GODESON ANALOG TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE REVIEW

SUB-$15 TOOLBOX TREAT

Review by Robert Johnston

I purchased the Godeson Analog Tire Pressure Gauge around a year ago, after I had loaned my old Topeak Digital Pressure Gauge to a buddy and didn’t get it back. The Godeson gauge was only intended to be a stop-gap for a road trip I was about to embark on, but quickly outshone any existing gauges I had used. This easily represents the best bike-related Amazon purchase I’ve made, so let me tell you why.

ABOUT THE GODESON TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE

The Godeson Tire Pressure Gauge is designed to measure the pressure inside a tire with a good degree of accuracy. As an analog pressure gauge, it’s designed to be simple, robust and reliable; and with a price of just $12.99 /£11.99, it’s considerably cheaper than most digital pressure gauges.

Godeson offers their Analog Tire Pressure Gauge in Presta valve-Specific or Shrader valve-specific versions – that is to say, they are not cross-compatible with each valve style, so you must purchase the version that corresponds with the valve type on your bike. Each of these is offered with different pressure scales, with the 0-30 psi (0 to 2.06 bar) version tested, and options available up to 160 psi for road and gravel riders. Going for the higher pressure versions means you lose resolution on the dial for lower tire pressures, so it’s worthwhile going for the smallest range that you can.

The body is made from aluminum which is covered with a rubber protector to reduce the chances of damage. Surrounding the Presta opening is a brass nose and air bleed button in the US, or a chrome-plated brass nose and button in the UK, giving a slightly different appearance but with the same function. A 2” Dial (1.5” in UK) shows the pressure measured in both psi and bar.

THE DIRT

HOW TO USE | Using the Godeson Tire Pressure Gauge is very simple. For the Presta version we tested, you must first remove the valve cap and unscrew the top nut of the valve. Then you simply slide the opening of the Godeson gauge over the valve, and push down lightly until it registers a pressure on the gauge. You can hear the small volume of air rush into the gauge, or simply go by feel of the gauge bottoming out on the valve to let you know when it’s taken a reading. Once the pressure has been recorded by the gauge, you can remove it from the Presta valve and the Godeson gauge will store the pressure value until you press the air release button. This button can also be used to slowly and precisely bleed air from the tire when the gauge is attached, letting you drop the pressure to your desired spot.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM? | The Godeson Tire Pressure Gauge is relatively compact at 3.4” tall by 2.7” wide by 1.4” deep for the US version, and roughly 3” by 2” by 1.2” for the UK version. Both of these will easily fit in a pocket, hip pack or tool box, and sit nicely in your hand when in use. The operation of the gauge is very simple thanks to the wide opening of the nose, which means you can easily slide the gauge into position, with minimal care required to properly line up the Presta valve. A bent Presta valve may prevent the gauge from working properly, but you should probably replace a bent valve anyway.

The Godeson gauge stores the pressure value when it is recorded, meaning you can take a reading from a valve at an unfavorable angle, and pull the gauge off to get a more clear look at the pressure value. Releasing this stored pressure feels great – almost like a fidget toy – with a lovely tactile feel to the air release button and satisfying “hiss” of air as it resets to zero. It doesn’t take much air to fill the gauge and register a pressure reading – less than 0.5 psi from a 30 psi tire – meaning you’re unlikely to risk dropping below the pressure you need just because you check your pressure.

The 30 psi scale is sufficiently large to let you precisely set tire pressure to the nearest 0.5psi, which should be more than enough for everyone. And in terms of accuracy, the Godeson Tire Pressure Gauge produced measurements closely in agreement with other gauges I have previously considered accurate. I’ve recommended this gauge to a few other riders, who have shared the same results. After a year of rolling around in the toolbox or sitting in my hip pack through dusty to soaking wet rides, and countless measurements on tubeless tires with sealant entering the gauge, it still feels great, much to my surprise.

The Wolf’s Last Word

At under $15 or £15 and with its reliable measurements, the Godeson Tire Pressure Gauge is a very solid purchase to add into any bicycle rider’s toolbox. It feels great to use too, and has proven to hold up for a year of regular use without issue. I highly recommend it!

Price: $12.99 / £11.99
Website: NBGodeson.com