Birzman Maha Grand Push & Twist V Floor Pump

Birzman's Grand Maha Push & Twist V is a very capable track pump that delivers a good amount of air per stroke. The Push & Twist head is one of the best systems that I've used and there's plenty of hose length too.

• Pros: Quick inflation; high pressures are easy; managed tubeless; great head system
• Cons: Too tall for some; plastic handle isn't the most comfortable

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Inflating tyres is one of the most common bits of bike maintenance that we do, but I'm probably not alone when I admit that I can be rather lazy about tyre pressures, especially when heading out for a casual road ride.

I'm also not that keen on investing a huge amount of money into a pump. Durability, an easy to use head and an accurate, clear gauge are key features that I want. Birzman's Grand Maha ticks all of these boxes for me, with the Push & Twist system a real highlight, and at a reasonable price.

High pressures are easy to reach, with the length of the CNC machined aluminium barrel getting a 25mm road tyre up to my usual 75psi in 17 strokes. The pump is rated up to 220psi, though I don't have any tubulars to test that on. What I can say for those of you who like high pressures is that 100psi is easy to achieve. Down at the low pressure that I use for cyclo-cross I still prefer a digital gauge for the most accurate pressure readings.

During testing I had the joyous task of setting up some tubeless tyres. Without a compressor, it's not a job that I relish. Thankfully, the Maha's air volume per stroke is good enough to get a 25mm tubeless tyre seated, though you'll need some vigorous pumping.

The Push & Twist head system locks on to Presta and Schrader valves with no need to faff about changing bits around inside the head. Engaging the head is genuinely as easy as the Birzman video suggests, and I find this pump easier to use than my Lezyne with its ABS head.

The gauge is good but this is one area where I still prefer my digital Lezyne pump. It's easier to set precise pressures, which I find especially important when racing in the rain. That said, you can get accurate-enough pressures for most road and gravel riding conditions.

One slight issue that you'll face (literally) if, like me, you're slightly vertically challenged, is that with the handle fully drawn up, my chin was in danger of taking a knock. (Birzman describes it as a longer version of the Maha Push & Twist V, so shorter folk might be better off with that.)

I'm also not the biggest fan of the plastic handle. I don't mind plastic handles generally, but the underside of this one isn't that comfortable on the fingers. You can get a varnished wooden handle with the Maha Grand III if you're bothered, though that also comes with a price hike to £69.99.

At £44.99, this is on a par price-wise with other good options. The Lezyne that I mentioned above is £49.99, though I picked it up on a discount. The pump that everything has to beat at this price, though, is the Topeak Joe Blow Sport III. In its latest form, it scored a 9/10 from us.

> Buyer's Guide: 12 of the best track pumps

Value is always slightly subjective, but I'd say that you're getting a good deal with this pump. It seems to be well made with a great head, long hose and a good gauge. For my particular needs, I'd still pick a digital pump for the accuracy of the gauge, but many road and gravel riders will be very happy with this pump.

If you need a pump that easily reaches high pressures with a head that is quick to use then this is a very good option.

Verdict

Easy to get high pressures with a great head system