Are you planning to purchase a bike pump but not sure which one to acquire? If yes, then you’re in the right place!
A bike pump is considered as one of the most important equipment for a biker whether professional or casual. However, this equipment is not only useful for inflating tires. It can be also used to inflate different objects like sports balls.
Bike pumps, on the other hand, greatly differ in performance, price, and size. Thus, choosing the best bike pump that will suit your needs can be a challenging and confusing endeavor. Some bike pumps are portable and lightweight, while others focus on pressure or efficiency, and so the compactness may be sacrificed.
In this guide, we compared some of the best bike pumps that are currently available on the market and discussed their benefits and features to help you choose the right bike pump. Furthermore, we will go over the factors that you need to consider when buying a bike pump.
Table of Contents
Things to Consider When Buying A Bike Pump
Listed below are the most important things that must be taken into consideration.
Type
Bicycle pumps come in different types and here are the most common ones.
Hand Pump
Because of its size, it is also known as a frame pump or mini pump. This type, however, does not pump high pressures. When the pressure increases, pumping becomes difficult. Usually, it max at a 100psi/6.9 bar which is enough for you to get home safe and sound.
Floor Pump
Floor pumps are the most popular type of bike pumps for cyclists. This pump can be made of plastic, aluminum, or steel. With floor pumps, pumping is a lot easier since they have piston shafts and long barrels.
Mini Floor Pump
Mini floor pumps are bigger than hand pumps but smaller than floor pumps. Thus, it is known as the hybrid variety of the first two pumps.
Some of these types can be carried in the back pocket. Nevertheless, since it is a bigger variety of the mini pump, a mini bike pump is easier to up. Additionally, they typically go up to 120psi/8.3 bar.
Shock Pump
This type of bike pump is ideal for those who own a mountain bike that has an air sprung suspension. This small-volume pump and high pressure will have a maximum pressure of 300psi.
CO2 Inflator
If you want an easy and fast way to inflate your bike tires then the CO2 inflator is the perfect pump for you. This type will work with a CO2 cartridge that holds a stable volume of air.
Weight and Size
If you don’t need to travel with your bicycle pump, then investing in a bigger pump like a track pump is worthwhile.
Air Pressure
When buying a bicycle pump, make sure that your chosen model will offer the right amount of air pressure. As a general rule, for road bicycles, the needed air pressure is 85psi to 130 psi, while the recommend pressure for mountain bikes is 30psi to 50psi.
Valve
In general, bikes fit with one of the two different types of valves, the Schrader which is usually seen on mountain bikes and Presta for road bikes. The first one is more secure and wider than the Presta matching part, while Presta, on the other hand, is slender and long and it’s usually found on a high-performance bike that needs higher air pressures.
But luckily, bike pump manufacturers made interchangeable pumps that have attachments for both Schrader and Presta.
Gauge
Typically, smaller pumps don’t have a gauge, but for larger ones, you can expect one. When looking for a gauge make sure that it is easy to read and can measure the range of air pressure utilized by your bike.
Today, you’ll find a digital gauge that’s easy to read and is accurate. But this type of gauge is more expensive.
Handle
The design, shape, and size of the pump’s handle affect how simple it is to inflate and pump. A handle that is too small may put additional pressure on your shoulders, hands, and arms that affect comfort. To avoid this from happening, choose a pump that comes with an ergonomic handle.
The Best Bike Pump Review
Top Pick for Best Bike Pump: Vibrelli Performance Bike Floor Pump
The Vibrelli Performance Bike Pump is ideal for buyers who want to obtain the most from their bicycle pump.
Its easy-to-read and big gauge offer 160psi that is in excess of what you will need all year-round. Compared to other bicycle pumps, you can feel if the tires are ready rather than utilizing the touch test every after pump.
On the other hand, this bike pump fits with both Schrader and Presta. Meaning to say, you do not have to worry about looking for an adaptor. Apart from that, you will obtain a glueless emergency puncture kit and it also comes with an inflatable device valve and ball inflation table.
Key Features:
- Compatible with Schrader and Presta
- Accurate and large gauge
- Inflates up to 160psi
- 5 years warranty
- It has a rapid T-valve design that guarantees fast pumping.
Best Budget Bike Pump: Planet Bike ALX 2.0
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly bike pump, this product is perfect for you. The Planet Bike ALX 2.0 is ideal for those who do not use their bikes regularly.
This bike pump features a steel base as well as barrel, and the only plastic component is its pump head.
In addition to that, its handle is anatomically designed for comfortable air compression. Compared to other cheaper options, ALX 2.0 has a stronger gauge system and backed with a limited lifetime warranty.
Key Features
- Lightweight
- Cheap
- Strong gauge system
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Steel barrel and base
- Comfortable handle
Best Handheld Bike Pump: LEZYNE Pressure Drive Hand Pump
This vigorously designed hand bike pump is ideal for recreational riders. In fact, the Lezyne Pressure Drive works with various sizes of tires.
It screws securely through a removable hose to an inner-tube valve. This hand pump comes with an all-aluminum body that has an efficient and smooth stroke.
Another impressive thing about this bike pump is that you can easily place it in a jersey pocket and has a bracket that you can use if you want to attach it to your bike’s frame. Additionally, the Lezyne Pressure Drive is compatible with both Schrader and Presta valves.
Key Features
- Smartly designed and engineered
- Available at a very reasonable price
- High pressure
- Lightweight
- Aluminum construction
- Precise and durable parts
- Ideal for recreational riders
- Works with Schrader and Presta valves
- Compatible with different sizes of tires
Best Mini Pump: Topeak Road Morph G
Topeak Road Morph G is a mini pump that is used by both amateur and professional bikers.
This product is made of high-quality components and materials and is carefully tested to guarantee durability and quality. The Topeak Road Morph G comes with a very long barrel, mounting bracket, and inline gauge.
Furthermore, this pump is a good companion for long rides due to its reliability.
Key Features:
- Comes with a tiny gauge.
- Made of high-quality components and materials.
- Secure
- Reliable
- Durable
Best Floor Pump: Bicycle Ergonomic Floor Pump by BV
This Bicycle Ergonomic Floor Pump by BV benefits from a twin valve design that is lockable. In fact, this feature makes switching between Schrader and Presta quite easy.
This floor pump comes with a long rubber hose that has a 360-degree pivot. It has also an easy-to-read and accurate gauge that features two various measurements making it easier to use.
This bike pump comes with a steel and long barrel that lets you pump your bicycle tires to 160psi rapidly. It has a stable base as well and has a handle which makes this product more comfortable to use.
Nevertheless, it is a versatile option since it can be utilized for inflatable devices and sports balls.
Key Features:
- It has an easy-to-read and accurate gauge
- Versatile
- Ergonomic handle
- Stable base
- Twin valve design
- Comfortable to use
- Provides a good amount of air pressure.
Best CO2 Inflator: Pro Bike Tool CO2 Inflator
This CO2 inflator sports a simple, yet durable design. With the Pro Bike Tool, you will be able to get back on the road more rapidly.
This bike pump has a one-turn valve system. It promptly threads on a Schrader or Presta valve with a safe connection. Additionally, with a machined aluminum alloy built, you are certain that this CO2 inflator will last for a long time.
Key Features:
- Fast and reliable
- One-turn valve system
- Aluminum alloy body
- Durable
- Lightweight and compact
- Compatible with Schrader and Presta
Best Shock Pump: Fox Factory Pressure Shock Pump
The very first thing that you will notice from this ergonomic, durable, and well-built shock pump will be its over-sized gauge, so you won’t need to crook your eyes just to read the gauge.
In addition to that, the Fox Factory Pressure Shock Pump has an ergonomic hand grip and a flexible long hose.
This product swivels in various directions, hence, you can attach it to the air shock with ease.
Key Features:
- Big pressure gauge
- Flexible and thick hose
- Solid build
- Comes with a bleed valve that is beneficial in discharging excess air
- Large and ergonomic grip.
Final Thoughts
One of the best ways to guarantee a fast and smooth ride as well as avoid getting flat tires is correct bike tire inflation. If you have a bike, investing in the best bike pump is very important and highly recommended.
When it comes to the best option, you may want to consider investing in the Vibrelli Performance Bike Pump. This bike pump is compatible with both Schrader and Presta and is backed with five years warranty.
However, if you are looking for a budget-friendly bike pump, you will never go wrong with Planet Bike ALX 2.0 as it is more likely to perform better compared to other cheap models out there.
We also recommend the Lezyne Pressure Drive Bike Pump for those who are looking for handheld types. This pump is intelligently designed and engineered for an efficient and smooth ride.
Our top pick for the best CO2 inflator is the Pro Bike Tool CO2 inflator. This fast and reliable CO2 inflator features a one-turn valve system and has an aluminum alloy construction.
The Topeak Road Morph G, on the other hand, is our top choice in the mini pump category. This product is a lot easier to use compared to other portable bicycle pumps and has an attached hose which lets it function like small floor pumps.
Finally, if you’re looking for the best shock pump that does not sacrifice performance and functionality, you can never go wrong with the Fox Factory Pressure Shock Pump. It is a very efficient, ergonomic, and well-built bike pump.
Hopefully, this buying guide helps you a lot in choosing the best bike pump that suits your needs.
