Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive pump

A good track pump is a worthy investment especially if you run tyres with high pressures. Thanks to its clever Flip-Thread chuck the Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive works with every type of valve and valve extender we've tried and without any of that fuss of wiggling the connector or refitting to get it started. Quite frankly it's brilliant.

For starters the Lezyne is robust and well built with the barrel and base being CNC machined from aluminium. With the base measuring 220mm in width it's stable in use thanks especially to the large diameter pressure gauge bezel creating a kind of tripod effect.

The alloy-tubed handle also add to the stiffness so when going for even really high pressures there is no flex or movement. The varnished wooden grips add to the comfort and are a nice addition.

The Flip-Thread chuck just screws onto the end of the hose. It's reversible to fit Schrader or Presta valves so it's ideal if you've got a range of different bikes in the shed. Rather than just push onto the valves the Flip-Thread screws on to guarantee a tight, leak free fit which works straight away, every single time.

Once up to pressure the chuck has a small rubber button to release the air left in the hose which makes unscrewing of the chuck much easier as you don't get a blast of high pressure air as you remove it.

For those wheels where the Flip-Chuck doesn't fit, valve extenders without threads for instance, or time trial rear disc wheels where clearance is tight, you can use the included Speed Chuck which is a right angled push fit job. It works well just not as quite as well as the Flip-Thread.

The Floor Drive is rated up to 225psi although we didn't have any tyres lying about that would take that kind of pressure. The 175psi maximum was reached easily on some 24mm tubs though.

For more modest inflation a 700x23c tyre goes from flat to 100psi in 25 strokes which is perfectly within reach for even those afflicted with 'cyclist's arms'. The dial is clear to see even though its positioned at the base but one thing I'd of like to have seen would have been an adjustable needle to denote when you've reached your desired pressure.

The hose is nearly 1.3m long which means the Alloy Floor Drive easily reaches wheels even when the bike is attached to a workstand. It loops over the handle when not in use and clips into a semi-circular bracket just behind the chuck. You have to apply just a small amount of pressure to pull it long enough which in turn keeps the handle secure in place for transport.

Overall the Lezyne is so easy to use and the lack of having to faff around with the valve to 'break the seal' so to speak makes it the best track pump I've ever used. Priced at a penny shy of sixty quid it's definitely worth the outlay as the robust body and hose should see it last a long time before any parts should need fixing.

The sturdiness means every ounce of effort you put into the barrel goes into the tyre and it isn't likely to let you down right before that important race.

Verdict

Well made, durable and robust track pump that works faultlessly; pricey but worth the investment