Planet Bike SSX Stainless Steel Floor Pump
By Jon Sharp

Planet Bike has been in the business of making very useful products since 1996. The products they make are generally not too expensive, and yet they are very well constructed. They don't seem to build anything that doesn't have a purpose. One of the more tedious, yet necessarily common tasks associated with bikes, is the need to check and maintain good air pressure in the tires. For years, I did this by feel using a 'mini' pump both on and off the bike. With so many other items I wanted to purchase for my bike, I never wanted to spend my money on a floor pump, though I often wished I had. Here reviewed is Planet Bike's SSX Stainless Steel Floor Pump--it changed my view of floor pumps forever.

Upon first inspection of the pump, there are a few things that are most notable. This particular model is constructed with a stainless steel barrel. Right away, I noticed the dual-action head, and the nice large gauge. There is a stainless steel base with little rubber grip areas for good contact with both the ground and your shoe. Construction quality seems very high (as is usual with Planet Bike products).

Another thing that struck me was the bizarre-looking handle. Though not owning one for a while, I've used many pumps, and for the most part, handles are utilitarian. There're the wooden handles and the foam-grip handles, and more commonly the plastic handles. No matter what the material, though, the handle is always basically flat and rod-shaped--reminiscent of many light-weight straight bars of years past, only without that 'huge' 3 degree bend. Planet Bike dubs their handle the Love Handle, and it is aptly named. It looks as though someone were handed a piece of wet clay and, after squeezing it, attached it to the top of the pump. Honestly, it isn't the best looking, but about 1 second after gripping the pump for the first time, I was sold. This is by far the most comfortable pump I have ever used, and that is due mostly to the incredible Love Handle.

As I mentioned before, this pump is incredibly constructed. After months of use, and abuse, it continues to work as flawlessly as the first day. The dual-head valve works well, and is pretty intuitive. Although the gauge is fairly low on the barrel, it is large. Also, it includes a dial that you can turn to mark your target PSI for easier pumping. One complaint with that dial was that the marker is black and the dial is black. It would be quite a bit easier (especially in the dark hours of the early morning or evening) to read the dial while pumping if the marker were white.

Summary: The SSX is a fantastic pump with many great features. If $45 is too much to part with for a floor pump, most of these features (including the incredible Love Handle) can be found on four other pumps ranging in price from $16 to $40 and constructed of composite, steel, or aluminum. This pump has forever changed the way I look at floor pumps, as well as setting a new standard in my book. No longer will I look at the floor pump as a mundane and necessary tool sucking from my wallet. I now embrace this pump with excitement, longing for the day my tire pressure will drop a few PSI--giving me the excuse to pull it out, wrap my hands around the Love Handle, and pump with conviction and enjoyment.

Jon Sharp is a Contributing Editor to GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
Chrome
www.planetbike.com
2402 Vondron Road
Madison, WI 53718
1-866-256-8510
info@planetbike.com