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Specialized has had the Air Tool Comp in its range for many years, and I have been using my personal model for at least ten years, which can be seen from the external condition of the pump. I use the pump for all my bikes, whether it's a road bike with slim and tightly inflated tyres up to seven bar or an MTB with knobby tyres. Although these tyres have significantly more volume, they only roll through the terrain with a third as much pressure.
To inflate a road bike tyre from zero to seven bar, the slim Comp requires around 24 strokes and is a good average (maximum pressure 8.7 bar). The piston moves up and down in the cylinder with little play; its rubberised plastic handle offers a good grip and the ergonomics are perfect for medium-sized hands. When I bought the pump ten years ago (I think it cost 25 or 30 euros at the time), the pressure gauge in the base of the Comp was still big enough for me and I could see all the figures from a standing position. Today, with eyes that are ten years older, I would like to see a larger pressure gauge, like on the sister model "MTB", for example. I am really impressed by the robust pump head with its high-quality mechanism. The rubber seal is as supple as on the first day and seals perfectly; the clamping lever also works as it did on the first day and moves into position in a defined manner.
If I need a lot of volume, I like to use the Comp's big sister "MTB", which, with a displacement of half a litre, only reaches a maximum pressure of just under three bar, but allows the bead of tubeless tyres to jump into the rim flange when the piston is pressed into the cylinder with force. I find the "SwitchHitter II" pump head, which automatically switches between Presta and Schrader valve (car valve), really practical, because I prefer to use the "fat" pump to inflate Vespa and car tyres at home in front of my own garage rather than at the petrol station.
Floor pumps Air Tool Comp and MTB from Specialized - data and price
- Volume 365/508 ccm (Comp/MTB)
- Maximum pressure 8.3/2.7 bar (Comp/MTB)
- Well made, pump head seals very well
- Good handles
- the pressure gauge on the "MTB" is easy to read, on the "Comp" less so
- the Switch-Hitter II pump head is practical
- Prices: 65/100 € (Comp/Pump) >> available here
Matthias Borchers
Editor
