Tyre inflator questions?

[Martylaa]

My old foot pump has finally bust, I'm now in need of a pump for the car, motorcycle and push bike tyres, I've had a quick look around and want to move away from a manual foot pump.

Anyone got any recommendations on a good one, I've seen a load of 12v tyre inflators online, are they really any good? I'm quite taken with the reviews the Makita DMP180Z 18V LXT Tyre Inflator Bare Unit Pump gets but those batteries and chargers are bloody pricey.

Also read up on the Michelin inflator 12v ones, look ok but I can't help feel the 12v ones will be a bit lightweight.

[mickyh7]

The 12v ones are more than up for the job.
I have one in each of my cars, blow a 255/40/19 up in 5-10 minutes. And don't flatten the battery. I have an Audi and an AA one.
Both just as good as each other. Plug into a 12v socket, or you can solder crocodile clips on.

[mak]

The smaller mikita 12v is more than enough. I paid around £120 for mine including battery and charger, i would have purchased the 18v because all my work stuff is 18v but at the time they didn't make the 18v inflator.

Car/van/pushbike/ motorbikes /wheel barrow etc, I've been without a foot pump for years since the mikita, ive forgotten how much works involved.

I did buy a cheap pro hawk £50 pump before the mikita and it was st.

[Pica-Pica]

When a friend gave me a bicycle, I bought a standard hand pump for bicycles. Useless, it could not take the high pressure needed for bicycle tyre. Then, from reviews, I bought a Topeak JoeBlow track pump for bicycles). Great for the bike, and now use it for topping up our car tyres, and ditching the dual-barrelled foot pump. I would recommend it if you don’t want to go the powered pump route, and it is easier than a foot pump. It has a combined presta/schrader valve and a big gauge.


https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/...

[anonymous-user]

Pica-Pica said:

When a friend gave me a bicycle, I bought a standard hand pump for bicycles. Useless, it could not take the high pressure needed for bicycle tyre. Then, from reviews, I bought a Topeak JoeBlow track pump for bicycles). Great for the bike, and now use it for topping up our car tyres, and ditching the dual-barrelled foot pump. I would recommend it if you don’t want to go the powered pump route, and it is easier than a foot pump. It has a combined presta/schrader valve and a big gauge.


https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/...

Worst advice ever! I have one of these and whilst it's great for bikes, you'll have a heart attack trying to inflate car tyres with it.

I've got a Michelin 12v one which works fine, except the stupid, detachable pressure gauge only works intermittently. If I were to replace it, I'd go for something like this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/streetwize-12v-tyr...

Or possibly this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/12107-sealey-tyre-...

[Martylaa]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334044572442

Went and bought this one for £28 off ebay, we'll see if it's any good when it turns up?

[Pica-Pica]

wormus said:

Pica-Pica said:

When a friend gave me a bicycle, I bought a standard hand pump for bicycles. Useless, it could not take the high pressure needed for bicycle tyre. Then, from reviews, I bought a Topeak JoeBlow track pump for bicycles). Great for the bike, and now use it for topping up our car tyres, and ditching the dual-barrelled foot pump. I would recommend it if you don’t want to go the powered pump route, and it is easier than a foot pump. It has a combined presta/schrader valve and a big gauge.


https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/...

Worst advice ever! I have one of these and whilst it's great for bikes, you'll have a heart attack trying to inflate car tyres with it.

I've got a Michelin 12v one which works fine, except the stupid, detachable pressure gauge only works intermittently. If I were to replace it, I'd go for something like this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/streetwize-12v-tyr...

Or possibly this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/12107-sealey-tyre-...

Rubbish, absolute rubbish. This track pump is MUCH easier than a foot pump. I am not talking about inflating from completely flat, but about adding a few psi. It works great for that. If adding a few psi gives you a heart attack, you must be in a pretty shoddy shape! I can manage it at 73 yo.

[mickyh7]

Pica-Pica said:

Rubbish, absolute rubbish. This track pump is MUCH easier than a foot pump. I am not talking about inflating from completely flat, but about adding a few psi. It works great for that. If adding a few psi gives you a heart attack, you must be in a pretty shoddy shape! I can manage it at 73 yo.

It's about progress.
Why the hell get a sweat on on, when you can just plug it in?

[mak]

Martylaa said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334044572442

Went and bought this one for £28 off ebay, we'll see if it's any good when it turns up?

Don't chuck your foot pump away just yet

[Martylaa]

mak said:

Don't chuck your foot pump away just yet

Sounds ominous, it has a returns option if its no good...

[magpie215]

Ring RAC900

[OutInTheShed]

Pica-Pica said:

Rubbish, absolute rubbish. This track pump is MUCH easier than a foot pump. I am not talking about inflating from completely flat, but about adding a few psi. It works great for that. If adding a few psi gives you a heart attack, you must be in a pretty shoddy shape! I can manage it at 73 yo.

That's what I use.
Takes a couple of minutes to top up my fat estate car tyres before a long trip.
Also good for boat trolley tyres, motorbikes etc etc.

I do have a 12V compressor, it's more faff.
In fact I have two, one of which I wore out in a couple of years.

If people are finding a track pump too much of a workout, they are perhaps letting the tyres get scarily soft in the first place?


If you've got a Land Rover or redneckmobile with leaky tyres, you'll want something serious and probably more than 12V.
A scuba bottle is the real man option, but wear gloves, the adaptor can give you frostbite!

[bogie]

Both my cars have those puncture kits with 12v tyre inflators in the boot as they dont have spare wheels.

For cycle and motorcycle use I just have one of those Topeak Joe blow max pumps and a separate tyre pressure gauge for accuracy. Perfectly adequate and fast enough to add a few psi.

if I had to pump a tyre up from flat I do have a 12v compressor thing in the garage, but haven't used it in years.

[egomeister]

The 12v cigarette lighter ones are perfectly fine and are great for having in the car, however I use a cordless Ryobi most of the time now:

https://uk.ryobitools.eu/diy-power-tools/inflators...

The tube for the airbed inflator doesn't store particularly well so I have that removed most of the time, but the auto inflation mode where you set a pressure and press go is great. The flexibility of being able to use it wherever needed is handy as it means I can pump bike tyres up indoors etc.

[syl]

I got an AA branded one as a Christmas present. Fairly cheap, works fine.

[Pica-Pica]

mickyh7 said:

Pica-Pica said:

Rubbish, absolute rubbish. This track pump is MUCH easier than a foot pump. I am not talking about inflating from completely flat, but about adding a few psi. It works great for that. If adding a few psi gives you a heart attack, you must be in a pretty shoddy shape! I can manage it at 73 yo.

It's about progress.
Why the hell get a sweat on on, when you can just plug it in?

I have run-flat tyres, and with their rim and bead interface, they lose very little pressure over time. I generally adjust them for the cold season. Also with staggered set up, there is little difference at the rears between 1 person and a full load, one advantage a staggered set-up has over a square set-up. It’s the push bike tyres that lose pressure (tubed) !

[paralla]

Pica-Pica said:

wormus said:

Pica-Pica said:

When a friend gave me a bicycle, I bought a standard hand pump for bicycles. Useless, it could not take the high pressure needed for bicycle tyre. Then, from reviews, I bought a Topeak JoeBlow track pump for bicycles). Great for the bike, and now use it for topping up our car tyres, and ditching the dual-barrelled foot pump. I would recommend it if you don’t want to go the powered pump route, and it is easier than a foot pump. It has a combined presta/schrader valve and a big gauge.


https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/...

Worst advice ever! I have one of these and whilst it's great for bikes, you'll have a heart attack trying to inflate car tyres with it.

I've got a Michelin 12v one which works fine, except the stupid, detachable pressure gauge only works intermittently. If I were to replace it, I'd go for something like this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/streetwize-12v-tyr...

Or possibly this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/12107-sealey-tyre-...

Rubbish, absolute rubbish. This track pump is MUCH easier than a foot pump. I am not talking about inflating from completely flat, but about adding a few psi. It works great for that. If adding a few psi gives you a heart attack, you must be in a pretty shoddy shape! I can manage it at 73 yo.

I use my Joe Blow to top up my car tyres whenever they need it. It’s not difficult at all?

[mickyh7]

paralla said:

Pica-Pica said:

wormus said:

Pica-Pica said:

When a friend gave me a bicycle, I bought a standard hand pump for bicycles. Useless, it could not take the high pressure needed for bicycle tyre. Then, from reviews, I bought a Topeak JoeBlow track pump for bicycles). Great for the bike, and now use it for topping up our car tyres, and ditching the dual-barrelled foot pump. I would recommend it if you don’t want to go the powered pump route, and it is easier than a foot pump. It has a combined presta/schrader valve and a big gauge.


https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/...

Worst advice ever! I have one of these and whilst it's great for bikes, you'll have a heart attack trying to inflate car tyres with it.

I've got a Michelin 12v one which works fine, except the stupid, detachable pressure gauge only works intermittently. If I were to replace it, I'd go for something like this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/streetwize-12v-tyr...

Or possibly this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/12107-sealey-tyre-...

Rubbish, absolute rubbish. This track pump is MUCH easier than a foot pump. I am not talking about inflating from completely flat, but about adding a few psi. It works great for that. If adding a few psi gives you a heart attack, you must be in a pretty shoddy shape! I can manage it at 73 yo.

I use my Joe Blow to top up my car tyres whenever they need it. It’s not difficult at all?

Lot of words to top up a tyre!
Three foot long or the size of a box of matches.
Topping up my Spacesaver at 75psi I know what I'm doing.
Do what suits you?

[anonymous-user]

paralla said:

Pica-Pica said:

wormus said:

Pica-Pica said:

When a friend gave me a bicycle, I bought a standard hand pump for bicycles. Useless, it could not take the high pressure needed for bicycle tyre. Then, from reviews, I bought a Topeak JoeBlow track pump for bicycles). Great for the bike, and now use it for topping up our car tyres, and ditching the dual-barrelled foot pump. I would recommend it if you don’t want to go the powered pump route, and it is easier than a foot pump. It has a combined presta/schrader valve and a big gauge.


https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/...

Worst advice ever! I have one of these and whilst it's great for bikes, you'll have a heart attack trying to inflate car tyres with it.

I've got a Michelin 12v one which works fine, except the stupid, detachable pressure gauge only works intermittently. If I were to replace it, I'd go for something like this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/streetwize-12v-tyr...

Or possibly this: https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/12107-sealey-tyre-...

Rubbish, absolute rubbish. This track pump is MUCH easier than a foot pump. I am not talking about inflating from completely flat, but about adding a few psi. It works great for that. If adding a few psi gives you a heart attack, you must be in a pretty shoddy shape! I can manage it at 73 yo.

I use my Joe Blow to top up my car tyres whenever they need it. It’s not difficult at all?

Only yesterday I “topped up” the tyres on my Discovery. All 4 were showing 31 psi where the minimum is supposed to be 33 psi. I put in 36/42 respectively as that’s what’s used for towing with luggage. I can assure you, you’d don’t want to be doing that with a bicycle pump, they take a lot of air due to the high profile sidewall.

For manual tyre inflation, I still prefer a decent twin cylinder foot pump.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 17th April 09:26

[littleredrooster]

I've had a few 12v pumps over the years, but the best one was the £7.99 one from Wilko's. Simple, basic, light to carry and very effective.

Only slight downside (as with all 12v pumps) is that it would trip the aux power socket on the BM as that is limited to 5A, so I wired another direct socket in to run it.