I appreciate real life reviews which is what I try to do when it comes to those out there shopping for gear and gadgets.  Tire pressure gauges are such a small but important part of everyday maintenance for our bikes.  So, why not share this simple but informative review?  We always have 2 gauges or three at a time.  One for each bike for on the road and of course the garage.  I just bought 2 of these based on this review alone.  I don’t expect everyone to run out and buy this brand but can’t hurt to read about their warranty…

By Ari Henning, Photography by Ari Henning

Handling, grip, ride quality, and tread wear are just a few of the things affected by tire pressure, and in order to take accurate measurements, you need a decent tire gauge. At one end of the spectrum are pencil-type gauges—good for ballpark readings, if that—and at the other end are big-bucks professional units. So, what to buy? When I was faced with this question nearly a decade ago, my adolescent’s income steered me toward a $14.50 Accu-Gage from G.H. Meiser & Co.

Accu-Gages are available in several ranges from 15 to 160 psi with your choice of chuck configuration, all for the same low price. All gauges have a 2-inch face, flexible 11-in. hose, and a handy bleeder button for fine-tuning pressures. G.H. Meiser & Co. says the 60 psi gauge I bought is calibrated to +/- 1 psi at 30 psi—my gauge has always checked out when tested against the master gauges brought to the track by various tire distributors.

The gauge worked perfectly for 5 years before the needle stopped holding its reading, and just recently the hose sprang a leak at one of the brass crimp fittings. Recalling the unit’s price, I had no reservations about retiring it, and immediately returned to the web to buy a replacement. That’s when I discovered a few interesting facts. First off, G.H. Meiser & Co. warranties its gauges for life, requesting just $3 for return shipping. It even offers replacement check-valve parts for the pushbutton at no charge. And did I mention Accu-Gages are made in America? G.H. Meiser & Co. has an old-fashioned name that reflects its old-fashioned values and customer service. What a happy surprise.