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Planet Bike ALX Pump
November 2, 2009
Flat tires happen, and for this reason I carry a small portable pump with me a good deal of the time, but for some reason I never had a floor pump before I got the Planet Bike ALX. I was always using the compressor at the gas station or local bike shop to top up my air pressure, somehow thinking that that was convenient. Now that I have a nice floor pump at home I cannot imagine what I was thinking before. I keep my tires properly inflated, wow, what a novel concept.
The first thing I noticed about the ALX floor pump is the handle. It is not your standard "T" shaped handle that seems to appear on every bicycle pump except those made by Planet Bike. Planet Bike give you the "Love Handle". This is a more ergonomic position that is more comfortable, but unless you are using it in a shop situation or a tech at a race I doubt you will fill enough tires to truely notice the difference.
The head unit and pressure guage are both stand outs on this pump. The dual head works on both presta and schraeder valves and locks on tightly, giving a nice hold with no air leakage. The firm fit does however require 2 hands. The colour coded pressure guage is extremely easy to read, even from a distance andgoes up to 160 psi. In all actuality there are very few tires that would need this 160 psi. I took it up to 115 easily, with little effort and all the seals held fine.
The Planet Bike ALX Floor Pump also features an aluminium body so it is fairly light weight, not that weight really matters with a floor pump though. Overall the pump feels smooth and strong, which is what is really important. The long shaft, 80mm, does not feel flexy while pumping it and seems like it would last a long time. The pump is also rebuildable, and Planet Bike offers replacement parts.
If you are looking for a new floor pump, this would seem to be the answer. The Planet Bike ALX Floor Pump is strong, reliable and gets the job done.
Price: $55 USD
Details: A floor pump that gets the job done
Pros: Quick, strong, accurate
Cons: Head unit can require 2 hands to attach
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Planet Bike
Reviewed by: Ryan