As more attention is directed towards the accuracy of pumps and their gauges, more companies are looking towards digital offerings for an easy-to-read solution. Digital gauges for floor pumps are nothing new, but hand pumps? That’s exactly what Airace is offering with their new I-Gauge series of pumps though it’s more than just a digital gauge. The pumps don’t actually have any gauge built in – that’s because the gauge is in your smart phone. Available in both hand and floor pump models, Airace promises instant, accurate PSI readings all from the palm of your hand.
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Thanks to a Bluetooth 4.0 connection between the pump and your Android or iOS phone, each pump can communicate with the included app. Accurate to +/- 1 psi up to 100 psi, and +/- 1% after that, in the case of the floor pump the gauge is capable of measuring up to 300 psi. When inflating tires you can either use the pump as normal, or set a predetermined psi that will cause an alarm to sound when the pump reaches that setting. The I-gauge Mini Veloce operate on two 1632 coin cell batteries which should last up to a year with the pump being used once a week. The app also includes a battery indicator so you can keep track of the pump’s juice.
Available in the I-gauge Mini Veloce road or MTB for $102, the technology will also be offered in the I-gauge Veloce floor pump for $117.
All of the I-gauge models lack any sort of built in gauge – it’s smart phone only.
Both styles use a version of Airace’s Clever-Twin-Valve thumb lock head. The orange chuck is reversible to fit presta, schrader, and dunlop valves, while the silver thumb lock lever means there is no chance for your valve core to unthread. I-gauge pumps will be entering full production in November, with availability in the U.S. expected in January through J&B Importers, and KHS.
It wasn’t all future space pumps in the Airace booth – these tires levers looked quite good as well. Building a tire lever that is strong enough not to break, thin enough to get under tight beads, and won’t damage the rim or tire has always been a challenge. Airace opts for a full aluminum lever construction with plastic inserts just at the point of contact with the rim. Tire levers are sold in packs of two for $21 with a transport sleeve.