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Topeak Roadie DAX Pump

8
£22.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A dependable, no-nonsense tool for making punctures less of an arm-deadening delay
Weight: 
118g

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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Not to be confused with the smaller DA (review to come), the Topeak Roadie DAX pump combines a larger chamber than most with a useful Dual Action stroke that's always pumping, whether you're pulling or pushing.

  • Pros: Impressively efficient, well-made, reliable
  • Cons: Too long for pockets, unexciting looks, Presta only

If it looks very similar to its smaller brother, that's because it's identical bar an extra 7.5cm length in the aluminium body. This boosts capacity to 33.5cc, meaning the DAX pumps 67cc of air per push/pull stroke – a near doubling of the standard DA's 36cc. The penalty is an extra 21g and a 26cm body that no longer fits inside a jersey pocket.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Mitigating this is the included frame mount, which is small yet very secure, is just 12g, and sits to the side of bottle cages. Add the 118g pump and the DAX is 130g ready to go.

topeak_roadie_dax_hand_pump_-_on_bike.jpg

The long, 16.5cm stroke makes this noticeably easier to use than pocket-sized pumps, and the Dual Action pays off quite noticeably. Tested on a 25mm tyre mounted on a 19mm rim, 100 strokes – a minute's easy effort – resulted in 60psi. After this point I found resistance ramped up quite steeply, so that reaching 150 strokes was actually quite hard work. Then again, at this point it had reached 85psi, so fair enough.

topeak_roadie_dax_hand_pump_-_extended.jpg

It's rated to 120psi, but getting far over 100psi still takes serious work you may not fancy just for the sake of getting home. Nothing about the pump will hold you back, however. Construction is stiff and strong, with rugged nylon encasing the black-anodised aluminium barrel. The head is just long enough for a full-fingered hold, and the raised rim and matt-finish plastic create good grip.

At the other end, a bevelled plastic cap keeps palms happy no matter how hard you're working, though with its fixed head instead of a flexible hose you must take care not to work so hard you rip your valve clean off. However, avoiding a hose – along with making the DAX Presta only – keeps complexity and weight down, which is a fair trade-off.

topeak_roadie_dax_hand_pump_-_valve_hole.jpg

The DAX has both the look and feel of quality, as materials, design and finish are all impressive for the price. It's understated rather than flashy (if not a little dull), though at least the black masks some of its extra size. It might not stop some people thinking you've stuck a mountain bike pump on by mistake, though...

If you're running high-volume tyres, ride gravel or other puncture-prone surfaces, or just hate spending years at the side of the road clacking away to little effect, this pump is impressively deep-breathing. In fact, with just an energy gel's-worth of extra weight between this and the good-yet-unexceptional DA, the DAX is arguably the Roadie to go for. Especially if you typically frame-mount your pump anyway. At only £1 extra, price isn't really a factor.

> Buyer's Guide: 14 of the best pumps and CO2 inflators

For a capable alternative that still fits in pockets – and arguably looks far more exciting when you take it out – it's worth checking out the Zefal Air Profil FC03. It has nothing like the efficiency of the DAX, though it does offer a flexible hose, Presta and Schrader valve compatibility, and a 102g all-metal body.

More akin to the DAX is the Unich High Pressure Long Mini Pump which, at 23cm and 100g, is just slightly sleeker. Still too big for pockets, though. It too offers a flexible hose and multi-valve compatibility – plus shiny alloy good looks – though it falls pretty much halfway between the DAX and its smaller DA sibling for performance.

Verdict

A dependable, no-nonsense tool for making punctures less of an arm-deadening delay

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Topeak Roadie DAX Hand Pump

Size tested: 25.8x3.2x2.8cm

Tell us what the product is for

Topeak says, "The Roadie DAX inflates high pressure road tyres fast. Dual-Action (DA) doubles volume by inflating on both the push and pull strokes. Integrated dust cap keeps pump head clean and thumb lock lever insures air-tight seal."

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

From Topeak:

Presta compatible head with integrated dust cap

Aluminium barrel

Thumb lock

Inflates up to 120psi

Dual action pumping head

Side mount bracket included

25.8x3.2x2.8cm

118g

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Impressively well put together from strong materials.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

The large-volume chamber and push/pull action mean it huffs a lot of air in a short time.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Alloy and nylon build can take the knocks of use and abuse.

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

Not the lightest pump, but worth the penalty if punctures are a real threat or you're running big tyres.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10

Intelligent shaping makes it easy on hands, though lever can be hard on cold fingers.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Performance is great for the price, and it should last, too.

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

Noticeably speeds up the process of getting tyres to a usable pressure, for less effort than a regular minipump.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Meaningfully shortens time spent at the side of the road.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It could be lighter.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The DAX is fast, simple to use and well built, plus it's secure yet easily accessed on your frame. Only the weight and unexciting looks really tell against it.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 183cm  Weight: 78kg

I usually ride: GT GTR Series 3  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: general fitness riding, mountain biking

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