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review
£49.99
VERDICT:
Well-built track pump that is secure in use, offering quick inflation with no leaks
Weight:
2,080g
Contact:
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.
What the road.cc scores meanGood scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.
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The Topeak Joe Blow Elite is new to the company's range of track pumps for this year, and brings with it the usual high level of build quality and easy usability they have a reputation for. It has one very handy little addition, too.
The first track pump I ever bought was a Joe Blow and it lasted for years, and after having a play with this new Elite model over the last month or so I can't see that this is going to be any different.
> Find your nearest dealer here
The Elite has a really solid feel to it, from the steel barrel down to the steel base. All this adds to the weight, but what you get is a rigid platform when/if you want to get up to that 160psi maximum claimed pressure... It will happily reach 100psi on a 700x25 tyre in 27 strokes. Not market leading, but not something I'd grumble about.
The coolest thing about the Elite, and what sets it apart from the rest of the Joe Blow range, is that the gauge is mounted to the handle; not just to the top of the barrel – the handle. It's one of those things that you wouldn't think would make much difference, but not having to bend to see the needle doesn't half save you stooping over. The gauge itself seems to be pretty accurate, too, lining up within a couple of psi of the other track pumps I've got kicking about.
The end of the hose uses what Topeak calls its TwinHead system. One side fits Presta (and Dunlop), with the other taking care of Schrader; a flip of the thumbswitch in the opposite direction of the head you're using clamps it onto the valve. It provides a tight seal with no air loss whatsoever.
Alongside the TwinHead you also get a couple of adaptors for pumping up footballs and various inflatables.
It does have a couple of niggles, though, starting with the handle. The top has a rubber-style padding that is comfortable, but the underneath has a hollow construction with a few webs for strength and these can dig into your hands as you are pumping.
It also lacks a pressure-release button like you tend to find on screw-on type pump heads; not exactly a deal breaker, but if you want one you have to update to its SmartHead.
> Check out our guide to the best track pumps
As far as cost goes, it sits where I'd expect it to in the Joe Blow range, offering a bit more stiffness and extras than the cheaper options. Against the competition it's a similar situation, with the Elite's overall build quality and easiness to live with making up for its tiny shortcomings.
Overall, the Joe Blow is a solid-performing track pump that will continue to work for a long time to come.
Verdict
Well-built track pump that is secure in use, offering quick inflation with no leaks
road.cc test report
Make and model: Topeak Joe Blow Elite
Size tested: 74x28x13.7cm
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?
Topeak says: "This pump is equipped with a hardened steel base, solid steel barrel, and an easy to read top mounted analog gauge. An extra long hose with a TwinHead™ pump head makes it easy to reach valve stems and the integrated mini tool carrier (optional) keeps what you need for light maintenance close at hand."
The Joe Blow is a solid performer, and the handle-mounted pressure gauge makes a lot of sense.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
From Topeak's website:
Head - TwinHead™, Presta / Schrader / Dunlop
Barrel - Painted steel
Gauge - Top center bar mount, Analog
Hose - X-long hose
Handle - Oversize padded / Kraton
Capacity - 160 psi / 11 bar
Base - Hardened steel
Added Features - Ball / bladder heads, Hose dock
Size (L x W x H) - 74 x 28 x 13.7 cm / 29.1' x 11' x 5.4'
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
A very good, solid construction that doesn't flex in use.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Brilliant fit to a variety of valves, and easy to achieve high pressures.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
From personal experience Joe Blows offer plenty of reliability and this one doesn't feel any different.
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
7/10
At 2kg there are some lighter ones out there, but light weight isn't really a major selling point for a track pump.
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
7/10
Handle-mounted gauge saves strain on your back but the handle does have some rather hard grooves underneath that can dig in a bit.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
The build quality, speed it pumps, and valve fit make the Joe Blow a good investment.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Can't knock it other than the handle.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
A quality feel.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Hard ridges on handle.
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 score
The Joe Blow Elite is a quality feeling pump which snaps onto the valve quickly and easily, and while the addition of a steel base might increase the weight, it increases rigidity. The handle-mounted gauge is a nice touch and is what makes the Elite stand out against many others.
About the tester
Age: 37
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: Mason Definition
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed
Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.
With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.
He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.
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