bicycle tire inflator

For mini pumps, we tested tire pressure after 200 strokes, the limit of our collective forearm strength. Gauges are great for dialling in your pressures, but sometimes you just want unhindered airflow and care-free durability in a workshop environment (inflators often find themselves on the ground). A dual-action mini pump will inflate much quicker as it moves air both when you push the plunger in and when you pull it out. This is slow going and will also limit your ability to burst air into a tubeless tyre with the valve core removed. Prior to pumping, simply slide the yellow arrow shaped marker around the gauge until it points at your desired psi. Presta valves are standard on road bikes and new and/or high-end mountain bikes. Its best feature is a long rubber hose that lives inside the pump when not in use and works with both Schrader and presta valves. Thankfully these seals are cheap and easy to replace, but the EVT (and to a lesser extent the Arundel) inflators prove that things can be better. Bladder and bell needle easily come out of tube storage. This pump is a great tool for riders who typically rely on CO2 cartridges but also like to have manual insurance. The downside of screw-on pump heads is that they take much longer to attach and detach the head of the pump to the valve. If you do have to pump up a Presta valve with a pressure-fit pump, not to worry, it can still safely be done. The Lezyne Steel Floor Pump is the ultimate pump for families who regularly use Presta valves on their mountain or road bikes. If you dont want a pressure gauge, then you have two paths. For the rest of the pumps, we could attach the head, but the problem came in the heads locking mechanism. Fits 12 Bikes: Yes, but a very tight fit, Warranty/Replaceable Parts: 2 year / Parts not readily available, Ball/Bladder Needles: Included w/ onboard storage. All the inflators covered below will work with any air compressor its just a matter of fitting the appropriate couplers (covered in the guide to air compressors). We evaluated the pumps on performance, price, stability, user-friendliness, and how easy it is to read the gauge to land on these, which will best serve the needs of anyone looking for a new pump. A staple in many bike shops around the world, Park Tools INF-2 inflator offers a swivel push-on head design that makes quick work with either Presta or Schrader valves. With a metal screw on head (one side for Schrader and one for Presta), the Airflow is great for all standard tires. At just over 27 tall, the Topeak was the tallest pump we tested. Arundel uses a stepped gasket for the Presta head that slips onto valves easily, seals reliably, and pulls off without fuss. In fact, it offered the second-worst burst of air on test (behind the Arundel) and for that, its not the best choice for tubeless inflation needs. Schrader is the most common valve on kids bikes as well as everyday adult bikes. Firstly you can use an automotive-style mini inflator. This pump is best for road and thin gravel tires. This type of valve can be inflated using an air pump at a gas station. This pump won our testing. While the pump does come with a ball and bladder needle, the needle storage consists of just two slots next to the psi gauge. In addition to being placed higher up on the pump, which makes it easy to read, the gauge is also the only one to include a sliding psi marker. High pressure air flow allows you to quickly fill up tires that run at high pressure but have a lower maximum volume, such as road tires. Pass. The air pressure gauge on the Lezyne was actually the largest of the lot and is very easy to read. And the burst of air offered is measurably less than the PrestaCycle, too (however it still edges out the Arundel Shop Inflator which firmly holds the wooden spoon). But beyond a bike itself, its one of the most necessary pieces of biking equipment. While these adapters arent particularly easy to use, they are an inexpensive and quick solution to the problem. As expected from woom, the overall feel and construction of the Airflow is impressive. Its wrapped in rubber, threaded at the end, and has a pin in the center that can be depressed to add or release air with a spring to keep it sealed. In the end, none of the pumps excelled in all of our criteria, but they certainly got the job done. Though it may seem minor, its incredibly useful when youre trying to hit 17 psi and you accidentally overfill. The general highs and lows are likely applicable to those, too. Here youd use an automotive tyre inflator and either use the above-mentioned screw-in Presta head or replace the hose entirely with one from a floor pump (pictured in the sliding gallery above). and with small 2-foot base, the 350 would fall over with the slightest nudge. This was verified with a digital anemometer (a tool that measures wind speed) in conjunction with a fixed length of pipe to control the channel and placement distance. Heres a professional-level automotive inflator, perhaps the type youd find at fancy petrol stations. The only drawback is that its not a dual-action pump, meaning it pushes air into the tire only when depressing the plunger. Mini Pump: These compact inflators are designed to go along for the ridewhether tucked in your pocket, strapped to your frame, or carried in a bag. All of that aside, this is my favourite inflator to use. With a weighted, wide, 2-footed base, the Joe Blow is stable during use and was one of the few pumps that didnt knock over every time we walked past it! Longer tube lengths allows for much more maneuverability when adhering the head to the valve. This works quite well but, of course, lacks a pressure gauge. Most modern pumps are designed to work with both main valve types, and some come with adapters for things like sports balls and pool floats. So unless someone in your family is regularly riding a bike with a Presta valve, a pump with a pressure-fit head is your best bet. When it comes to inflating tyres with an air compressor there are plenty of options. Whether at home or on a ride, nothing beats a reliable pumpfloor or minifor fast and accurate inflation. With short tubes, you have to spin the wheel to position the valve close to the ground and then place the pump right next to the tire. After testing out nine different floor bike pumps over two months, we quickly learned that there is a lot more to pumps than we initially realized. In Australia we have a monopoly hardware chain called Bunnings Ozito is one of its house tool brands. Price: US$83 / AU$145. By taking the time to learn the differences in bike pump designs, youre much more likely to find a pump thats a great fit for your family. Its worth noting that this inflator was the only one tested to use 3/8 BSP fittings and not the more common and smaller 1/4 size. Depending on your budget or riding style, one of these pumps be a better option for you. Lows: Requires a Presta adaptor or similar, two-handed operation, cumbersome to store, poor airflow. The ABS 1 Pro Flip-Thread Chuckone side for presta, the other for Schradersecures tightly to valve stems and has a bleed button to help you set the ideal pressure. The plastic handle and loose-fitting plunger give the feel of a discount product. As well, every floor pump has a long, flexible hose with a chuck at the end that can get into hard-to-reach placessome more easily than others. The short tube requires you to constantly maneuver the pump and the tire in order to attach the pumps head without causing the pump to fall over. The Schrader valve is wider than the presta type and the same circumference from tip to rim. This high-volume pump is, as the name suggests, made specifically for filling mountain bike tires. Small hand pumps are a must for your on-the-go biking tool kit! The adapters simply screw onto the end of the valve and create a bend at the end where you attach the pump. The taller and fancier version of our favorite budget pump, the Planet Bike ALX is another solid choice for families. I really like that there are multiple ways you can hang this tool up, and the blue colouring makes it hard to miss. Lezyne Sport also comes in a high-pressure (HP) version, 12 tubes with angled stems are a quick fix, Kids Bike Ramps 30+ Ideas to DIY or Buy, Locking lever goes to the side, versus back, making it easier to use with 12 tires, Dual head fits Schrader and Presta without any adjustments, Extra tall for easier pumping without leaning over, Gauge is positioned higher up on the pump making it very easy to read, Sliding psi marker on gauge helps you easily remember your desired psi, Rotating tube connection keeps hose tangle-free, Needles easily fall out of onboard storage, so likely to quickly get lost, Screw-on metal head prevents potential damage to valves, High max pressure of 220 psi performs great with road bikes, Head has a built-in Presta core valve remover for tubeless setups, Extra-long tube is great for pumping up larger tires, Ball needles screw into pump head, making them more secure during inflation, Pressure release button on head to easily adjust psi, Ball needles clip onto hose and likely to get lost with time, Head is very hard or impossible to screw onto 12 tires, Pumping motion not as smooth as other pumps, Dual head fits both valve types without any adjusting, Amazing warranty with replacement parts available, Double the psi rating (200 psi) than other budget pumps, Head has a red and green colored locking notification to ensure proper attachment, Bladder and ball needle are safely stored in a box on the pumps cylinder, Very difficult to pump tires to higher pressure (mostly road tires), Shorter hose makes it more difficult to use on larger tires, Low max psi of 120 makes it not suitable for some road tires, Extension tube makes it easy to pump up all tire sizes, Screw on valve prevents bent valve stems on Presta valves, Delivers high volumes of air with every pump, Single pump head insertion point fits both Schrader and Presta, Does not work on 12 bikes with coaster brakes, Screw-on head prevents potential bent valves, Lightweight and compact, easily fits in a hydration pack, Gap between handle and cylinder prevents pinched fingers, Due to short hose, kneeling, squatting or sitting on ground required to pump up small tires, Small foldable foot works great for shorter kids, but we found it easier for parents to bend over and hold the pump when pumping, Head allows for Schrader and Presta valves without any swapping, Secure onboard storage of needles (the best of all the pumps! The longer locking arm of the head, however, does make it more challenging to fit onto 12 tires. Some bike pumps are much harder to pump at higher-pressures than others. For both flat repair and Oh damn, I left my floor pump at home moments, the Mountain DA G is a lifesaver. Finally, most of the tool is built to withstand abuse except for the fragile-feeling valve head collar. Now over a decade later and the companys range is full of gauge-equipped inflators ranging from US$40 to US$80. Fill it with sealant. For this, a simple inflator without a gauge is hard to beat. Gauge is consistent and precise, but not accurate, Too big to easily toss into your car or lug around, One pound graduations are very easy to read on the large dial. The quality offered here is great, and you can either simply add a Presta adapter or more permanently affix a floor pump hose to it. And one of the most common questions we get when assessing pumps is how accurate the gauges are. Ive got some 15 years of hands-on experience with air compressors and over the past year of lockdowns Ive intentionally tested some of the more common and popular tyre inflators with the goal of finding the best. However, at less than half the price of the EVT, there are limitations. Its extremely similar in form factor to the tested Presta Cycle Digital but there are some obvious differences. The tube is also a huge perk because its small attachment end makes it much easier to attach to the tire than the bulky head of other hand pumps. Although the tube is quite short, compared to most hand pumps that dont have a tube, the Airflows tube is a blessing as you dont have to kneel down quite as far in order to attach the head. And while the valve head isnt great, its relatively easy to do a DIY conversion on. Lows: Inconsistent sealing with Presta valves, head design wont work on many car tyres, average airflow. The TLR Flash Charger is a good alternative to an air compressor when it comes to installing tubeless tires. Warranty/Replaceable Parts: Limited lifetime warranty/ replacement parts readily available. Lows: Surprisingly poor airflow, the 90 tube can unwind, gauge accuracy.Price: US$60. There are a lot of budget bike pumps on the market, but the Planet Bike was by far the best of the three we tested under $40. Chuck it on the floor. To test the accuracy of the bike pumps psi, we compared the pumps psi gauge to a stand-alone digital psi reader. Gauge accuracy was verified with a custom inline Kappius digital gauge. With a sturdy base, enclosed needle storage, and an accurate psi gauge, the Schwinn is a solid bike pump. The pump that is best for you depends on whether you have a 12 bike, a bike with a Presta valves, a bike requiring high psi in the tires, as well as your budget. It also has a valve-core wrench, which is handy for tubeless systems. The two main issues we had with the head design was their large size and their compatibility with Presta valves. 22 Kids Bike Accessories to Make Biking More Fun From baskets and bells, to wheel lights and funky helmets, your kids will love these fun add-ons. A valve head that needs to be locked or threaded in place is at best more of a fiddle and slower to use. The well-protected gauge (0-160 psi) is large and well placed for easy viewing, and my sample was impressively on-point for accuracy. In addition to offering the two modes, the crankbrothers Gem was also a standout because it was the easiest and smoothest pump to operate. ), Two settings for high-volume pumping (for regular tires) as well as high-pressure pumping for road bikes, Stopped working after less than a year of sporadic use, Several reviewers reported bent Presta valves (we didnt have an issue though), Gets the job down for a super budget price, Max pressure only 100 psi lower than other pumps, but suitable for most bikes, Easily falls over very lightweight with a 2-footed plastic base, Tube is very short which causes the pump to fall over when connecting the head, Pump is several inches shorter than other pumps, user must lean over much more to reach handle to begin pumping. So we built a device that allows us to not only test the accuracy of each gauge but also reliably compare each pump. For a more detailed discussion on the most important features of bikes pumps, jump down to Bike Pump Criteria: How We Tested and Why. Upon reaching the desired psi on the pumps gauge, we removed the pump and tested it with our digital psi reader. As shown in the stock image above, the 350 provides clips on the hose to store ball and bladder needles, but the clips are very weak and the needles quickly came off. The Presta head is made in-house by EVT and is simply the nicest inflator/pump head Ive ever used (and Ive used most). For those who want to dial in an exact psi, the Topeak gauge was our favorite of all the pumps we tested. Standard pressure fit heads (which lock on with a lever on the head) can accidentally be attached or removed at an angle which can cause the center core of a Presta valve to bend. Dunlop: The less-common Dunlop valve, used in parts of Asia and Europe, looks like a wider presta valve. There are a number of ways to tackle this, and the best option will depend on your frugality, frequency of use, and whether you want/need a gauge (and how important the accuracy is). Positives and negatives mentioned by others were put to test. The crankbrothers Gem pump offered our favorite storage solution as the needles were cleverly hidden inside the pumps handle. While compatible with Schrader and Presta valves, switching between the two does require you to unscrew a portion of the head and flip some internal components. These will max out between 160 and 220 psi. Highs: Great push-on valve design, one-handed operation, large gauge, simple design can take a knock, well priced. Check out over 20 different options. Compared to the budget COMP, the ALX is aluminum instead of steel, is taller, has a longer tube, and an upgraded head. For the floor pumps, we counted how many strokes it took to get to 20 psi in a mid-width, 29-inch mountain bike tire, as well as 80 pounds in a 700 x 28mm tire. Dual-stroke pump inflates high-volume tires very quickly, Digital gauge in the smartphone app is very accurate, Small, light, and easy to clip onto your bike or stash in a pocket, Not dual action, so takes a little longer to fill a high volume mtb tire. The back-lit gauge of my sample was within 2% accuracy. Firstly, the Schrader valve head isnt all that positive in its seal, while the air bleed button and trigger dont inspire as much confidence as the PrestaCycle tool. However, most struggle to inflate tires to more than 60 psi. You wouldnt get very far without one, whether its a mini pump that goes along for the ride or a hard-working floor pump in the garage. Premium tyre inflators and gauges make up a large part of the companys tool range. Note: The pump head used on this tool (the Woodsman) is also sold separately to be a direct fit with a Schrader head. When installing a mountain bike tire, we were nervous to blast in 160 pounds at one shot, but found it very handy to let air in, in small bursts, giving the tire time to settle. Price: US$169 / AU$299. For comparison, Ive also included a few DIY options. And importantly, it offers decent airflow for tubeless seating, although its more restricted than what EVT and PrestaCycle achieve. Its the real star of the show here and is simply *chefs kiss*. Audew Bike Tire Air Pump, Soccer Ball Bike Pump, Portable Bike Inflator, Bicycle Floor Pump with Ball Needle Kit for Balls, Toys, Basketball, Smart Valve Presta Schrader, Hycline Bike Floor Pump Presta and Schrader Valve 160 PSI High Pressure with Gauge, PRO BIKE TOOL Mini Bike Pump with Gauge Fits Presta & Schrader (Black), PRO BIKE TOOL Mini Bike Pump Premium Edition - Fits Presta & Schrader valves, Blakburn Air Tower 3 Bike Floor Pump with Mid Gauge, Zefal Air Storm 100 PSI Bike Pump (Sports Ball, Toy Compatible). Mini pumps typically dont have pressure gauges, and those that do often have one that is small and difficult to read (besides, your pumping arm will likely get tired before you even reach the ideal psi). Price: US$37 / AU$60. These are actually a perfectly fine option if you own an automotive-style tyre inflator. And then theres the fact that some of the tool is simply made with off-the-shelf USA-made parts. To access the needles you simply pop the cap off the end of the handle. But its light and reliable, so whether we were micro-adjusting tire pressure mid-ride or relying on it as a backup plan for when our CO2 was spent, this pump never let us down. You cant ride a bike if your tires dont have air in them! The pump is also re-buildable, so if one part breaks, Planet Bike offers replacements parts to quickly and easily get it working again. This isnt such an issue, but Ive certainly found 1/4 parts easier to source. (1) Stability Does the pump easily tip over when trying to attach the valve? Price: Approx US$150 / AU$200. But at this price, its a great value. The pump is a little big and unwieldy to throw into the back of a car, but its a great tool for the home workshop. The proprietary seal heads are soft and fast-wearing, and dont always form a secure seal with Presta valves. Natalie has basically been obsessed with kids' bikes since 2010 when her oldest of three kids began riding a balance bike. Adjustable: This style automatically adjusts itself to fit presta and Schrader valves without any extra steps. There are DIY options with a gauge, too. And lastly, the gauge on my sample reads slightly low (77 psi shown at an actual 80 psi). Floor Pump: These freestanding pumps inflate faster and with less effort than a mini pump for more reasons than just size. We put eleven different floor bike pumps through rigorous testing. The otherwise simple design provides a serious burst of air for seating tubeless, equal to the Prestacycle Pro and a noticeable step above both the Park Tool and Arundel. Theres no ignoring that this inflator shares the same form factor as countless commonly available automotive inflators, but it is worth noting that this one was built with far higher working pressures in mind. That increased durability comes at a cost this inflator is more of a two-handed operation than a quick push-and-go thing. But both had trouble connecting to some 12 tires. We provide a quick run-down of all the bike tire pumps we tested, and also break down how we selected our favorite pumps. The pump wasnt able to get our road tire up to high pressures, but is certainly usable in a pinch. Highs: Modular valve head design, sturdy build, great airflow, good backlit gauge, easy spare parts sourcing, also works on car wheels.Lows: Hard valve head gasket makes for inconsistent sealing, two-handed operation. Highs: One-handed design, benchmark valve head design, built to outlast cockroaches, unbeatable airflow. Highs: One-handed design, benchmark air-flow. Highs: One-handed operation, custom Presta valve head is simply flawless, wonderful to use, great airflow, entirely rebuildable with (mostly) industry standard parts, built to last. EVTs 3-in-1 inflator offers both Presta and Schrader valve inflation. The head on the ALX is unique in that it only has one opening that fits both Schrader and Presta valves. Our testing found that the gauge was accurate up to 100 psi (the max pressure our testing device will measure), although the graduations on the dial go all the way up to 160 psi. Theres a lot to like here but unfortunately its let down by the fit and sealing at the valve seals. The wider diameter plunger paired with its weighted 3-foot base allows the Gem to pump smoothly with minimal wobbles. Ease of use, comfort in the hand, care-free ownership, and durability were all key elements sought during the test period. Almost all tested inflators were in the workshop for well over six months. Thats not a deal breaker, but it means the pump isnt as robust as the more expensive ones on this list. Itll survive. Want to spend under US$40, dont need a gauge, and want an undeniable blast of air? Price: US$80 / AU$140. With no hose or gauge to slow the flow of air this simple tool is on equal footing with the EVT Presta-Only inflator in terms of tubeless bead popping. And move a lot of air it doesit took us only 20 strokes to fill a 29 x 2.6-inch tire to 20 psi. The center core of a Presta valve is very prone to bending, which provides some unique concerns for inflation. Specialized already makes a very good floor pump. If you have a road bike and need a high-pressure hand pump, the Lezyne Sport also comes in a high-pressure (HP) version that pumps up to 120 psi vs. 90 psi. For well over a decade I used this option without knowing what I was missing, but a couple of years ago I moved to a premium bicycle-specific inflator and I wish Id done so sooner. And the whole CNC-machined, aluminum package is just plain beautiful to look at.

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