Giant's Control Tower 0 is a sturdy, solid feeling, easy-to-use track pump – especially thanks to its digital display – and it's a pretty good deal too.
- Pros: Comfortable handle, leak free head
- Cons: Not the sturdiest base
The 2-inch digital display is positioned at the top of the pump, which makes it easy to read without having to stare down at the floor, and it displays the pressure in bar, PSI and kg/cm2. There is also a battery life indicator.
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Tested against a dial pressure gauge I use on the car, the Giant is pretty much spot on, with about a couple of psi in it.
When attaching it to the valve there is no need to faff around with the head of the pump. It uses what Giant calls the AutoHead and it seamlessly switches between Presta and Schrader valves with ease.
Clamping onto the valve, it doesn't feel that firm a connection but it never leaked even when going from completely flat up to 100psi. (Under the screen it says that it'll cope with a max pressure of 180psi, should you ever need it.)
With a 1.2m hose it doesn't matter where the valve is sitting on the wheel, either.
The Control Tower 0 uses a steel barrel and base which creates a solid feel throughout the pumping action, although the feet could do with being a little wider in my view to really get a good purchase on with your shoes. It has a rubber section underneath the base which gives it extra grip and should stop it marking tiled or wooden flooring.
The handle has a grippy feel to it, and being flared backwards it's a comfortable shape to use. It's strong, too, so no flex issues.
It has little pockets at each end too, to hold some accessories like a ball/bladder adaptor and there is a valve core removal tool in the other.
The Giant delivers 355cc of air volume per stroke and pumped up a 25mm tyre from flat to 80psi in 19 strokes, and 100psi in 25 strokes, which isn't long at all.
> Buyer's Guide: 11 of the best track pumps
Priced at £59.99, it's way cheaper than the last digital pump I tested, the Truflo Digitrack at £99.99. Mind you, that was three years ago and it's still in daily use.
When it comes to good value track pumps, I highly rate models from the Topeak Joe Blow range, and this Giant has the same quality feel as the Elite that I tested a little while back. That one uses a dial gauge rather than a digital one, for £49.99; Topeak doesn't use digital gauges on any of its pumps.
Overall, the Control Tower 0 is well made, feels sturdy and has a precise gauge for what isn't a huge outlay.
Verdict
A simple-to-use, leak-free pump with a precise gauge and quick inflation
road.cc test report
Make and model: Giant Control Tower 0 Floor Pump
Size tested: One
Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Giant says, "Precise inflation. The Giant Control Tower 0 features a precise digital gauge to provide the most accurate tyre pressure readings. A high strength steel base and barrel offer a lifetime of durability, and the ergonomic handle design gives you more comfortable way to inflate tyres."
It is a solid feeling track pump with a precise gauge.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Giant lists these features:
AutoHead: V
Gauge style: Digital Gauge
Gauge size: 2.0'
Barrel: Steel
Base: Steel
Handle: Ergonomic sweeping handle
Maximum Pressure:180psi
Height: 690mm
Weight: 1688g
Hose: 1220mm
Ball/bladder needles: Integrated in Handle
Volume/per stroke (cc): 355cc
Nicely shaped and textured handle.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Does everything it needs to and does it well.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Leak-free smart head.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
I would like some slightly wider feet to give it more security, especially when there is no weight on it.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
We haven't tested many digital pumps but even against a lot of the analogue pumps it is well priced for its performance and build quality.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
The Control Tower 0 is a quality piece of kit and should definitely last a long time.
About the tester
Age: 40
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed
A simple-to-use, leak-free pump with a precise gauge and quick inflation