Categories: Accessories and GearReverenceTechnology

Reverence: Kuwahara Hirame Pump Head

The Kuwahara Hirame pump head

I pump my tires up every single day, and every day it is the only part of Cycling I don’t like. The act of pumping while holding the pump in place is itself a bit of a bummer, especially if you are trying to do it in your Cycling shoes because your brain is too small to contemplate doing it while you’re still wearing your Adilettes. But even under the best circumstances of pumping your tires with rubber soles, it is still just pumping. Up and down, up and down. Is the dial pointed at the right spot? Up and down, up and down. Yuck.

Ignoring all that, the worst part of pumping tires is actually connecting the pump to the valve stem in the first place. My old Silca pumps would always pop off under pressure. Infuriating; if there is one thing I can’t stand, it’s an inanimate object that refuses to obey my strictest orders. At one point I had a velcro strap with a hole in it that I wrapped around the tire to hold it on for me. Greatest pump ever, my ass. Other lever pump heads are so tight you’re likely to tear off your valve stem in the process of connecting or loosening it. Lezyne has the best mainstream solution with the screw-on head, combined with a lovely air-release button you can use to maximum woopie-cushion effect. If, however, you use valve extenders like I do, then it’s maddening to get a good seal on the devil and eventually you lose your patience and ruin the threads, making it as good as a Silca pump head.

Enter the Kuwahara Hirame pump head. @Oli flashed a photo of his a while back and I became immediately obsessed. I was also amazed at how expensive they were, which only served to deepen the fascination. Amazon’s checkout is so easy that I don’t even remember placing the order; all I remember is putting it in my shopping cart. Thusly I was amazed to find one of these little babies in my mailbox a while later.

We Keepers have a pact never to post a Reverence within 6 months of owning a product, but pacts are made to be broken. This thing is insane; I’ve only had it for about a month, and I’m in love with thing. I occasionally walk into the workshop just to look at it. Even when I have nothing whatsoever to pump up, I’ll just flip the lever back and forth and hold it in my hand a bit.

I don’t even hate pumping up my tires anymore. Connecting it is as easy as can be, it holds tight without stressing the valve, and it comes off just as simply.

Just, awesome.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Puffy says:

Jun 21 2015 at 11:34 pm

Well, I have a Specialized (GASP!!) HP floor pump. The head on that is best I have come across. There is a lever to compress the gasket which prevents it blowing off but I am yet to need to use it. Two years of daily pumping up (some tyres I push to 120psi) it's easy on, easy off without use of the lever. I did have some valve extenders that the head would occasioually leak air with (not blow off) and they required closing of the lever but I got rid of those.
wilburrox says:

Jun 22 2015 at 4:35 am

@Puffy

Well, I have a Specialized (GASP!!) HP floor pump. The head on that is best I have come across. There is a lever to compress the gasket which prevents it blowing off but I am yet to need to use it. Two years of daily pumping up (some tyres I push to 120psi) it’s easy on, easy off without use of the lever. I did have some valve extenders that the head would occasioually leak air with (not blow off) and they required closing of the lever but I got rid of those.

The Speshy Air Tool pumps with the 3" gauges and the big block pump heads work as well as any pump I've used. I recently picked one up when I learned of the 3" gauge. That's what I wanted. The fact that the head works as well as it does is a big plus.
Deakus says:

Jun 22 2015 at 9:39 am

I immediately leaped upon this new piece of bling feeling that something like this would obviously make me climb better.....I have just looked at the price......my piggy bank is not full enough yet, rest assured it goes on to the long list of shiny bits and pieces I will buy one day!
Papogi says:

Jun 22 2015 at 9:42 am

In defense of the "greatest pump ever", if you have the Silca chuck that works with Schrader and Presta, just set up the chuck for Schrader, then screw in a Presta/Schrader adapter into the opening of the chuck. Then just thread the whole chuck down onto your Presta valves and pump away. It will never pop off under pressure, the rubber innards of the chuck will never wear out, and the adapter fits tight enough in the chuck that it will not unthread from the chuck when you are removing the chuck from the valve. Just a little tip...
Ron says:

Jun 22 2015 at 10:10 am

I try to make all bike purchases while under the influence of something, thus making the money I'm spending easier to let go of and making the arrival a surprise since it'll slip my mind that I ordered stuff.

I'm sticking with my Park Tool pump until is dies, then we'll see. You know what is more annoying than the pump head bursting off as you get up to the desired PSI? When the inner tube, no matter how far/not far you slip the head on, hisses out air as you pump, so it's a desperate race. Fack, my commuter has this issue on both tubes! Cheap tubes I wonder?

Also, I recently received a compressor. I have yet to find a head to use with it for Presta valves. Anyone have good suggestions on those? I'll use it mainly to seat tubeless tires for cross. Thanks!
Papogi says:

Jun 22 2015 at 11:58 am

Ron, haven't tried it, but this looks decent: http://www.prestaflator.com/
PT says:

Jun 23 2015 at 4:45 am

@rfreese888

I’m falling out of love (if I ever was in) with my joe blow from topeak. It’s too wobbly and I have to bleed the tube for it to take, which can mean 2 or 3 attempts.

Therefore thinking new pump and this yoke to correct.

I have a JoeBlow and it goes ok for me, no wobble. I know what you mean about bleeding the valve but I'm fine with that; adds a little to the whole ceremony.

@ Frank - I add air before each ride and thoroughly enjoy the process. Combine it with a tyre & light check. Mind you, if I was wearing awful plastic slippers it would probably not be so much fun. Crocs at a pinch.
Fausto says:

Jun 23 2015 at 7:20 am

Please don't mistake the Hirame copies that are available for the genuine article. They are utterly shit and deeply frustrating to use - my mate's one refuses to stay attached under even the lightest pressure.
Chris says:

Jun 23 2015 at 8:35 am

@PT

@ Frank – I add air before each ride and thoroughly enjoy the process.

Totally agree. It's part of the pre-ride routine and subject to its own little nuances and OCD touches.

Rear first, undo the valve, bleed a little air, attach the head, pump to the designated pressure (always in psi for tarmac, bar for pave and never, ever kPa), release the hose pressure, unscrew the head, repeat for the front before donning one shoes, cap, helmet and eyewear.

Only then should one commence the serious business of pushing down on the pedals. We after all talking about the most important of contact points.

It is possible that a tool can be so beautiful so as to distract from the process and lessen the overall experience.
wiscot says:

Jun 23 2015 at 9:56 am

@Chris

@PT

@ Frank – I add air before each ride and thoroughly enjoy the process.

Totally agree. It’s part of the pre-ride routine and subject to its own little nuances and OCD touches.

Rear first, undo the valve, bleed a little air, attach the head, pump to the designated pressure (always in psi for tarmac, bar for pave and never, ever kPa), release the hose pressure, unscrew the head, repeat for the front before donning one shoes, cap, helmet and eyewear.

Only then should one commence the serious business of pushing down on the pedals. We after all talking about the most important of contact points.

It is possible that a tool can be so beautiful so as to distract from the process and lessen the overall experience.

Yup, it's always rear tire first, then front for me. Then bottles in cages. Then shoes, load pockets, helmet, sunglasses, gloves. My routine is so second nature that I don't even really think about it which is why it's good to have a routine - that way you don't forget something and I can focus on the important thing - the ride.