A reliable and versatile track pump that’s durable enough to stand the test of time and performs well as a home essential for everyday cyclists, though its valve head engagement requires a bit of a knack to get the air flowing in the right direction.
Pros
+
Wide, stable base with moulded foot space for secure and balanced pumping
+
Fast and easy valve connection with lock-on lever
+
Works well across road, gravel, and MTB setups
+
Large, easy-to-read pressure gauge with indicator marker
+
Durable construction and long lifespan
+
Reasonably priced with spares available for continuous repair
Cons
-
Occasional fiddliness with valve head engagement
-
Some people may prefer the security of a screw-on chuck
-
Plastic handle and dial feel less premium than wood or metal alternatives
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Tech Specs: Topeak JoeBlow Sport III
Price: £46.99
Weight: 1.61 kg
Pump type: Track / floor
Dimensions: 78.5 x 25.3 x 11.7 cm
Pressure gauge size: 3 inches
Dual Purpose Head: Yes
Stated max pressure: 160 psi / 11 bar
Volume per stroke: 318cc
Hose length: 72cm
Whether you're heading out on the road for a club ride, or planning a gravel stint around the local woods, you should always have the right amount of air in your tyres. That’s why a reliable track pump should be a non-negotiable part of your home setup. We’d recommend investing in one of the best bike pumps that your budget allows, because not only will they last you years, they’ll set you up for a successful ride each time you head out the door.
Topeak’s JoeBlow range has a long standing reputation as a go-to pump by amateur cyclists and professional mechanics alike. As the latest iteration, the Topeak JoeBlow Sport III promises the same level of performance, value and usability, so with the help of my local bike repair workshop, Wobbly Wheel Cyclery, I’ve been testing it out on as many bikes as possible with a range of tyre sizes, from 24-inch kids’ hybrid bikes to 700 x 25mm road slicks and 29 x 2.4” e-MTB tyres. How does it handle such a range? Keep reading to find out.
The JoeBlow Sport III is instantly recognisable with its bold, yellow barrel (Image credit: Future / Mildred Locke)
Design and aesthetics
The JoeBlow Sport III is instantly recognisable with its bold, yellow barrel: A feature that not only looks good, but is surprisingly helpful when you’re rummaging through a dimly lit shed or busy workshop.
It stands tall at 70cm, which I’m reliably informed makes it significantly easier to use for taller people, since you don’t need to bend as much to pump it. At 156cm in height myself this isn’t a problem I have to contend with, but it’s worth noting for many.
Its design features a wide, steel base that does a great job of keeping it stable and upright during use, plus there are moulded spaces to place your feet in order to hold it in place. These fit really well and feel very secure, and it all makes a big difference when inflating tyres for tubeless setups, when sudden bursts of air or forceful pumping can cause flimsier pumps to wobble.
The oversized dual-density polymer handle is comfortable in the hands, even when inflating multiple tyres back-to-back. While it doesn’t have the premium feel of wooden-handled options, its shape and texture are well considered, and provide decent grip even with sweaty or gloved hands.
It comes with a large, 3-inch pressure gauge dial that Topeak says is inspired by chronograph watch faces. The styling is subtle and looks really good, but more importantly it’s large, clear and easy to read. The yellow and white text on a black background feels easy on the eyes in different light conditions, and there’s a handy sliding marker you can use to manually set your target pressure.
Another well thought-out detail is the rotating connection between the hose and barrel, which keeps the hose from tangling or twisting awkwardly as you move around your bike. This makes the pump practical and (mostly) hassle-free to use, especially when you’re in a hurry and dealing with pre-ride faff.
The 3-inch pressure gauge dial is inspired by chronograph watch faces and is very easy on the eyes (Image credit: Future / Mildred Locke)
Performance
With all these well considered practical features, it’s unsurprising that the JoeBlow Sport III track pump really shines in its day-to-day performance. With each stroke it pumps out a decent volume of air, making it suitable for both high-pressure road slicks and medium-to-low volume gravel and mountain bike tyres. Having tested it across all three, I found that it understandably takes a bit longer with wider MTB tyres, but still moves air efficiently and without me over exerting in my efforts.
That said, it’s not without its minor quirks. Although Topeak’s updated TwinHead DX5 hammer-style chuck can quickly and securely attach to both Presta and Schrader valves (locking into place with a flip of the lever), I very quickly discovered that it doesn’t immediately recognise which valve type it’s connected to. Immediately after attaching it, the first few pumps may express air from the unused side, so as a workaround, you need to use your finger to cover the outer port and give it a few initial pumps to get the air flowing in the right direction. Once seated, though, the connection is solid.
Topeak’s updated TwinHead DX5 hammer-style chuck can quickly and securely attach to both Presta and Schrader valves (Image credit: Future / Mildred Locke)
Some might prefer a screw-on style attachment as opposed to this quick-lock style, because it offers a more secure connection. However the main benefit of this design is that it doesn’t risk unscrewing your valve core, which can happen with threaded chucks. I personally found the JoeBlow’s lever design to be faster, easier on the hands, and more intuitive overall, especially when inflating multiple bikes in succession.
The oversized handle is really comfortable to use, and the wide base keeps everything stable, even when applying force near the top of the pump stroke. This was mainly noticeable when pumping up skinny road tyres, which take much higher pressures. In this case, a wobbly base can cause you to lose your rhythm, not to mention balance.
Finally, the large pressure gauge is very responsive and does a decent job for general use. It’s not ultra-precise, but if that’s what you need then you’re better off with a digital gauge. For the majority of cyclists, though, the JoeBlow Sport III’s analogue gauge is easy to read and accurate enough for most people’s needs.
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Its design features a wide, steel base that does a great job of keeping it stable and upright during use(Image credit: Future / Mildred Locke)
The oversized dual-density polymer handle is comfortable in the hands, even when inflating multiple tyres back-to-back(Image credit: Future / Mildred Locke)
Verdict
In keeping with Topeak’s reputation, the JoeBlow Sport III sets a high bar for track pumps. It feels really durable and is exceptionally comfortable to use. Its wide base and ergonomic handle make it feel stable and controlled.
Efficient, easy to use, and thoughtfully designed, it’s difficult to fault. Sure, it doesn’t have the refined finish of more premium models with wood and metal detailing, and the valve connection takes a bit of a knack to get it working properly, but the overall performance and lifespan are enough to make up for that, not to mention its serviceability.
The fact that Topeak sells spare parts and rebuild kits means it’ll last you many years of service, delivering long-term value. I know of several cyclists still using earlier versions of the JoeBlow over a decade after buying them.
If you’re looking for one pump that can handle multiple bikes, valve types and pressure levels, the JoeBlow Sport III is hard to beat.
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Testing scorecard
Feature
Rating
Notes
Security
6/10
The folding design is naturally vulnerable to attack, but it’s solid enough for quick stops.
Build Quality
9/10
Feels robust and well-constructed, while the bracket is especially well designed.
Ease of Use
8/10
The bracket is exceptionally easy to use, while the actual threading and locking takes some practice to start with.
Portability
10/10
You cannot fault the ability to tuck a lock neatly to the frame and pedal without any rattle at all.
Value
7/10
While it’s a quality piece of kit, at this price point you’re mostly paying for convenience rather than something that would keep your bike safe from organised theft.
Mildred joined as Reviews Writer for Cyclingnews and BikePerfect in December 2020. She loves all forms of cycling from long-distance audax to daily errand-running by bike, and does almost everything on two wheels, including moving house, and started out her cycling career working in a bike shop. For the past five years she's volunteered at The Bristol Bike Project as a mechanic and session coordinator, and now sits on its board of directors.
Since then she's gone on to write for a multitude of cycling publications, including Bikeradar, Cycling Plus, Singletrack, Red Bull, Cycling UK and Total Women's Cycling. She's dedicated to providing more coverage of women's specific cycling tech, elevating under-represented voices in the sport, and making cycling more accessible overall.
