Bike Perfect Verdict
The Topeak JoeBlow Mountain X is a great option to get wider tires up to pressure double-quick.
Pros
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Very stable design with large base
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Comfortable pumping with a wide, grippy handle
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Rapid inflation from the extra-wide barrel
Cons
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Pumping gets hard close to the 60psi max pressure
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Shortish hose
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The Topeak JoeBlow Mountain X floor pump stands out in Topeak’s extensive range of pumps in being specifically designed for the mountain biker, making it one of the best floor pumps for bikes out there to use before you get riding. It’s not a cheap pump but it comfortably undercuts Topeak’s pumps like the Joe Blow Tubi 2Stage that use its 2Stage tech which gives you a choice between high volume and high pressure.
The Mountain X pump is definitely targeted at the high volume/low pressure rider with an extra-wide barrel that Topeak says shifts 722ml of air per stroke making for a claimed 50 percent faster inflation than with a more standard gauge pump. It’s rated up to 60psi/4 bar, making it a useful option for gravel bike riders and fat bike users as well as mountain bikers, although that max pressure means it’s not going to satisfy most road bike riders.
Design and specifications
The Topeak JoeBlow Mountain X is a big pump. Although not quite the size of a reservoir pump, the chunky 4.4cm diameter barrel and large area steel base give it heft, explaining its 2.3kg/5lb weight. They also make for plenty of stability, so it’s a pump that’s easy to use with minimal wobble. Topeak gives you a nice wide, straight metal handle too, with file pattern soft rubber grip surfaces that make for comfortable, efficient pumping, although the high volume makes it hard work to reach the 60psi maximum pressure.
The 3-inch diameter analog pressure gauge is mounted towards the base of the pump, but it’s clearly marked and easy to read down to the closest psi and comes with a pointer you can set to your target pressure.
Topeak uses a twin head Presta/Schrader adapter with a locking lever that makes a secure connection to your valve. At 81cm/32 inches long the hose is on the short size, although it swivels on the barrel helping it to reach a little further.
Performance
With a 29er tire holding 5 liters of air or more, being able to add a higher volume of air per stroke makes for much faster inflation, so you’ll be out on the trail that much faster. Topeak makes pumping comfortable too with its wide, grippy handle and the JoeBlow Mountain X’s stable steel base adding a lot of stability.
Verdict
If you’re looking for an MTB-specific pump and maybe want to use it to seat tires and you ride a bit of gravel too, the Topeak JoeBlow Mountain X is a pump that will do the job and should last for years.
Tech specs: Topeak JoeBlow Mountain X floor pump
- Price: $69.95 / £74.99 / €79.95 / AU$110
- Size: 72 x 26 x 14 cm / 28.3” x 10.2” x 5.5”
- Weight: 2.3kg / 5lb
- Handle width: 26.5cm / 10.5”
- Hose length: 81cm / 32"
- Compatibility: Presta/Schrader/balls/airbeds
- Max pressure: 60psi / 4 bar
