Review of the Topeak JoeBlow Booster Pump - Is it a replacement for the air compressor?

[@billromano5844]

Great review Jom. Spot on. I purchased mine a little over a year ago. Definitely NOT a compressor, but the next best thing. It requires finesse, patience and strength, especially if you are dealing with a stubborn tire and repeat fillings up to 160psi. I was frustrated multiple times before I learned the little valve tricks that you point out here. I think a lot of people think that a tubeless valve needs to be screwed down super tight. But it doesn't! Leave it a little loose so that it protrudes up into the tire more. That was the key to success for me. That and removing the valve core.

[@jimbojet8728]

That was a very good review. Showing the ‘difficult to install’ tyres as well as the occasional easy one. Seating the tyre rim around the valve is an important feature to success, but in itself doesn’t guarantee a fit. I’ve actually cut small seals/o rings from an old tube and fitted that seal over a valve so that it helps make the seal inside the rim. To fit a second one outside the rim over the valve and tightened down with the lock nut has achieved a ‘fix’ for me. A good solid and permanent fix too. On occasion a determination to get the job done properly is required, but don’t despair , ever! You will succeed ! Good luck with it.

[@joshuablakehocking]

Just put on some Maxxis Ramblers 700x40 (120tpi) onto the Specialized Sequoia....I have the Joe Blow Booster here and they wouldn't budge...also resorted to a Air Compressor to inflate. Its just handy for those stubborn tyres to have some constant 100psi air going into the tyres while you manipulate the bead to seat nicely. Ramblers were definitely tough...the Specialized Sawtooths that came with the bike a easy peasy to mount with just the Joe Blow Booster pump. Thanks for a good review JOM.

[@GravelCyclist]

I have a review coming of another pump, similar to the Joe Blow, that SUCCESSFULLY mounted a Maxxis Rambler!

[@conquerorsoftheuseless9800]

I was able to mount some Maxxis Ramblers on a Bontrager wheel with a rigged Home Depot weed sprayer! It was a pain, and I’m sure I was a little lucky but it worked. Piking up a Joe Blow for my next mount. Thanks for the review!

[@amoshagan7645]

Nice tutorial , i think i prefer your method of seating and inflating then adding the sealant . ive purchased the components but as yet have not ever set up a tubeless system .......

[@GravelCyclist]

Yes, I always dry mount a tyre first, making sure it pops and seals, then add sealant.

[@ThePeasAZ]

Great review!!! Thanks. Purchasing now, based on this video.

[@chadashton7029]

Have you used the Bontrager Flash Charger TLR yet? If so...how does it compare? The Bontrager is $40 less retail so as a less expensive option it would be nice to see how they compare. I do love my JoeBlow Sport floor pump though.

[@joecondron2131]

Chad Ashton, bought the pump, 1st time user of tubeless tyres, 650b wheels x 47mm wide, after 6 attempts still no luck. Feeling pissed off!

[@Drpepper99uk]

Hi,did you ever make a review on the IRC 28mm X Guard tyre? I'm looking to buy the 25mm RBCC and I'll be interested to see how the more tougher version fared!

[@sunshinecycling]

So it seems normal to only get 60 or so PSI when initially inflating/sealing from the charge mode at 160 PSI.

[@madmarc]

If you load the canister with 160psi, does it hold the pressure for a while, or does it leak slowly till it empties after a couple hours? I'm asking cause I just bought one and it leaks slowly and I want to make sure that's normal.

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi Marc, in my experience, it holds air in the cannister for a long time, as in, several days.

[@madmarc]

@@GravelCyclist Thanks for letting me know.

[@madmarc]

I just checked the manual and it says not to store air in the pump when not in use for safety reasons. I guess it's probably normal for it to leak out if it's designed to release the air immediately after pumping. cdn.topeak.com/storage/app/media/download/product-manual/JoeBlow%E2%84%A2%20Booster/M-TJB-BST2-ML-08-16-web.pdf

[@vongdong10]

I'm a little late but did you also try seating the tyres with the valve core removed? Quite the restriction.

[@GravelCyclist]

You are spot on, and I always inflate sans valve core. Thanks for chiming in.

[@thisisbrettvi]

was following up until big cockroach distracted me 3:00-3:25

[@GravelCyclist]

He was heading to the food bowl. :)

[@arescrosby4855]

not sure if you guys cares but if you are bored like me atm you can watch pretty much all of the new movies and series on instaflixxer. Been binge watching with my brother for the last few months :)

[@maxtonrene3921]

@Ares Crosby yea, I've been watching on instaflixxer for months myself =)

[@zekelee4505]

@Ares Crosby yup, have been watching on InstaFlixxer for since november myself =)

[@Stickybutton]

Hi there, would it help withe the Specialized tire partially first before boosting the air through? This will cause it to 'pop' it more perhaps?

[@shalevbalasiano7340]

great detailed review

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks for the kind words, appreciate the feedback. We also have the Bontrager and Lezyne versions of this pump coming for review in the future.

[@MikeZak101]

the bollocks comment was great and pretty much sums up tubeless, not sure how big your tool box is but i would never get that in mine.

[@Piplodocus]

Worked a lot better than my WTB Resolutes on Raceface/Easton AR25 rims. Brand new Joe Blow Booster, and I spent an hour and a half buggering about with it, doing my damnedest trying to get the bead as close to the rim as possible (although seems all but impossible on these rims), swearing profusely and having many, many attempts. In the end gave up and used the compressor at work. These rims and tyres don't seem the happiest trying to seat to be fair, but I've managed my MTB ones with a regular track pump, and bought this specifically so I shouldn't need CO2 cartridges for this bike. :-/

[@alsayers]

Good review. Thanks mate!

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks Al! Trying hard to provide real reviews that aren't just fluff and a bunch of photos.

[@alsayers]

It was also about a product I didn't know about.

[@josephalonsabe7633]

Thanks for the awesome video mate! I just switched to tubeless and don’t reckon I’ll be switching tires often. Do you think it’s a good idea to still get a booster type pump instead of a regular floor pump? Cheers 🍻

[@GravelCyclist]

Not every tyre will seat with a regular pump, so you will need a Booster pump or a compressor to accomplish that.

[@romeodalipe1424]

Do you have a distributor of Topeak JoeBlow Pump in the Philippines??

[@GravelCyclist]

Hello, you need to pose this question to Topeak, this is a review, I am not affiliated with Topeak.

[@josephalonsabe7633]

awesome video! Excuse me if this is a stupid question but how exactly does that work? When charged up to 160 psi and transferred to the tire wouldn't that cause the tire to explode? Thanks

[@GravelCyclist]

160psi in the tank translates to much less inside a tyre casing... the bigger the casing, the lesser the pressure.

[@driftwood1752]

You used 120 psi in the 28mm tyre as opposed to 160 psi as in the manual. Have you since tried filling these tyres with 160?

[@arleygomez465]

SUPERB review.

[@Phyoomz]

Would this have any adverse effects to a regular clincher tyre+tube system?

[@GravelCyclist]

I don't think so.

[@Phyoomz]

@@GravelCyclist Thank you for the response!

[@1afterthep]

how do I get the beads to seat correctly when installing the tire prior to inflating? topeak says you have to or inflating won't work. but I thought inflating was meant to seat the beads. I'm trying to install new schwalbe racing ralphs

[@GravelCyclist]

I make sure the tyre sits evenly in the rim channel, ideally on both sides. The tyre needs to be snug around the valve, either side. Have you tried removing the valve core to inflate? Much greater air volume... also, loose-fitting tyres are a major pain. Good luck!

[@1afterthep]

if I remove the valve core I need some kind of adapter, right? What's it called?

[@GravelCyclist]

You need a tool to remove the valve core... the trick is, you ideally pop the tyre onto the bead with the core removed... then, with a finger at the ready, remove the pump chuck and cover the exposed valve with that finger. Then, get your valve and again working quickly, pop the core back into the valve... if you get it right, you won't lose a lot of air. Takes a little practice at first.

[@briang1561]

Is it stable while pumping?

[@louis24x7]

Would I need to always pump to 120 or 160 psi if my tyre's pressure max is at 65 psi? Or should I just fill the air cylinder only up to 60~ psi?

[@GravelCyclist]

I would inflate to 120psi in the cylinder and see how it goes. You won't get 120psi in the tyre - remember, a lot of air is wasted during the "pop" of the bead onto the tyre. The pump has a nice air release button if you need to lower tyre pressure quickly.

[@louis24x7]

Thank you for a very good review and your response. I think you've just about sold me on this!

[@Buck2901]

Well done, thanks.

[@H_Oscarsson]

Is there any benefit to use this on tires with tubes or should I buy a cheaper one?

[@GravelCyclist]

Henric, this pump is more beneficial for tubeless tires. You're best saving money and getting a cheaper pump if you are only using tubes. Good luck!

[@Fredengle]

I am trying to see If I can replace the chuck on this can any one tell me the hose diameter please ?

[@GravelCyclist]

Why don't you remove the chuck and measure yourself?

[@Fredengle]

yeah I guess that an option maybe I am getting ahead of my self my theory was since this is basically an air compressor the theoroy would be to add a hose that has an in line regulator and universal adapter here might be an easier question for you is it designed to hold pressure for a long time ? I dont understand why you would not say its an air compressor replacement all I know is it is possibly suitable for what I mayneed it for as previously stated maybe this question is easier to asnwer it it desgined for long term air storage ? ideas please thank you?

[@Wingnut65]

Definitely handy for sportive events? Boot of the car etc... How's the Maxxis Rambler performing?

[@GravelCyclist]

Hi Ian, if you run tubeless, I'd definitely keep one of these in the boot. Still loving the Maxxis Rambler - I have a full review of the tyre on my site here - www.gravelcyclist.com/bicycle-tech/review-maxxis-rambler-40mm-tires/

[@RolandAllen]

Thank you.

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you Roland. Another pump to consider that is almost like this one, the Bontrager TLR Flashcharger. I have reviewed the original version of that pump here on the channel. I have the latest version under review.

[@Tuffjobs]

I can’t see the benefit of this expensive pump over a decent track pump. Seating tubeless tyres has never been a problem. I wonder if this pump addresses a problem that doesn’t really exist?

[@GravelCyclist]

I'd like to see you mount a 700c x 50mm gravel tyre on camera with your track pump.

[@AH-hp5si]

I have yet to have this pump pop a single tubeless tire to a rim: 29er, 26 er, 24er, 700c cyclocross, 700c road.... Schwalbe, Vittoria, Conti, Maxxis... soapy water, orange seal... valve core intact, valve core removed... doesn't matter. It just doesn't dump enough air in a sudden burst to pop a tire. CO2 works every time, the first time. I suppose with a ton of messing around with the bead it might work now and then. But, a CO2 cartridge dumps more air in a shorter time than even a garage compressor. Also, if use the pump with the valve core removed, it will ruin the gasket in the chuck so that it wont seal around a presta valve with a valve core intact. So there's that.

[@GravelCyclist]

A good thing I demonstrated it working on video. Thinking you should ask Topeak for a refund?

[@wallace8637]

Turkish music was a surprise to hear 😁😁

[@thatguyonabicycleofconsurv3908]

How much United states dollars is it

[@citizenwolf8720]

Thanks for the video. What sort of gobshite gives you a thumbs-down for an informative video like this?!

[@GravelCyclist]

Thanks mate. I have a crew of sad, jealous, anonymous little haters whose only accomplishment in life is clicking the down button. They likely live with mummy in the basement.

[@YPO6]

0:49 Is it more environmental friendly if you are vegan powered human?

[@GravelCyclist]

I'm vegetarian but I don't feel the need to tell everyone about it.

[@voydnaught1397]

Terrible pump for inflating anything but brand new tyres. It's supposed to take the hassle out of tubless setup, but the "Smart Head" flops around and easily slides off the valve unless the core is still in place, and the pressure cannister simply cannot deliver a sufficient blast of air to inflate anything but new tyres even when the core is removed. I've been using tubless since the days of ghetto-tubless and I konw nearly every trick in the book for seating tyres. This pump is not fit for purpose.

[@golfcurve7]

I understand what you are saying......what would you suggest would be better?