Lezyne floor pumps have long been a staple in bike shops around the world. I had been looking for a replacement for my broken department store pump for a while, so at Outerbike last fall I made note of what the demo booth mechanics were using. With only a couple of exceptions, they all had a Lezyne.
That was enough to convince me, so I dropped some hints and my wife made a Classic Dirt Drive appear under the Christmas tree for me. 😀
Lezyne makes the Drive Floor Pump in three main models, with each of those coming in either high pressure (for road bikes) or high volume (for mountain bikes) models. The mechanical bits are the same throughout, with the major differences as follows:
- Classic Drive – painted body, hardwood handle.
- Alloy Drive – CNC-machined body, varnished hardwood handle.
- CNC Drive – CNC-machined body and handle, all highly polished.
Let me reiterate, the functional internals of all three models are the same, so with the exception of the handles, the differences are mostly aesthetic. Most of the shop models I have seen are the Alloy version, which makes sense since the varnished handle will hold up to daily use from greasy-handed mechanics, and the machined body doesn’t show dings and scuffs like the painted one will.
So back to mine. Given my budget and usage, the Classic model fits the bill nicely. The hardwood handle is just the right size for a firm grip, and the ample base provides an excellent foothold, whether on my garage floor or at the trailhead. The rubber hose is extra long, with enough reach even when a bike is in the work stand. Also, the hose is constructed so that it loops over the handle and the chuck can clip into a notch on the other side for storage.
The patented Flip Chuck is capable of handling either Presta or Schrader valves by unscrewing it and, well, flipping it. No seals need to be changed out or rubber o-rings fiddled with, which is especially nice when using it outdoors. The Lezyne website indicates that a slip-on Quick Chuck is also included, but mine came with just the standard Flip Chuck. Still, I have seen no need to upgrade.
The Lezyne also has an optional Air Bleed System (ABS) Flip Chuck with a pressure bleed-off button, similar to a shock pump, but it only lets off tire pressure on Shrader valves. On Presta valves it lets the pressure out of the hose, making it easier to unscrew it from the valve, but it does not affect tire pressure.
Speaking of pressure, the bottom-mounted gauge on the Dirt Drive is large and easy to read, and it is calibrated to a max of 70psi in keeping with its intended use on larger tires. Personally, I would like the tick marks to be a little more granular, but even so I have no issue getting the pressure I want with just a glance.
With zero road bikes in my inventory, the Dirt Drive with its high-volume air chamber is perfect. It makes short work of even 4″ wide fatty tires, and also pushes enough air to seat most tubeless setups with just a few quick strokes. To my surprise, the black paint is holding up well even though I routinely toss it into the car when heading out to ride. Obviously, scratched paint has no bearing on functionality, but it’s still nice to see it looking good.
First impressions are one thing, but what about durability? I’ve been using mine extensively for almost 6 months, and if I took a cleaning rag to it I could probably pass it off as new. Lezyne floor pumps carry a two-year warranty, but even so, things wear out eventually. Fortunately, they are designed to be easily serviceable, with replacement parts readily available online.
The Classic Dirt Drive, with the ABS Flip Chuck and Quick Chuck both included, retails for an MSRP of $69.99. If bling is your thing, you can upgrade to the Alloy model for $79.99 (MSRP) or the CNC model for $99.99 (MSRP).
Whichever model you choose, just make sure you really like it, as it may well be the last floor pump you ever buy!
