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SOC18: SKS improves the Airchecker, adds new bags for seats, frames, & top tubes

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There’s a lot of talk these days about lower air pressure and its effect on ride quality, but how do you measure it? If you’re the type to just squeeze the tire until it feels ‘good’, then move right along. However, if you’re the type that wants to know the exact pressures you’re riding so you can make adjustments and fine tune the ride, then SKS has something for you.

SOC18: SKS improves the Airchecker, adds new bags for seats, frames, & top tubes

While the original Airchecker is a great little tool (one that we use a lot – at the office, at home, in the car – and reviewed for racing cross), SKS thought it could be better. Starting with an improved form factor with a soft edge, the new Airchecker is a bit larger and fits better in your hand. More importantly, there are new internals including a new sensor that increases the measuring accuracy – especially at low pressures. Also, the Airchecker will now give you real time measurements which will allow you to see the pressure as you’re releasing air with the orange pressure release button up top. Still compatible with presta or schrader valves and offering BAR or PSI readings, the new Airchecker will sell for $35 and will be available later this summer.

SOC18: SKS improves the Airchecker, adds new bags for seats, frames, & top tubes

As an accessory and tool company, SKS has a lot of categories but their bag category saw the biggest growth at Sea Otter.

SOC18: SKS improves the Airchecker, adds new bags for seats, frames, & top tubes

Starting with the Racer Edge, this small frame bag goes inside the frame triangle and includes three strong velcro straps with rubber coating to help hold them in place. The bag offers 600ml of storage, weighs 124g, and is water repellent with easy to use zippers. This bag should sell for $29.99.

SOC18: SKS improves the Airchecker, adds new bags for seats, frames, & top tubes

Slightly bigger than the Racer Edge, the Explorer Edge checks in at 1000ml and 164g. The bag uses the same construction and should sell for $35.99.

SOC18: SKS improves the Airchecker, adds new bags for seats, frames, & top tubes

For the top tube or ‘gas tank’ style, SKS offers the Explorer Smart. On top, you’ll find a removable smartphone bag with a touch screen compatible clear viewing panel and a headphone cable exit port in the front. The bag itself has three rubber coated velcro straps to attach to the top tube and your steerer tube, and is water repellent.

SOC18: SKS improves the Airchecker, adds new bags for seats, frames, & top tubes SOC18: SKS improves the Airchecker, adds new bags for seats, frames, & top tubes

There are also six new saddle bags to add to the mix – Racer Click 800, Racer 800, Explorer Click 800, Explorer 800, Explorer 1800, and Explorer Click 1800. Weights are listed at 150g, 125g, 166g, 137g, 211g, and 186g respectively. The number in the name of each bag refers to their storage in ml, and the standard bags attach with rubber coated velcro straps around the seat post and velcro straps around the saddle rails. The Click bags use a quick release system that bolts to your saddle’s rails to allow for quick removal and installation but still uses a rubber coated velcro strap around the post. Weights are listed at 150g, 125g, 166g, 137g, 211g, and 186g respectively. Each bag is water repellent with reflective accents and uses easy to use zippers.

sks-germany.com

 

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Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
5 years ago

My original airchecker is still going strong 6+ years and I think on the original battery. Would be nice if they had a way to make the chuck out of alloy or a more durable feeling material. Always have to handle it with kid gloves.

DougB
DougB
5 years ago

Found after just a few months that the seal on the chuck around the valve was always leaking, so difficult to get a good seal and accurate pressure. When it works its great, but frustrating to lose air when making adjustments. Hope this has been improved.

Patrick
Patrick
5 years ago
Reply to  DougB

Did you ever contact SKS? It’s just a worn gasket which is pretty normal. They mailed me a few along with instructions on how to replace them. All it took was an email and they were in my hand within a few days.

My Airchecker has years and hundreds of uses on it. It’s been pretty good except I could never get it to work well with the narrower American Classic valves.

Vince
Vince
5 years ago
Reply to  DougB

Same problem. The seal keeps gets worse and worse. All mine is good for now is letting air out of the tires. I replaced it with a Topeak D2 that works much better.

ChknBreast
ChknBreast
5 years ago
Reply to  DougB

The seal on the presta valve chuck has been poor ever since I’ve owned mine. I flipped the rubber inserts to get a bit more mileage out of mine.

slackers
slackers
5 years ago

Strange, and too bad they don’t have better photos of the bags, like, you know, mounted to actual frames and seat posts.
Would be a better way to showcase products, then sell them.

Josh
Josh
5 years ago

I love my SKS Airchecker, but I did have problems with the very first one I had, the internals got gunked up with sealant – my fault, not SKS’s – and I couldn’t figure out how to take it apart to clean it. Contacted SKS and they sent me a brand new replacement free of charge, can’t complain about that, quality company with nice stuff all around!

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