Review

Team Tested: Lezyne Classic Dirt Floor Drive High Volume Pump

13.08.2014
by
Lezyne makes the Classic Dirt Floor Drive pump in a "high volume" style to inflate mountain bike tires previously needing an air compressor.
Lezyne makes the Classic Dirt Floor Drive pump in a “high volume” style to inflate mountain bike tires previously needing an air compressor.

The Lezyne Classic Dirt Floor Drive could be the pump you’re looking for to replace the air compressor you keep around just for inflating bike tires. The pump is made with high quality, replaceable components. That’s an important thing. Being able to replace parts, instead of an entire pump, is crucial.

It works great. Because it creates a bigger volume of air than other pumps, I’ve been able to seat 100% of my tubeless tires with this pump. Some required more effort than others, but the point is, all of the tires I’ve attempted to put on, it’s worked. And it also requires only about half of the strokes to inflate tires. A big deal if you’re doing multiple tires in a short time span.

The screw on chuck has become my favorite part of the pump. Somehow, I’ve become a bit anal about tire pressures, and with this chuck screwing on, then releasing air pressure from the hose, not the tire, it’s a control freak’s dream.

The pressure gauge is spot on, if a little tricky to read an exact air pressure, compared to digital gauges. Wow, once you’ve used a good digital gauge on a pump, or meter, it’s really hard to go back. But hey, they’re always more expensive.

Can you compare it to a compressor? Well, that’s not really fair, but I know people will. Yes, it’s absolutely more work than a compressor. And you can probably find a decent compressor for the same price. Are compressors obnoxious? Yes. Heavy? Yes. Do you have the electricity or fuel to run a compressor?

It’s a killer pump, and if it lasts for a couple years, which I totally expect it to, it will become one of the best bang for the buck purchases you make in your mountain biking career. I’ve used, or seen my friends, use so many cheap pumps over the years, and they buy another $30 pump after that one breaks, saying the same thing, “Oh that brand is too expensive, it’s just a pump.” I’ve discovered one of the biggest wastes of money are pumps that are broken, or work ineffectively, when you go to use them. Arghhh! You want to talk about getting pissed off, when you need a pump, and your grab your cheap one, it’s not working, and all you want to do is go for a ride, to relieve your stressful day, and now you’re more stressed out because of the pump!!!! GRRRRR!

A good solid wooden handle that feels great in your hand, and will get better with time.
A good solid wooden handle that feels great in your hand, and will get better with time.
Steel barrel and piston, combined with aluminum base, should last a long time.
Steel barrel and piston, combined with aluminum base, should last a long time.
Patented Lezyne ABS (air bleed system) Flip-Thread Chuck screws on, creating a secure and air tight connection.
Patented Lezyne ABS (air bleed system) Flip-Thread Chuck screws on, creating a secure and air tight connection.

Lezyne makes the High Volume pump in a “Classic” and “Alloy” version. The Classic goes for $74.99 and weighs 3.9 lbs.(1.8 kg). Upgrade to an Alloy, for $84.99, and get an aluminum barrel instead of steel, and drop a bit of weight, 3.6 lbs.(1.6 kg).

Bottom line:

High quality, easy to use, effective, should last for many years. It works. Very well. It goes with me on every bike related trip. Do me a favor. Or better yet, do yourself one. Get a good pump at the beginning of your mountain bike journey. Then call me in 20 years and thank me. And buy me a beer with all the money you saved over the years.

Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn

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