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Topeak Roadie DA With Gauge

7
£27.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Competent mini pump with credible performance but the push-on head might alienate some
Weight: 
132g

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The Topeak Roadie DA hand pump is designed primarily for narrow section road tyres. It's reckoned capable of delivering 120psi/8 bar, and I've been pleasantly surprised by its relative efficiency and the inbuilt gauge's accuracy, though it requires a consistent momentum and the barrel becomes uncomfortably hot towards the highest pressures.

  • Pros: Accurate gauge, relatively efficient, solid build
  • Cons: Barrel gets very hot at the highest pressures; push-on Presta head won't suit everyone

Materials/specification

It's a well-configured mix of metal and composite, keeping strength up and grams down. The barrel and thumb lock are aluminium, the handle plastic. It's a dual action design, meaning it inflates on the in/out stroke, thus doubling the output (31.6cc all told). Size-wise, it's passable for jersey/jacket pockets but small enough for sneaking inside bigger wedge packs, should circumstances or preferences dictate.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Integrated gauges are nothing new, but some are markedly better than others. Topeak has gone for an analogue watch type, with both bar and PSI. It's clear and easy to read at a glance, although you'll need some LED assistance should you flat along a dark country lane.

Topeak Roadie DA Hand Pump - dial.jpg

There's a snug-fitting, plug-in rubberised cap to keep the elements out of its Presta head.

On that subject... Trailer aside, all my wheels run Presta valves, but I doubt I'm alone in liking a pump that will tend all the fleet, or get a riding companion out of a jam. Even if you top up with a CO2 cartridge in most instances, there are occasions where we need to rely on pump alone.

Topeak Roadie DA Hand Pump - detail.jpg

Bracket

Brackets can be a bit hit and miss, but the Roadie DA's bottle boss mount is proportionate and sturdy, with a rubberised strap to rule out jettisoning along washboard tarmac or gravel roads.

Topeak Roadie DA pump in situ.JPG

I'm pleased to report that, unlike some of the miniature track pump types, there have been no 'woodpecker' tendencies (where the pump rattles against the frame tubes), nor has it slipped (a good thing given its proximity to the chainring).

Performance

Manufacturer quoted figures seem refreshingly accurate these days. Not so many years back, some 'high pressure' frame fit pumps struggled to hit, let alone crack, 110psi. The Roadie DA has rammed the full 120psi into a 700x26 tyre in a matter of 280 strokes, in just over three minutes.

Despite the double action, a consistent tempo is required, and resistance becomes increasingly apparent towards the higher pressures. I'm the first to acknowledge how misleading thumb tests (as a judge of pressure) are, but after the first minute I was convinced the gauge was out or had been damaged in transit.

Topeak Roadie DA Hand Pump - open.jpg

However, cross referenced with a standalone digital unit confirmed it was correct: 37psi was all I'd delivered. Traditionally, some fixed head designs (rather than those using a threaded flexi hose) can rip out the valve stem. However, even with very long valve stems, and with the piston verging on lockout, this has been a moot point.

Gravel, touring and adventure aside, there's been a move toward wider tyres – 30mm isn't uncommon on road bikes these days – and I wasn't surprised to discover it couldn't deliver 95psi into some 38mm Soma Shikoro tyres. It locked out at 65psi, at 425 strokes (halfway between its operating pressure range). Although 75psi is my optimum, 65 was fine for finishing the remaining 30 mixed terrain miles.

Topeak Roadie DA 60psi lockout 700X38c.JPG

When it came to some 32mm Tioga City Slickers, the Roadie DA delivered the full 70psi in 390 strokes, and five minutes. It has also raised a flaccid 26x1.5in to 53psi in five minutes and 400 strokes before locking out.

Head to head, these figures are equal to – and in some instances better than – the £29.99 Zefal Air Profile FC03. That said, it's worth noting that the Zefal comes complete with a 'Z Turn' flexible hose, which might be the decider – especially if you're prone to damaging threaded valve stems.

Value

Price-wise it's competitive for pumps of this genre if you want a gauge. Birzman's Velocity Apogee has a gauge and a flexi hose, but it's another £9 at rrp.

You can buy the Roadie DA without a gauge for £21.99, but its £22.99 DAX sibling would be my choice. It's larger and, for me at least, easier to work up to the highest pressures.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best pumps and CO2 inflators

If you're not set on a mini-pump and need higher pressures, something like Topeak's Road Master Blaster Hand Pump might be a better choice; that will deliver 100psi into a 700x23 tyre in around 100 strokes and has an rrp of £22.99.

Conclusion

To some extent, pumps have become a second line of defence, but nonetheless a reliable pump remains a must. Ultimately, the Topeak Roadie DA performs well, relative to its size and represents decent value for money.

Verdict

Competent mini pump with credible performance but the push-on head might alienate some

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Topeak Roadie DA With Gauge

Size tested: 18.3x3.2x2.8cm

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Topeak says, "The most compact and lightweight version in the DA pump series easily fits in your jersey pocket. Dual-Action (DA) doubles volume with each stroke and inflates tires to 120 psi / 8 bar. Integrated dust cap keeps pump head clean and thumb lock lever insures air-tight seal."

Fast is a relative term and there's some definite resistance felt, especially towards the highest pressures. Nonetheless, it will genuinely achieve those claimed. Its also been surprisingly effective on bigger section tyres too.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Topeak:

SPECS

Head

Presta with integrated dust cap

Barrel / Thumb lock

Aluminum

handle

Plastic

Capacity

120 psi / 8 bar

Volume per stroke

36.1 cc (pull + push)

ADDED Features

Dual-action pumping head

Side mount bracket

SIZE

18.3 x 3.2 x 2.8 cm / 7.2' x 1.3' x 1.1'

WEIGHT

95 g / 3.35 oz

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Mix of aluminium alloy and composites feels solid.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Reliably achieves the pressures cited, and the gauge is refreshingly accurate too.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Time will tell but the construction feels solid and testing hasn't revealed any obvious vulnerabilities.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

Reassuring, relative to the size and construction.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
6/10

Comfort is a relative thing, especially when talking mini pumps. However, while it achieves the pressures cited, the barrel becomes very hot, which is a consideration if you're not pairing it with a CO2 cartridge.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Overall, I've been pleasantly surprised by the Topeak Roadie DA. Despite its bijoux stature, it has consistently achieved the cited pressures. Though relatively slow and requiring a consistent rhythm, it will also deliver very serviceable pressures in wider section road/mountain bike tyres – helpful if you're swapping between bikes or helping another rider.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Solid build, genuinely copes with higher pressures and medium volumes. Gauge was another very pleasant surprise.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Push-on Presta head may alienate some, barrel becomes very hot at the higher pressures.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Competitive for pumps of this genre.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? I'd probably go for its bigger, DAX sibling.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Worth a look.

Use this box to explain your overall score

Capable and solidly made mini pump with a sensible price tag, but the push-on Presta-only valve head may alienate some.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 1m 81cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo-cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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1 comments

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Sriracha | 3 years ago
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"and I wasn't surprised to discover it couldn't deliver 95psi into some 38mm Soma Shikoro tyres"

I am (assuming it could manage the pressure with smaller tyres as implied). I can't see why the pump would "deliver" different pressures into different sized tyres. How does the pump know? Granted it will take more strokes to fill a larger tyre to the same pressure, but unless the pump is counting the strokes, why would it give up at any lower a pressure?

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