We know that you’re always ready to ride, but how many times have you shown up at the trailhead only to have a riding buddy slap their forehead, having forgotten to check their tire pressure? It’s for just these times that Lezyne makes what they call “the ultimate lightweight travel floor pump.” After six months of carrying and using the compact pump, has it lived up to its billing? You’ll never know unless you click ‘more‘…
With its single-sided foot, short hose, and sub-24in height, the Travel Floor Drive isn’t really designed for everyday use. This is a shame, because it really is a well-made and -dare I say- sexy piece of equipment. The CNC machined aluminum construction is extremely solid and is largely shared with the company’s CNC Floor Drive model, which my local shop has adopted as their ‘floor pump’ for its simplicity and durability. At the end of a short hose, t
he company’s trademark Flip-Thread Chuck threads into the pared-down handle, holding everything together, and the whole thing fits nicely into the included canvas bag and easily into one of my compact wagon’s rear seat footwells.
With the 160psi gauge living where one of the user’s feet usually goes, the Travel Floor Drive isn’t the most stable pump to use- but is worlds better (and faster) than a mini pump. Lezyne suggest that the pump’s low profile is well-suited to bicycle travel cases, though in a time of ever-increasing airline fees, be sure to weigh that case twice.
Really, there are only two reasons for riders who find themselves driving to ride not to consider the Travel Floor Drive. As was the case with the Dirt Floor Drive pump reviewed this spring, tubeless tire users or anyone who adds a bit of sealant to tubes with removable valve cores will occasionally find themselves threading valve stems through their lockrings or removing valve cores while using the chuck. This can be both infuriating and messy if things aren’t kept nice and snug- but has reportedly been remedied with 2012’s ABS Flip Chuck, which depressurizes the system for unmounting. The other reason would be the $100 price- though it’s a very well made and specialized tool, most riders don’t spend that much on their primary home pump.
Sitting in a class of its own, the Travel Floor Drive has proved itself very useful and takes up very little space in the car. Not one rider has used it without commenting on its apparent desirability, either. Though it doesn’t get used every ride, the ability to check tire pressures or quickly change a tire or tube at the trailhead has been fantastic- though the new wood-handled Steel Travel Floor Drive likely works every bit as well for $40 less..
marc
