Pinkbike Award Winner: Product of the Year

Jan 23, 2015
by Pinkbike Staff  
Choosing one product from the sea of shiny objects that the mountain bike industry churns out each season is a tough process, so when we finally pick Pinkbike's Product of the Year, we get all excited about it. But, like the child at the beach, happily waving a sea shell to his mom while a massive breaker mounts behind him, our euphoria will not be long lasting. Announcing the winner assures that a monumental swell of disappointed runners up and butt-hurt fan-boys will vehemently disagree with our pick. When the white water recedes and another topic rolls into the social media, we will be left knee-deep, wondering if we just bestowed Pinkbike's highest honor to the one stand-out product that rocked Y-2014 - or if we boldly lit the troll fuse and then forgot to toss it before it blew up in our faces.

With no further ado, we begin by mentioning that our pick for this year's best component was the least likely of the five nominees to earn the win due to its plebian purpose. Pitted against a magical tire that rocked the World Cup DH and the Enduro World Series, the first braking system to crack into Shimano's recent domination of upper-echelon mountain bikes, a breakthrough wide-format carbon wheelset, and cargo-carrying underwear for macho men, a floor pump's chances may seem on par with pygmy cowboys attempting to rob a speeding train. Pinkbike's Product of the Year award goes to Bontrager's TLR Flash Charger floor pump.


Pinkbike MTB Awards

Product of the Year


Bontrager TLR Flash Charger Pump


Bontrager's TLR Flash Charger pump earns the top spot as much for what it doesn't do as its does for being the first floor pump to address the travails of successfully seating and filling tubeless tires without the assistance of an electric compressor or a Co2 cartridge. The Flash Charger operates as a typical floor pump until a blast of compressed air is needed. In such cases, the user simply turns a lever and, with a number of pump strokes, pressurizes its built-in reservoir. With the air line connected to the valve stem of the troublesome tire, the lever is reversed and the reservoir's compressed air is released at once to encourage the tire to mount and seat. The user can then continue to inflate the tire to top it off or finish seating the beads against the rim flanges.

Bontrager TLR Flash Charger floor pump review test

Flash Charger pumps cost about as much as a cheap air compressor, and while it could be argued that readily available compressed air from a continuously charged electric source would be far handier, a manual alternative makes a lot of sense. In a mountain biker's imperfect world, if an electric compressor actually exists, it will need to run loudly for five minutes to come up to pressure. More likely, the need to install a tubeless tire will arise during a road trip where there is no ready source of electricity, or you will be wrestling with the wheel in the early morning hours where a noisy device would wake up the entire apartment complex. Bontrager's Flash Charger pump is quiet, it doesn't require a power source other than the mechanic, it is portable, green, easy to store, and ready to work at a moment's notice. Anyone who has fought with a tubeless installation and needed a boost of compressed air to get the job done will appreciate Bontrager's simple and always-at-hand solution.


MENTIONS: @trek, @schwalbe, @ibiscycles, Revisit the Nominees



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207 Comments
  • 145 11
 I have to agree, it a genuinely innovative idea. Nothing else was ground breaking, why should the guide brake get it? Oh well done SRAM/AVID you finally made a reliable braking system on a par with shimano, here have an award for making a product that does what its supposed to do?
I personally cant wait till the technology is ripped off and similar pumps become available at a bit of a cheaper price, I will be buying one
  • 68 271
flag kickstand1 (Jan 23, 2015 at 7:08) (Below Threshold)
 Weird, I'd rather have my OLD Avid's than my brand NEW shitmano's.
  • 81 11
 This product really pumps me up
  • 46 33
 Just a quick? Have you ever used avid codes because i swapped my shamano for them two years ago and never looked back
  • 27 30
 Right? Tubeless tires are so popular. This whole idea is just blowing up!
  • 43 47
flag kickstand1 (Jan 23, 2015 at 7:26) (Below Threshold)
 @mhoshal sure have. I've used 3 different pairs of codes, multiple sets of elixir's, and I currently have a set of saints, zee's, and Xt's. I'd gladly switch back to avids. My shitmano's have been nothing short of inconsistent and don't feel as good as the avid's I've used. Both on my trail/XC bikes and my DH bikes. Everyone has differing experiences. Just so happens mine were with avid brakes that worked very well.
  • 38 27
 The SRAM Guide R came with my new Enduro - they are disappointingly pants. The combine the squidgy leaver feel of an Elixir with the squeel and poor performance of a Juicy. And yes, I've run all of those I mention. SRAM brakes are years behind Shimano. Anyone who disagrees is welcome to buy my Guide brakes so I can buy a decent set of brakes.
  • 23 22
 Code R are fragile as hell, second i can afford some Zee's they're gone, my friend slid out and the lever and clamp had snapped on his. The other snapped just from the bike falling over from standing. I've ploughed my old deore's into trees and the ground few times and they are still going strong on my hardtail
  • 4 1
 Yeah that is weird^
  • 26 4
 hopefully this company can weather the cost of inflation.....ahem...
  • 12 5
 You've spelt Shimano wrong;-)
  • 25 0
 @KonaKona: you realize you're not supposed to crank down on your lever clamps right? They're supposed to be tight enough to stay in place, but loose enough so that if they hit something, they move instead of break.
  • 12 5
 I've never been so pumped about a bike pump.
  • 2 13
flag Konakonakona-Chameleon (Jan 23, 2015 at 8:54) (Below Threshold)
 @skelldify Aye the brakes were as the came from the CRC not made any adjustments to them and they snapped on him.
  • 23 7
 My Zees came out of the box with horribly contaminated pads. My braking performance went down considerably compared to Avid BB7's (mechanical) I had before. I have now swapped the pads out and cleaned the shit out of the rotors with panel wipe and they are still not amazing, they are ok at best. Pinkbike comments sections had led me to believe I would be blown away. I am not.

I guess what I am saying is don't believe comments on pinkbike...so I supposed just ignore this.
  • 14 2
 I have the full saint group. No problems at all so far and ive gad my bike for 2 seasons. Best brakes ive ever had.
  • 8 3
 @Patrick9-32 I can assure you your experience is an anomaly. Zee brakes (I've owned my for over two years, and have ridden other bikes with them) are exceptional and the best value in MTB brakes out there. I went from BB7s as well and thought I was living in the stone ages after switching to Zee. Could be your rotors - I'm only using Ashima and they work unbelievably good!
  • 3 1
 Rotors are shimano deore I think 180mm. Not some weird off brand. I got back on my other bike yesterday which still has BB7 and enjoyed a sweet bit of endoing I haven't been able to do that last couple of months.
  • 12 10
 the only explanation is that kickstand works at avid. because no normal secular sober civilian would choose avid over shimano. unless we compared a BB7 to say shimano cantilever brakes from the 80s, at which point i can see a debate.
  • 12 5
 hahahaha, work for avid I do not. My zee's have been inconsistent from day one, they are on their way back for warranty. They've been re-bled countless times by myself and professionals....They are nice brakes when they work, but they've not been nearly as consistent as my code R's were. I did forget I was posting on pinkbike though where the avid hate runs so thick
  • 2 0
 @Patrick9-32 I feel like endoing is always easier with mechanicals, for some reason. Unfortunately, that's where their advantages end, as soon as I hit a little bit longer descent and needed actual modulation and power (as in the ratio between pull on the lever and braking force, not just maximum possible power), any reasonable hydraulics will do better, and Zees should do MUCH better than BB7s. So if they don't, there's indeed some issue in your system. I recall some cheap Shimano rotors being made out of wax or something and claiming "resin pad only". I'd stay away from those, maybe that could be the case?
  • 3 1
 @mrchristj unfortunately you must have been unlucky enough to have a faulty set. My guides are incredible they are the best brakes I've ever had. They are fair superior to my past Saints, new SLX and XTs. Never thought I'd hear myself say that.
  • 17 0
 That awesome moment where people can't find reason to troll the pump but, pinkbike being what it is, find reason to troll everything else. Kudos everyone.
  • 3 1
 Guys, let us look at the positives..... Atleast Pinkbike has a good sense of humor, right?
  • 3 0
 Avid take more time to bleed and get perfect but once you do they can feel great (Unless elexir they never work) Shimano seems to be a more reliable choice and defiantly going to be my next dh brake
  • 2 3
 @Konakonakona-Chameleon you pretty much have no clue what you are talking about. Why dont you just go and watch some nice videos you can comment on.
  • 4 2
 @Honzo15 How so? I am speaking literally from seeing the brakes snap on a bike with minimal effort. And i prefer riding with friends instead of watching videos/commenting on things as you blatantly spend all your time doing on PB
  • 5 0
 I'm still running hayes nine... all these years and only one bleed and they're amazing. Don't believe the tremendous amount of BS in the bike industry that we all need the latest and greatest to ride our best and have fun lol
  • 9 0
 I'm a bike mechanic and I and others I know in the industry share the same distrust, frustration, despair and general hatred for Avid brakes. Ok, the Guide brake might be getting there, but let's see how reliable they are!
Shimano brakes from SLX thru Zee, Saint, XT & XTR are the benchmark. P.S. Buy the appropriate Shimano rotor with the brake! Don't use cheap rotors.
  • 2 1
 I understand ya, the only avid brake that I have had no problems with is the juicy 7s other then that avid brakes aren't to fun to deal with
  • 2 3
 @Konakonakona-Chameleon My Code R lever broke too and it was also a very low-speed fall and the bike just fell over on a rock and snapped it right off. And @skelldify If they're tight enough to stay in place then there's no way a low-speed impact would be enough to move them instead of breaking them.
  • 7 0
 Not happy with shimano or sram ? Hope Is the solution. Try them, you will understand.
  • 4 0
 I don't thinks snaping leavers is the problem people are having with avid
  • 1 0
 A mate has just had zees f+r,front was perfect,rear was useless,bled it out 3 times with proper shimano kit and oil,still useless,returned to crc,new one back perfect.I suspect theres a bad batch of zees out there as ive seen others with the same problem,trust me, zees will put you otb if you try to hard,they are awesome.
  • 2 1
 I have to say that after having the latest shimano brakes I found that they were very over rated. I had nothing but trouble with my SLX front brake. My XTs had lacklustre power. They looked great but I was left wanting. I wasn't expecting anything from my Guide brakes and I have been blown away with their performance. I have been riding for 25 years and they are without doubt the best brakes I've ever owned. I just hope they prove to be reliable. Time will tell.
  • 2 0
 I regularly switch wheels with the same Zee/xt combo brakes and find that hope discs offer better stopping performance than shimano. The shimano ones look nicer, totally shiny whereas the hope ones are a bit rusty around the laser cut marks. Not a criticism of either, just an observation. I've read in a motorbike mag before that the oem discs are usually stainless and the expensive aftermarket ones are iron because if it's higher friction properties. I think there's something in it.

As for the pump that won the prize. Great idea! I want one.
  • 1 0
 @skelldify Forgot to say the brakes were as installed on a new bike from CRC.
  • 1 0
 Yes, scoot34, unfortunately bad batches of components do sometimes make it through to the consumer. Sometimes I've been told (and it's only hearsay) that below quality control items are moved for a very low price out the back door of the factory by unscrupulous employees and end up being sold online by stores around the world. I've heard plenty of stories of products (such as XT derailleurs that don't function and never will, being purchased from fly by nighters on ebay etc..). I also think that as well the shady back door products, there is legit product leaving the factory through the front door with a fault that is unknown at the time by the manufacturer. I'm sure that if the reputable stores (CRC, Wiggle, Jenson USA, Cambria etc..), ever get dodgy product, they don't know. I deal with these companies because they back the product with warranty. Your friend got a dodgy Zee from CRC and it was replaced with a perfect one - unfortunate hassle, but good result.
  • 1 0
 Talking about brakes... I've had 2013 shimano XTR brakes with 203mm rotors on my DH bike for 2 seasons and many days of bike park riding, Whistler and Northstar. The XTR's are flawless. I have a set on my trail bike as well.
  • 1 1
 @jaame MTB rotors definitely aren't iron, they're all steel. There may be some difference in the alloys used, but I've never seen any convincing evidence that it affects braking performance. The vent pattern very well could though, as could the thickness or incorrect pad alignment with the braking track.
  • 90 7
 I read the whole article because I was sure, that this thing must at least be giving blowjobs. But no. It's just a pump. Pity.
  • 22 3
 You're just not trying hard enough.
  • 4 11
flag donpinpon29 (Jan 23, 2015 at 10:46) (Below Threshold)
 we could work a venturi out of that pump for pinkbike's backwoods teenagers
  • 29 3
 you gotta at least take it out for dinner or a couple of drinks first dude
  • 6 16
flag donpinpon29 (Jan 23, 2015 at 12:21) (Below Threshold)
 yeah get her wasted! they find me irresistible after 4 bottles of wine, I must be handsome!
  • 6 2
 well that escalated quickly
  • 70 5
 Pinkbike next year please could we have an 'ethical company/product of the year' award? Mountain biking does of course have an impact on our world. I think it would be nice to honour the companies that make an effort to reduce their environmental impact and treat their workers fairly
  • 17 1
 seconded maybe a 'giving back' award for really doing something EXTRA special to support mtb community
  • 9 1
 The environmental award would just go to Chris King every year. Bombproof parts, beautiful parts, made in the USA, and done in a very environmentally friendly way. THE best!
  • 72 6
 finally an alternative to a compressor! i was getting tired of always lugging that thing around
  • 4 1
 lol funny guy
  • 3 2
 yea it's an awesome thing, although many of the recent rims and tyre combos require nothing more but a track pump. Hell my LB rim is so tight I inflated Schwalbe tyre using shitty hand pump!
  • 40 7
 PB disappoints I thought Specialized SWAT Bib Shorts wins
  • 43 2
 They lost points for not being yellow enough. Enduro bro.
  • 9 2
 i think you mean endubro
  • 16 1
 Broduro?
  • 11 0
 Brodubro
  • 7 0
 boratbro
  • 3 6
 EndurBRO?
  • 30 7
 Is this some kind of a joke ?? Smile
  • 31 2
 It's probably pinkbike's response to the Patriots flat footballs
  • 7 2
 this winning is inflategate
  • 5 1
 This choice is going to have some people very deflated.
  • 3 1
 Bontrager must be pumped about the decision though....
  • 3 1
 dufuq is this sheeit?!
  • 2 0
 MrKona wins comment of the year- is there an award for that PB?
  • 20 2
 I love the terms "butt hurt fan boys" and "lit the troll fuse" are used in the intro. Finally pinkbike understands what these awards are really about.
  • 26 1
 Btw the Specialized underwear unitard with pockets would be the way to go for full scale troll assult. Specialized, lycra, enduro - something in there for all of us to hate.
  • 14 0
 stick a 29" wheel in that crotch and you'd truly have something all of PB hates.
  • 3 1
 @deadbeat - Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! "unitard" "lycra" "enduro" -> Not sure why the fork I would hang up my faithful and true Camelbak for a unitard, fanny pack and water bottle. I have evolved and will never go back. Though I guess I can see the roadie/xc rider crossover crowd loving sh*t like that. Silly Special Ed, unitards are for roadies......
  • 23 9
 What? The best product of the whole mountainbike industry got a pump? A pump, really?
  • 38 9
 well its not as if your going to blow air into your tubes using your mouth is it
  • 12 1
 I suppose you're right Hutch, but I've already got a pump, like most riders do, that manages to seat tubeless tyres as it is. And if I did struggle with my tubeless tyres, I wouldn't BUY a new pump
  • 5 2
 This was kinda my thought process when this pump was announced as well: Hey, that's a cool Idea, I should get one! Hmmm, wait a sec, when was the last time I needed anything more than a swish of soapy water to seat a tire tubeless? I can't even remember, like maybe a decade ago? Never mind then.

This thing would have killed a 10 years ago, though. Also of note: I was at a bike test recently that had one of these pumps: it had already stopped working right. Buyer beware.
  • 13 7
 i dont even use tubeless anymore tbh, tubes is soooo much easier
  • 2 11
flag cuban-b (Jan 23, 2015 at 10:08) (Below Threshold)
 other than xc racers i know very few people who are using tubeless still. and if they are they wont stop complaining about it. after they realize the weight of a UST tire + goop = light tube + regular tire, then they really regret it.
  • 4 0
 @Cuban Pete^^^^ -> my experience is the opposite. I don't regret going tubeless (though I do complain about it occasionally, as with everything else). Way too many rear pinch flats when riding rocky trails at speed whilst running my preferred air pressure. Screw the claimed weight savings, I figure it's a wash and I'm cool with that. I'm happier knowing I won't pinch flat or be delayed by a pinhead hole from a goat head. I did run a downhill tube in my rear for most of a season once and it was much more reliable than a standard tube, though it weighted 2.5x as much.

For some reason my very first tubeless setup was the most reliable, zero air loss/maintenance over months - 2003/2004 Mavic tubeless specific rims and Continental Vertical Pros. Recently my Continentals have been a little difficult to seal on my Flow EXs so I switched to Maxxis (Ikon 2.35 R / HR2 F) which have been better.
  • 2 1
 i get the pinch flat reason. but what i've observed at enduro races is that more racers were burping all their air trying to get power off the start line than getting pinch flats from the rocky terrain here in socal, where you would expect more pinch flats. those burping racers all had to DNF and mentioned they thought the tire/rim combo offered a perfect interface and used enough glue blah blah blah. maybe people are improperly mounting them so it's moreso user error as opposed to equipment design? i dunno.
  • 1 0
 I've NEVER had a burp, & have run tubeless on evey bike I've owned for the last decade, using pretty much every different system you can thing of (even the old Maxxis rim strips, which were actually one of the best due to big rubber flap that sat behind the bead.) Maybe I don't push hard enough, though.

That said, Maybe these people should be running something like the WTB system? If Mark Weir doesn't burp that, I'm fairly certain it'd work for most other racers, too.
  • 1 0
 Neat idea for a nice product but if you run the right parts and are not completely hopeless at setting things up correctly its a non issue. Running maxxis ust(full UST not even any sealant for whole season) or TR on Mavic UST rims for years. EZ set up, reliable, better feel if sometimes not much lighter. end.

The times Ive tried non UST rims I've loled at how pants they are at sealing and burping. I wont go non UST again as long as UST rims exist.
  • 14 2
 What a joke! Where is the "Procore" or what ever it is called? You know that "Bladder" for tires. The thing Sam Hill used to run 1.5 bars of air pressure?
  • 5 2
 its only just now becoming available for purchase. Only a handful of pro riders have even used it. Cart before the horse and such.
  • 13 2
 i was expecting oval chainrings, good god. even if its just a pump, it solves some of the annoying problems involved in inflating tubeless tires.
  • 8 2
 i was expecting anything specialized.
  • 7 4
 At least this is a product that does not pump internet with hate.
  • 11 1
 Its because of its effectiveness at installing tubeless. It makes sense.
  • 10 0
 Pinkbike is trolling Pinkbike!!
  • 7 0
 the irony is most unfortunate
  • 3 0
 It's like spike lee just said he was white.
  • 10 1
 what in the name of ass is this?!
  • 11 4
 Really......the entire bike industry didn't release anything better than a bike pump for 2014.....
  • 5 0
 what if you take a plastic bottle, put a air valve on it and a regulator like they hace on Co2 inflators. Pump up the bottle . Use the regulator to let out air. Should cost me about 20$ to build. Ill post pics when im done.
  • 1 0
 people have used old propane, or those disposable helium tanks, as air storage for a long time. Also gives you a way to keep a compressed air source in your car without a compressor(which is one of the points: 4X4 guys will do this as a way to air their tires back up for the highway drive home.)
  • 1 0
 HAHA! there is somebody on here who made such a thing long before this ever came about...ill try to find a link.
  • 4 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/11731282
  • 1 0
 That is perfect! Now i know what my unit will look like. Thanks for sharing the picSmile
  • 1 0
 Hey, you can always mod that design to make a seriously dangerous potato gun too... I've seen PVC & compressed air ones dent steel doors.
  • 1 0
 Thanks for the link. The design and execution of that pump build is top notch.
  • 7 3
 OUT OF THE NOMINEES, I think its a good choice.

However, the Schwalbe ProCore system is a game changer as far as innovation for tubeless tires... Why wasn't it even nominated?
  • 14 0
 because its not really out yet.
  • 4 9
flag WAKIdesigns (Jan 23, 2015 at 11:53) (Below Threshold)
 I feel deflated...
  • 2 0
 yeah, they aren't going to be pressured into pre-releasing, I am flat out tired of waiting
  • 1 0
 Hopefully Schwalbe will soon complete their testing of the ProCore system and release it to the consumer. Yes, from what we hear already it should be a real game changer. Then we won't need this pump!
  • 2 0
 Has anyone ever used this pump? Flawed is the best word. Yes, it works well at seating beads and it's crap as a pump. If you just want to top up your pressure, as soon as you hook it to your tire the pressure in your tire fills the reservoir. want to check air pressure? It's start all over again. Bontrager, nice near miss. I own two pumps because one is a pain in the ass for anything other than seating beads and re-inflating a new tube.
  • 7 2
 I hate manual pumps, but my neighbors abhor my ridgid compressor. I'd like a pump like that
  • 9 3
 I like it! Practical, affordable choice!
  • 5 2
 Same price as a compressor.
  • 4 1
 It is the same price as a very cheap compressor, and cheap things are cheap for a reason. This is better than a compressor - quieter, portable, and with a little experience you can set the perfect amount of pressure in the reservoir to get the perfect amount of pressure in the tire. Gauge is not incremented finely enough, but I use a digital gauge for all pressures anyway, so no net loss/gain there. I've been buying bike tools for two decades and this has become my favourite because I use it the most. In fact, I might go out and check if my Stan's is still liquid - hopefully it'll be all dry and I'll get to use my Flash Charger!
  • 1 0
 Cool. I worked at a shop that had bad luck with high end pumps so I have always gone cheap. As far as compressors go, the cheap ones aren't great, but you can make them work. I have not gone tubeless in a long time because I don't have a compressor, and I don't feel like this should utterly replace one, but I suppose it is a nice extra to keep in the trunk and bring to races. Normdlly I would just invest in a spare tank I could fill up and bring with me.
  • 1 0
 I'd rather have that pump than some crappy compressor. I'd rather throw that pump in my car, than some crappy compressor.
  • 4 1
 Iv got an old bottle of coke and some Presta valve that do the same when attached to my current pump. Yes it looks pretty but hard to justify when you can make something similar out of scrap.
  • 2 0
 Google dry ice in a bottle, watch what happens, I would strongly recommend you get a proper pressure vessel.
  • 2 0
 The nominees were a floorpump with a reservoir, a bib, a tire, a wide set of rims, and a set of brakes. None of these are new categories; all of them were evolutionary progress either for their kind (allowing floorpumps to do things they hadn't done before, allowing bibs to store more stuff than they had before) or for their maker in an established category (there already were good tires, wide rims, and brakes-that-don't-suck). So either the award nominations show a serious lack of imagination, or mountain biking has become truly stale and there's no more real progress, or mountain biking has become so mature that it's all about incremental improvement now. Which is it?
  • 4 0
 I'd say not nominating the RAD cage is a fairly large oversight, in that context.
  • 2 0
 I have one and love it... bought another for the old man. The construction is nice and solid and does what it says it is supposed to do. I think it deserves this because it is something that makes sense and cant believe that no one else has done it. Yes a CO2 cartridge can do the same thing but if the tyre doesnt seat properly, it feels like a big waste.
  • 2 0
 I have one too. I love it. I bought a second one for my riding buddy/LBS manager who had a massive $500 compressor in his garage. He's never used the compressor since. This > compressor!
  • 6 2
 Should have been a cheap kit for PET bottle conversion to do the same thing..
  • 5 0
 well, i can honestly say i didn't see that coming O_o
  • 10 5
 This one I agree with you PB
  • 7 1
 Biggest anti-climax ever
  • 3 1
 you could always go buy a cheap small portable air tank and use ANY pump you want to charge it. But this is quite a nice compact package. wonder how it would do against large volume DH tires.
  • 2 0
 Lame pick. If you have good tires and good runs you won't need a crutch like this. Never once had to use a compressor on my Maxxis UST or Tubeless Ready tires on decent rims. Regular floor pump worked every time.
  • 1 0
 I'll keep my compressor. It can air up to 130 PSI in about 60 seconds and I can fill two tires before it needs to air up again. It cost as much as this dumb thing and I don't have to do any work.
  • 3 0
 Nice use of the word plebian. My iPhone doesn't even know what it means. Never stop learning PB
  • 3 0
 The pump's a great idea. I don't have a compressor and hate going to the shop just to inflate tires.
  • 1 0
 I have enquired about this pump at my LBS but they are not available in the uk yet - should be the next month or so - might just get the airshot instead if that comes out first
  • 5 2
 I feel deflated. Specialized can't have paid their advertising invoice for last year is all I can think!
  • 1 0
 Why is it needed? I install Schwalbe and Continental tires on WTB and some other rims all the time with a regular low pressure Lezyne pump, for half the price, all the time. No issues whatsoever.
  • 1 1
 Not a tubeless fan (too many fails in the mountains). But never had an issue with my topeak mountain track pump. It's high volume and designed for mountain bike tyres. Other option is 2 valvs and your car tyre.
There is a cheaper way to have a reservoir for inflating a tyre.
Still, better than fox and santacruz winning everything Smile
  • 2 0
 Build your own for the cost of pvc pipe, some fittings, and an inline valve. Mines worked great and can even seat new tires on the first try: youtu.be/2yzPq3ksFDU
  • 6 2
 Oneup
  • 4 3
 Surely if you used a good pump and reasonablly good tyres it does the same thing! I've done hundreds and very rarely had to use much effort...
  • 3 0
 www.harborfreight.com/5-gal-portable-air-tank-69716.html

$25
  • 1 0
 About to pick this up myself... Air it up at gas station, good to go for a while. Surprised it's not mentioned more often.
  • 3 1
 Got mine today and set up tyres tubeless, no drama, no mess. Brilliant pump
  • 6 2
 PB got flat.
  • 5 2
 Are you blowing air up my ass?!
  • 2 2
 A FREAKING PUMP?!?! Meh, not interested. Oh wait - does this mean I don't have to drive to the gas station to seat my tubeless tires every time I switch? Okay, I'll buy it.
  • 1 0
 Pump sounds great... Would be great if you could actually buy one. Bontrager site has been out of stock for months now. Lezyne, please introduce one soon.
  • 1 0
 No electricity, no separate air compressor (I really don't need one for anything else), no pile of used CO2 cartridges... It is a cool, simple idea.
  • 1 0
 I tried one of these and the build up part didnt work nearly as well as I'd hoped, it couldn't seal my tubeless tires and thats what it is designed for
  • 1 0
 The first to address the travails of tubeless? I've been successfully seating tubeless tyres with my manky old Park Tool floor pump for years....
  • 3 1
 Still the magic mary's for me.
  • 6 3
 Oneup
  • 2 1
 I think it came out last year, is why it isn't. I'd argue the RAD cage should win over this pump, though.
  • 2 0
 i think oneup's line of drivetrain products (42T cog, rad cage, 16T cog, NW chainring) should be included as one innovative solution. it changed the way we set up our bikes.
  • 1 0
 16t cog isn't new neither is a 42t. the cage sure but oneup probably didn't offer enough money to PB lol
  • 1 0
 Oneup got the Vital MTB award.
  • 2 2
 Wait, didn't OneUp win Pinkbikes best value product award for 2015? www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-awards-best-value-product-2015.html

Some people are not only first to burn a witch but also first to burn a book... like conspiracy theorists, someone got paid yhm... I swear I'd inflate some people's arse with that pump. I'd tie up theorist to a chair and let him starve for 2 days, then feed him with lots of beans and sour cabbage. Then I'd prepare the Bontrager pump - add an end fitting with backwards pointing barbs, dip it in tabasco and push it in at least 5cm. Then I'd need a big bottle of super glue which would wonderfully glue the skin around the starfish to the rubber hose. Wait for two days so that patient suffers from stuff not being able to get out. Then I'd pump the canister and release it. Think of it next time you burp
  • 2 2
 I swore I would never buy another Bonti product but it looks intriguing, is it my imagination or does the pump look cheaply made in typical Bonti fashion ?
  • 1 1
 only bonti product i'd buy is tubes and even those are overpriced
  • 1 0
 You might not be wrong. I would hope the people who nominated it have actually used it and not just think it's neat.
  • 1 0
 Do you honestly think they didn't use it? Really? No tests? Just open the box up and read the manual?
  • 1 0
 Teocalli makes a good point. The red lever and plastic in general looks kind of cheap. Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see, i always say. Its a great product concept but one could be lead to wonder how well built it is.
  • 3 1
 Here's the review: www.pinkbike.com/news/bontrager-tlr-flash-charger-floor-pump-review-2014.html
  • 1 0
 From the review:

I'd also have to say that, with a plastic base, the pump doesn't feel or look like a $120 USD pump - much of the competition features mostly metal construction at that price (even Bontrager's own $110 USD Super Charger), although the Flash Charger's obvious added complexity must surely increase the manufacturing costs.
  • 1 0
 So when are they going to make a 200 dollar version made of metal? I'd probably buy it. Haven't tried to mount anything tubeless yet and don't really want to without a compressor. Saw some people trying to do it with the compressor at the gas station and they suffered a miserable road to failure.
  • 1 0
 I have the one with the metal base... very sturdy. I love it.
  • 2 0
 There's only one version and it has a steel base. The red lever is really robust, especially since there's no real effort required to move if between the charge and inflate modes.
  • 1 1
 Love it! This has got to be a god send for anyone trying to swap tubeless tires away from home. Racer or weekend warrior. This is actually on the top of my purchase list.
  • 3 1
 £100 for something that does the same job as an empty coke bottle.
  • 3 0
 Exactly. BIt the blind lovers are gonna hate you for saying it.
  • 1 0
 Bling. (Hate auto correct)
  • 3 5
 This award makes no sense. Pumps like this have been out since 2012. Yep, their big competitor came out with this kind of pump 3 years ago. Specialized released theirs in 2012 and it works really well. Where have you guys been Pinkbike?
  • 2 3
 @dualsuspensiondave - Do you have a link to that pump? I can't say that I've seen the Specialized version.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer - m.specialized.com/us/en/ftb/pumps/floor-pumps/air-tool-mtb-floor-pump

I used it to seat tubeless mtb tires with no issues when wrenching in a shop late 2012 .
  • 1 2
 @dualsuspensiondave - The Air Tool does works well, and seats most tubeless tires easily, but it's not the same as what Bontrager have come up with here. The beauty of the Charger is its air reservoir - it gives you a blast of air close to what would occur with a compressor, something that a pump like the Air Tool isn't capable of providing.
  • 4 1
 Specialized deserves all awards over all other competitors no matter what. didnt you read the advertising contract?
  • 1 1
 Besides it's a Specialized pump. . . Who would want Specialized anything! Bontrager WINS!
  • 2 1
 @mikekazimer - How much did Trek pay you for that one?! Oh sorry, my bad, I forgot it's Specialized and Fox we hate, eee because they are so unethical. So... No no, fine, you're legit about that one.
  • 2 0
 Shouldn't it be a "Game Changer" category winner?
  • 1 0
 I use this in the bike shop I work at, it hasn't failed me yet.
  • 8 7
 Trek wrote the biggest check huh?
  • 2 1
 can i carry it in my backpack uphills?
  • 2 1
 How disappointing... a f*cking floor pump?
  • 1 0
 My vote goes to one-up's rad and rad'r cage.
  • 3 2
 A pump? Wow im surprised
  • 3 3
 are you having a laugh mate
  • 4 3
 A feckin pump???
  • 1 0
 One up i would say
  • 1 1
 Am i ready to be blown off by next level pumping?! Not even close..
  • 2 3
 pinkbike, are you taking the f*cking piss? lol seriously. best product of the year is a bike pump. f*cks sake.
  • 1 1
 Product of the year, the vibrator I bought.... ✋✋✋✋✋✋
  • 1 0
 I'll take it!
  • 1 1
 A pump...far from mindblowing, I d say.
  • 1 1
 Yawn. might be innovative. But it's still boring.
  • 1 0
 I need one...
  • 2 3
 Pinkbike Award: Not Enough Sold Product
  • 3 3
 good idea but "yawn"
  • 2 2
 #1 pump..
  • 1 2
 When I get around to running tubeless I'll pay more attention…
  • 5 7
 Guides for me
  • 4 3
 And how long have you had them for ?
  • 9 2
 Why should the guide brake get it? Oh well done SRAM/AVID you finally made a reliable braking system on a par with shimano, here have an award for making a product that does what its supposed to do?
PS I have guides and they are brilliant, but that's no reason to give them any extra plaudits
  • 2 1
 That sounds like the 36/pike thing this year, not saying one is better than the other and I really don't want to get into it. But when pb picked the 36 this year they said it was on par with last year's pick. I can understand where he's coming from in a non partial sort of way.
  • 4 1
 I agree, I rate the Guides highly but they're more evolution than innovation
  • 4 0
 this is why i love brits.
  • 1 4
 i'm not so pumped about this hot air being blown up my a$$
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