Earlier in May, Portland Design Works hoped to turn the fat bike inflation world on its head with their latest project. Designed to be the first portable fat bike specific hand pump, the Fat Stevens has a lot going for it. The huge barrel moves a lot of air with fewer strokes, the handle is designed to be used with big gloves, and the base includes a sturdy fold out foot peg for easy inflation in deep snow, sand, or mud.
Like many first generation products though, the Fat Stevens had a few omissions that were quickly pointed out by potential backers of their Kickstarter campaign. Following their own goal to listen to customer feedback and provide timely updates, PDW sent us photos of the new pump head that will be included with the Fat Stevens. Not only will the pump now accommodate both presta and schrader valves, but it also includes a forged alloy locking lever. This will replace the presta only, thread on chuck initially shown on the prototype.
Now with that settled, if you’re curious to just how quickly Fat Stevens get your fat bike tires rolling again, PDW pitted the pump against a Topeak Mountain Morph in a head to head battle…
Starting with a 26 x 4.0 Surly Nate tire mounted to a Surly Rolling Darryl rim, the test was a 0 – 7.0 psi affair between the two pumps. Claiming half the strokes to reach all three marks, the Fat Stevens was the clear inflation winner. The Fat Stevens does weigh 39.5g more at 366g total, but we’re thinking the added weight is worth a pump that is twice as efficient.
The Fat Stevens
- 4.5 psi required 60 strokes
- 5.5 psi required 70 strokes
- 7.0 psi required 80 strokes
The Mountain Morph
- 4.5 psi required 130 strokes
- 5.5 psi required 150 strokes
- 7.0 psi required 160 strokes
There are 16 days left for the Fat Stevens Kickstarter Campaign, and while the Early Bird deal is gone, you can still pick up a pump along with the Blaq Packs bag for just $45.
