Blackburn Core Slim Mini Pump

I just bought this to replace my similarly sized Lezyne pump, after it got the habit of eating my valve cores. That pump had been very good for over a decade, but for some reason on a recent 2-flat ride, it would remove the presta valve core every time I used it. Apparently, this is a well known problem that left me needing a lift home.

Lucky for me, I got this Blackburn pump as I pinch flatted yesterday, right after receiving it. It's smooth, easy to use, has a well designed chick which threads onto the valve, which is swivel-connected, so there's no awkward turning of the entire pump (as on the Lezyne). Easy action got me to a rideable pressure of about 50 psi pretty quickly. Didn't try for more as I was close to home, but it seemed like it would not have been a great chore to do so.

A word about design - the pump has an integrated hose, which is vastly better than the pumps which connect rigidly at one end of the pump. However, until you achieve pressure (a few quick pumps) that hose flops all over, and gives the (false) impression that it is not connected to anything. That really threw me as I first tried to locate the hole in my tube by pumping it a bit. Since it leaked from a gash, no pressure was ever established, leaving me with this weirdly wobbly hose, no pressure, and the terror that I was going to be stuck..again. But now that I understand how it works, all is good.

Another great plus, and what decided me on this pump is that it includes a valve core tool. If for some reason your valve core is loose, and therefore at risk of being removed by this threaded chuck, you can easily tighten it up before using the pump. Excellent little detail! Note - presta only pump.

I bought this because I have not practiced with CO2 inflators, and I've been using bike pumps since the 1970s. I miss my Silca frame pump, which was long enough to swat at dogs. This pump is pretty small, connects easily with a Presta valve, and it inflates a tire to a reasonably high pressure easily. It snaps shut securely, and isn't too noticeable in the water bottle bracket mount. If you're going to ride in Atlanta city streets you'd better be ready to change your flats, and I'm confident with this pump.

I had the opportunity to use this pump twice now, and aside from a getting-acquainted phase, it's great. Slim, easy to use, screw on chuck for solid connection. The hose is integrated and rests retracted inside the body of the pump. As soon as you achieve pressure the hose is fully extended and feels nice and solid. However, I did not know this on my first try, with a slashed tube - so I never achieved pressure and was flummoxed by the hose just flopping around seemingly unconnected. Then I found the slice in my tube, and figured out the rest.

A note on why I bought this one - my prior pump was a Lezyne which I had been happy with until a sad day a few months ago when I managed 2 flats in one ride. But what really ate me up was that pump's newfound appetite for valve cores. Apparently this is a well known issue with Lezyne. The Blackburn model, brilliantly, has an integrated valve tool so if needed, you can screw down the core to avoid this very issue. So if you're looking for a small, easy presta pump to carry, get this one and do not get the Lezyne, unless you carry a valve core tool.