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review
Pumps & CO2 inflators
Bullet pump adaptor keyringBullet Pump Adaptor Keyring

Bullet pump adaptor keyring

8
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jun 7, 2010

3
£5.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Brilliantly executed adaptor but Schrader/Presta would make it perfect
Weight: 
14g
Contact: 
www.urbanhunter.biz
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The bullet pump key-chain adaptor isn’t simply, a trick piece of hipster jewellery- it’s a clever little adaptor that slips conveniently aboard a key/bag fob until required whereupon it converts presta stems to Schrader. The little CNC machined bullet saved yours truly from the long walk home and ruined cleats following a puncture 13 miles into a 20-mile circuit and will work on standard and threadless valve ends to boot. However, undoubtedly brilliant, it’s Murphy’s Law you’ll leave the house festooned spare tube, patch kit, pump only to remember the trailer/tagalong’s a Schrader at the crucial point. Incorporating a dual head (Presta/Schrader & Scharder/Presta) would ensure the concept met its true potential.

Speaking with its inventor, it seems the bullet moniker was totally accidental, coined when the first prototypes emerged. Regarding this shape as symbolic of gratuitous violence and warfare, he decided to donate a percentage of the profits to two groups supporting disabled ex service personnel. Weight watchers will be pleased to know a machined aluminium version is also available in a choice of anodised blue, red or even brass with a blue cap.

So, Holdsworth and I were thundering along the lanes when the dreaded hiss sliced through our serenity. Three minutes and a spare tube later saw me reach for the mini pump, only to remember I’d left it on the kitchen table. Placing my faith in 4.5cms of brass, we hurried to the local petrol station airline, threaded it aboard the valve and ignored the disclaimers prohibiting bicycle tyres. Three seconds and ninety-six psi later we were back on the road, heading for home. High quality materials and precision machining ensure efficient inflation with greatly reduced likelihood of valve stem damage.

Verdict

Brilliantly executed adaptor but Schrader/Presta would make it perfect.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Bullet pump adapter keyring

Size tested: Brass

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?

Description: "As we often say, the simplest ideas are the best. How frustrating is it to be caught out, you have the pump but not the right attachment for your valve. Or you have an adapter but you can't find it. This is what you need.

It's designed to go on your lock key ring, belt loop or attach it to you bag".

The Bullet is a keychain attachment for a presta to schrader valve adaptor. It is machined from solid brass in the U.S.A. and comes as standard with a 1" key ring."

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

CNC machined Brass (or anodised aluminium blue/red and blue/brass)

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Nicely excecuted.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

Longevity bodes well-at least for the brass version.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

You'd never know it was there... until it saves your bacon!14g

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

The Bullet Pump Adaptor manages to combine form and function, something of an excecutive toy on the key/bag fob but an absolute lifeline should you fix a flat only to discover the pump's holidaying in the hallway. However, while it will convert a presta to accept a Schrader, it doesn't work the other way round which is a real shame-especially given the scenario where you've a presta pump and a Schrader valve-quite common say on the solo/tag-along.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Pretty, well made and weighs next to nothing.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Dual ends would improve this impressive gizmo.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 36  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,

valve adapter
Bullet pump adapter keyring
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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3 comments

Avatar
RuthF28 | 14 years ago
0 likes

I have an adaptor like this too, which means I can still use my Presta inner tube after I managed to rip the top of the valve off using a hand pump. Plus I can pump up the tyres with a car footpump and get a much higher psi than with a hand pump. It's all good.

Avatar
jezzzer | 14 years ago
0 likes

you're right. ha ha! i have a simple adaptor which cost about £1 in my desk @ work ... so I can use our workshop airline. doesn't look like a bullet, but works fine.

Avatar
JonMack | 14 years ago
0 likes

Am I missing something, or in the second photo is it on upside down...?

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