Problem with Blackburn TP-3 TrakPump
E Harp
apart recently (way to go Specialized, it lasted a whole two years) I
bought a Blackburn "TP-3 TrakPump."
It has a dual sided head with a handle that rotates towards the side that
the valve is currently inserted into.
The problem is, when the handle is in the center ("neutral" according to
the instructions), the air rushes out the other side. This makes using the
pump a pain in the rear end. One can force the head off of the value while
it is still in the "locked" position, but this encourages scraped knuckles
and I am sure tears on the rubber seal in the pump head.
I tried quickly turning the handle all the way to the other side, but
either side applies pressure to both sides of the head, so it is still
"locked."
I called Blackburn (actually Bell Sports), and their suggestion was to
loosen the cap on that side of the pump *while* it is on the value to
relieve the pressure on the value so I can more easily pull it off.
What?
Sigh, yet another crappy design that I paid too much ($44) for.
Anyone else have a recent Blackburn floor pump with this head? Having the
same problem?
Is there such a thing as a reliable pump head? I can of course chop the
offending one off of the pump and replace it with something that works.
Better yet, I will return it and get a pump that works. What is everyone's
favorite?
Thanks for any help,
Ed Harp
San Jose, CA
Jon Isaacs
>offending one off of the pump and replace it with something that works.
>Better yet, I will return it and get a pump that works. What is everyone's
>favorite?
My suggestion would be to buy a Silca head for your pump. Nice brass unit, it
costs about $6 and you can get replacement parts for it. IMHO, the best pump
out there is the Silca. No plastic and most shops carry the parts for them.
Next time you want to spend some money on a pump, get a Silca.
Jon Isaacs
hydr...@wake-012.c-u.net
>After my Specialized "Air Force" pump decided to start leaking and fall
>apart recently (way to go Specialized, it lasted a whole two years) I
>bought a Blackburn "TP-3 TrakPump."
>
>It has a dual sided head with a handle that rotates towards the side that
>the valve is currently inserted into.
>
>The problem is, when the handle is in the center ("neutral" according to
>the instructions), the air rushes out the other side. This makes using the
>pump a pain in the rear end. One can force the head off of the value while
>it is still in the "locked" position, but this encourages scraped knuckles
>and I am sure tears on the rubber seal in the pump head.
>
>I tried quickly turning the handle all the way to the other side, but
>either side applies pressure to both sides of the head, so it is still
>"locked."
>
>I called Blackburn (actually Bell Sports), and their suggestion was to
>loosen the cap on that side of the pump *while* it is on the value to
>relieve the pressure on the value so I can more easily pull it off.
>
>What?
>
>Sigh, yet another crappy design that I paid too much ($44) for.
>
>Anyone else have a recent Blackburn floor pump with this head? Having the
>same problem?
>
>Is there such a thing as a reliable pump head? I can of course chop the
>offending one off of the pump and replace it with something that works.
>Better yet, I will return it and get a pump that works. What is everyone's
>favorite?
I have a TP-4 which has had almost a year of regular use without
problems. At first, I had exactly the same problem as you but it went
away after I flatted the tubes in my training wheelset. Something
about the interaction with that particular valve, if I recall
correctly. Now, I can put it in the neutral middle spot and only air
from the hose will leak out. It might've just been that they were old
tubes whose valves didn't close properly.
I usually pop the pump head off when it's in the locked position. You
might want to try loosening the caps on both sides to make that
easier.
Mitch Haley
but should work fine with presta. I'd call it a good excuse to
upgrade your tubes.
Mitch.