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Shock pumps for bikesThe Syncros Shock Pump Boundary 1.0 SH on test

Stefan Frey

 · 29.12.2023

The Syncros Boundary is a compact digital pump that fits easily into your rucksack
Photo: Stefan Frey
Modern air suspension on MTBs requires precise tuning, which is not possible without a shock pump. But which pump really measures accurately? And are digital pumps better than analogue ones? In our test, we tested 13 current shock pumps and present them here one after the other. Modern MTB air suspension requires precise tuning with a shock pump. We tested 13 models. Today: the Syncros Shock Pump Boundary 1.0 SH.
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Syncros Shock Pump Boundary 1.0 SH - Equipment

With the Boundary, Syncros has a compact digital shock pump in its programme. The pump is equipped with a metal cylinder and plastic knob. With a length of 212 millimetres, it fits easily into a rucksack or hip bag.

The Boundary is one of the most compact digital pumps on the marketPhoto: Stefan FreyThe Boundary is one of the most compact digital pumps on the market

The air in the shock or fork can be adjusted using a rotary wheel. A small clip on the rubberised knob secures the hose when the shock pump is not in use. The digital pressure gauge displays the pressure in either psi, bar or kg/cm3. As with the other digital pumps, a maximum pressure of 300 psi is possible. The Syncros does not offer valve decoupling.

Handling

Due to its angular design, the Syncros shock pump is not as comfortable to hold as many other models. The materials also don't look too high quality. The hose should also be a little longer. Due to the small cylinder, you have to pump hard to pressurise the fork or shock. At 150 psi and more, a lot of force is also required to push the air into the shock.

The drain wheel is not always sufficiently finely adjustablePhoto: Stefan FreyThe drain wheel is not always sufficiently finely adjustable

The large pressure release wheel cannot always be controlled with sufficient precision. The display, on the other hand, is easy to read and, more importantly, works very precisely. Thanks to its small size, the Boundary also fits easily into a rucksack.

We have tested other clever accessories from Syncros in another article. Our impression of the bottle cage with pump and mini-tool can be found here.
Very easy to read and also extremely accurate. The display was convincing. The handle, on the other hand, is angular and puts pressure on the hands. The valve head has no decoupling but is otherwise easy to operatePhoto: Stefan FreyVery easy to read and also extremely accurate. The display was convincing. The handle, on the other hand, is angular and puts pressure on the hands. The valve head has no decoupling but is otherwise easy to operate
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Everything you need to know about damper pumps, all the models we tested and a detailed explanation of our test procedure can be found in our overview article.

Measuring accuracy

In our measurements on the precision pressure gauge, the Snycros damper pump was fully convincing. None of the measured values were more than 1 psi off. Like the other digital models in the test, the Syncros also displays values below 100 psi clearly in 0.5 increments.

Syncros Shock Pump Boundary 1.0 SH - Details and price

  • Weight 178 g
  • Display digital / psi; bar; kg/cm3
  • Print area max. 300 psi
  • Pump / hose length 212 mm / 123 mm
  • Equipment Digital pressure gauge; pressure release valve; metal cylinder; plastic knob; hose clip; 360 degree swivelling hose
  • Price 89,95 Euro

Valuation at a glance

Deviation¹ 80 psi / psi per stroke 79.4 psi / 0.87 psi

Measuring accuracy top, handling of the previous Syncros pump was betterPhoto: Stefan FreyMeasuring accuracy top, handling of the previous Syncros pump was better

Conclusion: Syncros Shock Pump Boundary 1.0 SH

Even though the Syncros shock pump delivers very precise values and the digital pressure gauge is very easy to read - it is identical to the Rockshox except for the cover - it is still a step backwards compared to the old SP1.0. The angular knob of the Boundary presses into the hand when pumping, the volume is very low, but the manual force is high. The valve head fits almost all valves and does not require activation, but the hose could be longer. The drain wheel is in the way of the handle and is not always easy to control. Good: small enough to take on tour in a rucksack.

¹ BIKE measured values; ²BIKE grade: The BIKE rating is based on the school grading system with grades 1 to 5

Stefan Frey

Stefan Frey is from Lower Bavaria and loves the mossy, loamy trails of the Bavarian Forest as much as the rugged rock of the Dolomites. For technical descents, he is prepared to tackle almost any ascent - under his own steam. As an accessories specialist, he is the first port of call for questions about equipment and add-on parts, while as head of copywriting he sweeps the language crumbs from the pages of the BIKE print editions.

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