S&w Maxi Pump And Air Fork Pump
S&W Maxi Pump and Air Fork Pump
EVALUATION
Pocket Size Pumps For Inflating Tires and Forks
About a year ago we evaluated a new air pump from S&W. Called the Mini Pump, it fit easily into an enduro jacket or tool pouch. It would inflate a 3.00-21 tire in less than 2 min., and could be used for pressurizing shocks and forks. We think the Mini Pump is the greatest, and wouldn’t think of leaving for the wilds without one.
S&W has expanded the original Mini jnto several models and sizes. The Maxi is for the user who needs to fill large objects. The original Mini is still produced for forks and other small volume uses. An inbetween size called the Midi is sure to be just the right size for someone. And to aid fork pressurizing, S&W has recently developed the Air Fork Pump.
Maxi Pump
The Maxi measures 7 in. without its flexible, screw-on hose. The hose is 4 in. long and stores in the main body, greatly reducing the chance of loss. If the hose is lost the pump may still be used if space permits. In fact, S&W recommends using the pump without the hose where possible since higher pressures can be obtained. Volume of the Maxi pump is 66cc per stroke, compared to 22cc for the Mini. Using the pump rapidly sometimes results in pulling the plunger out of the housing, but air doesn’t escape; a one-way valve is located in the tip of the main body, allowing air in but not out. With three times the volume of the Mini, the Maxi theoretically should fill any given tire three times as fast, and it will. We inflated a 3.00-21 to 10 psi in a little under 2 min. with the Mini; the Maxi did the same job in 40 sec.
Air Fork Pump
The Air Fork Pump consists of a Mini Pump connected to the side of an aluminum sleeve that has a 100 psi gauge at one end, a bleed valve at the other, and a high pressure filler hose exiting the side opposite the pump. It is designed to eliminate the hassle connected with pressurizing air forks. Because volume is small on air forks, filling to the right psi can be frustrating; a quick stab with an air hose from a compressor (if one is available) invariably over-pressurizes them and bleeding to the desired pressure can require several attempts before the right psi is obtained. When using a conventional hand pump most of the air is lost when the hose is removed from the air valve. The Air Fork Pump has a one-way valve in the tip of the high pressure hose and the tip is designed so air doesn’t escape when the hose is unscrewed. The gauge is marked in 2 psi increments from 0 to 30 and 5 psi marks from 30 to 100.
The Air Fork Pump makes pressurizing forks a quick, simple chore. After the machine has been put on its center stand or a box, (load should be removed from forks before pressurizing), screw the hose end onto the air valve and pump to increase pressure, depress the bleed valve to decrease pressure. When the gauge shows the selected pressure, unscrew the hose. No air is lost and the need to guess at the finished result is removed.
S&W pumps are well-made and reasonably priced; the Mini is $6.95, the Midi sells for $7.95, the Maxi goes for $8.95, and the Air Fork Pump is $28.95. They are available from S&W dealers or contact S&W, CW7, 2617 Woodland, Anaheim, Calif. 92801. 0
