Customer Reviews

Topeak Micro Rocket AL MasterBlaster Aluminum Bike Pump

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I was not sure about this pump but thought I would give it a try. If you want to keep your bike light this is a very good pump, light and small. I was amazed at how well it worked. I had a pump that is twice as big and worked fine but in comparison was harder to get to higher pressure. The pump would push back making it very hard to get the tire pressure. This pump works as well at low pressure as it does when the pressure gets higher but you will need to do a lot of pumping. It was not to bad getting the tire up to 50psi, getting it to 80psi the palm of my hand was sore from holding the pump still on the valve. Going to 100psi was after a break and did another little jaunt. Getting to 120psi was the same as 100 with the break. The back pressure was not the problem I could take breaks and get the pressure higher. The pump is very good at dealing with back pressure much better then my Michelin and easier at the higher pressure. I could see it living up to Topeaks claim but doubt any one doing it with out it being there job. I used a gauge but on the road I would'nt have the gauge or the patients to do 100 or 120psi on the road.

It is a very light get you back on the road pump. I bought the aluminum for the reason of for only 10 extra grams of weight at half the price.

Nothing major to add to the other reviews in terms of quality check. It is a tiny product - shorter than most remote controls - and it works well.

However, as a newbie to biking, I was not aware of the difference between a "Presta" and "Schraeder" valve. Old time valves and those on most mountain and hybrid bikes are the SCHREADER type. This one is Presta which is more common on road bikes. If you are not sure which type you have DO NOT BUY this. I had to send mine back for this reason.

This is a great little pump, amazingly lightweight and small enough to carry in a seat wedge. You'll be amazed at how little effort is required to quickly inflate a tire. I don't see it matching its claims of inflating to 120 lbs or more; I find too much back-pressure to keep getting air in before the tire is inflated to optimal pressure, but it's definitely enough to get you back on the road quickly and easily. Another big plus: It costs half as much as the carbon fiber version, and is only about 1/2 ounce heavier.

Ultra light and ultra small is indeed the point of this pump. Came with a great plastic mount to attach it to the frame with your water bottle, and it stays put as it should. It looks great and most of all prevents adding more weight for that monster hill route you love/hate.

It does push a surprising amount of air for how little it is, but I would personally like to actually *see* video some of these claims that it will pump to 100psi in 3 minutes. Due to its size you have to make up for a lack of volume with your muscles. Which isnt alot of fun as there's really no good place to grab either end of it; your hand starts aching in a hurry, and since you're having to put alot of force on each throw of the pump when pressures get higher (due to the small volume), you find your pushing your valve stem all over the place (I even tore one), which means you need a third hand to steady it on the vavle stem when pushing hard. Honestly, if i'm riding with others, the first thing I do when I flat is ask who else has a properly large pump I can borrow.

However, it is a great little pump & I do recommend it. Just place your expectation of it as an emergency measure to get you through your ride until you can properly inflate your tire. After all, if you only get a few flats a year, there's no point in dragging around a huge mountain bike pump; this little guy works great as what it is: a superlight tiny pump for emergency flat repair.

Another less important bit of info is that there's a little carbon fibre disc on top of it for looks. It popped off at one point and I super glued it back on.

I was worried that being a micro-mini it would not be usable... but was pleasantly surprised. It takes about 3-3.5 minutes to fill a 23x700c tire to 100psi, will less effort than several larger pumps I've had. It was very easy up to maybe 80 psi, and not too bad to finish after a short rest break and switching hands. Only negative is no thumb-lock on the head, just press on, which may wear out the gasket pretty fast.

This pump may be capable of 160psi, but not with me running it. I use CO2 and purchased this pump only to provide backup for the CO2 (nobody should rely solely on CO2). I purchased the pump because I wanted a backup pump that would fit inside my wedge pack. This pump fits the bill perfectly.

I tested the pump on a 23x700c tire. The first 100 strokes were pretty easy. The second 100 strokes were a bit more difficult so I took a short break. By then the tire pressure was near 60 psi. At 300 strokes the tire was above 80 psi and pumping was now requiring some upper body strength. The final 50 strokes were nothing short of difficult but got the tire above 90 psi. At that point I was convinced that the pump could get me home in a pinch and I called it quits.

Normally, I'll start a tire w/ a pump just until the tire is a little firm (probably 20 or 30 psi) and top it off w/ CO2.

A word of advice: As near as I can tell, the best way to use the pump is to hold the wheel w/ the valve at the top, valve down, pump opening pointed up. Hold the pump in the fingers of one hand w/ the thumb of that hand wrapped around the tire to steady the wheel. The pump will seal well like this and, at least up to the 90+ psi I tried, should not leak. This might be difficult if you have long stem tubes in low profile wheels. I'm not sure how you would do this if you had too much stem exposed.

These micro/mini pumps are really only good for backup. If you don't have CO2, I'd advise using a frame pump, like the Topeak Road Morph. The Road Morph is a great stand-alone pump for roadside repairs. But if you instead pack CO2, this pump is the perfect backup and it fits nicely in a wedge pack.

Every once in a while, you buy something that really delivers, and this is one of those products. The Topeak Micro Rocket is portable but powerful at the same time. You'll need to be patient with it, but it's not very difficult to get your 23c-25c road tire up to 100psi (about 3 minutes). That's saying a lot, because I've had previous pumps twice as big that could barely get to 75psi. I've given up with CO2's as well (they've left me stranded when they fail). Get this little pump. You won't be disappointed.

Out of all the smaller pumps I have bought in the past, this is by far the best. It fits the presta valve perfectly and it's pretty well made. Since it's sooo small the only issue is that you have to pump it alot but it will pump out to the psi that you need. Also, it doesn't come with any real instructions unless I missed something but it's fairly easy to figure out that you have to unscrew the end and screw it back on to the valve then off again. Definitely a Great deal for the money!

This pump is soo small. It is about the size of a long dry erase marker.

Tiny, light weight, actually pumps up road bike tires to nearly 100 psi. Perfect for emergencies.