from St.Paul, MN, Ramsey
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any road | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | REI, Roseville,MN | | Strengths: | Easily pumps tires to whatever pressure you want. I accidently put my road tires to 130 before I looked at the gauge. I checked the gauge with a very accurate one, and it was bang on. Guess I just got a good gauge. | | Weaknesses: | Weight. It is heavy, but worth hauling around in my mind. | | Similar Products Used: | Nearly every frame pump made, zephal, Blackburn(destroyed it), several others that did not last. | | Bike Setup: | Santana Arriva tandem, Novara Randonee used for commuting | | Bottom Line: | Geat pump. Originally purchased for our tandem, as weight was not an issue there. We helped so many people on group rides, that pump got a major workout from day one. Everyone was impressed with how easily it took the tires up to 70 or even 130+ pressure. Over the years it has been through mud muck and everything, I have cleaned it three times, used silicone grease, and it performs as good as new. Bought one for my commuter too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek
a Weekend Warrior
from Springfield, SC, USA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Center | | Strengths: | Solid Constuction. Accurate Pressure Gauge. A lot of air in such a little tube. Tuff. | | Weaknesses: | None as of yet | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Trek 8000 | | Bottom Line: | This thing is great. I us it a lot. I can't believe how fast it will fill up a tire. I have checked the accuracy of the gauge and it is within 1lb. of true. I did have to make some minor engineering changes to the holder though. I did some filing down of the plastic so I can put a Velcro strap through the middle loop to hold the pump on the bike. I put the whole thing through hell with mud and water and she still keeps going. So, I give it 5 flaming poos for value and 4 overall for the small change I had to make. . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ToddM
a Cross Country Rider
from ND
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | TJmax | | Strengths: | Pumps fast, and easy, Flexiable hose, foot peg, by far the best overall mini/frame pump I've used. | | Weaknesses: | Little big, just fits in a camelbak Hawg, have to take apart the valve head to switch from presta/schrader. | | Similar Products Used: | Serfas, Gyro, Scott carbon, Cdale MP501 | | Bike Setup: | Klein mantra, Cdale 2.8 road bike | | Bottom Line: | I've used a few mini pumps, with most you get one of two things, either a high volume like the Cdale M501 but it will only hit 60-70psi, or a small pump like the Gyro that will hit over 100psi but will take forver to fill a mtnbike tire to 50psi.
This is the first one where you could get 50psi out of a 2.0 tire in under 150 strokes, and 100+ psi in a road tire without killing yourself. Mine does not have the built in psi gauge but most are so inaccurate you mise well go by feel anyway.
The only thing I could see to make it better is a valve head that didn't have to be taken apart to switch from presta/schrader. Other than that small thing its still by far the best all around mini/frame pump I've used so it gets 5 by 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ElefantDude
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, Az USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of 'em!! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Ease of use, easy to convert from Schraeder to standard valve and vice versa. I didn't think it would mount to my F/S Trek VRX200, but it did with no problem! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '99 Trek VRX200. Nothing changed.. All original parts! Added JetDesign Dual beam lights, VDO lighted computer, and replaced the pedals... | | Bottom Line: | I've used the pump quite a few times now, especially after a few run ins with cacti and damn thorns on the trails... The pump has never let me down. So far it's handled the stress of the 100 degree plus heat!! That's probably the only reason I broke a sweat while using it..... If you want a good pump and do not want to deal with the mini's, the Topeak Combo Master Blaster is the one for U!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Owens
a Weekend Warrior
from San Carlos, CA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Monte Bello Open Space | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Good for riders who find most frame pumps hard to use. | | Weaknesses: |
Not lightweight. Lots of moving parts to break. | | Bottom Line: | I have to agree with the earlier post about how inaccurate the built in guage is. I inflated a tube so hard it exploded this morning, putting a kink in my commute. The guage read ~55psi.It's a clever design, and works fine for me since I find most frame pumps are a pain to use, and I have an old heavy bike anyway, but it's a bit gimmicky and certainly no featherweight. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Doanes
a Weekend Warrior
from Westminster, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Like carrying your floor pump with you. | | Weaknesses: |
Models with turnscrew valve leak. Only get the model with the valvehead that has the lever clamp. | | Bottom Line: | My full suspension bike made it a problem getting the pump completely under the top bar of my frame, but it was real close. I didn't really care because there wasn't another pump that came close to this one! It is just like a floor pump, but a lot lighter. Those other small ones that you hold in your hands are a pain!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dana
a Cross-Country Rider
from arizona, for now
Date Reviewed: September 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | when i got tired of little mini's that were a pain to pump with and that seemed to break every other month, i went out + bought the best, easiest to use, most bombproof pump that i could find, this one. it is ridiculously easy and comfortable to use, will probably last for ten or more years, and is coveted by all who see it. i rode across the country with this + actually enjoyed fixing flats because of it. when i locked my bike up outside of stores i would leave my helmet + everything outside, but always take the pump in with me. it simply rocks, buy it, it's the only pump you'll ever need | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.D. Lien
a Cross-Country Rider
from Camrose, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tillicum Beach | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | The CMB is a very impressive pump overall. I use it to fix flats and maintain road bike tires all the time, and there's no problem getting the high pressures that I need. Sure, it's a bit heavy, but it's got a kickass aluminum barrel that'll last forever, and I suppose you could use it as a nightstick to beat off thugs if you have to.
My only problems are:
1. It doesn't have a cap to prevent crap from getting in the head.
2. If you aren't careful when pulling it off, the head flies off the pump hose, and you lose a bit of air. (It goes right back on, and can be avoided however.)
It hasn't let me down yet, so five flaming pieces of whatever. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a cross-country rider
from Tebbetts Mo
Date Reviewed: February 26, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This is by far the best frame mounted pump I've seen. I've only had to use it once, but it easily converted from schrader to presta, was easy to put on the valve stem thanks to the hose, stayed on the valve stem while pumping. It's a little long for a Cannondale superV or a Trek y bike, but will fit on a CamelBack Mule | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Huli Honu
a weekend warrior
from Edwards, CA
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is the answer! The pump is very efficient and is ideal for commuter/tourist use, in my opinion.
The only problem I've had so far is that the head assembly has begun to fly off occasionally, which can be frustrating. I've become too proficient at performing repairs on the pump itself and that alone keeps me from giving five chili peppers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A.G.
a weekend warrior
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: October 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I really wanted to love this pump, but I have to admit that it's not perfect. Sure, it pumps well, and to the high pressures I needed for my road bike, but the gauge, which to me was the most important feature, is totally inaccurate. It seems that no gauge on a mini-pump can actually work all that well. On the other hand, the pump's ability to transform to a floor pump is actually more important than I thought. While it may not pump faster than a normal frame pump, it can be used much more easily. It takes very little effort, because you can get your weight into it. So for the price, it's still not bad, but don't buy it for the gauge. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich Neves
a weekend warrior
from Franklin Sq., NY
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After getting a flat during a Sunday excrusion, thankfully another rider stoped to lend me his pump so I could get back to my car, I decided to go out and get a pump.
The Topeak Master Blaster Combo is AWESOME! As long as you dont mind mounting it on your frame, it is great. I have already used it several times and would highly recomend it to anyone. It pumps enough air to be good for use on teh road and at home when working on the bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Gann
a weekend warrior
from MO
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Wow it actually filled my tires up and I didn't break a sweat. Hey and the value didn't pop off when it got above 40 psi. I tell you I'm hooked. Oh I also love the flexible tube and the way the air tire gauge is always pointed at you when pumping. For this weekend warrior there will be no more mini pumps. Man this one even converts into a mini floor pump. Ok it's a little big but it beats being useless. 4 *'s minus one for being big. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Barron
a cross-country rider
from Allentown, PA
Date Reviewed: August 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Go Buy One. Right now. I have had mine since early '97. It has been submerged, banged around, covered in mud, and it still works perfectly. I haven't even had to lube it. I have taken it apart a couple of times to make sure it was doing OK inside. No grit, still well lubed, still works like new.Another note: Topeak Customer Service is the BEST! I had the old style head on mine when I first got it. (Used a thumbscrew instead of the lever to tighten the head onto the valve stem) The thumbscrew vibrated off and was lost on my second or third ride with the pump. (Rendering it useless) I called Topeak, and they offerred to send me the new style pump head. (Which I accepted) When I asked how much it would cost, the guy said, I wouldn't DREAM of taking your money. Now that's what I call service. They have a customer for life. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
KWG
a cross-country rider
from SACK OF TOMATOES (SACRAMENTO)
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
PUMP RULES! Can go to 100 psi for you roadies out there. Pump head comes off occasionally put easily fits back on the tube housing without leaking but it is annoying when it comes off. Pump with handle in locked (straight) position is extra long and may not fit easily in some camelbaks e.g. Blackburn Hydrarace. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James D.
a weekend warrior
from Westminster, CO
Date Reviewed: June 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
When making my decision, I looked at weight and volume. Though it wasn't the lightest, it was a winner in every other category. The only thing I would consider over this one is the handheld CO2 pumps, but they cost more over time. This one is like having a floor pump on the road. Compared to the others, this is a winner in the ease of use category. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlo
a cross-country rider
from toronto
Date Reviewed: May 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
okay, i don't own one, but i work in a shop and have used it and many others. this pump is heavier than most, and overkill if you can get to a gas station in a half hour or so, but if you are in the middle of nowhere, or have to pump high pressure (road riding, touring, running conti xc 1.5's), this will do the job better than you need it to. if you are waffling between a floor pump and a mini, this is the compromise you want. rating: three if you go on two hour rides, seventeen if go three weeks in nepal. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry W.
a
from Palo Alto, CA
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I tried several Blackburn pumps as well as some of Topeaks smaller frame pumps and I have to
agree with REI's Comparison Facts Chart, the Combo Master Blaster is the most efficient and takes
the least effort of all the frame pumps to fill a tire. What I found made a huge difference in pumping
ease is the fact that it can be placed on the ground so that you can stand and pump, just like a floor
pump. I also like the built in gauge that can be user calibrated to zero.
| | Overall Rating: |
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