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review
Pumps & CO2 inflators
Lezyne Steel Floor Drive track pumpLezyne Steel Drive track pump

Lezyne Steel Floor Drive track pump

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 23, 2009

0
£34.99
Buy this online

VERDICT:

7
10
Classic design spoilt by cheap valve
Weight: 
1,595g
Contact: 
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Lezyne’s steel floor drive track pump oozes old school charm with its varnished wooden handle, long black barrel and large gauge. However, it’s let down by an inferior nylon valve which requires dismantling to switch between Presta and Schrader stems.

Shapely, polished aluminium feet provide a very solid platform while the long steel barrel maximises efficiency- I was able to inflate a 700X20 from zero to 120 PSI and a 26X1.5 in a very respectable 20 and 40 strokes respectively. Build quality is excellent, the steel barrel shrugging in the face of accidental carelessness, although the piston on our test model felt arthritic- greatly improved given a light greasing. Lacquered wooden handles feel very tactile but used continuously over long periods aren’t as palm friendly as the latest generation of composite designs. This was only noticeable after a morning of uninterrupted inflation so shouldn’t pose a problem for most home mechanics.

The large base mounted analogue gauge isn’t quite as easy to read as some. However, cross referencing using stand alone tyre gauges suggests there’s no issue around accuracy and with a 160psi maximum, will entertain even the most demanding tubulars. The 120mm premium grade hose feels durable and the additional length comes in handy. A nylon valve head is the Achilles’ heel and an obvious exercise in cost-cutting, needing dismantling to switch between Presta and Schrader. I found this infuriating given dual (and increasingly “smart”) heads are pretty much the norm.

This is an extremely robust budget pump that has the potential to give many years of reliable service. However, there are more compact models, giving comparable performance costing a tenner or so less.

Verdict

Sturdy workshop pump oozing old school charm but let down by disappointing valve head.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Lezyne Steel Floor Drive track pump

Price: 34.99

Weight: 0g

Size tested: n/a

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?

It is an entry level workshop pump aimed at the home enthusiast with a longer barrel for reduced effort. It pretty much meets the design brief and will withstand a fair amount of accidental carelessness.

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

Steel barrel, piston, alloy feet and gauge. Reduced barrel diameter is designed to maximise efficiency, 120cm long hoseis very useful around the workshop but single valve head could prove frusatrating-especially in a hurry.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Solid and dependable- to this end belies the price tag.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Comfortable to use, although wooden handle not as comfortable as some of the latest composite designs.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Good value given the construction but there are others with similar build quality with slightly better specifications costing £10 less.

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

The floor drive works very well and inflates most tyres from super skinny 700X18 to monster 26X2.3 with relatively little effort. The finish appears hardy and with basic care will look good for sevral years.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Robust build quality coupled with retro styling.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Cheap nylon valve head.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, with an improved valve end.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Possibly

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

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, mtb,

Track pump
Lezyne Steel Floor Drive track pum
Lezyne
Shaun Audane

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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