Sigma Sport Lambda Jet Digital Pump
By James Sharp

You are on some of the best single track you can ever remember riding, about 5 miles into a remote location. You just finished hammering up a short steep climb and are now reaping the rewards of tight twisty downhill trail. Right as you hit the bottom you feel a your rim hit a rock and…pssssssssssssssss. Now what do you do? A perfect ride ruined because you have a long hike to get out. Or not, if you have a pump and patch kit or tube. There are some things that any cyclist should not leave the house without. Namely, water, a helmet, patch kit, tube, some basic tools and a pump. You can't fix a flat without the patch kit or tube, and you can't put air into the tire with out a pump.

The Lambda Jet Digital reviewed here is made by Sigma. Sigma is a German company that makes bicycle accessories. There are a couple of things that sets them apart from other such companies. One, everything that they sell mounts to the bike without tools. The Lambda Jet is not exception. Two, their products are affordable. They understand that most mountain bikers work hard for every dollar that they spend on mountain biking. The Lambda Jet Digital pump is their top of the line pump and still it retails for $39.99. You can get all the functionality in their Alpha Jet--an all-plastic unit without the gauge and electronics, which is only $14.99 and is a bit smaller and lighter.

So what sets the Lambda Jet Digital apart from other frame mounted pumps? It is really a mini floor pump. There is a pull out head, a folding footrest and a folding T handle. One benefit of this metamorphosis is that the pumping motion doesn't place any stress on the fragile Presta valves. It is so frustrating to pump up a tire only to break off the little brass nut that closes the valve, or at least to bend it to the point that it no longer functions. In addition, this Sigma pump has a built in, programmable gauge. There is an alarm that sounds when you have reached a preset pressure. It can be programmed for up to two different pressures, e.g. a road bike pressure and a mountain bike pressure. It reads in bar or psi and works with either Presta or Schrader valves.

Remember I said that no Sigma product uses tools to mount to the bicycle? Well, the Lambda Jet Digital uses a built in elastic strap to hold the pump securely to any tube you want. I never had it slip on me once. When I got the pump I was worried that the rubber strap used to attach the pump would wear out and crack or break, but I was assured that this is nothing to worry about. First, it is a silicon-impregnated material, which means that it is very weather resistant. Second, should a person every cut it or damage it in a crash, it is replaceable at a minimal cost, literally less than a dollar. I have also been informed that the locations that sell Sigma products are provided with replacement parts to keep in stock.

To put is simply, this is an easy to use pump, with many smart features. It is on the bulky side and isn't light by any stretch. It does have an accurate digital gauge, with alarms, though, as well as an aluminum barrel.

Summary: This floor/frame pump comes in four flavors; the Lambda Jet Digital ($39.99), the Lambda Jet Analog ($24.99), the Delta Jet (19.99) and the plastic Alpha Jet ($14.99). In the Lambda Jet Digital you get a well thought out pump that is easy on the valves and makes inflating tires road- or trail-side a breeze. It is on the large side, but would make an excellent companion on a road trip where car space doesn't allow a full floor pump. The only problem that I encountered was that it doesn't fit all bikes. It is longish at 13 inches, but Alpha Jet is shorter and lighter, in addition to costing less. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of the Jet models; the digital version is just the cream of the crop.

James Sharp is a contributing editor to GearReview.com specializing in mountain biking.

For more information, contact:
Sigma Sport
1926 Miller Drive
Olney, IL 62450
USA
888-744-6277
www.sigmasport.com