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Tech Specs: Topeak JoeBlow Sport III
Value: £46.99
Weight: 1.61 kg
Pump kind: Observe / flooring
Dimensions: 78.5 x 25.3 x 11.7 cm
Strain gauge dimension: 3 inches
Twin Objective Head: Sure
Acknowledged max stress: 160 psi / 11 bar
Quantity per stroke: 318cc
Hose size: 72cm
Whether or not you are heading out on the highway for a membership trip, or planning a gravel stint across the native woods, it is best to at all times have the correct quantity of air in your tyres. That’s why a dependable observe pump ought to be a non-negotiable a part of your own home setup. We’d advocate investing in one of many finest bike pumps that your funds permits, as a result of not solely will they final you years, they’ll set you up for a profitable trip every time you head out the door.
Topeak’s JoeBlow vary has an extended standing status as a go-to pump by beginner cyclists {and professional} mechanics alike. As the most recent iteration, the Topeak JoeBlow Sport III guarantees the identical stage of efficiency, worth and value, so with the assistance of my native bike restore workshop, Wobbly Wheel Cyclery, I’ve been testing it out on as many bikes as doable with a variety of tyre sizes, from 24-inch youngsters’ hybrid bikes to 700 x 25mm highway slicks and 29 x 2.4” e-MTB tyres. How does it deal with such a variety? Maintain studying to search out out.
The JoeBlow Sport III is immediately recognisable with its daring, yellow barrel (Picture credit score: Future / Mildred Locke)
Design and aesthetics
The JoeBlow Sport III is immediately recognisable with its daring, yellow barrel: A function that not solely appears good, however is surprisingly useful whenever you’re rummaging by way of a dimly lit shed or busy workshop.
It stands tall at 70cm, which I’m reliably knowledgeable makes it considerably simpler to make use of for taller individuals, because you don’t have to bend as a lot to pump it. At 156cm in peak myself this isn’t an issue I’ve to cope with, however it’s price noting for a lot of.
Its design incorporates a huge, metal base that does an important job of holding it steady and upright throughout use, plus there are moulded areas to put your toes in an effort to maintain it in place. These match rather well and really feel very safe, and all of it makes an enormous distinction when inflating tyres for tubeless setups, when sudden bursts of air or forceful pumping may cause flimsier pumps to wobble.
The outsized dual-density polymer deal with is comfy within the fingers, even when inflating a number of tyres back-to-back. Whereas it doesn’t have the premium really feel of wooden-handled choices, its form and texture are properly thought of, and supply respectable grip even with sweaty or gloved fingers.
It comes with a big, 3-inch stress gauge dial that Topeak says is impressed by chronograph watch faces. The styling is delicate and appears actually good, however extra importantly it’s giant, clear and straightforward to learn. The yellow and white textual content on a black background feels simple on the eyes in several gentle circumstances, and there’s a helpful sliding marker you should utilize to manually set your goal stress.
One other properly thought-out element is the rotating connection between the hose and barrel, which retains the hose from tangling or twisting awkwardly as you progress round your bike. This makes the pump sensible and (largely) hassle-free to make use of, particularly whenever you’re in a rush and coping with pre-ride faff.
The three-inch stress gauge dial is impressed by chronograph watch faces and could be very simple on the eyes (Picture credit score: Future / Mildred Locke)
Efficiency
With all these properly thought of sensible options, it’s unsurprising that the JoeBlow Sport III observe pump actually shines in its day-to-day efficiency. With every stroke it pumps out a good quantity of air, making it appropriate for each high-pressure highway slicks and medium-to-low quantity gravel and mountain bike tyres. Having examined it throughout all three, I discovered that it understandably takes a bit longer with wider MTB tyres, however nonetheless strikes air effectively and with out me over exerting in my efforts.
That mentioned, it’s not with out its minor quirks. Though Topeak’s up to date TwinHead DX5 hammer-style chuck can shortly and securely connect to each Presta and Schrader valves (locking into place with a flip of the lever), I in a short time found that it doesn’t instantly recognise which valve kind it’s related to. Instantly after attaching it, the primary few pumps could specific air from the unused facet, in order a workaround, you must use your finger to cowl the outer port and provides it a number of preliminary pumps to get the air flowing in the suitable course. As soon as seated, although, the connection is stable.
Topeak’s up to date TwinHead DX5 hammer-style chuck can shortly and securely connect to each Presta and Schrader valves (Picture credit score: Future / Mildred Locke)
Some would possibly choose a screw-on type attachment versus this quick-lock type, as a result of it affords a safer connection. Nonetheless the primary advantage of this design is that it doesn’t threat unscrewing your valve core, which might occur with threaded chucks. I personally discovered the JoeBlow’s lever design to be quicker, simpler on the fingers, and extra intuitive general, particularly when inflating a number of bikes in succession.
The outsized deal with is de facto comfy to make use of, and the huge base retains the whole lot steady, even when making use of drive close to the highest of the pump stroke. This was primarily noticeable when pumping up skinny highway tyres, which take a lot increased pressures. On this case, a wobbly base may cause you to lose your rhythm, to not point out steadiness.
Lastly, the massive stress gauge could be very responsive and does a good job for normal use. It’s not ultra-precise, but when that’s what you want you then’re higher off with a digital gauge. For almost all of cyclists, although, the JoeBlow Sport III’s analogue gauge is simple to learn and correct sufficient for most individuals’s wants.
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Its design incorporates a huge, metal base that does an important job of holding it steady and upright throughout use(Picture credit score: Future / Mildred Locke)
The outsized dual-density polymer deal with is comfy within the fingers, even when inflating a number of tyres back-to-back(Picture credit score: Future / Mildred Locke)
Verdict
In line with Topeak’s status, the JoeBlow Sport III units a excessive bar for observe pumps. It feels actually sturdy and is exceptionally comfy to make use of. Its huge base and ergonomic deal with make it really feel steady and managed.
Environment friendly, simple to make use of, and thoughtfully designed, it’s troublesome to fault. Positive, it doesn’t have the refined end of extra premium fashions with wooden and metallic detailing, and the valve connection takes a little bit of a knack to get it working correctly, however the general efficiency and lifespan are sufficient to make up for that, to not point out its serviceability.
The truth that Topeak sells spare components and rebuild kits means it’ll final you a few years of service, delivering long-term worth. I do know of a number of cyclists nonetheless utilizing earlier variations of the JoeBlow over a decade after shopping for them.
In case you’re in search of one pump that may deal with a number of bikes, valve sorts and stress ranges, the JoeBlow Sport III is difficult to beat.
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Testing scorecard
Function
Ranking
Notes
Safety
6/10
The folding design is of course weak to assault, however it’s stable sufficient for fast stops.
Construct High quality
9/10
Feels strong and well-constructed, whereas the bracket is particularly properly designed.
Ease of Use
8/10
The bracket is exceptionally simple to make use of, whereas the precise threading and locking takes some observe to begin with.
Portability
10/10
You can’t fault the power to tuck a lock neatly to the body and pedal with none rattle in any respect.
Worth
7/10
Whereas it’s a top quality piece of equipment, at this worth level you’re largely paying for comfort moderately than one thing that might hold your bike protected from organised theft.
