![]() It was 2-3 psi on average with our test shock at 100 psi and 8-10 psi with it at 250 psi, using the standard-sized pumps. This effect increases with higher pressures. It goes without saying that forks and shocks lose some pressure when the pump is screwed on as the pressure distributes itself over a larger volume. You won’t be able to compare your setup with others either. However, there is a small catch – you won’t be able to use manufacturer recommendations such as the pressures RockShox and FOX display on their forks, for example, or Cane Creek provide online with an inaccurate display. If you always use the same pump, in theory, precision is the most important quality and you needn’t worry about the accuracy of the pressure reading on the display, as long as it’s the same every time. Pumps with an analogue display are cheaper, lighter and don’t need batteries, but depending on the model they’re a little more difficult to read, more susceptible to physical impacts and they take up more space in a backpack. ![]() In addition, the options available on the market are very limited. Pumps with digital displays score with better readability and more compact dimensions, but are usually a bit heavier, more expensive and require batteries. analogueĭeciding between a digital or an analogue display is mostly a matter of taste. Unfortunately, due to the duration of the test, we can’t make a comprehensive statement about the durability and reliability of the tested shock pumps and can only rate the performance during the six month test period. Lastly, weight and dimensions play a role, as riders will most likely want to carry the pump with them in a backpack or hip-bag. Besides that we were also concerned with the general handling – how many steps does it take until the pump is ready to use and how much resistance does it exhibit at the high pressures you typically run in a shock? The price is just as relevant not everyone wants to invest € 75 in a shock pump if you only use it a few times a year. We tested the pump head for ease of use and compatibility – a big chuck won’t fit in every frame. There are other factors that are crucial in determining a good pump though.įor a shock pump to be good, it needs to be user-friendly. What we found is that all SKS pumps have a very accurate gauge, whilst the Lezyne, Birzman Salut and analogue Syncros pump showed the biggest deviations. Accordingly, we were primarily on the lookout for abnormalities and outliers rather than super exact readings. Added to this, gauges are susceptible to manufacturing variations which can influence both accuracy and precision. We’re aware that a ShockWiz can’t replace high-precision laboratory equipment, but standard pump gauges can’t either. Next, we counted the strokes needed to reach a specific pressure on the ShockWiz and noted the deviation on the pump gauge once we reached that pressure. This allowed us to compare the recorded pressure with the display on the pump itself, as well as measure the pressure equalisation when attaching the pump. We installed a Quarq ShockWiz between the fork/shock and the pump, displaying the live readings on the app. To determine pump accuracy, we created a very simple test. To the best of our knowledge, all other brands in the test field manufacture their own pumps or at least have exclusive models offered only by them. RockShox’s three models are representative of this category. Whether the label says FOX, RockShox, DT Swiss, Cane Creek or the like, it is often the same rebadged pump from the same factory in Asia. In the case of shock pumps, few brands even design and produce their own. PumpĪs with bike group tests, some models were not available at the time of testing, or manufacturers didn’t want to include their products in the test. It’s a combination of shock and tire pump and you can switch between modes with a simple twist. One of the more unique contenders we included in the test field is Topeak’s Shock ‘n Roll. They do take up very little space and stow away inconspicuously in your backpack though and one of these small models performed surprisingly well! The rest of the test field is what we would define as “standard size” including some of the most popular pumps available on the market. ![]() ![]() On average, they require twice the number of strokes and so aren’t suitable for initial setup or more extensive tuning. ![]() Small models such as the Topeak Microshock or Birzman’s Macht and Zama are intended more for emergencies on the trail – some don’t even have a gauge. For most of us, models like the SKS USP or the RockShox 600 psi are simply too big or too heavy to fit in a backpack, but thanks to the large pump volume they’re noticeably more comfortable to use in the workshop. However, we did not differentiate between the sizes when testing, but instead evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of each individual pump. Our test field is divided by size into three groups. ![]()
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