Raymond Ammons

🧑‍🔧 Founder & Lead Editor at BicyclePumper.com

🚴 A Life Shaped by Two Wheels

My name is Raymond Ammons, and bicycles have been the constant thread through every stage of my life.
From fixing neighborhood bikes in my parents’ driveway in Asheville, North Carolina, to testing carbon-fiber frames in a wind tunnel at university, to logging 100-mile weekends through the Rockies, cycling has always been both my craft and my classroom.

I founded BicyclePumper.com to give riders the kind of knowledge I once had to learn the hard way—by patching tubes in the rain, breaking cheap tools, and discovering which pumps actually hold pressure when the road gets rough.

🎓 Education and Technical Training

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering — Colorado State University (2006–2010)

• Specialized in Fluid Dynamics and Materials Engineering.

• Senior project: Design of a Low-Friction Piston System for Portable Air Pumps (prototype later adapted by a small Colorado manufacturer).

Master of Science in Sustainable Product Design — University of Washington (2012–2014)

• Thesis: Recyclable Elastomers for High-Pressure Sealing Systems.

• Conducted lab research on polymer aging—knowledge that directly informs my durability analyses today.

Certified Bicycle Mechanic — United Bicycle Institute (2011)

• Coursework in wheel building, hydraulic braking systems, suspension setup, and pump calibration.

• Learned industry-standard torque and pressure testing methods.

Additional Courses & Workshops

• Human Performance & Cycling Ergonomics (University of Colorado Boulder, 2016)

• ISO Air-Tool Testing and Compliance Standards seminar (Portland Tech Week, 2018)

• Data Analysis for Product Testing certificate (Coursera × Johns Hopkins University, 2020)

This combination of mechanical engineering, sustainable materials science, and certified hands-on training gives me a unique vantage point: I understand both the physics and the feel of cycling tools.

🧰 Professional Career Path

2010 – 2013 | Junior Engineer, EverRide Components Inc. (Denver)
Worked on precision machining for pump pistons and shock components.
I designed a new O-ring seat geometry that improved air retention by 12 %.

2013 – 2016 | Product Tester & Technical Writer, TrailLine Outdoor Gear
Transitioned from CAD to field testing—evaluating pumps, valves, and inflators in multiple climates.
Wrote internal white papers that evolved into customer-facing technical manuals.

2016 – 2018 | Freelance Mechanical Consultant and Cycling Instructor
Consulted for small start-ups developing portable pump prototypes.
Taught weekend maintenance classes at Pedal Forward Community Bike Shop in Seattle.

2018 – Present | Founder & Editor-in-Chief, BicyclePumper.com
Built a content platform blending quantitative testing with rider storytelling.
Oversees a small volunteer review team and coordinates with local shops for equipment access.

🏞 Hands-On Field Experience

• Over 90,000 miles ridden across North America and Europe.

• Completed 12 century rides, 3 gravel ultras, and countless commutes in every weather imaginable.

• Conducted pump-efficiency tests at elevations from −50 ft to 12,000 ft, gathering data on air-density effects.

• Collaborated with Cascade Cycling Club on a community “Fix-a-Flat Day,” teaching over 400 riders basic maintenance.

Every scuffed knuckle, stripped thread, and mid-ride repair has refined my understanding of how gear behaves outside the lab.

🧪 Testing Methodology

1. Controlled Bench Tests — Using calibrated gauges, I measure stroke volume, PSI accuracy, and pressure decay.

2. Environmental Exposure — Pumps spend weeks in humidity chambers and freezers to simulate aging.

3. Field Verification — Real-ride trials on gravel, tarmac, and mountain terrain confirm usability.

4. Comparative Scoring — Each product earns a data-driven rating for efficiency, ergonomics, repairability, and sustainability.

5. Peer Review — Fellow mechanics double-check findings before publication.

Transparency is non-negotiable: every review on BicyclePumper.com links back to these test notes.

🌍 Sustainability Commitment

My graduate research in recyclable elastomers pushed me toward eco-responsible cycling gear.
At BicyclePumper.com, we:

• Highlight rebuildable pumps and serviceable parts.

• Partner with Bike Kitchen Denver to donate repaired tools.

• Track manufacturer recycling programs in our “Green Score” column.

Good engineering and environmental respect belong on the same ride.

🧠 Areas of Expertise

🗞 Published Work & Recognition

• Contributor to Cycling Gear Daily, RideSmart Magazine, and Outdoor Mechanix Journal.

• Quoted in Adventure Cyclist (2022) on the topic of “Repairability as Sustainability.”

• Invited panelist at the 2023 Eurobike Innovation Forum discussing materials science in pump seals.

• Featured guest on podcasts The Bike Nerds and Grease Monkey Stories.

🧩 Mentorship and Community Work

I volunteer monthly at ReCycle Collective Boulder, mentoring teens on tool use and safety.
Teaching reminds me how intimidating a flat tire can be to a beginner—and how empowering the fix feels afterward.

📚 Research and Continuous Learning

Staying credible means staying current. I routinely:

• Audit online university courses in materials science and data visualization.

• Attend Sea Otter Classic, Interbike, and Eurobike for technology updates.

• Maintain professional membership with the Society of Mechanical Engineers (SME) and Bicycle Product Standards Consortium (BPSC).

💬 Writing Philosophy

“Good technical writing doesn’t show off knowledge—it transfers it.”

I translate torque specs and pressure ratios into everyday English.
If my reader feels smarter, not smaller, the article has done its job.

🔒 Trust and Transparency

• All affiliate relationships disclosed at article top.

• No paid endorsements accepted.

• Data files archived and available upon request.

• Privacy-first analytics (no invasive tracking).

Trust is the oxygen of this project.

🧭 Vision for the Future

My long-term goal is to establish the Bicycle Pumper Institute, a free digital library of repair tutorials and open-source design files for 3D-printed replacement parts.

Because the more cyclists repair, the less the planet pays.

🌟 Recognition from Riders

Thousands of reader emails and workshop attendees remind me that expertise only matters when shared.
A few favorites:

“Your winter-pump test saved my fat-bike trip.” — Elena V.

“Finally someone explained Presta valves without making me feel dumb.” — Josh T.

“My students used your repair kit guide in class!” — Kendra M., Tech Ed Teacher

🪶 Personal Life & Passions

When not on two wheels, I rebuild vintage floor pumps, roast my own coffee, and volunteer with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
I’m married to a wildlife biologist who keeps my sustainability compass pointed true.
We spend weekends exploring gravel roads with our rescue dog, Spoke.

🏁 Closing Message from Raymond Ammons

Cycling taught me everything about balance—mechanical, environmental, and human.
My goal isn’t to convince anyone to buy more gear; it’s to help them understand what they already have and invest wisely when they upgrade.

So here’s my promise:
Every word on BicyclePumper.com comes from real tests, real tools, and real rides.
No fluff, no ghostwriting, no shortcuts—just air, effort, and honesty.

Ride far. Ride informed. Stay pumped.

— Raymond Ammons
Founder & Lead Reviewer, BicyclePumper.com