revchris: (Default)
revchris ([personal profile] revchris) wrote2005-04-11 01:15 pm

PSA: Physical rules!

I was tuning up bikes over the weekend, and decided it was time for a new air pump (the old one wasn't working well). I bought a '100psi high-volume air pump' from the hardware store and tried to pump up the tires on Teeka's trailer. When I discovered I couldn't get more than about 70psi out of the pump, I had to figure out why.

With a 2" pump bore, it takes ~325 pounds of force to generate 100psi. If I were to stand on top of the pump, and manage to maintain my balance and not fall over, I could get 100psi out of it, at least until the plastic handle broke and sent me crashing to the floor.

I took it back and will buy a different one later.