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Jul 25, 2023

Syncros Vernon 3.0TR pump review

Premium plastic pump for mountain bikes This competition is now closed

Premium plastic pump for mountain bikes

This competition is now closed

By Nick Clark

Published: May 8, 2023 at 5:00 pm

The Syncros Vernon 3.0TR is a mountain-bike specific track pump, with a claimed 665cc volume.

I found the pump to be very quick in inflating mountain bike tyres, requiring only 19 strokes to inflate a 29×2.4in tyre to 25psi.

However, it's not as efficient as Topeak's JoeBlow Tubi 2Stage, which managed it in 13 strokes.

The 3in analogue dial reads up to 60psi in 5psi increments, which makes it easier to read than standard track pumps when inflating to the lower tyre pressures you run with mountain bikes.

The head on the Vernon 3.0TR is only compatible with Presta valves, though the brand supplies a brass Schrader adaptor that can be stored on the baseplate.

The face of the head can be unscrewed and flipped to reveal an M6x0.8 fitting for seating tubeless tyres. I found the Vernon 3.0TR was able to seat a tubeless tyre without this.

The small head size proved useful when inflating smaller tyres, but this means there's little stem insertion, which can make it difficult to tell if the head is seated.

Initially, the lever at the rear of the head was difficult to pull back. This loosened up after some use, but I found the snap closure unpredictable, often hitting my fingernail.

The handle of the Vernon 3.0TR is wide and flat, providing an efficient bar to transfer power. A hollow underside cheapens the feel slightly, though.

Considering the amount of plastic used in the construction, Syncros has made the connection between the plunger and cylinder very tight, which gives the pump a high-quality feel.

The 1,200mm hose extends up from the plastic trident stand, enabling easy attachment to valves regardless of whether your bike is stored on the floor or in a bike repair stand.

The pump's base flexed under one-foot pumping, but was sturdy when used with two feet. However, the section of the base with the dial flexed when I pumped quickly.

Like many of the best track pumps, the hose loops over the handle to secure it and is held in place by two clips on the collar of the cylinder.

The clips on the Syncros hold the hose well, making it easy to detach when needed.

Overall, the Vernon 3.0TR is a top performer that combines a high-quality plastic construction with great efficiency and ergonomics.

The only notable negative in testing was the way the base flexed when under duress.

Digital Writer

Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes. Having raced XC for most of his youth, he has a deep understanding of the sport and loves bounding around the UK to spectate at events. A mountain biker at heart, Nick helped create a community of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. Described as having a good engine in his racing days, it's now common to see Nick wheel-sucking on club rides and sprinting for town signs. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. He is currently riding a YT Capra on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the road.