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Fat Bike Fill Ups Made Easy with PDW’s new Fat Stevens Fat Specific Pump

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PDW Fat Stevens fatbike pump bike high volume kickstarter (2)

Thanks to the huge amount of air volume in a fat bike tire, the bikes are a blast to ride on just about any surface. What’s not so fun is trying to replace that volume of air if you are unlucky enough to get a flat. Either you’re going to have to carry a number of co2 cartridges or hope that your standard mini pump doesn’t lead to death by 1,000 strokes.

Of all of the fat bike specific parts and accessories, one area that has been conspicuously absent is a purpose built portable pump. There are a few that have oversized barrels or two stage designs meant to make inflating high volume tires easier, but when it comes to something specifically geared towards fat bike usage, portable pumps have been mostly left out – until now. Well, at least until the end of Portland Design Work’s Kickstarter campaign which will introduce the Fat Stevens fat bike pump to the Wild World…

PDW Fat Stevens fatbike pump bike high volume kickstarter (1)

PDW Fat Stevens fatbike pump bike high volume kickstarter (1) PDW Fat Stevens fatbike pump bike high volume kickstarter (3)

Other than the ability to rapidly inflate huge tires, just what makes a fat bike specific pump? Basically, all of the touch points have been designed to work in an extreme range of conditions while wearing bulky gloves or boots. Instead of using a fold out handle which tend to be somewhat fragile (especially in below zero temperatures) the Fat Stevens uses a durable pommel handle that fits nicely in the palm of your hand. At the base of the pump is a sturdy steel foot peg that flips down for use and has been tested in deep snow, mud, and sand with boots that can be found on many fat bikers. Finally, at the end of the flexible hose is a thread on chuck with an oversized and knurled nozzle, again to make it easy to use with thick gloves.

To guarantee the tires fill before you freeze, Fat Stevens has a 39mm diameter barrel that is claimed to fill fat bike tires with half the strokes of a standard mini pump. Measuring in at 14″ long and less than a pound in weight, the pump should fit in most frame bags and backpacks.

PDW Fat Stevens fatbike pump bike high volume kickstarter (4)

As part of the Kickstarter campaign, Fat Stevens pumps will also ship with a rad carrying case made by Blaq Paks in Portland. In addition to storing the pump, the bag has two internal storage pockets for other tools and is available in blue/orange or camo.

Expected to ship by October 2015, Fat Stevens pumps start at just $35 for the early bird special, up to the unlimited $55 option. There is even a $90 option which includes the pump and a set of the PDW Dave’s Mud Shovel fat bike fenders.

Kickstarter.com

ridepdw.com

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Groghunter
Groghunter
8 years ago

A bike related kickstarter I would actually back, though that’s not surprising from PDW. Anybody a little skeptical that a thread on chuck is better than a lever with bulky gloves though?

Gunnstein
Gunnstein
8 years ago

@Groghunter Such a huge pump should indeed have a lever valve, though I can live with that.

The deal breaker is that it seems to be a Presta only chuck. I’ve converted all my bikes to Schrader – it’s far easier to use. Especially for a high volume, low pressure application like a fatbike. At low pressures the Prestas don’t even close on their own. Presta may have it’s place for road bikes – but not when fiddling with pump and pressure sensor in the snow with cold and/or gloved fingers.

Gunnstein
Gunnstein
8 years ago

@Zach Yep, they just told me the same. (I guess a DIY chuck swap is possible, if the hose is reasonably standard size.)

Keith P
Keith P
8 years ago

I’d like it if there was a pressure gauge built in that went from 0 to 15psi.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago

I wish they listed the mini pump they’re comparing it to when it comes to inflating in half the pumps. Mini Morph, Lezyne MTN, or some crappy/thin barreled mini pump? Or maybe a pump count to get you to 5psi with a 4″ tire?

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

You only need one 25g CO2 cartridge to inflate a 26×4.6″ tire to operating pressure.

LanceAndre
8 years ago

CO2 wont work in the cold… I’ve made worse purchases… I’m in for $45 on their kickstarter. looks like the’ll make some good $ on this product. we’ve been waiting for a fat specific pump for nearly a decade now.

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

CO2’s boiling point is -70°F. So yes, if it is that cold, it will not work.

Eric Hansen
Eric Hansen
8 years ago

Good timing; my article on CO2 was just posted. http://www.bikecommutercabal.com/wrench-wednesday-how-much-co2-do-i-need/

Ajax
Ajax
8 years ago

Please. I’ll just stick to a standard pump that I can use for my mtn bike and fat bike.

Shawn
8 years ago

Great people and an even greater product!!

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