|
Blackburn
Mountain Stick Mini Pump
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Piedmont, NC USA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Uhwarrie Mtn area | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable, good seal, nice handle | | Weaknesses: | Seal may be too good; not the easiest to remove from my UST tires | | Similar Products Used: | zefal mini double shot | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher sugar w/Mavic wheels and Continental Explorer tubeless tires | | Bottom Line: | I like the durability and size; mounts well to my hydration pack. No problem inflating tubeless tires. Nice handle provides a positive grip. Requires some effort getting off, so must take it a little easy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
caroline higgins
a Weekend Warrior
from u.k.
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | pennines | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | u.k. | | Strengths: | Found this product small and useless could not inflate my tyres to 80 psi at all | | Weaknesses: | difficult to get required inflation | | Similar Products Used: | I have taken the advice of this site and bought a PNEUFORCE SUPERPUMP. It is BRILLIANT. I have no trouble inflating my tyres using the long hose it works like a track pump. I have got the mini pump for when i am on road but also bought one of the frame fit sizes with which I can get over 100 psi with no trouble. Absolutely brilliant, lovely helpful people when I phoned and it is BRITISH made. Get one today you will not regret it. Cheap at about $28 Contact them via wemail ruthmike @tiscali.co.uk | | Bottom Line: | don't look at anything else until you have tried the PNEUFORCE pump. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Winchester, UK
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | Light and compact | | Weaknesses: | doesn't fit well on valve | | Bottom Line: | This pump inflated ok but I found it very fiddly to get properly sealed onto the tyre valve. Pumping up an inner tube when not on the rim (to find a puncture for example) was fine, but inflating the tyre was a real problem. You'd pump away for many strokes then realise no air was in the tube, and you have to shift the angle of the pump and try again till at some arbitrary stage it would seal ok and start to inflate. I've had two other pumps of this size about the same price, neither of which had this problem at all. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sequoa Bayview | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$16.00 | | Purchased At: | Start-to-Finish, SF, CA | | Strengths: | Small, lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Pushes low volume of air. Lack of corrosion resistence. | | Bottom Line: | This little f*cker left me stranded 3 miles from home last night as the light was failing and the skeeters were swarming. The internal valving somehow corroded shut--the pump handle moved fine, and was compressing air, but no air could escape the valve on top. If you have one, make sure you use it at least once a month, or else!
Never again blackburn. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan
a
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Slide | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | small
locks on to valve securely
strong | | Weaknesses: | bracket velcro snapped
double action worn out
| | Similar Products Used: | cycle design minipump | | Bike Setup: | CrMo DB Topanga, Z3 Bombers, Tires: Specialized DirtControl / Panaracer DH Magic f/r, or 2 1.5 slicks, all with schraders | | Bottom Line: | A worthy pump. If you do mount the pump on the bike like I did, it will get filled with crud, so you need to maintain it occasionally, or at least relube it. I didn't until the double action had expired - this may be rectified if I renew the O-rings. Without the dble action it takes ages to pump the tires. But it's my only pump and I've used it at least twice a week to swap mtb tires for road tires and back again, for about a year. It would be in much better condition and pump alot faster, if I had kept it my bag instead of exposing it to mud/dust for several months with that stupid mounting bracket that came with it.
The AS-1 cost a few biccies (IMHO) but you can renew all the wearable parts, so I give it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a Cross-Country Rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: November 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Great customer service | | Weaknesses: |
slow so buy the shorty its supposed to work faster. | | Bottom Line: | Handle fell off so I called Bell (1-800-456-2800) and they sent me a new one in about 3 days (FREE). You can't beat that kind of support!!! How could I ever buy a diff. brand after that type of service. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel steinberg
a Weekend Warrior
from san francisco ca
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
durable as hell | | Weaknesses: |
slow, but hey, its a mini pump | | Bottom Line: | dont buy any other brand, these things are industrial strength | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Liquid Man
a Weekend Warrior
from Aberdeen, MD
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Lightweight
It works! | | Weaknesses: |
S-L-O-W | | Similar Products Used: |
Air compressor, foot pump | | Bike Setup: |
Mongoose D-60R (Work in progress...) | | Bottom Line: | Good little pump for the money. The only drawback as far as I am concerned is the short stroke which in turn makes it slow to re-inflate. You better have eaten you Wheaties if you plan on fully inflating a new tube on the trail! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Doyle
a Weekend Warrior
from South San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Montara Mtn/Old San Pedro Mtn Road | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Compact size, easy to mount, reliable mount, lightweight | | Weaknesses: |
Rubber gasket slips out of place way to often. Takes a long time to pump a tire up to 45-50 psi. Does not always lock securely to valve stem. | | Similar Products Used: |
Blackburn MMP-1 Mammoth | | Bike Setup: |
1997 Novara Alight, Rock Shox Jett XC, Maxxis Gluteis 26 X 1.95 tires w/schrader valves. | | Bottom Line: | This pump can be frustrating to use in the field. After only a couple of uses, the rubber gasket slipped off of the piston. I had to disassemble the pump to fix it. While the pump is designed to be fully serviceable, I just don't think that I should have even had that type of problem after only 2 uses. If you plan on buying it, don't make it the only bike pump you own. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Hunt. Bch, CA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Small, light, well made, good connector | | Weaknesses: |
Not many | | Similar Products Used: |
Every pump imaginable | | Bike Setup: |
MTB/Road | | Bottom Line: | This is a really good (almost great) pump! The design and quality are nice and it reaches fairly high pressures ( 90lbs), but with low volume. The double action is kind of worthless though ( out stroke doesn't provide much addtional air, and is more trouble than it is worth). Over all, you won't go wrong purchasing it just remember low volume pumps require lots of strokes. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross-Country Rider
from N.Y.
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Gram Hill | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Dpuble pump action, light weight, sturdy holder, never falls out | | Weaknesses: |
I dont think there are | | Similar Products Used: |
co2, and many others | | Bike Setup: |
1999 marin rift zone, manitou sx-r front shock, fox vanilla rear shock, DiaTech Disk brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This unit is very light weight, and very strong. With its double pump action it inflates the tire in no time. I have had it for about 1 year and it hasnt failed me yet. I think that this is one of the best pumps out. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michel O.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Montreal, Quebec
Date Reviewed: May 20, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Difficult terrain | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Reliable, light, well made, good power for a small pump | | Weaknesses: |
Plastic Bracket holding the pump | | Bike Setup: |
Upgraded klein Pulse-manitour sxr, Giant Boulder 500-rigid fork | | Bottom Line: | I bike all winter and I have been using the same pump for over two years now. It still works well. However, I take care of it regularly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Red
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Small, durable | | Weaknesses: |
pump,pump,pump,pump,breathe,pump,pump,pump,pump,breathe,pump,pump,pump,pump,breathe | | Similar Products Used: |
Kmart floor pumps, CO2 | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn rigid frame MTB. | | Bottom Line: | I commute and I'm big. (300 lbs) What does that mean? It means I get a lot of flats and need a lot of pressure. After 3 yrs, I haven't had to rebuild it, and it hasn't broken. I am looking at Blackburn's little stubby guy as a replacement. For quality, 5 screamin' pepperinos. For speed, 3. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross-Country Rider
from Carson City
Date Reviewed: March 26, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Nice small design | | Weaknesses: |
Pump head failed first time in use. Poor quality control on plastic castings. This is after dealer claimed were never have trouble with this pump Right! Will find both a new dealer and a new pump | | Bottom Line: | Poor quaility control. Poor fit and finish. Unreasonably early failure. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a cross-country rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: February 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Ive owned this pump now for about 18 months now and have only used it in the last 3 months or so when it seems every time I ride lately I get a flat. The bracket that holds it to the frame has been really good and secure, the weight is light enough and for the first five or six flats I had no problem. The last time I tried to use it though the O ring on the top of the piston tore in half, luckily I had some electricians tape with me and wrapped it around the piston a few times to get a reasonable seal. This allowed me to get about 15 PSI in the tyre and limp home. I bought a new kit for the pump but the new O ring didnt seal either, so I guess its time for a new pump. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jayson
a weekend warrior
from arkansas
Date Reviewed: February 18, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Ive used this pump for about 3 months now, its already been through 2 really nasty crashes and took the punishment (one hellofa downhill crash)...it has worked pretty good everytime...but it does seem a little slow and will give you a work out, but hey if we didnt like sweating we wouldnt be out there would we...I give it 4 flamming peppers, it would get 5 if it wasnt so slow... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a cross-country rider
from Switzerland
Date Reviewed: January 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I used the MS-1 while touring around Australia. I can tell you i had a lot of >flat tires and my Blackburn always worked well and I'm still using it without any trouble. It's true it's quite slow but what do you expect form a pump of that size. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Edge
a cross-country rider
from Derby, UK
Date Reviewed: August 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Mine worked well for two years and a month and failed just out of warranty. It's only used at the roadside, I've a track pump too. I've emailed Blackburn to ask why I should buy again, no reply. It is very fiddly to change from Presta to Schrader, so the replacement will need twin head and not be made by Blackburn, of course. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne Chin
a weekend warrior
from Victoria, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had the model from 1994. It was a well-built pump, especially with a metal valve cap (which has since gone extinct). It took an insane amount of strokes (effort on both in and out strokes) and huge forearms to fill up any tire, but the T-handle was very helpful. The velcro strap mount was great. It was nearly impossible to change the presta/schrader modes, since the rubber parts were so tight. Anyhow, it was still way better than nearly-useless Mini Double Shot once set up properly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grommit
a cross-country rider
from Surrey, UK
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I had this pump for over a year, each time i had to use it it was awkward and slow (better than walking though). Finally on a ride the handle fell off, it just unscrewed itself, so no more pump. Now i've spent the same amount on the new Specialized AirForce III, which, apart from sounding like a cheesy film, is more solid and generally better designed. In short don't waste your money... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jb
a cross-country rider
from pa,usa
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
works great....YOU MUST GREASE IT !!!! !!!! !!! !!!! !!! !!!!
!! !!! !!! !!! !! ! METAL FILLING CRAP BUILDS UP AT PISTON SEALS AND LEAKS AFTER EXTENSIVE USE.....WIPE DOWN AND GREASE SOLVES IMMEdIATLY
good pump small light functional...not that high volume....worth the money
had only good luck w/ this pump through numerous crashes and flats.....
you wont be dissapointed, remember to lube now and then | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david barger
a weekend warrior
from Tucson, Arizona
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have purchased from Blackburn many times simply because they stand behind their products. The velcro strap that attaches to the bike is a very good design and the pump is very reliable. It does take too many strokes to inflate a tire. Oh well, I have Popeye forearms now. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a cross-country rider
from Farmington, MI
Date Reviewed: January 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Carried the Blackburn on my hardtail for over a year, maybe used it once. For day-to-day use, I've got my floor pump. The second time I reach for the Blackburn, I've flatted 'way out on a technical singletrack with nobody around. First stroke, the head falls off. Second stroke, the guts go flying into the woods. Luckily, after about 5 minutes of walking the bike, a gal came along with a CO2 inflator that she'd never used before, and we figured out how to use it. I've gone back to Zefal because of good experiences with my touring bike, but considering the reviews of the Mini-double Shot, I'm crossing my fingers and carrying a CO2 inflator on long rides. Does Silca make an MTB pump? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Helton
a weekend warrior
from Eugene, Oregon
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My Stick almost left me stuck in the middle of nowhere this weekend-it wouldn't put any pressure in my flat tire. I could hear air leaking out of the handle so I broke off the handle and jammed a twig in the hole of the shaft and managed to get just enough air in to ride back to my car. It worked for about 1.5 years but it was always slow. I won't buy another one or any other Blackburn mini-pump. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross Otto
a cross-country rider
from Marin County, CA
Date Reviewed: January 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got a $30 store credit coupon with the purchase of my bike. I was looking for a very basic pump, and the AirStick was the simplist (and cheapest) in the store. It cost $25. It came with a handy holder that could be mounted to the water bottle boss. It does a good job of staying on the bike, and it doesn't get in the way. The mud cap sorta protects it from mud. However, when i was low on air, it took way to many pumps just to get it up to a ridable air pressure. The double action is a crock. It is pretty light, and the handle folds in. It looks cool too..
I can't complain that much, however, becuase it was free. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stuart Christopherson
a cross-country rider
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the Mini Stick Pump with the preconceived notions that it was small, light, easy to use and reasonably quick to pump up tyres. Well the first three I was right about, but the fourth, well ... let's just say that if you don't want to flat at the end of a long, tiring ride because by the time you expend enough energy to fill your tyre, you won't have enough to ride home. To say it's slow is pretty much an understatement. Aside from the slowness the pump works ok.I should add that I found in muddy conditions the pump is pretty useless. After one particularly muddy ride I spent hours picking all the dirt and crap out of the pump before it would work again. The seals don't appear to be too crash hot.Overall this pump offers a lot, but delivers very little. My advice would be to spend the extra few dollars and buy a Blackburn Mammoth Pump. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a cross-country rider
from CT
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
this was a bike pump given to me. It worked pretty well but it was only a single shot pump. So it was kind of slow pumping up tires. Also, my handle come off during a ride so it was really hard pumping up flats. Get the Mount Zefal pumps. 2 chillies for slowness. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray
a cross-country rider
from CT
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
this was a bike pump given to me. It worked pretty well but it was only a single shot pump. So it was kind of slow pumping up tires. Also, my handle come off during a ride so it was really hard pumping up flats. Get the Mount Zefal pumps. 2 chillies for slowness. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Wolf
a weekend warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been using a Blackburn MP3 for 2 years.
I am not just a weekend worrier, my bike is my main transportation.
I commute, shop, and go out on the town on my machine, so reliability is
important.
The construction, materials, workmanship is top quality.
The side-of-waterbottle holder is secure.
The pump is overdesigned.
Double action just doesnt work.
The valve hole works for presta and shraeder just. Its diameter is too
wide and it doesn't seal well.
You can't get over 80psi.
Worst of all it bends the pin of presta valves.
I think mini-pumps suck, and this one is pretty useless.
I am changing to a UK made Pneuforce.
One star for me. It just doesn't work and costs a lot. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nap jack
a
from racer
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
this is a good little pump. it's well made, lightweight, and nice to have when you get flats. however, it's not the fastest pump made, actually it's kinda slow, but for the price ($14), weight, and size i give five peppers, minus one for slow performance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a cross-country rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
A great pump. The T handle works great - much better than the old style.
Its easy to dismantle and clean which is good if you mount it on your frame
cause it'll get coated in mud. Spare parts for the internals are easy to get
aswell - if you ever need it. its light and sleak... what more could you ask
for??? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob
a cross-country rider
from bay area,ca.
Date Reviewed: September 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
nice little pump. gets the job done with both presta and schraeder valves.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phiL
a
from vancouver
Date Reviewed: August 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The best thing about this pump is it's lifetime warranty, which is essential though not very helpful when you find yourself stranded, again, with a damn pump that doesn't work. I've replaced mine twice and the third just gave out, I think I've blown up maybe ten tires with it. THIS PUMP SUCKS (as opposed to blows..?) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a weekend warrior
from Illinios
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great little pump -- it works when you need it. It might take a while but it will get the job done. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris O.
a racer
from
Date Reviewed: July 6, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Best damn mini pump I have ever used. Never a problem (expect for periodic lubing of bushing), Indestructable!!!!!! fill mtb tire quicker than any other brand out now. I highly recommend this pump. I had mine for 2 years, by the way there warranty policy is fast and courteous. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Benz OuYang
a cross-country rider
from Berkeley, California
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
model: tp2 track pump
This pump does what it is suppose to do reliably and efficiently. The pump
action is smooth and the quiet; there is an accurate pressure gauge with an
adjustable dial that makes getting the correct pressure a snap. The material
and workmanship is good and the price is reasonable. I do wish it had a bigger
platform to stabilize it when pumping though. Otherwise, this is a good buy.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Thompson
a weekend warrior
from Washington, DC
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This pump sure does give you a workout. Let's just say this, whenever I ride with
somebody else and they have a different pump, I am psyched that while I am on that
ride, and if I got a flat, I wouldn't have to use my pump. Oh, well, it was a gift.
Good points: Very small, and light. Does work in a pinch although, but pray
that you aren't already very fatigued from the ride. Switches, with some machinations,
from presta to schraeder.
Bad points: pump, pump, pump, pump, pump, pump, pump, pump, pump. Congrats, you just
filled your tire with .5 psi! And the double action isn't.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jorgen Eriksson
a cross-country rider
from Stockholm
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The mini Blackburn is not good
value for money. Its double-action
is really useless, doesn't hardly work
at all on the pull-stroke. It delivers
a good workout though, 150-200 strokes
to reach a decent pressure. Tefal's
equivalent (my friend has one) works
much better. When we are riding together
i never use my Blackburn. Positive things?
It's light & looks cool ;-) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Gittleson
a weekend warrior
from Phoenix
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
This pump works fairly well. It's small enough to fit in the netting on my
M.U.L.E. camelback. It takes a lot of pumps to get 45-50 lbs., but I'm not
fixing flats on the trail every day. If I was, I wouldn't use this pump. It
has performed fine for several months and is fairly light-weight as well.
Not a bad pump (for emergency's only). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a weekend warrior
from California, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Blackburn MP-3 frame pump (mini size), bought in 1994.
Good:
Small, fits easily on the frame with its included holder (which
mounts onto the water bottle cage bolts) or in a pump bag or other
container.
Durable and reliable.
Can pump to a reasonably high pressure (usable on road bike tires).
Bad:
Takes a lot of pumping to pump up to a reasonable pressure.
Other:
Pump has a switchable head for presta and schraeder valves.
Extra brackets are available, but for mountain biking, you may
prefer a pump bag or other enclosed way of carrying it.
This product apparently has been discontinued as the MP-3,
although it may have been renamed to something else (one of
the newer Blackburn pumps looks very similar). Some shops
may still have MP-3 pumps available. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a weekend warrior
from Coronado CA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Little brother of Mammoth pump. Just like the Mammoth, it's aluminum,
presta/shrader switchable, has a thumb lock, and a rotating T handle.
It's smaller and less expensive than a Mammoth.
Comes in any color as long as you want black.
| | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 20.00
