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Topeak
Shock Master Blaster
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Submitted by
KI
a
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | None, perhaps its price | | Weaknesses: | Unusable | | Bottom Line: | Before it broke it was hard to get accurate readings on the pump, it lost pressure when disconnected, and was generally not easy to use.
The SID adapter that came with it broke off in the valve, rendering the shock useless. It is prety hard to get a replacement valve for an 8 year old shock, so I had to get a new one. Maybe the pump did me a favor. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rdb kab
a Cross Country Rider
from wv
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Small | | Weaknesses: | has a different type of valve removal/attaching than the rest. loses 5 or so lbs of air on super high SPV type chambers. Didn't lose any on main chambers(more volumn). | | Bottom Line: | I almost took this pump back to REI untill I took another look at the directions. Found that I wasn't using the metal valve correctly.(used to just winding them on - pumping to pressure - and twisting the valve off).
This one utilizes a dual stage valve. Sort of a zero loss type of set up built into the end of the pump.
Seems to work fine now. Although seems like over engineering. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a
from Bucks Cty, PA, US
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | campmor | | Strengths: | Heavy | | Weaknesses: | Loses air. Hose flimsy. Tough to set dial (presta/Schrader). Heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | First Air Shock Pump. (I like their Joe Blow pump stand..but that is for tires...) | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 06 Scalpel 2000...yes..first one. | | Bottom Line: | Though very pretty and cool design, I think the weight, and loss of air on use (and inaccurate gauge) may cause more harm than good. I tried a lighter, shock-specific pump from a colleague (that too leaked 50psi on unscrew) and may need to re-evaluate front shock nipple. Topeak makes a Pressure-Rite 90 degree schrader/shock adaptor that is supposed to prevent such airloss (why its not included...). I paid $40+ s/h
Someone needs to re-evaluate that as a Combo-pump, its a great idea. But indesign, its heavy and unreliable. I can't afford that on a 20 mile ride... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Holmes
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Maibee Forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Wiggle.co.uk | | Strengths: | Comfortable to use, accurate gauge. | | Weaknesses: | Loss of air when removing valve. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Turner Burner, Swinger 3-way | | Bottom Line: | I brought the pump then read the reviews and expected to have all sorts of problems with this pump. However, I found it to be very good. Perhaps Topeak have made some changes after such poor reviews in the past. I found that the shock loses about 10 bar of pressure as you remove the pump, so I just over inflated by 10 bar. Im a fairly heavy rider (about 14 stone) and found that the pump could easily inflate to the pressure I needed. Ive only used it a few times so cant yet comment on its longevity. At the moment it gets 4 chillis (not 5 because of the loss of air when removing the pump) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a
from Laurel, MD
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | metal. . . nothing really worth mentioning since it doesn't work | | Weaknesses: | leaks air when you remove it from the shock (at least 5lbs, but not a predictable amount). The gauge is also a joke. It slides inconsistently, and a few times it wouldn't even register when I pumped up the shock. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Marin Hawk Hill, Noleen Mega Air Fork | | Bottom Line: | Don't waste your money on this pump. The gauge is very imprecise and doesn't always work, the hose bleeds air of the shock when you remove it, and the threads to attach it to the valves seem like they'll break pretty easily (i'm not going to wait to find out). I bought this thing yesterday, and I'm returning it tomorrow. If you're really desperate for a pump (like I was) and this is your only choice, at least buy it from REI so you can return it after you realize how crappy it is | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | NONE! | | Weaknesses: | EVERYTHING! SID adapter broke off in my shock cusing me to have buy a new fork cap. Screwed the pump onto my rear shock and it pissed all the air out of it. IT LEAKED AND WOULD NOT PUMP AIR. Does not register less than 60 psi. | | Similar Products Used: | FOX | | Bottom Line: | Do not under any circumstances buy this product. It is the biggest P.O.S I have ever seen. It's too bad I can't give this pump 0 chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryson Rast
a Weekend Warrior
from Mystic, CT
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Old Flowers, CO | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Rose City Cycles | | Strengths: | Cool box.. =) | | Weaknesses: | Leaks a lot of air when removing the fitting. Like all of it.. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Shock pump | | Bike Setup: | '96 M2 Stumpjumper, Manitou Super Air 120/100 | | Bottom Line: | I wish I had read the reviews here first, but was handed this pump at a bike shop instead. I could not figure out how to keep air in the shock after using this pump. I have replaced it with the shock pump Manitou makes, and it works perfectly. I lose maybe a couple psi removing the new pump, where I'd lose 50-120 psi with the Topeak POS. You should not have to monkey with it to keep in the pressure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher Pouliot
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Massebesic, Manchester NH | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | Paramount, Somerville | | Strengths: | easily read gauge, compact design, retractable hose | | Weaknesses: | leaks a lot if you screw it on all the way | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Mars Elite, also used on Fox Float | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to my first post.
The Topeak rep suggested that I not screw the fitting on all the way. So this year I tried not extending the hose and only screwing the fitting on until the guage reads, and voila, it works great! hardly looses any air, I read my Manitou 4 times starting at 150psi and each time the guage indicated about 5psi lost. Same deal with a Fox Float at 120psi. Went out riding and checked the shocks afterwards. The pump read the same pressure as before, so I have to apologize to Topeak for my first review, this pump is a great value.
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Submitted by
J. D. Ortega
a
from Valencia, CB, Venezuela
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Raiz de Agua. Mérida | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Lab. | | Strengths: | Well machined aluminium, clean design, light wheight. | | Weaknesses: | Is tricky to use. | | Bike Setup: | Merida xc Mission Speed. XT v-brakes, Michelin Wildgripper s-comp. Rest as packed. | | Bottom Line: | I read the review after I bought the pump. I can managed to used it without a problem. The trick is just twist the skrew fast after you have the desired press. I try a few times and using it just fine. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan
a
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | none! I never even had a chance to actually use the product before it broke. | | Weaknesses: | everything! I got this pump for a christmas present. As I was fitting the pump to my shock, the damn end peice snapped off. | | Bottom Line: | This pump is worthless. spend the extra money and get a decent pump. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Rajewski
a Weekend Warrior
from Macomb Twp, MI
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake -n- Stoney Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | ummmm.......it looks cool?
| | Weaknesses: | air loss when unscrewing | | Similar Products Used: | none.....yet... HELP :) | | Bike Setup: | C-dale SuperV, Race Face, XTR, etc etc | | Bottom Line: | I actually thought there was something wrong with my brand new Cane Creek shock because this pump is so crappy. When I first bought it I'd maybe lose 10 lbs when unscrewing. Now, it's more like 40-60. DO NOT BUY.
Please let me know if there IS a decent shock pump out there. thx
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Submitted by
Christopher Pouliot
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Major, NH | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | Paramount, Somerville | | Strengths: | mount attaches to braze-ons | | Weaknesses: | There's a button that supposedly allows control of the air released, but as far as I can tell, this button is meant to obfuscate the fact that this pump releases 40PSI on release from a shraeder valve.
M shock, a Manitou Mars Elite operates between 100 and 140PSI the manual warns not to go over 140PSI, so this pump is absolutely useless for my shock. | | Similar Products Used: | none yet | | Bottom Line: | At least I can say I've used a shock pump now.
I'm going to take this pump back and see what the guy has to say. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren
a Cross Country Rider
from Southampton, UK
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | River Plym valley, Dartmoor | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$48.00 | | Purchased At: | Shop | | Strengths: | Solid construction, well made. Reliable gauge. Better than having no shock pump at all. | | Weaknesses: | Impossible to pump shock up to any predetermined pressure as unscrewing the hose always lets out a large (but random) amount of air. | | Similar Products Used: | None yet, but I'm in the market for an SKS maybe... | | Bike Setup: | Marin Attack Trail, air shocks front and rear / schraeder valves. | | Bottom Line: | Every bike shop I've been into in the past couple of years stocks these pumps. I have no idea why. The primary function of a shock pump is to pressurise a shock to a certain level with a reasonable degree of accuracy - something that is impossible to achieve with the Topeak due to its random air-letting upon removal. What a waste of time.
To be fair to Topeak, any shock pump with a screw-on schraeder valve fitting on a hose that isn't detachable will always let out air on removal, so any pump that operates on similar principles will be just as useless. Maybe it works OK on non-schraeder valves.
Hold on - why am I being fair to Topeak? They sold me an arseways pump and condemned me to dodgy suspension setups for the past year. They must have known it just doesn't work as it should. Flapwads. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancs. England
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Online Store | | Strengths: | Looks Nice | | Weaknesses: | Flimsy design | | Similar Products Used: | Budget Shock Pump | | Bike Setup: | Scott USA Strike 30 | | Bottom Line: | Very poorly made although it looks pretty. Pumping action is sticky and the screw thread would not screw down enough on my Rock Shox SIDXC to make a seal at the rubbler o ring. Also the thread is quite weak alloy and easily damaged. I was not impressed with this at all and the budget made shock pump supasses it by a long way!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitch Blyumin
a Cross Country Rider
from Buffalo Grove, IL
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Village Cycle Sport | | Strengths: | Looks O.K. | | Weaknesses: | It broke on me in exactly one week. I was just iyghtening it to my Fox Float when the body just cracked off of the head of the pump. Alos, the guage is very inaccurate. | | Similar Products Used: | First one | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Trek Fuel 80, stock | | Bottom Line: | It sucks a$$. I'm gonna go buy a pump for about 60$ now becuase I'll pay for something that works. Probably gonna get and Eko Sport. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Weekend Warrior
from Norwalk, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Started leaking after only a few uses. Warranty replaced it, then new one started leaking again. I am sick of low quality tiawanese shock pumps! I have owned 2 other brands that stink just as much as this POS. I will pay $75-$100 for a pump that won't leak. Help! | | Bottom Line: | Buy it if you want to waste $20. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gordon Ghenter
a Cross Country Rider
from Flagstaff AZ
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | yes | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | compact, sturdy, works | | Weaknesses: | gauge accuracy | | Bike Setup: | mongrel 2001 Jamis Dakar comp | | Bottom Line: | I read the other reviews for this pump before I got this pump, but I bought it anyway. I guess maybe I got lucky and got a good one or something because I am happy with it. I bought this pump because I wanted something I could use out on the trail and this is a compact pump. I don't really care that the gauge doesn't work that well because there are so many factors (temperature, terrain, riding style, ect) affecting how much air I need in my shock that I find it easier just to go by sag because I'm not sure of the exact pressure I want.
I bought this pump to put air into my shock, and it has done that very well. I haven't had any problems with the pump leaking or anything like that. At first I thought I got a defective pump because I was trying to pump up a completely empty shock and no air was getting into the shock. In a last, desperate, attempt I started pumping furiously for a while and I was able to inflate the shock. I think what happens is that the retractable hose has to seat or something. Anyway, no problems with that at pressures above 60 psi. So you might want to only use this for an on the trail pump.
I give it 3 chilis for value because it has some problems and 5 chilis for overall because it does everything I need it to while I'm on the trail.
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Submitted by
Bo Zo
a Cross Country Rider
from Montréal, Québec
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Néron Sport | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | third pumps in 3 months (at least I didnt have to pay for the replacement). Gauge is not very accurate. Losts air when you remove it from the valve. All three pumps started to leak after only a few weeks. | | Similar Products Used: | none yet | | Bike Setup: | Stumpjumper FSR XC | | Bottom Line: | I have a Air Vanilla shock so I have to use the pump at least twice a month. It looks like its too much work for that crappy pump :( .
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Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Bridgewater, Ma
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | borderland state park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | rather not say.... | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | for starters, I just got a new bike with a 2000 marzocchi z.3 air fork (schraeder valves). this pump is a pain the arse to fit onto the valves. it just won't clamp down without major force. second, when i finally do get it clamped on (after bruising the palm of my hand from the force it takes), it pumps up quick but the gauge jumps. it's not even close to being smooth (makes me wonder about accuracy). that is of course, if it is on tight enough to keep a seal. finally, like everybody else had said so far, it is impossible, let me emphasize IMPOSSIBLE, to remove the shock from the valve without losing air. | | Similar Products Used: | none yet....this should change soon though. if anybody has a great recommendation for a shock pump, please email me. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 gary fisher xcaliber | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is this shock pump is not worth it. It doesn't work nearly as well as it should. It is difficult to work with and becomes frustrating when you are trying to fine tune an air fork. I wouldn't even recommend this pump to somebody I hate! For those of you looking for a good shock pump, look elsewhere. I would like to give a lower rating, but 1 flaming chili is as low as it gets! How bout a -5 flaming chilis!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harald
a Cross Country Rider
from Frankfurt, Germany
Date Reviewed: December 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Feldberg Trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Rad und Triathlon Shop | | Strengths: | Alu Body, Pumps easy, weight | | Weaknesses: | The Gauge is so $*+#!! its so incorrect, that you dont know how much air you have pumped into your shock!, Losts air when you remove it from the valve! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Giant XtC Napa 2001, SID XC, Suntour MG-92, Deore | | Bottom Line: | Its not very good, because of the suckin Gauge. I wouldnt buy it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Holden
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Ummmm.....it didn't explode when I used it? | | Weaknesses: | The gauge is worthless, I mean WORTHLESS--it's inacurate and not at all sensitive to small changes. In fact, the gauge jumps once every couple pump strokes. If you let out air, the gauge only moves if you release a lot. The pump head releases a lot of shock pressure upon removal. | | Similar Products Used: | The Schwinn shock pump I acquired to replace the Topeak garbage. | | Bike Setup: | If you're relying on the Topeak, it really wouldn't matter. Anyway, I ride a Stumpjumper, w/ SID, XT, etc., etc... | | Bottom Line: | Don't waste your time and money with this pump. Every other shock pump that I or my friends have used has been good. The Topeak was a real disappointment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregg
a Racer
from Livermore, CA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Northstar | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
compact, built in gauge | | Weaknesses: |
loses air pressure in shock when pump is removed | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
MRC Boom Shaka w/ Stratos helix expert | | Bottom Line: | The pump is convenient to use, but it lets out about 40 psi from the shock when it is removed. I would recommend spending more money on a better pump that won't lose air pressure. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Woodlands | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Small and light, pressure gauge, alu body | | Weaknesses: |
Rubber insert wears quickly, leaks air when you remove it from valve, weak plastic head fractured after a few uses | | Similar Products Used: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale f1000, Fatty D headshock | | Bottom Line: | Tried to fix it but I couldn't so now i'm going to replace with something different cos it looks like it'll just break again. Doesn't do the job so 1 chilli for cheek. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clyde
a Downhiller
from Windsor, VA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
low weight, low price
(Fox HP is only $10 more!) | | Weaknesses: |
Looses all of its pressure when it is released from valve, now it leaks
I have used the pump 5 or 6 times and it is now broken!! | | Similar Products Used: |
Fox HP pump | | Bike Setup: |
'99 Headshock Fatty SL | | Bottom Line: | I do not suggest this product for reliability. It is also impossible to keep pressure in the shock when removing pump from valve | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clyde
a downhiller
from Windsor, Va
Date Reviewed: February 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have used this pump to inflate my Headshok Fatty SL. Only used it twice so far, i have no complaints so far. It pumped my shock from 0 to 145lbs in about 4 pumps. It has a built-in gauge and and release valve. If it lasts it is a great pump for shocks with schraeder valves. i give it 5 chilis for now! | | Overall Rating: |
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