The new and the old.
Lezyne offers a digital pump gauge retrofit that I couldn’t resist. For $35 US one can pry out the old and thread in the new. The primary benefit for me was reading a digital scale rather than a needle on a gauge, way down there. Yes, I’m old. The new gauge reads out in single digits. The old needle gauge reads out depending on one’s eyesight and ability to see where the needle stops relative to the 2 psi marks. Houston, we have improvement.
The new Lezyne gauge also goes to 300 psi (20.6 bar)! FFS, who cares? This is a bike pump, who needs the 150 psi to 300 psi pressure? The Park and Silca both go up to 220 psi (15.2 bar) which is still 100 psi more than even track racers use. I dare a pump manufacturer to make a road pump that goes from 50 psi to 150 psi. Frank could use it as it still goes up to 150 psi and everyone else might have much more accuracy from the dial. I kid Frank.
The Lezyne digital gauge also claims a maximum 3% error which I assume means plus or minus 1.5 psi at 100 psi. Everything and I mean everything has an error associated with it and I appreciate knowing this error. Nothing is absolute, not even death. I’m not dead yet. The real question is what happens when one hooks all three of these pumps to one manifold. The Silca and the Lezyne were only off by 2 psi but I would not have been surprised to to see them off by 10. The Park and Leyzne were spot on which is reassuring because the Park gauge looks to be a very professional piece of work. Anything is accurate until one has two or more of them for comparison.
Yes, I know this last paragraph will be ignored and I should move it to the top. Should you care more about tire inflation? Yes, you should. Since not one person clicked on this link in my post about chains (yes I’m watching all of you, Google analytics knows everything), the take home message was this: Aero wheels do make a real difference in speed and tire pressure is the biggest (only?) influence on perceived “vertical compliance”/ride stiffness/road feel/comfort. With 25mm tires, one can experiment with lower pressure and not flirt too much with pinch flats. It’s just air; a very cheap way to dial in your ride.
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@rfreese888
Yep and it fucks me right off!
Apologies up front because there is some great debate and persuasive argument here and my theory isn't at all scientific. I put in around 110 psi rear and 100 front on Conti 4 seasons & Ksyrium SL's. Im 79 kilos. More than the gauge I rely on visible tyre splay once I'm riding. In my mind, which admittedly can be a lonely place, that splay equals greater friction to overcome and wasted effort. Psychologically, if I see that splay I convince myself that's why I sucked on the last climb. So I get the pump out of my jersey pocket...
@tessar
Now you've gone and done it ! I dont need one of these, but I WANT one of these, and I shall have one.
@Oli
You are such a little bitch. I never knew I needed one because I never knew it existed! And now I have bought one because I can't live another day without one.
Except I have to wait until some time between May 22 and May 28. Which seems impossible.
Haha, sucker!
(or should that be blower?)
@american psycho
I also doubt that is the Merckx way. Love the 'analogue' gauge on my Lezyne floor pump.
Rule 5 for the rest.
@Oli
I have to admit, this thing is a pleasure. I even just love how it feels etc. Such a great piece of equipment, which is not shocking since it costs as much as most pumps.
Good man!