I still have a Silca floor pump that I use regularly and, to be totally honest, the last time I got a new pump was at least a dozen years back (Pedro’s with a steel barrel and wooden handle). So when the Pedro’s was giving up the ghost for the fifth or sixth time, I had a look around. Saw that Lezyne (the brainchild of the guy that started TruVativ) had a line of awesome looking Floor Drive pumps. Four pumps in total, from the low-end Classic all the way up to the crisp looking CNC. For one reason or another I ended up with an Alloy model (just below the CNC) which is a freakin’ revelation.
Lezyne sends the Alloy Floor Drive out with a CNC’d alloy barrel and double-eared, alloy base and the same steel piston featured in all its other Floor Drive pumps. The Alloy has a beautiful three-piece wood handle that is finished with a light varnish; for whatever reason the handle just screams high quality from across the room. Tucked in the base is a gauge that’s large enough to read and goes all the way to 220PSI. Why anyone would need to pump a bike tire to 220PSI, I have no idea. At least Chad and I are fans of riding tires at lower pressures. Not sure what the trade-off is in efficiency between 110PSI and 125 or higher PSI, but 110 just feels better over bumps and through corners.
We digress. Aside from its instantly classic looks, the real reason to buy the Alloy Floor Drive (or any of the other three Floor Drive models) is the multi-piece Flip-Thread chuck that, like most, works for Presta or Schrader valves. The real beauty of the Flip-Thread is that it screws right onto the valve. Screws on. Not slips on and clamps like most other. When screwed in place, it’s impossible for the head to back off or leak air. A real boon to anyone that’s been trying to crank a tire up to 110PSI using a clapped out old pump that requires one hand on the wheel/pump head and one hand on the pump handle. Hands down, the best pump head we’ve ever used.
We’ve always got a few Floor Drive pumps on hand at the shop and can have anything shipped overnight that we don’t stock.
If you're interested give us a call @ 415.389.5461, email or come by the shop.
