Topeak has a long history of making some of the best tools and bike accessories. The Mountain 2Stage Digital is designed to be all the MTB pump you’ll need for tires and suspension adjustment on the trail and for the most part it works brilliantly. While it seems expensive, bulky and heavy for just one pump, it’s actually cheaper, more compact and lighter than two similar quality separates.
Design
The 2Stage uses a stout alloy handle section with a two-position rubberised dial on the base. Twisting this changes it from HV (a High Volume 84cc stroke for tire inflation) to HP (a High Pressure 11cc stroke for suspension inflation). The composite head includes the LCD display for the digital gauge and the short swivelling braided hose. This has a pressure release button on the base and a two-piece alloy valve head on the other.
Performance
The weight and size of the pump obviously has consequences for its packability in terms of where it’ll fit in a pack/pocket/internal frame storage. You’ve got to remember that you’re not having to carry two separate pumps though and the build quality gives it a real solidity in use. The ‘2Stage’ switch is simple and intuitive to use with clear labeling just in case and it has an obvious effect on pumping. In fact the HV setting is potentially on the high side as compression gets quite hard about 25psi with a standard valve. It does mean tires go up fast though and I even managed to seat a well-fitted tubeless tire with a frantic burst of strokes which is very rare for a trail pump. The shaft is thick/stiff enough to stop flex between the two halves and both ends are long enough that there’s little danger of trapping a fat/overhanging hand between them.
The head requires a bit more skill/patience though. The knurled ‘Kashima’ colored top section can either be pushed or threaded onto a Presta style valve for tire inflation. It’s loose and leaky when pushed on though and screwing it in place needs a firm hand. While it never actually happened with this pump, the potential to accidentally unscrew the valve core without realizing when removing the pump always haunts the use of this kind of attachment. To use the Schrader valve you slide the lower part up to the attached section and screw it tight. This pushes the internal plunger against the pin inside the Schrader valve to open it. That works great and means no pressure leak when adjusting forks/shocks. The only grip on the lower section is a thin O-ring though, so it’s often hard to unscrew the two halves of the head. You generally don’t use much air if you just unscrew both together, but if both sections were knurled it would be easier to separate them.
Apart from potential connection/removal issues, the big digital screen which toggles through PSI, bar and KG/CM is easy to use. It uses an easy-to-find CR2032 battery which should last a while and it seems very accurate. The pressure relief valve is a great for fine-tuning pressures too.
Verdict
Topeak’s Mountain 2Stage Digital pump could be even better with a bit of head refinement and at first glance it looks expensive and bulky. You’re actually saving money and bulk compared to carrying two pumps of similar quality. Once you learn to connect/disconnect it cleanly, it’s got a great, bombproof feeling action and it’s accurate as well. Only having to remember/pack one pump to cover all inflation issues is a convenience game changer too.
Tech specs: Topeak Mountain 2Stage Digital
- Price: $114.95 / £94.99
- Size: 26 x 4.7 x 3.5cm
- Weight: 232g
