The Mountain 2Stage Digital takes its place as the mountain bike-specific mini pump in Topeak’s 2Stage range. What makes this pump special is that it combines high-volume and high-pressure air delivery to offer inflation of both tyres and air suspension components. The 2Stage Digital is definitely a jack of all trades and a master of both, however, for the cash, its build quality is lacking, its size limits its carrying potential and the high volume function takes some effort.
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Topeak Mountain 2Stage Digital – Technical details
Topeak’s Mountain 2Stage Digital takes the brand’s growing 2Stage tech and puts it in what I think is its best application. At the flick of a switch at the bottom of the pump, you can pick high-pressure delivery for air suspension, or high volume for tyres, promising a one-stop shop for all inflation needs.
With its two pressure functions, the pump gets a digital gauge that can rear up to 300psi, or 20.7bar while measuring in psi, bar and kg / cm2. On the side of the screen, there’s a pressure release button and on the other side is a short but very handy hose that’ll save your valves from bending as you pump away.
On the end of that hose is Topeak’s Pressure-Rite connector that can accept both Presta and Schrader valves with a cool unscrewing and extending feature.
Topeak claims that the aluminium-barreled Mountain 2Stage Digital can deliver 84cc of volume per stroke in the high-volume setting, and 11.2cc in the high-pressure mode. It weighs in at 222g and measures 26cm in length.
Topeak Mountain 2Stage Digital – Performance
Combining both a mini pump and a shock pump is one makes an awful lot of sense, especially if you’re a serial suspension fettler.
Even though its double-function feature might sound a little complicated, it’s a very easy pump to put into action. Simply pick a high volume or pressure and set the valve to accept either Presta or Schrader. This is done by unscrewing the valve and giving it a pull to make it gel with Presta and the reverse for Schrader.
If you’re wearing gloves, doing this may be a little tricky as there’s only a small o-ring providing grip on the outer of the valve, though I’ve never found such an issue. Attaching the valve to a Presta valve has come with a couple of issues, however. Sometimes its engagement with the Presta valve just isn’t certain enough, and I’ve had to really push to get the threads to hook up. This has only happened a small number of times, so I can forgive the pump here.
Having two pumps in one is a mighty valuable asset to anyone’s backpack. I came into this test expecting the pump to fall short on the efficiency front but the Mountain 2Stage took me by surprise, beating both my Topeak Pocketshock Digital and a Zefal Mt. Mini as well as a Bontrager Air Support HV Pro. I tested by putting in 40 pumps to see how much pressure was delivered. The Mountain 2Stage inflated a 650x47b Maxxis Rambler to 10.5psi in 40 strokes, whereas the Zefal, a much chunkier pump, managed 10psi.
When inflating a RockShox Rudy, the Mountain 2Stage delivered 130psi in 40 strokes while the Topeak Pocketshock pumped it to 116psi.
So it’s clear that when compared to its purpose-built counterparts, the Mountain 2Stage certainly stacks up. There are a couple of caveats though, with one of those being the resistance in the stroke when in the high-volume mode. While efficient, it’s quite the workout to get a tyre up to pressure and this resistance builds as it reaches higher pressures. Though given its double functionality, we’ll let this slide.
But, for a pump that’s not far from the £100 mark, I would expect a better build quality. It’s by no means bad, thanks to the metal construction but it doesn’t feel as sturdy as cheaper alternatives. Perhaps this was compromised in order to offer the 2Stage feature without having to charge even more money. Though its screen is certainly clear and easy to operate by using the single button on the front to scroll through the measurements and turn the screen on. It then turns off automatically after a few seconds.
And something you’ll need to look out for is its size. If, like me, you’re a hip-pack user, this probably won’t fit. It’s definitely not a small mini pump. But this pump best finds its use in the hands of guides, coaches or people like myself, who are constantly messing with suspension settings on multiple bikes over the course of a ride.
Topeak Mountain 2Stage Digital – Verdict
The big question is whether or not you can buy a mini pump and a shock pump for less money and the short answer is yes. Though, with the Topeak Mountain 2Stage, you’re buying the convenience of having both in one, which also reduces the pump’s footprint in your backpack.
Though to compare, LifeLine’s Shock Pump will set you back £17 and the super efficient Mountain TT G costs £47. So there’s a large saving to be had, but you’ll be carrying around two pumps.
But there are incredibly few pumps that do what the Topeak Mountain 2Stage can. While its build quality lets it down a little, and its size limits it to being carried in backpack-style bags, it’s a seriously valuable bit of kit for anyone who lives the everything and the kitchen sink life but wants to carry a little lighter. Its above-average efficiency compared to both kinds of pump is a very welcome cherry on the top.
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Product purpose:
Build extra:
BARRELAluminum
GAUGE300 psi / 20.7 bar, Digital
Stage 1 – High Volume
Stage 2 – High Pressure
UNITpsi, bar, kg / cm2
BATTERYCR2032 x 1 (included)
SIZE26 x 4.7 x 3.5 cm / 10.2” x 1.85” x 1.46”
WEIGHT210 g / 7.41 oz
PRESSURE TUNINGAir release button
VOLUME PER STROKEStage 1 – High Volume (84 cc / Tires)
Stage 2 – High Pressure (11.2 cc / Shocks)
Product construction
Product construction extra:
Product performance
Product performance extra:
product value
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