When it comes to performance, I found the Specialized to be superior. But for those with poorer eye sight and who want to see the gauge every time the tires are being pumped, having the gauge 20 inches closer could be a significant improvement. I’m blessed with good eyesight, and the three-inch gauge on the base of the Specialized was not a problem for me, especially after the first use, when I knew the position of the needle in the 120 psi mark. The Blackburn Air Tower 3, however, has moved the gauge to the top of the barrel in order to make it easier to see. The Specialized Air Tool places the gauge in the usual place at the base of the barrel. The main visible difference between the two, though, is where the gauge is mounted. The three-sided base does increase stability some but it also increases the overall “volume” taken up by the pump, which can be an issue when trying to fit it under the car seat or in a transition bag. The Specialized model sits on a three-sided base, while the Blackburn sits on the standard two-prong base. Both models use a heavy-duty steel barrel, which is far more durable than plastic ones used in other model and brands, and both use their own version of ergonomically designed handles. The Air Tool Sport and the Air Tower 3 are both priced in the low $40s and are known and marketed as value-priced pumps with most of the features of the higher priced models.
The Specialized Air Tool and Blackburn Air Tower lines have had a significant presence in bike shops’ shelves for years. Specialized and Blackburn are two leading floor pump manufacturers. However, having a floor pump that does not easily and accurately pump air into our tires can be an enraging pre-riding experience. Yes, they will all work, at least initially and at least to a certain degree. Unfortunately, not all floor pumps are reliable. At this rate, most of us will be pumping our tires up more than 50 times per year therefore a good floor pump is a must. I personally do not pump my tires every single time I hop on my bike (about three times per week), but I do pump them up at least once per week. As a result, most experts recommend that tires be pumped prior to every ride, which for most of us is every two to five days. A lighter weight butyl tube (often called “race”) will lose around five pounds per day, while a latex tube may lose as much as 15 pounds per day. A clincher tire with a butyl tube will lose two to three pounds of pressure per day. As we all know, air leaks out slowly from bike tires with time. Practically every household that includes a cyclist or triathlete has a floor pump sitting in the garage.
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