Joe Blow pump head too stiff

[Mrs Pingu]

We have a Topeak Joe Blow pump with the smarthead (with the yellow lever).
It's always been a bit on the stiff side to raise the yellow locking lever, but more and more I'm struggling to open it, and one day I feel like I'm going to get my fingers snapped under the lever.
I know I have the upper body strength of a weak & feeble woman but it doesn't have to be this way.

Anyone have any fettling tips for the head, or a suggestion of a more feeble friendly alternative head that would fit on the tube? We're only using Presta valves.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Topeak’s Smarthead is a bit of a crappy design. Topeak’s Twinhead design is much better.

You should be able to completely disassemble the pump head, clean and lubricate it before reassembly. Some petroleum-based lubricants can degrade ‘rubber’, so a silicon-based lubricant is probably better long-term.

isn’t a fully exploded diagram. The yellow lever pin can be pushed out, letting you pull out, clean and lubricate the lever and the compression washer underneath before reassembly. Some lubricant on the cam and pin will reduce lever friction noticeably.

[fruitcake]

I'd add water based lubricant (rather than oil) on the pivot (because oil rots rubber).

[FifeingEejit]

Looks like you can buy the Twinhead for around a tenner (Biketart after allowing for 3 quid postage).

I'd probably do that if servicing the smarthead doesn't work or looks too fiddly.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Topeak uses a couple of different hose sizes for their track pumps, so keep that in mind if you decide to replace the pump head. DAMHIKT