best travel bicycle pump

The best bike pumps tried and tested

Our pick of the best bike pumps for getting your tyres up to pressure at home and when out riding

Best mini pumps for road

Best mini pumps for gravel, best frame pumps, best floor pumps, alternate options, how to choose.

1. Quick list 2. Best mini pumps for road 3. Best mini pumps for gravel 4. Best frame pumps 5. Best floor pumps 6. Alternate options 7. How to choose  

The best bike pumps will get you up and running quickly, whether that's by using a floor pump (aka a track pump) to get your tyre pressure just right before starting out or a handheld mini pump to repair a puncture when out on a ride. 

Although a floor pump can do double-duty for both road and gravel bike tyres, mini pumps tend to be good for one or the other. Here, we've tested a large selection of pumps back to back in identical conditions to see which performs best. We found the best pumps in their categories were the Lifeline mini pump and the Topeak JoeBlow floor pump after being really impressed with their performance throughout testing. 

The best road bike tyres need higher pressures, while the best gravel tyres run at lower pressures but can have a high volume. A gravel bike mini pump may not be able to achieve enough pressure for a stable ride on the road, while a road bike mini pump can take a long time to inflate a gravel bike tyre.

Some mini pumps include a pressure gauge, but most don't, so ensuring your tyre pressure is correct can be a matter of guesswork. In contrast, almost all floor pumps include a pressure gauge, so you can dial in your ideal pressure. 

We've also tested frame-fitting pumps below, as well as a couple of options that will help out in specific situations. If you're after fast inflation with less effort, we have another guide to the best CO2 inflators and an article on whether you should go for CO2 inflators or mini-pumps.  

If you've got any burning questions or are just not sure what type of valve your tyres have, we've also got a buyer's guide at the end of this piece to help you choose the best bike pump for your needs. 

The Lifeline Performance mini pump does a great job of getting a road bike tyre up to pressure and is very affordable.

Read more below

Use the digital gauge in this Lezyne pump to dial in your exact tyre pressure.

The Airtool MTB is a great option to get gravel bike tyres up to pressure quickly.

Another Lezyne option, the Pocket Drive HV is a compact pump for gravel tyres.

Lifeline's floor pump is an excellent value option that does the job efficiently.

The JoeBlow pump is efficient, stable and well built with an effective push-on head.

The best bike pumps you can buy today

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

A mini pump, or at the very least one of the best CO2 inflators , should come out with you on every ride, along with tyre levers a spare tube, tubeless plugs, and a bike multi tool . 

However, the needs of road riders and gravel riders are slightly different when it comes to inflation: Road bike tyres don't need much air volume, but the pressures are much higher, while conversely for larger gravel tyres you need more air, but don't need such high pressure. 

You can use one for both if you like, but you'll either spend ages pumping up your gravel tyres, or have some rather soft road tyres to contend with, so we've separated out road and gravel bike minipumps and frame-fitting pumps into separate sections below.

1. Lifeline Performance Road

Specifications, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Lifeline, the in-house brand of Wiggle, is best known for producing good value, but not always matched by out-and-out performance. In this case, the Lifeline Performance Road mini pump achieved the highest reasonable pressure of all the road mini pumps on test. It also had an extremely secure head, and avoided any valve damage thanks to an extending hose. It's not as secure as a Lezyne screw-on, but it's very good. 

The telescopic design means it is effectively longer than it seems, and while it's not the smallest or lightest on test, it's the one I end up throwing in my jersey most often, except when pocket space is at a premium. 

While it can achieve high comparative pressures it doesn't have the build quality of more premium options though, and it takes more strokes to get there too. 

It's also, along with the MTB version later in this guide, been awarded best overall and best value in our inaugural awards .

2. Birzman Mini Apogee

The Mini-Apogee from Birzman is constructed from CNC machined aluminium, but still packs a respectably low weight, mostly due to the size: it's tiny! If you find yourself struggling to fit a mini pump in your pockets, or even want to cram one in your saddlebag, this is the one to go for.

The proprietary snap-on head works well enough, though its not the most secure and can splutter a bit at its pressure limit. In general the sharp corners of the pump do detract from the ergonomics, but at higher pressures, you can put the flat face of the head against your palm and really crank the last few strokes out.  

3. Lezyne Digital Pressure Drive

If you absolutely have to know what pressure you're running then this is the road mini pump for you. The digital gauge mounted to the barrel was spot on compared to the independent gauge, and the air delivery was excellent thanks in part to an extremely secure screw-on head at the end of a hose, so the valve is protected from any lateral forces. Should anything happen to the valve core though there is a handy spanner inbuilt into the collar of the hose, so it needn't be an issue. 

That being said, it is relatively expensive and the added electrical innards add up to the heaviest road mini pump on test, so that's something for you to weigh up (pun very much intended). 

4. Rene Herse NUDA

Considering it weighs four times less than the Lezyne Digital Pressure Drive, and is made entirely from carbon fibre and titanium you might expect the Rene Herse NUDA to come with a crazy price tag to match the astonishing weight. Fortunately, thanks to an extremely simple design, this isn't the case, and it's one of the cheaper options too.

Low weight is one thing, and certainly has advantages (there is also an even smaller, lighter NANA version), but the simple design has some drawbacks. The head only presses on, meaning it struggles to seal at higher pressures. Combine that with the narrow barrel and it struggles to reach the pressures you'd want for a road pump.

That being said, if you're preparing for an FKT, or a bikepacking adventure where the grams really start to add up, this would be an excellent option if you're running slightly wider tyres. 

Gravel tyres are wider than those for road, sometimes rivalling mountain bikes (my gravel bike clears a 2.5in tyre in 650b). As such, using a standard road mini pump takes forever as they can't deliver enough air volume. 

Gravel mini pumps, or MTB ones, deliver more air per stroke but can't reach the same high pressures. You'll get going quicker though, that's for sure. Gravel mini pumps are bigger than their road counterparts too, so don't always expect to be able to fit one in your jersey pocket. Run a fashionable frame bag or bar bag and chuck it in there instead.

5. Lifeline Performance MTB

Considering the Lifeline Performance Road performed so well it shouldn't come as a shock that the larger, nominally MTB version of the same pump also did very well. 

As per its smaller sibling the hose protects the valve, the head is secure, it's not too big and it doesn't cost the earth either. As well as being the more budget option in this list it also managed to hit the highest reasonable pressure, and only the Specialized Air Tool MTB Mini delivered more air per stroke.

The only things that were a drawback were the build quality compared to more premium options, and the slightly noisy operation that comes from the telescopic design. Regardless, this is the one I reach for when I head out to the trails. 

As per the road version, this too was awarded best overall and best value in our recent Cyclingnews Awards .

6. Topeak Mountain 2Stage Digital

Gravel suspension is a thing now, and if you are running suspension and want to adjust your pressures out on the trail then you'll need a pump capable of much higher pressures than those in your tyres. The Topeak Mountain 2Stage Digital can do both, but don't expect the 'high pressure' setting on the pump to be any good for higher tyre pressures.

In general though, for tyres, the pump performed well, had accurate readouts at the gauge, and a great secure head to rival Lezyne options. The large digital dial could do with being more ergonomic though. Given the maximum reasonable pressure of 24psi, it's one for those running wider gravel tyres.

The other major downside is the size factor. It's a pretty hefty thing, so make sure you have room.

7. Specialized Airtool MTB

Are you impatient? Well you've read this far so it can't be that bad. Either way if you want to pump your gravel tyres up fast then this is the option to go for as it delivered more air per stroke than any other mini pump on test. 

The machined body and neat head design were clearly well made, but where the Airtool MTB was found slightly wanting was at the very highest end of the pressure spectrum, thanks mostly to having a direct head design rather than delivering air via a hose where you can crank the pump a lot harder without either leaking air or worrying about damaging the valve.

8. Lezyne Pocket Drive HV

Lezyne mini pumps are extremely well made (I've got a road one that's still going after nearly eight years), so if you're particularly hard on your gear then this may be the one for you. The short length makes it more pocket-friendly, though it is wider than other options so maybe more frame bag or bar bag friendly than one for pockets already stuffed with snacks. 

The valve connection is excellent as per other Lezyne options, and given it gets to the same effective pressure as the Airtool it's a toss-up as to whether you want a small form or a quick inflation. As with most things, there is always a decision to be made.

Frame pumps have somewhat fallen out of favour since the heyday of the cycle tourist. They are larger and harder to store than a mini pump, and naturally heavier too, which puts most people off. A dedicated band though continue to use them, sometimes for aesthetic reasons, but mostly because they can refill a tyre a lot quicker and more easily than most mini pumps.

9. Topeak Road Masterblaster

I found it very hard to find something to mark the Topeak Masterblaster down on. The build quality was great, the head was secure thanks to the clip on, the sprung end of the shaft meant you lower the risk of damaging the valve. The action was smoother than the more premium Silca, but not loose like the Zefal options. Once you reach the limits of the pump you can flip the switch to high-pressure mode and give yourself even more air. The ergonomics were spot on too.

The only real downside is that it's silver, which looks less cool than the black options in my opinion, and there is less protection for your frame than that on offer from the Silca Imperio.

10. Silca Impero

The Silca Impero is genuinely a thing of beauty, and its aluminium, brass and leather construction is of such quality that it earned itself a place in our guide to Buy It For Life cycling tech . The rubber protectors at either end mean it fits, rattle-free, into virtually any frame and along with the silicone bumper there's a much-reduced chance of rub and scuff.

The pump action is smooth to the point of being a little too resistive, but from experience with other pumps, I expect this will loosen up over time. Think of it like wearing in a pair of fancy shoes. Two things limit the Silca: The head connection and the price. The head only presses on, rather than clamping in any way, so at high pressures, it can leak air unless it's held on totally straight. The price is also such that it's truly a luxury purchase.

11. Zefal HPX

While not the cheapest frame pump you can buy, the Zefal HPX represents a decent value option that still works reasonably well. The Zefal 4, an all-plastic option that you can pick up for under a fiver in some places, so it's extremely cheap, but it felt so flimsy and didn't achieve sufficient pressure to warrant inclusion.

The head of the Zefal IPX pump is secure, not as secure as the Topeak but still more so than the Silca. Where the Zefal falls down is on ergonomics and construction quality. Everything felt a little loose and insecure, and the spiky bumpers at the head end were uncomfortable to hold when you have to wrap your hand around the very end to avoid bending the valve. 

While it couldn't attain the pressures the others could, I think it's still a viable option if you're running slightly larger rubber, on a slightly vintage-looking touring bike perhaps.

While mini pumps and frame pumps are there to sort you out in an emergency and can be serve at a pinch for pre-ride use, a floor pump - or track pump - is the key to getting your tyres set up perfectly. They can reach higher pressures, and the gauge means that actually tell you what that pressure is too. They should be a staple in any cyclist's garage, and the right one will last you years and years of use.

12. Lifeline Essential Track Pump

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a track pump then this is the one to go for. It feels a little more flimsy than the competition, particularly against those models from Lezyne, but the air ended up in the tyres and that's all you really need from it. It took a few more strokes to get to 120psi, but not so much it'd ruin your morning. Moreover, even though the dial was a little small compared to the Joe Blow, the readout from our independent sensor showed it was more accurate than some of the more expensive options when tested. 

The only real gripe I had with the Lifeline Essential Track Pump was that, as the hose doesn't loop over the handle before clamping away, it's impossible to pick the pump up by the handle.  

13. Topeak Joe Blow Sport III

The Topeak Joe Blow Sport III has continued to be the track pump I reach for most frequently since concluding this grouptest. The large, stable base makes it excellent for trying to seat difficult tyres, the dial is large enough to be useful, and it doesn't cost a bomb either. The handles could be more ergonomic, but unless you're using it for hours on end it's unlikely to become an issue. 

I prefer the screw-on attachment to the valve that many Lezyne options opt for, but for a clip-on option, the head on the Joe Blow was perhaps the most secure of that particular cohort. All in all, it strikes an excellent balance, plus, as it's bright yellow, it's easy to find in a messy garage. 

14. Lezyne Alloy Digital Drive

While most pumps either just press on or clip onto the valve, Lezyne pumps screw onto the valve. This results in an extremely secure connection with no chance of bending the valve. The only downside is it takes a little longer, and if your valve core is loose it can sometimes come out when you unscrew the pump head.

That aside, in general I think it's a better system for a track pump. Combine that with a digital dial that was more accurate than the analogue dial options and some lovely ergonomic handles and you have a track pump that's a pleasure to use. If you want to get really nerdy about tyre pressures then the Lezyne Alloy Digital Drive is probably the option for you, the main downside being the slightly unstable base which can get wobbly when furiously pumping. There is also a bit of lag to the digital dial, so don't rush things for the best results. 

While I haven't had this pump for long, I do own another Lezyne track pump that has, thanks to being easily repairable, continued to offer good service for many many years too. 

While this test has been pretty comprehensive, taking in floor, frame, and two kinds of mini pumps, there are still some inflation options that don't fit into any of these categories, but are worthy of a mention in their own right.

15. Lezyne Digital Micro Floor Drive

The Lezyne Digital Micro Floor Drive is a specialist bit of kit, but if you travel with your bike a lot then it could really be invaluable. It'll get to pressures that almost rival full-on track pumps, thanks to decent ergonomics and the fact you can press against the floor to use it, and it's small enough to slip into a carry-on suitcase. Unless you regularly run your tyres over 100psi this is all you'd need on a cycling holiday for hotel room top ups. 

It's too big to slip into a pocket, but bolt it to a frame and you've got an ideal pump for expedition riding too, where you need absolute performance and load is less of a factor. 

16. Topeak Tubibooster X

Seating tubeless tyres with just a track pump is often difficult, and occasionally it's totally impossible without either a compressor or some other way of delivering a lot of air very quickly. There are dedicated track pumps that feature an air reservoir, but they're often an expensive option, especially if you already have a perfectly good track pump already. 

The Tubibooster X from Topeak is an incredibly simple bit of kit, effectively taking the form of a small 1litre fire extinguisher. Attach your track pump to the top of it and pump it up to the desired pressure (which will be about as much as your track pump can handle), and when ready you just attach the hose to your valve and release all the air. 

It's yet to fail me on even large-volume gravel tyres, and my only criticism is that the hose could be longer. You can even continue to pump through it into the tyre while it's working to get those last few scary pops and pings done without having to disconnect everything. 

It may appear like the humble bicycle pump is a simple creation. They all pump air from outside my tyres into my tyres, right? More or less, yes, but mostly thanks to differences in tyre sizes and the relative pressures used, there are distinct differences between bike pumps. 

In short, you have floor pumps, ideal for use at home before you set off. These deliver air fast and have an accurate gauge to tell you what pressure you're running. While out and about you naturally can't cart something that big around with you, so a mini pump or a frame pump is the next best thing. 

These tend to be either low volume but high pressure (for road bikes), or high volume but low pressure (for gravel and MTB). You can mix and match to an extent but we'll get into that later. Frame pumps sit somewhere in between, offering a higher volume of air per stroke, but also higher pressures too. 

Should I carry a pump on my bike?

Absolutely. A mini pump or a frame pump should be with you at all times on every bike ride. I make sure I always leave the house for a ride with one packed.  You can get away by using the best CO2 inflators , but they're one-hit. If you run out of gas you're going to be in trouble, so even then we'd say you should have a mini pump with you anyway, along with tyre levers , a spare inner tube, and a bike multi-tool .

Can I use a gravel pump on a road bike?

Gravel pumps add more air into the tyre per stroke, but cannot reach the high pressures needed for road tyres, so we wouldn't recommend taking a gravel mini pump out with you on a road ride. Some mini pumps have high-pressure switches though, making them much more multi-purpose.

Road mini-pumps will take longer to inflate a gravel bike tyre, especially if it's a large one, but will definitely be able to produce the pressures required if you have the patience, so while we wouldn't take a gravel pump on a road ride, we would take a road pump on a gravel ride. 

Frame pumps will happily do either job.  

What is PSI and BAR?

How much a tyre or inner tube is inflated is expressed in usually one of two measurements which are pretty universal in the bike world. BAR is the metric unit of pressure and PSI is the imperial measurement.

BAR is measured in 0.1 increments but PSI is measure in 1.0 increments. 2.0 BAR is the equivalent of 29 PSI. So when hearing or reading about BAR measurements the readings will be lower than PSI. The UK and USA seem to refer to PSI more whilst the pro racing world and much of Europe seem to use BAR. 

Do all bike pumps fit all valve types?

Most, but not all bike pumps will fit both a Presta (the pointy road bike one) and Schrader (the fatter car one) valve. Track pumps will invariably do both, but with mini pumps make sure yours will work with the valves you use. 

Tubeless valves tend to be Presta, and so this is becoming the standard for all pumps, but there are some MTB options that will only do Schrader. Likewise, some pumps are Presta-only (and will also inflate the older Dunlop valves sometimes found on budget hybrid bikes ), so check which valve type you have and make sure that  your chosen pump will work with it.

What's better; CO2 or mini pump?

A CO2 inflator will get your tyres inflated extremely quickly, and can even reseat tyres in a pinch. The downside is that the canisters are single-use, so if you take one with you and puncture twice or your tube is still not airtight, you're in trouble at that point. They're also a bit wasteful if you're not racing, and CO2 will also leak out of your tyres overnight, rendering them useless for multi-day trips.

Mini pumps, in contrast, take longer to inflate a tyre with, but the only limiting factor is your strength and energy levels. There is always enough air to pump and it's free. You're also not going to get frostbite from using a pump, unlike some CO2 inflators.

Should I buy a track pump?

While you can inflate your tyres at home before you head out with a mini pump it'll take ages and you won't get the pressures you want. For a gravel bike it'll take even longer. You could use a car tyre compressor, though these rarely work with Presta valves, but in either case, the one drawback is that you will have no idea what pressure you're running. 

A track pump, even a budget one, will allow you to inflate tyres quickly and easily and know what pressures you're running, which is key to producing a consistent ride feel, a faster ride, the right level of grip and protecting your tyres from sidewall damage while out on the road or the trail.

Do I need a reservoir pump?

Reservoir pumps are extremely useful if you need to set up tubeless tyres. Without an inner tube, seating these can be tricky or sometimes impossible using a track pump alone. Reservoir pumps (or other solutions like the Topeak Tubibooster) allow you to deliver a large volume of air in a very short space of time. This pops the tyre bead up onto the rim and allows the sealant to begin its job sealing the tyre. 

If you are in the market for a new track pump and are running or want to run tubeless then it's probably a good investment. If you already own a track pump then a separate reservoir like the Tubibooster is definitely a cheaper option and just as effective.

Should I buy an electric tyre inflator for my bike?

Electric tyre inflators will save you a fair amount of effort if you regularly inflate a lot of tyres, but they're not a silver bullet. Think of them as a nice luxury item though, rather than a necessity; they can't really do anything a track pump can't do, and when it comes to setting up tubeless tyres they can't provide as much air as quickly as a reservoir pump can.

How do we test bike pumps?

For this test we tried to keep things as repeatable as possible. For the track pumps, frame pumps, and the road mini pumps we used the same tyre and wheel combo, a 25mm Vittoria on a DT Swiss rim. For the high-volume gravel pumps we instead used a 42mm Teravail tyre on a Parcours rim. 

All the testing was conducted on the same day so as to normalise any interference from changes in temperature or atmospheric pressure. All measured pressures were verified with a standalone tyre pressure gauge, in this case, a Topeak Shuttle Gauge Digital.

Track pumps were tested to an indicated 120psi and then verified to see if they read high or low, as well as counting the strokes taken to reach such a pressure. Frame pumps were tested to see how much pressure they could achieve after 50 strokes to indicate how much air they realistically deliver, and both the road and gravel mini pumps were tested in the same manner but after 100 strokes. 

Frame and mini pumps were then tested to a point of reasonable failure, which is the point at which one would generally give up and decide the benefits of struggling to force a single stroke more air in were not worth it. This is naturally slightly more of a nebulous measurement, and subject to the vagaries of human nature, but it is a far better representation of what pressure can be attained than the stated maximum provided by each manufacturer. 

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Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. There are very few types of cycling he's not dabbled in, and he has a particular affection for older bikes and long lasting components. Road riding was his first love, before graduating to racing CX in Yorkshire. He's been touring on a vintage tandem all the way through to fixed gear gravel riding and MTB too. When he's not out riding one of his many bikes he can usually be found in the garage tinkering with another of them, or getting obsessive about tyres. Also, as he doesn't use Zwift, he's our go-to guy for bad weather testing... bless him.

Rides: Custom Zetland Audax, Bowman Palace:R, Peugeot Grand Tourisme Tandem, Falcon Explorer Tracklocross, Fairlight Secan & Strael

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The Best Bike Pump

By Eve O'Neill , Matthew Edwards and Dave Yasuda

No matter what kind of bike you ride—road bike or mountain bike, beach cruiser or hybrid, ebike or unicycle—you need a way to inflate its tires.

After testing 35 pumps over the past six years, we believe the Lezyne Classic Floor Drive 3.5 is the best floor pump for most bike commuters thanks to its sturdy construction, easy-to-read dial, and utterly reliable screw-on head (which fits both Presta and Schrader valves).

We also have a pick for a portable pump to use while you’re out on a ride.

Everything we recommend

Lezyne Classic Floor Drive 3.5

The best floor pump for bikes.

This mostly metal pump is a smart buy, from its extra-large pressure gauge to its recently redesigned screw-on pump head.

Buying Options

Budget pick.

Planet Bike ALX 2

Reliable, with better-than-most features.

Though not the cheapest pump we tested, the difference in quality between a $30 pump and this one is astounding. The drawbacks: its plastic, wedge-on pump head and very short hose.

Upgrade pick

Specialized Air Tool Pro

For frequent riders.

Although this pump is pricey, its comfortable, generously sized handle, ultra-visible gauge, and extremely stable base make it the pump to get if you’ll be using it a lot.

Lezyne Pressure Drive

Best handheld bike pump.

Versatile and compact, this pump will fill the flat-fixing needs of any commuter while on the road.

The most important thing a pump can do is not frustrate you. Our pick, the Lezyne Classic Floor Drive 3.5 , excels in this task due to the design of its pump head, which you screw securely—rather than wedge—onto your valve. It combines an L-shaped head that’s refreshingly easy to fit between spokes with a removable and reversible chuck (one end fits Schrader tire valves; the other, Presta valves). Once you’ve screwed the pump head onto your tire’s valve, the Classic Floor Drive will never, ever release the valve until you want it to. In addition, its sturdy construction, extra-large pressure gauge, extra-long hose, and varnished wooden handle make it simple, and even pleasing, to use.

With more high-quality parts than anything comparably priced, the Planet Bike ALX 2 is, we believe, the best choice for someone who doesn’t ride every day or every week. It has a steel base and barrel—in fact, the only plastic part is the pump head, which you push onto the valve and lock with a lever. That head is one reason this pump isn’t our top pick; the pump’s very short hose is another. That said, the ALX 2 inflated tires faster than almost every pump we looked at, including the Lezyne Classic Floor Drive and the pricey Specialized Air Tool Pro. Our testers also rated it highly in both steadiness and usability—the wide wooden handle really helps with that. In addition, this is the only pump we found that comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which is much better than the industry-standard two years.

The Specialized Air Tool Pro was a tester favorite. It’s nearly twice the price, but it doesn’t have twice the features of the Lezyne Classic, and that’s why it isn’t our top pick. But it’s so stable and easy to use—with a generously wide handle and sturdy base—that we think someone who rides a lot and has to use a pump often would be enamored with the upgrade in performance.

The Lezyne Pressure Drive is a smartly designed handheld bike pump capable of filling the types of tires most frequently used by recreational riders. In fact, it works better with different tire sizes than the other portable pumps we tested. This pump screws securely (via a detachable hose) to inner-tube valves, and its all-aluminum body has a smooth, efficient stroke. It’s small enough to carry in a jersey pocket but also comes with a bracket that you can attach to your frame. Like all of our picks, it works with both Presta and Schrader valves, the two standard kinds of bike-tube valves in the US. It comes in two sizes, the “small” being about 7.25 inches in length (including the rubber seals and caps), and the “medium” a little less than two inches longer than that. The price is the same; we’d recommend getting the smaller one unless you have very large hands.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our pick for a floor pump: lezyne classic floor drive 3.5, budget floor-pump pick: planet bike alx 2, upgrade floor-pump pick: specialized air tool pro, also-great hand pump: lezyne pressure drive, other good bike pumps, the competition.

This guide represents more than 20 years of collective experience in researching, testing, and writing about bike accessories. Eve O’Neill, who is responsible for the most recent update, is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter and has been on the bike commuting beat since she joined the company. Matthew Edwards has spent five years in the cycling industry as a salesperson, mechanic, and amateur bike racer, and Dave Yasuda is a road, mountain, and commuting cyclist with more than 30 years in the saddle.

If you have a bike, you need a floor pump to keep it operating. First, it does the basic labor of inflating your tire’s tubes. Also, you’ll get better performance from your bike and avoid pinch flats (where the tube gets caught between the tire rim and the road surface) if you keep your tires at the proper air pressure. This generally means topping off your tubes weekly, because they leak air even when your bike’s just sitting idle.

In addition to recommendations for floor pumps, which are the most hassle-free option for at-home maintenance, we have recommendations for handheld pumps too. But those are strictly for adding to your on-the-go repair kit and using when you get a flat on the road—a floor pump takes a lot less effort to use.

Are all bike pumps equal? According to one pump designer we spoke to, yes. “They’ll all perform similarly,” he said—the designer didn’t want his name or company affiliation mentioned—“because they all come from the same factories.” He meant what he said, but as we discovered, the details count when it comes to pumps.

At this point, we’ve researched more than 100 models, and our work always starts with reading what others have to say. First, we get studious with online reviews, relying upon the expertise at Bicycling , Cycling Weekly , GearLab , BikeRadar , and MTBR to point us in the right direction. We also look at Amazon, online bike shops like Competitive Cyclist, and outdoor retailers such as REI to read customer reviews, all of which help us decide which pumps to examine in person.

Then we talk to experts about what makes a good pump. Over the years, these have included Lennard Zinn, author of the most popular bike-repair manuals in the US ; Daimeon Shanks, a former pro race team mechanic ; Jason Bauer of Boise’s Bauerhaus Bikes , a Shimano-certified mechanic with more than 20 years of experience and longtime wrench for 24-hour-sold world-champion mountain biker Rebecca Rusch; Chris Haunold of Idaho Mountain Touring , a bike shop that has been a leader in the Boise cycling community for more than 30 years; and Nicola Cranmer , a longtime cyclist and general manager of Team Twenty20, a women’s pro cycling team.

Whether we were looking at a floor or handheld pump, we learned to prize, above all else, the following qualities:

• How secure the chuck is on the tire valve and how easy it is to use. That means it has to attach securely, remove easily, and be reasonably simple to figure out. It also has to work with both Schrader and Presta valves, the two most common types in the US.
• How durable the pump is. Pumps that have metal barrels—that’s the largest single part of each pump—will have a longer life span, so we focused on those. We also prioritized pumps with other metal hardware, like levers and valve attachment points, which are more durable than the equivalent plastic parts. “Look at a pump’s hardware,” advised Chris Haunold. “Is it metal or plastic? Metal tends to be more sturdy and will last a while.”
• How comfortable and sturdy the pump is. A handle that you can fit both hands on fully, for example, is a good sign, and three-footed pumps are a must—they’re significantly less wobbly than two-footed models.
• Whether or not the pump can be serviced. Bike pumps are simple devices and should last for years, with appropriate maintenance. We looked for pumps that nontechnical folks could disassemble to replace parts like O-rings and gaskets.
• For handheld models, we considered portability and how easily (or not so easily) we were able to pump a tube up to 100 psi with each—a real challenge for such a small device with little leverage.

To test for these different criteria, we did a few things. We compared the construction of every pump to evaluate its potential longevity and sturdiness. We scrutinized the dial for legibility and placement. But mostly, we did a lot of tire pumping. It was the only way to properly evaluate the valve seal, how well the chuck operated, how stable the pump was, and in some cases, whether or not the pump even worked.

We used our floor pumps to inflate each of three tire sizes to their recommended pressure (60 pounds per square inch, 75 psi, and 100 psi), inflating every tire twice. For handheld pumps we did the same, again with three tires each at a different pressure rating (30 psi, 35 psi, and 100 psi), inflated twice. Over the course of two years we’ve inflated tires more than 250 times. We log how many strokes it takes to reach the proper pressure, how ergonomic the handle is, how legible the dial is, and whether or not any tiny pieces spring loose and roll into a sewer grate while we were trying to switch between valves (it has happened twice).

We think the Lezyne Classic Floor Drive 3.5 is the best pump for most people. It has a valve attachment that is unique among all systems; it’s also both simple to attach and highly secure. It’s as sturdy and reliable as pumps twice the price, and all of its components, from hose to gauge, are more generously sized than those of its competitors.

The screw-on design of the Classic Floor Drive’s head is a standout feature. Only one other pump we tested, the Crankbrothers Klic, also uses a screw-on head, but the Lezyne attachment is bigger and therefore easier to handle. The L-shape also improves its ergonomics and provides an all-around more solid attachment. This is especially important, according to a former floor pump designer interviewed by our colleague Eric Hansen, because the head is often the only part that really differentiates one pump from another.

Lezyne calls this head a flip chuck head. It has a removable, two-sided chuck: One end works with Presta tube valves, and the other works with Schrader. If you want to change from one to the other—or vice versa—you unscrew the red chuck, flip it over, and screw it back on. Once you’ve done so, screw the head onto the valve. This is different from the common push-on-and-flip-a-lever design on most pump heads. You’ll see that the connection is super-reliable, it will never release until you want it to, and we haven’t noticed any air leaks during testing.

This is also the steadiest, sturdiest pump we tried, which made it a favorite among our testers. The three-footed design makes it more stable than two-footed models, and there are no plastic parts (except for the gauge cover). That makes a huge difference when you are pumping up a 100 psi road bike tire and need leverage to work air into the tube. Even the couplings are aluminum; not even the Specialized Air Tool Pro, at nearly twice the price, has all-metal couplings.

The valve head is attached to an extra-long (47-inch) rubber hose. With shorter hoses, you may need to rotate your wheel to get a good seal or perch uncomfortably close to it while you pump. With this long of a hose, you can also place the pump toward the middle of your bike and inflate both tires without having to move the pump, regardless of the valve position on the wheels. We know it’s a small matter, but our testers appreciated the convenience.

The huge 3½-inch pressure gauge is super-clear and readable from nearly any height when pumping. And not only is the dial big, but the text on it is designed well, with large, legible numbers on a contrasting background. We’ve seen gauges that, in spite of their massive size, are still hard to read because of a vexing layout or poor choice of font. And since the gauge is base-mounted and low to the ground, there’s no way it can make a pump top heavy or that it could break after tipping over.

The Classic Floor Drive has a maximum inflation pressure of 220 psi, well above any pressure needed by the average cyclist and more than any other model we tried, except the (now discontinued) Serfas FMP-500 , which was rated to 250 pounds. Although you might encounter a few tires meant for velodrome use rated for pressures greater than 200 psi, that’s overkill for most riders. It also comes with attachments for other inflatables, like exercise balls and basketballs, should you need them.

If you own a pump for long enough, you will inevitably have to replace something on it. Most often it’ll be either the pump head or the hose seals. You’ll know the head is going bad when it no longer seals reliably and you hear the sad sound of air hissing out, no matter what you do or what god you pray to. The good news is that a quality pump can be rebuilt; Lezyne sells replacement head/hose combos and other parts .

Finally, Lezyne warranties pumps against defects in workmanship and materials for two years. Though that isn’t as good as the lifetime guarantee provided by Planet Bike, the Classic Floor Drive is well-made and should last.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Having to screw the head onto the valve takes a little longer than the usual push-on valves with a locking lever, but we think most people will appreciate the secure connection for the price of those few seconds. Plus, whatever time you lose installing it, you gain on the opposite end of the process, when you simply unthread the chuck instead of having to yank at a push-on head that won’t come off.

When we counted the number of strokes it took to fill a tire to pressure, the Lezyne Classic Drive placed in the middle of the pack. While it wasn’t the top performer, we’re not worried: When we do this test, we’re mostly looking for outliers—either intoxicatingly efficient or miserably inefficient designs.

Though not the least expensive pump we tested, our budget pick is the Planet Bike ALX 2 , because the difference in quality between a $35 pump and a $60 pump is enormous. Even for people who don’t plan to ride their bikes frequently, we believe it’s worth spending the extra money. Most significantly, the ALX 2 has a lot of sturdy, nonplastic parts and a steady base. The pump is comfortable and usable, and it even comes with a lifetime warranty, the best of anything we looked at, regardless of price.

The valve on the ALX 2 is nothing special—and it’s one reason this pump isn’t our main pick—but nothing in this price range is. It’s a common flip model: You press it onto the tire tube valve and flip the handle up to secure it. Made of plastic, it works on both Presta and Schrader valves, and unlike the Lezyne’s head, you don’t need to disassemble the chuck to change from one valve type to another. However, as with other heads of this type, you run the risk of the head popping off midstroke if you haven’t seated it correctly.

The hose is another place this pump comes up short. It’s 34.5 inches long, the second shortest in our test pool. When inflating tires, this pump still outperformed many of the others we tested, outdoing not just the similar Specialized Air Tool Sport , but even the Lezyne and the Air Tool Pro by a few strokes. The wooden handle is easy to use, and our testers all praised the pump’s base. It’s not as stable as the Lezyne, but it does sit completely flush with the ground and remains steadier than the other midrange options.

The gauge is 3 inches wide, base-mounted, and readable, with contrasting black-on-white text. It pumps up to 160 psi, enough for anything but a track bike, and it comes with a set of adaptors for sports balls. This pump is also rebuildable, and Planet Bike sells head, hose , and O-ring replacement parts. And it comes with a limited lifetime warranty , the most robust of any pump we tested.

The Specialized Air Tool Pro costs nearly twice as much as the Lezyne Classic Floor Drive, but it doesn’t offer twice as many features, nor perform twice as well, and that’s why it isn’t our top pick. But it’s so stable, with a generously wide handle and sturdy base, that we think someone who will be using a pump a lot—every week, or even every day—may appreciate the upgrade.

The valve attachment is a flip model, made of combined metal and plastic, and has the usual drawback: You have to make sure it’s properly attached or it might pop off suddenly. However, it’s larger and fits the hand more ergonomically than anything we tried, and it’s easy to secure and release.

This is a pump made for someone who is going to use it a lot, and the handle and the base are where its best features are focused. The broad, flat handle outshines even that on the pricey Silca Pista , which couldn’t fit two hands. The footprint, on the receiving end of all that robust tire pumping, was the only one that provided an even steadier base than the Lezyne Classic Drive , with minimal rocking in any direction.

The gauge is also notable. Three inches in diameter, it has white numbers on a black background, plus a contrasting hi-vis yellow needle. None of the pumps we saw had any glow-in-the-dark markings on the gauge—which would come in handy, say, for an early-morning ride—but this dial came the closest to providing that kind of visibility.

For the price, we were expecting all elements of this pump to be standouts, but some were just average. The hose is shorter on this pump (42 inches) than on the Lezyne Classic Drive, and the max psi and the warranty (two years) are the same as the Lezyne.

Also, as this is a serious cycling pump for a serious cyclist, it therefore doesn’t come with any adaptors for anything other than bike tubes.

The Lezyne Pressure Drive’s solid aluminum body, smooth pumping action, removable hose, and secure pump-to-valve attachment make for a handheld pump that is functional and efficient. Among all the pumps we tested, nothing reached this level of quality at the same price.

The standout feature is the detachable hose that accommodates both Presta and Schrader valves. To use the pump, remove the hose from its storage place inside the pump’s body. Each end of the hose is clearly marked with either Presta or Schrader. Screw one end onto the pump’s body. Then, instead of relying on friction or a thumb lock—the other two common methods of attaching a handheld pump to a valve—you screw the other end onto the threaded tip of your valve. Every time, the seal held fast no matter how hard we pumped. And like all hose attachments, this one reduces the odds of bending or even breaking the valve.

The Pressure Drive is advertised as a low-volume, high-pressure pump for road bikes, and we were able to get to 100 psi on our 700c tire in 300 strokes. Even though that’s a serious, sweaty workout, it’s a high bar to set for a handheld pump, one that not all of the pumps we tested could accomplish. Knowing that high-pressure road tires are this pump’s specialty, we were surprised we could fill a lower-pressure tire without taking a long, long time. It took us 150 strokes to fill a hybrid tire to 35 psi, and 290 strokes to get a mountain bike tire to 30 psi. That may sound like a lot, but those are very respectable numbers, especially given the pump’s small size. (The pump comes in two sizes; we tested the smaller one, which is a little over 7 inches in length. The medium is closer to 9 inches—we’d recommend buying that one only if you have large hands and enough room in your jersey pockets. The price is the same for both.)

With pumps like this, which attach to a valve stem by screwing it on, it’s possible to unscrew a removable valve core (a few Presta valves have these) while removing your pump. (There goes all your hard-earned air, in a rush!) If you like to use valves with removable cores—you know who you are—the Pressure Drive has an integrated valve core tool. This is also what you need to fix a leaky stem, which could be the cause of your flat in the first place.

Lezyne also provides a two-year warranty that covers manufacturer defects, and you can replace worn-out O-rings and the like with replacement parts from the Lezyne site.

As with all hand pumps, this is no substitute for a floor pump. You will be tired and frustrated if you regularly use this to inflate your tires the entire way. In addition, if you ride a mountain bike or any kind of tire that has a very low psi rating, a high-volume, low-pressure pump may be a better choice to take on the trail with you. The Lezyne Alloy Drive is the equivalent of the Pressure Drive for mountain bike tires.

If our budget floor pump isn’t available: Consider the Specialized Air Tool Sport SwitchHitter II , which only narrowly came in second. It has a higher build quality than anything similar on Amazon, including the the Topeak Joe Blow III and the Vibrelli pump. The air hose is longer, the base is more stable, and it inflated our tires faster than anything we tried in our tests. If you can get your hands on this model, we think you’ll be very happy.

If you find operating a handheld pump exhausting: Consider the Topeak Mini Morph, which has an extendable foot peg and a T-shaped handle that allow you to leverage it against the ground, just like a floor pump. However, it’s longer and heavier than the Lezyne Pressure Drive, and changing from Presta to Schrader valves requires pulling apart the pump head. That’s less of an issue with an at-home pump, but an important consideration with a portable one. The plastic pieces are small, and wind, darkness, cold hands, and impatience could complicate making the switch in the field.

Truth be told, all pumps are pretty decent. “Anything you get at a bike shop, if you don’t use it as a hammer, you’ll be fine,” said repair-manual author Lennard Zinn. With that in mind, here are the reasons we’ve set aside these other models:

Floor pumps

The Lezyne Steel Floor Drive is very similar in build quality to our top pick. It was, however, the worst performer in our pump test, requiring 10 to 15 more strokes at all psi levels than the better performers.

The biggest ding to the Specialized Air Tool Sport was the illegible dial. Lots of leaning down to read this one. We also prefer the wooden handle on our budget pick.

The Crankbrothers Sapphire had the best pumping performance, taking fewer strokes than any other model. Even so, our budget pick was only five to eight strokes behind, is more stable, and doesn’t have a plastic handle.

The Crankbrothers Klic attempts a solution to an annoying storage problem––the floppy tube gets stored in the handle. Our testers liked it but felt that the gauge seemed breakable, and losable, since it was no longer attached to the pump. In addition, not all the edges of the base are flush with the ground, just the foot contact points, and we noticed less stability with all pumps designed this way.

The Silca Pista has one of the strongest builds (all metal everything), but it’s small. That’s as intended––it’s meant to be easy to carry around in a car trunk. But the two-footed base is wobbly, the handle was too small to be comfortable, and testers were afraid they’d lose the detachable Presta valve adapter. The Pista Plus remedies these issues but for more than twice the price of our top pick.

The Bontrager Dual Charger pressure gauge appeared to be defective. It hovered at 60 psi on the dial even while attached to an uninflated tire. We’re assuming this was random, and not endemic, but either way we found sturdier pumps that cost less.

The Topeak JoeBlow Sport III has consistently positive user reviews, but our budget pick is the same price and has a wooden, not plastic, handle. Plus, the gauge sits in a bad spot––too low on the barrel to easily read, but high enough that the pump sometimes tips over.

Both the Pedro’s Prestige and Super Prestige pumps have wobbly, two-footed bases that couldn’t outperform three-footed options.

We tried the Vibrelli for due diligence, but with a shorter height and shorter hose than anything in the test pool, it felt like a toy in a giant’s hands. Our testers also disliked the plastic base. If your biggest worry is cost, it will get the job done, but as we said before, the difference in quality between a $30 pump and a $60 pump is enormous.

The head of the Park Tools PFP-8 blew off a total of three times for two testers—a surprise, considering Park Tool’s good reputation.

We also tested two pumps from Serfas, the FMP 500 and the TCPC. The first had a maximum pressure rating of 260 psi, which added so many digits to the dial that it become hard to decipher; the second pumped 30 percent slower than virtually all other pumps and came with a plastic base. Both now appear to be discontinued.

The Lezyne Sport Drive we tested broke. The plastic fingers on the plastic base that holster the head snapped off while riding in the trunk of the car. There is a new version of the Sport Drive that incorporates the same dial as our top pick, but the base remains plastic.

The Silca Tattico Mini-Pump worked well with Presta valves but did not stay attached to Schrader valves when we pumped vigorously.

Like our runner-up pick, the Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HP/HPG functions like a small floor pump (similar to the Mini Morph), but it was bigger and more cumbersome. It does come with a mounting bracket, but the pump is so big that it’s hard to find an out-of-the-way place for it on smaller bike frames.

Another in the mini-floor-pump camp, the Topeak Road Morph G was the fastest pump in our tests, but its size—it’s nearly 14 inches long—seriously pushed the boundaries of portability.

The Crankbrothers Klic HP folds out into a T shape for a good grip. The length of the stroke is unusually short, though, which meant we had to work hard for results. T handles are generally a good thing, but this one has some weirdly sharp edges.

The Birzman Infinite–Apogee Road recorded a much higher number of strokes than average to fill the three test tires, and it just couldn’t make it to 100 psi for the 700c tire.

The Topeak RaceRocket was also not able to pump a 700c road tire to 100 psi; with this pump, it took us 60 more strokes to get our mountain bike tire to 30 psi than it did with our top pick. It’s true that it’s not a high-volume pump, the kind that is best suited for mountain bike tires. But neither is our top pick.

The Planet Bike MicroPro Mini Bike Pump uses a thumb-lock valve in a fixed position on the end of the pump body. While it’s a classic setup, we believe a pump with an extended tube design is an all-around superior design. It took 370 strokes to inflate the mountain bike tire and 260 strokes for the hybrid—second to worst of all the pumps in the test. We were not able to get the road bike tire to 100 psi at all.

The Planet Bike Mini Versair Bike Pump has a hose that’s much too short to be effective. We had to keep the pump uncomfortably close to the tires.

Any old-school cyclist will recognize the Topeak Pocket Rocket , but it’s a below-average performer. It took us 200 pumps to get the hybrid test tire to 35 psi. Topeak describes the Pocket Rocket as a pump for roadies, but we couldn’t get our 700c tire up to the 100 psi mark.

This article was edited by Ria Misra and Christine Ryan.

Meet your guides

Eve O'Neill

Eve O'Neill is a former senior staff writer reporting on travel and outdoors at Wirecutter. She can remember the titles on her childhood bookshelf that set her in this direction: Into Thin Air, On The Road, The Call of the Wild . She has always been drawn to ideas about how to relate to, and play in, the wilderness.

Matthew Edwards

Dave Yasuda

Further reading

Build a Bike Patch and Flat Kit

by Eve O'Neill

If you own a bike, you need a patch kit. After 96 hours of testing, here are our picks for the best levers, patches, hand pumps, and more for most bike owners.

Gear for Foul-Weather Bike Commuting

by Wirecutter Staff

Hard-core bike commuters share seven items—from storm-worthy gloves to rugged tires—that keep them (and their stuff) safe and dry in the winter.

The Best First Pedal Bike

by Laura Motley

Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage. Depending on the bike, the process can be either unnecessarily frustrating or, well, like a ride in the park.

The Best Bike Handlebar Bag

by Sam Schild

After testing dozens of bike handlebar bags, we’ve chosen five that can carry all your riding essentials, no matter where you’re headed.

The Best Bike Pumps of 2024

A quality bike pump is a critical tool that every cyclist needs. We tested 11 of the best model on the market to help you find the best bike pump to suit your needs and budget.

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Whether you ride road, gravel, mountain, or electric bikes, a good floor pump is a must-have for every cyclist . Maintaining the proper tire pressure is critical for comfort, safety, and the performance of your tires on the road or trails.

While they all perform the same basic task, there is a huge variety of pumps with literally hundreds of models to choose from. Whether for high volume, high pressure, or seating tubeless tires, there are lots of great options to keep your bike rolling smoothly, but finding the best bike pump for your needs and budget can be a challenge.

We rounded up 10 of the best pumps available today and have recommendations for all types of pumps and riders. Our diverse selection includes both high-end and budget-friendly models, high volume and high pressure, digital and analog gauges, and booster pumps for seating tubeless tires. While testing, we took notes on the type of valves they work with, the ease of attachment at the wheel, pumping efficiency, smoothness, stability, accuracy and readability of gauges, and the overall value and quality of craftsmanship.

Our top recommendations are listed below, followed by the best of the rest that are all worthy of consideration as well. To see the specs of all the bike pumps we tested at a glance, check out our comparison chart . If you need help making your purchase decision, our buying advice covers the important product considerations and our FAQ section provides answers to common questions.

• Best Overall Bike Pump: Bontrager Dual Charger
• Best Budget Bike Pump: ToPeak Joe Blow Sport III
• Best Tubeless Booster Bike Pump: Bontrager TLR Flash Charger
• Best High-End Bike Pump: Silca SuperPista Digital
• Best Bike Pump for Suspension: Specialized Air Tool UHP
• Best Bike Pump for Travel: Lezyne CNC Travel Floor Drive
• Best Bike Pump on a Tight Budget: AerGun X-1000

Bontrager Dual Charger

• Valves Presta and Schrader all-in-one
• Max PSI 160 (11 bar)
• Hose Length 46” (117cm)
• Gauge Analog
• Weight 1,692g

• Switch between high-volume and high-pressure easily
• Great efficiency in high volume mode
• Stable base
• Large, easy to read analog gauge
• Red color is easy to spot
• Average all-in-one head connection
• Head can be finicky
• Gauge is not the most accurate

At $75, the Bontrager Dual Charger comes with pin and open heads stored inside the handle, a 46” hose, an all-in-one Presta/Schrader head, and a switch allowing airflow optimization for high volume, low-pressure tires or high-pressure, low-volume tires – making it easy to fill mountain tires quickly and road tires easily and precisely.

The features of the Dual Charger are great – the high volume mode helped us get to 30psi with a Maxxis Minion DHRII in only 22 pumps, the fastest of any pump we tested, and the high-pressure mode made it easy to achieve and fine-tune higher road bike pressures. The switch between the two modes is also easy to use hands-free with your foot. Compared to the ToPeak SmartGauge D2X , the Dual Charger’s analog dial read an average of 6.6% high at 10 psi intervals from 10-50 psi, so we’d recommend keeping a trusted pressure gauge nearby if you’re concerned with accuracy (something most of us should have and use anyway). 

The 46″ hose makes reaching your valves easy, whether your bike is on the floor or up in a work stand. Though the analog gauge is located at the base of the pump, it is large and has big numbers that make it very easy to read. Stability is also excellent with a wide, 3-footed base and grip tape added for a little extra traction. While it isn’t necessarily a feature, the bright red color stands out and makes it easy to find when you need to top off your tires before a ride.

While the all-in-one head was a touch finicky on Presta valves, the wide, stable footing, easy-to-read analog dial, and high volume mode efficiency of the Bontrager Dual Charger make it our favorite all-around pump in this round of testing, and its reasonable price makes it a great value too. Every component of this steel pump is rock solid for the price and the addition of the high volume/high-pressure switch makes it a versatile option for any type of tires but especially anyone who has mountain and road bikes in their garage.

ToPeak Joe Blow Sport III

• Valves Presta and Schrader with two sided head
• Max PSI 160psi (11 bar)
• Hose Length 30” (76cm)
• Weight 1,622g

• Solid value
• Second most accurate gauge in our testing
• Smooth operation
• Short hose length made less usable being mounted at bottom of pump
• Not the most stable
• Head is difficult to use with one hand

At a retail price of $60, the Topeak Joe Blow Sport III is one of the most affordable pumps we tested and represents a solid option for most riders. The two-sided head easily accommodates both Schrader and Presta valves, pumping efficiency is about average, and the -2% measured accuracy was the second best in our testing.

Now in its third version, the Joe Blow Sport has been around for many years and ToPeak has made incremental changes to improve its performance over previous models. With a max PSI of 160, it’s more than capable of pumping up your road bike tires while still inflating higher-volume tires with little fuss. Pumping action is smooth and the mid-sized analog gauge is relatively easy to read on top of being more accurate than most. This pump simply gets the job done, and, in our experience, lasts a long time for such an affordable model.

The Joe Blow Sport III is not without its faults, however. The comparatively short 30” hose is mounted at the bottom of the pump and limits its reach and usability with bikes in the work stand. While perfectly functional, the locking switch on the dual-sided head can be a little tricky to operate with one hand, and the rounded steel foot isn’t the most stable, comparatively speaking. That said, the bright yellow color is easy to spot in a crowded garage, the operation is quite smooth, and the fair price makes the Joe Blow Sport III a great option for anyone looking to save a little cash. 

Bontrager TLR Flash Charger

• Hose Length 54” (137cm)
• Gauge Digital
• Weight 3,002g

• Very accurate gauge
• Fast enough airflow to almost fully seat tubeless tires
• 54” hose length increases usability and plays nicely when the bike is on a stand
• Digital gauge is easy to read and repeatable
• Pin and plug hidden in handle
• Less efficient than a normal floor pump
• Challenging to increase reservoir pressure above 125 psi

The proliferation of tubeless tires across all disciplines of cycling has led to the creation of a number of booster-style pumps, like the Bontrager TLR Flash Charger , to meet the needs of those installing tubeless tires at home. While many tubeless tires can be installed using a standard floor pump, some are more stubborn and require the release of a more powerful burst of air to get them seated. In addition to working like a small air compressor, this pump also functions as a regular floor pump, making it a versatile option for the home workshop.

The TLR Flash Charger features a digital gauge with large text that displays tire pressure in precise 0.5 psi increments up to 160 psi. The gauge’s position at the top of the reservoir makes it very easy to read, and it proved to be the most accurate in our testing at -1% when compared to our ToPeak digital gauge.

The reservoir can be pumped to a maximum pressure of 160 psi, although it does get significantly more challenging to add air to the cylinder above 125 psi, and the airflow speed and volume from the reservoir is nearly enough to completely seat tubeless mountain bike tires. In five tests, it always provided some small pops, with the tire entirely seated after following the reservoir with 5 or 6 easy manual strokes of the pump. If you don’t own a compressor and change your tubeless tires at home frequently, a pump like the TLR Flash Charger is an excellent tool to have around.

Bypassing the reservoir and using the TLR Flash Charger as a normal floor pump, we found the all-in-one head to be relatively easy to use but with some minor leaking and sensitivity to positioning on Presta valves. While it is a bit less efficient than regular floor pumps, it is comparable in that regard to the other reservoir pump we tested while having an impressively accurate and more easily readable gauge.

Overall, the Bontrager TLR Flash Charger is a great pump that can reliably help with tubeless installations and is a solid deal for a well-constructed reservoir-style pump at $160 – making it our top choice for anyone seeking a pump for at-home tubeless tire installation.

Silca SuperPista Digital

• Valves Presta with Hiro chuck, threaded Schrader
• Max PSI 220 (15.2 bar)
• Hose Length 48” (120cm)
• Weight 1,967g

• Hiro chuck works great – easy to use with one hand
• Quality construction
• Supple hose
• Very stable footing with rubber feet
• Digital gauge works great
• Replaceable and rebuildable components
• Extremely smooth pumping action
• Preload function is not very valuable
• Average accuracy at a high price point
• Fabric handle clasp is very tight
• Extremely expensive

At $349, the Silca SuperPista Digital is the most expensive pump we’ve ever tested. It is also the smoothest pump with the best construction, great stability, and an exceptionally nice Hiro Presta valve chuck (you can thread the chuck attachment directly onto Schrader valves as well). We loved the tacky rubber feet on the bottom of the base, excellent stability, ultra-smooth pumping action, solid wooden handle, and magnetic chuck storage point. 

The digital readout gauge uses 0.5 psi increments and accuracy was not too far off, with average readings 5.6% higher than our ToPeak Smartgauge D2X. While we didn’t find the digital gauge to be more accurate than an analog gauge, it is certainly more repeatable and easy to read. It turns on when you start pumping or press the power button and turns off automatically, plus it comes with 2 of the coin cell batteries that power the display. It also has a preset function where you can enter your desired pressure and it alerts you when you’ve reached it. While we didn’t really see a use for the preset option, it does not interfere with the easy-to-read digital display or normal pump expiration in any way. 

The build of the SuperPista Digital is as impressive as its price tag. Compared to other pumps, its design is elegant with sturdy metal construction, an Ash wood handle, and a magnetic chuck attachment. The three-footed base is very stable in use with rubber feet that prevent it from slipping around or scratching your floors. The 48″ hose is attached under the digital gauge giving it a long reach and is super supple and easy to deal with. The Hiro chuck is also fantastic and incredibly easy to use, even one-handed.

The ease of using the Hiro Presta head and frictionless, silent pumping operation make it a pleasure to use. Spending $350 on a floor pump may not make sense for most riders, but Silca pumps have an excellent reputation for durability and the SuperPista Digital is an investment that’ll be filling your tires for years to come.

Specialized Air Tool UHP

• Valves Schrader for air suspension, includes a Presta adaptor that can be used to fill tires
• Max PSI 350 (24.1 bar)
• Weight 1,593g

• Very quick to fill high pressure, low volume shocks
• Quite accurate
• Better than using a handheld shock pump when in the shop
• High quality threaded head chuck
• Braided hose is flexible and long – works well with both shocks and forks
• Not great for pumping tires – but not really made for pumping tires
• Small changes to shock pressures can be hard to read on analog gauge

The Specialized Air Tool UHP is a high-pressure pump built to quickly and accurately fill air suspension components. With a max pressure of 350 psi and threaded Schrader head, the Air Tool UHP is much quicker and easier to use than traditional hand-held shock pumps and impressively accurate, averaging only -0.6% off readings from our ToPeak Smartgauge D2X at 50 psi intervals from 50-300 psi in a Rockshox Super Deluxe rear shock and 25 psi increments between 25-100 psi in a Fox 36 Performance fork.

The micro-adjust release valve helps fine-tune shock pressures with the higher volume stroke and the 48” braided hose is long and flexible enough to reach suspension valves, though forks are definitely easier when the bike is not in a stand. While the Air Tool UHP does come with a Presta valve adaptor and it does work to inflate tires, it is a high-pressure pump, so it takes a long time and the gauge didn’t register pressures through the Presta adaptor.

So, while it is not a two birds, one-stone shock/tire pump solution, its accuracy, high-quality Schrader chuck, stable base, and ability to quickly reach high pressures in suspension components make the Specialized Air Tool UHP an excellent addition to your workshop if you work on or adjust pressures in your suspension components regularly.

Lezyne CNC Travel Floor Drive

• Valves Presta and Schrader ABS Flip Chuck
• Hose Length 23.6" (60cm)
• Weight 865g

• Lightweight
• Lay flat design
• Smaller, packable and storable dimensions
• Great for travel
• Comes with a protective storage bag
• Less stable
• Shorter hose length
• Shorter height requires bending over for taller users
• Not ideal as an everyday pump

Lezyne’s CNC Travel Floor Drive is a compact yet fully-featured floor pump that is a great option for those who travel with bikes and need to bring a pump along. The alloy construction is lightweight but super tough – and it is small enough to stuff in a bike bag, carry-on, duffel bag, or large backpack. And, if you’re not flying somewhere with your bike, its compact dimensions and lay flat design virtually disappears in your vehicle but is there when you need it.

Lezyne makes the purpose of this pump clear in its name, and the Travel Floor Drive is designed specifically for travel. If you’ve ever flown with your bike, then you’re probably aware that packing a full-size pump isn’t really an option, and using a hand pump isn’t necessarily ideal. Thanks to its compact dimensions (20″ x 7.6″ x 2.5″) and lay-flat design, it can fit in most bike travel cases and bags, and its 865-gram weight is about half of a standard floor pump.

Still, it has a decent-sized air chamber, pushes a good amount of air, and is capable of reaching pressures up to 160 psi. It works better for high-pressure/low-volume tires but also works on high-volume tires with a little patience. This pump uses Lezyne’s ABS Flip Chuck inline threaded valve attachment that reverses to work with Shrader or Presta valves and has a pressure release button to make it easier to remove without also pulling out your tubeless valve core. (Pro Tip: Make sure your valve cores are tightened really well before using a thread-on pump head like this) Or just pop on the included Speed Chuck and simply press it onto any Presta valve stem, then pull it off to release…no screwing around ( pun intended ) with the threaded attachment.

Due to the compact nature of the CNC Travel Floor Drive, there are some inherent compromises. It is on the shorter side, so taller people will need to bend over more when using it. The hose is also quite short, so you’ll need to position valve stems within range. Its narrow base is also not the most stable, and the smaller, 1.5″ analog gauge isn’t always the easiest to read. Regardless, the Lezyne CNC Travel Floor Drive is a great option for those who travel with bikes or anyone seeking a more compact option that takes up little space in your vehicle.

AerGun X-1000

• Hose Length 34" (86cm)
• Weight 1,090g

• Very affordable
• Gets the job done
• Easy to use
• Versatile all-in-one head
• Not the most stable footing
• Less robust build

If you’re a new cyclist or you’re just looking for a basic, affordable bike pump, you can’t beat the price and simplicity of the AerGun X-1000 . With more than 2,230 positive reviews on Amazon, it’s easily one of the most popular pumps on the market, and it’s been available for years with no changes to the design whatsoever—including, sadly, that neon green color.

Surprisingly, where this pump gets the highest marks is its ease of use. Compared to some of the higher-end models, the AerTight valve attachment (stick it onto your tube’s valve and flip the tab into the upright position to lock it on) is among the easiest to snap on and take off, plus it has a pressure bleed valve if you need to fine-tune the pressure. It even comes with an attachment for inflating soccer balls and volleyballs, so if you have an active family, this is a great tool to have on hand.

While the gauge isn’t the most accurate around, it’s pretty close and works as well as several pumps that cost more than double. Our main gripes are that the somewhat narrow base isn’t the most stable, the 34″ hose doesn’t offer the best reach, and the numbers on the mid-sized analog gauge are fairly small and not the easiest to read.

Still, if you just need to top off your tires before rides, the AerGun X-1000 is an effective and affordable bike pump that gets the job done for less than the competition.

Best of the Rest

Blackburn core 3.

• Valves Presta and Schrader reversible head
• Hose Length 50” (127cm)
• Weight 1,580g

• Stable and wide, rubber footed base
• Smooth feel
• Lifetime warranty
• Sturdy, durable construction
• Not our favorite head lock design, awkward operation and very stiff

The Blackburn Core 3 is a clean-looking steel pump with a wide, stable base and hollow plastic handle. The white, black, and red 3” analog gauge is easy to read and the reversible head allows use with both Schrader and Presta valves – though you will need to unthread it and flip it around to switch between the two. The Core 3’s 50″ hose makes it easy to use whether your bikes are on the ground, in the work stand, or on the bike rack, and it is reasonably smooth, efficient, stable, and accurate (averaging only 4.3% higher than the Topeak Smartgauge D2X).

The Core 3 does everything a standard bike pump should well enough and the lifetime warranty is a nice touch at $80. Our primary gripe is the head design. The top-mounted lever can be difficult to operate with one hand, at least compared to other head designs, and can be awkward to open and close, pushing fingers into spokes when taking the head on and off valves. It works and has a solid connection, but the unique layout and stiff feel were more difficult to use than most other pump heads in our test.

At $80, the Blackburn Core 3 is a standard bike pump. While we didn’t love the lever design on the head, the pump functions well enough, with average accuracy, good stability, volume/efficiency, smooth action, and a long hose. The lifetime warranty also makes it a good choice for riders looking for a sturdy and economical floor pump that should last for years.

PRO Floorpump Team

• Hose Length 47” (120cm)
• Weight 1,500g

• All-in-one head is easy to use and has a good, sturdy feel
• Relatively efficient
• Easy to read analog gauge with clear color differentiation between high volume and high pressure readings
• Greater gauge detail between 0-40 psi
• Metal handle feels solid
• Smooth pumping action
• Stand is not the most stable in the test
• No rubber padding on bottom of metal foot
• Gauge only goes up to 140 psi

The Pro Floorpump Team features a solid metal handle, an easy-to-use all-in-one head, and a 3.5” diameter gray and blue analog gauge. Taking only 27 pumps to fill a Minion DHRII to 30psi on a 31mm internal width rim, it was among the more efficient pumps in our test, and the all-in-one head plays nicely and securely with both Presta and Schrader valves. Accuracy against the Topeak Smartgauge D2X was relatively good at +5.3% average and we found the Pro Floorpump Team to have a reliable, user-friendly, and efficient feel.

The analog gauge is located at the base of the pump, but its large 3.5″ diameter and contrasting colors make it easy to read. The first half of the dial also shows more detail for lower pressures between 0 and 40 psi, making it easier to get closer to your target. After that, the gauge goes up to 140 psi (well below its max of 220 psi), which should be more than ample for today’s road bike tire pressures. Pumping action is smooth, and the 47″ hose makes it easy to reach your valves.

Our only gripes with the Pro Floorpump Team were with the footing. While the metal foot is large enough, it is all forward of the main body of the pump and not as stable as we would have hoped when standing behind the pump (oriented to see the gauge forward). It was manageable but required more stabilization through our feet than most competitors. We also wish Pro had included rubber feet to give the Floorpump Pro a bit more grip.

With that said, the Pro Floorpump Team is an easy-to-use, durably constructed pump, and was the second most efficient in our test, losing out only to the high volume setting on the Bontrager Dual Charger. It is also worth noting that, if you are a rare rider who needs a pump with a maximum pressure over 160 psi, the Pro Floorpump team will go to 220 psi. 

Lezyne Classic Floor Drive 3.5

• Valve Presta and Schrader thread-on
• Hose Length 46" (117cm)
• Weight 1,885g

• Does the job
• Fully serviceable
• Moderate price
• Screw-on valve is less user-friendly

Like most Lezyne pumps, the Classic Floor Drive 3.5 looks nice with a sleek design, metallic paint finish, and a varnished wood handle. And, at $80, it is moderately priced and performs its duties admirably with a max pressure of 220 psi, smooth pumping action, and a large and easy-to-read 3.5″ diameter analog gauge.

It has a 46″ long hose that easily stretches to your valves even with your bike in a work stand. The head is Lezyne’s ABS-1 Pro chuck which is a reversible thread-on affair that attaches securely and has a tight seal. Personal preferences vary between the thread-on style and press-on/lever-lock style, and while it is very secure, the thread-on attachment is less user-friendly, more time-consuming to use, and can accidentally unscrew your Presta valve core if you aren’t careful. That said, it also comes with a fine-tip inflator for basketballs, footballs, etc., and a valve core removal tool is built into the back of the head.

The Classic Floor Drive is relatively stable when pumping with a wide, 3-footed base. The 3.5″ diameter analog gauge is large and easy to read, and it goes all the way up to its max psi of 220. Lezyne states that it is designed for high-pressure applications and its optimal pressure range is between 80 and 180 psi. Still, it works well enough with higher-volume mountain bike tires if you’re willing to give it a few extra strokes.

One gripe we have is that the hose never stays put in the keeper at the base which makes it less tidy than we’d like and occasionally rattles around in the trunk en route to the trailhead. That’s not a deal breaker by any means, as the Lezyne Classic Floor Drive 3.5 is a nice-looking pump that does exactly what it’s supposed to. Lezyne pumps are also fully serviceable, so it should last you a long time.

ToPeak Joe Blow Booster

• Hose Length 60” (152 cm)
• Weight 3,387g

• 60” hose is the longest in our test
• Simple operation to release reservoir
• Generally easy to use
• Head has a very sloppy feel, loose and gets knocked off easily
• Challenging to fill reservoir fully to 160psi
• Airflow from reservoir is not quick enough to seat tubeless tires reliably
• Not super efficient

The Topeak Joe Blow Booster is a pump aimed at making tubeless tire installation quick and easy. Like similar pumps, it works like a manual air compressor equipped with a chamber that can be pumped to 160 psi and then released in a quick burst. It also functions as a regular floor pump with a max pressure of 160 psi, making a versatile option for tubeless installation and everyday use on any type of tires.

Just like the Bontrager TLR Flash Charger, the Joe Blow Booster releases a large burst of air from the reservoir to help with seating stubborn tubeless tires. This pump has been on the market for a while, and though it works pretty well, it didn’t knock our socks off with its performance. Like other pumps of this style, it takes significant effort to increase the reservoir pressure above 120 psi, and on top of that, we had mixed results in our tubeless tire seating tests compared to the more consistent Bontrager pump. It seems this inconsistency could be attributed to the relatively slow airflow speed when the reservoir is released. When it does work properly, it still takes several supplemental pumps to fully seat the tire, which is fairly typical.  

When not using the reservoir, the Joe Blow Booster functions just like a normal floor pump, though it was one of the least efficient in our test and the all-in-one Presta/Schrader compatible SmartHead had a sloppy feel when connected to Presta valves, leaking more than other valves and even getting blown off once when releasing the reservoir from a full charge.

Beyond that, it is quite stable, the large analog gauge is positioned at the top of the cylinder and is very easy to read, and the gauge accuracy was relatively good at just +4.3%. We love the idea of reservoir-style pumps for dealing with tubeless tires, and, even with its less consistent performance, the ToPeak Joe Blow Booster can certainly be a benefit for that application while also working for everyday top-offs on any bike in your fleet.

Bike Pumps Comparison Chart

Why should you trust bikerumor.

At Bikerumor, we ride bikes, a lot. For work, play, training, racing, you name it, our lives revolve around bikes of all kinds. With all that riding comes a lot of tires, and we are constantly using bike pumps to install or add air to tires on our townies, road, gravel, and mountain bikes. Turns out, the lowly bike pump is one of the most frequently used and important tools any of us have. We also know that finding the right bike pump can be a challenge, and we are always in search of the best models to make our lives easier while keeping our tires at the perfect pressure for optimal performance.

For our like pumps buyer’s guide, we enlisted frequent Bikerumor contributor, Paul Clauss, to test and compare all of the models in this review. Paul is an avid cyclist who lives outside of Burlington, VT where he spends the majority of his time on his mountain bike and his gravel bike/commuter. He enjoys technical trail riding and knows the importance and benefits of a properly inflated tire and its relation to his enjoyment and performance on the trail. A mechanical engineer by trade, Paul loves to tinker with things, scrutinize designs, and perform quantifiable tests to help him discern differences in the performance of the products he tests. In addition to bike pumps, Paul has tested dropper seatposts , the best flat pedals , and secure bike locks , among others.

How We Tested Bike Pumps

After rounding up a diverse selection of the best bike pumps on the market in 2024, we ran each model through the same rigorous testing process to evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, and performance differences. While some of these pumps have been in a staff member’s garage for years, we tested them all over the course of several weeks, rotating through them for every day pumping needs. Each model was also used for a number of repeatable tests in search of quantifiable results. These included checking gauge accuracy at 10 psi intervals against our ToPeak SmartGauge D2X digital pressure gauge, as well as a pumping efficiency test to determine the number of strokes needed to inflate a Maxxis Minion DHR II to 30 psi. During these tests, we evaluated the ease of use and security of valve chucks/heads, stability in use, comfort of handles, smoothness of the pumping action, and readability of gauges. The more specialized pumps were tested for their intended uses of seating tubeless tires or adding air to suspension components. When testing concluded, we zeroed in on our favorites and those that excel for specific reasons compared to the rest.

Buying Advice: How to Choose the Best Bike Pump

When choosing a bike pump, there are several factors to consider that may impact your purchase decision. A major factor is the type of tires you need to inflate along with the type of pump, type of valves (and valve attachment method), the volume of air moved per stroke of the pump (the efficiency of the pump), the gauge accuracy, and the overall build quality and stability of the pump. We’ll provide more detail on each of these areas below:

Types of Bike Pumps

The review focuses on floor pumps, which are aptly named for their ability to stand up and be used on the floor in your workshop (or parking lot at a trailhead). We tested three different types: standard floor or track pumps, tubeless booster pumps, and a high-pressure shock pump. Portable options like hand pumps, frame pumps, and Co2 inflators are other common tools for adding air to tires, though they are typically reserved for use in the field.

Standard Floor Pumps or Track Pumps

Standard floor pumps, also known as track pumps, transfer air directly from the pump to the tire through the valve. If you’ve ever used a bicycle pump, chances are you’ve used a standard floor pump. They can be used with all types of tires and wheels, and, while standard floor pumps are not as effective for mounting tubeless tires as an air compressor or reservoir-style pump (in theory), they can often get the job done, especially if the tire has a relatively snug fit on the rim, or you have prior experience and good technique. We like to keep our in a very easy-to-access location, preferably near our favorite chain lube and a rag for the pre-ride bike check.

Standard floor pumps are often optimized to work better for high-volume/low-pressure or high-pressure/low-volume applications. High-volume pumps typically move more air per pump, making them well-suited to inflating the larger volume of lower-pressure mountain bike tires. High-pressure pumps generally move less air per pump but are better suited to inflating lower-volume tires, like those on road bikes, to higher pressures. Either style of pump still works for all types of tires. Some pumps are capable of performing both tasks and are equipped with switches to change between high volume and high-pressure pump settings, like the Bontrager Dual Charger .

Tubeless Booster Pumps

Tubeless booster pumps are very similar to standard floor pumps but include a reservoir that can be pumped up to a high pressure and then quickly released. Tubeless pumps strive to act as small manual air compressors to make tubeless setup easy. Quickly releasing high air volumes helps “snap” the bead of tubeless tires to seat them on the rim. They also function as regular pumps for everyday use, making them a versatile addition to the home workshop for those who change their tubeless tires frequently. The Bontrager TLR Flash Charger and the ToPeak Joe Blow Booster are the two models of this style that we tested, although there are a few other options on the market as well.

As tubeless tires have grown in popularity and are now widely used not only on mountain bikes but also gravel and road, tubeless pumps are becoming increasingly common. While the models we tested certainly helped make tubeless setup easier, it isn’t always necessary to use one for tubeless tire installation. Some tubeless tires can easily be installed with a standard pump depending on the tire brand/model and the rim combination. Other tubeless tires can be more stubborn, and that’s where the Booster pumps come in handy. It is worth noting that pumping the reservoirs on these pumps up to 160 psi can be somewhat challenging, especially when you get above 120 psi.

Shock Pumps

Shock pumps are more of a niche product for those who work on or adjust their mountain bike suspension components regularly. The air chambers of suspension forks and rear shocks are quite small, and they generally need to be inflated to significantly higher pressures than tires. For this reason, shock pumps move smaller volumes of air, but are typically capable of reaching must higher pressures. A great example of a shock pump is the Specialized Air Tool UHP which has a threaded Schrader head for attaching to shocks and forks and a max psi of 350.

While most people use small hand-held shock pumps at home or on the trail, a standing model like the Specialized Air Tool makes adding air to suspension components much quicker and easier. These are most common in bike shops, but those who tinker with or service their own suspension at home can benefit from them as well.

Types of Valves

Bike tube/tire valves will almost always be either Presta or Schrader. There is a third valve type, known as Dunlop valves, though they are fairly uncommon in this day and age. Schrader valves are like those found on your vehicle and they are larger in diameter and generally found on more value-oriented or electric commuter bikes. Presta valves are most common among higher-end road/mountain bikes. Most tubeless valves are Presta valves, though there are some Schrader options available. Both types of valves have been around for quite a while and every pump we tested has configurations that work with both Presta and Schrader valves. 

Valve Chucks/Connections/Heads

While all the pumps in our test group accommodate both Presta and Schrader valves, they do so in different ways. Some pumps have heads that thread onto the valve while others have lever-lock style heads that tighten on the valve when the lever is flipped. Many pumps use an all-in-one head style, which easily connects to either Presta or Schrader valves but tends to be more sensitive to angular changes and can leak a bit more when being put on or taken off. Other pumps, like the Silca SuperPista Digital , use a removable chuck for Presta valves that threads onto a Schrader connection directly on the hose. Others, like the Blackburn Core 3 and the Lezyne Classic Floor Drive, use a reversible threaded tip on the pump head – which enables a tighter fit for each valve type but needs to be set up appropriately whenever a new type of valve is used. All of these are good options but, as riders who generally find ourselves using Presta valves, we were most impressed with the easy operation and lack of air leaks when using the Silca SuperPista Digital Hiro chuck.

Pumping Efficiency

Pumping efficiency is a function of how much air is pushed through the pump into the tire during each stroke, and its importance will vary somewhat depending on whether you need high volume or high pressure or both. All of the pumps we tested will fill your tires relatively quickly (with the exception of the suspension-focused Specialized Air Tool UHP), and regular top-offs will typically only require a few pumps.

We tested pumping efficiency by counting how many strokes it took to fill a Maxxis Minion DHRII to 30 psi five times and then taking the average. Across all the pumps we tested, the average number of strokes to 30 psi was 36, with the Bontrager Dual Charger leading at 22 pumps (on high volume mode) and the Topeak Joe Blow Booster requiring the most at 47. Having used many pumps over the years, none of the pumps we tested felt super slow – but a more efficient pump will always save time and effort and may be worth consideration if you are frequently filling tires.

Types of Gauges

The pumps we tested come with either analog gauges/dials or battery-powered digital displays. Both types work relatively well, although their location and size can make some more easy to read than others. In general, digital displays are considered to be more precise as they can show the pressure readings in smaller increments than can be read on most analog dials. That said, a digital gauge generally adds to the cost of a bike pump and will require you to change a battery at some point in its lifespan. Many brands make pumps with both types of gauges, so you have options to suit your preference.

Gauge Accuracy

Most gauges are fairly accurate and will get you within a few psi of your desired pressure. We measured the accuracy of both analog and digital gauges by pumping up tires by 10 psi at a time, checking the gauge pressure at each interval against the pressure read by our Topeak SmartGauge D2X digital pressure gauge, and taking the average difference percentage from pump gauge pressures at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 psi. On average, pump gauges showed pressures 2.45% higher than the D2X digital gauge, with the most accurate pump (the Bontrager TLR Flash Charger) averaging readings 1% lower than the digital gauge, and the least accurate pump (the Bontrager Dual Charger) averaging 6.6% higher readings than the Topeak gauge.

But how important is gauge accuracy? Provided you usually use the same pump to inflate your tires, it may be slightly annoying that it isn’t perfect, but it should be easy to work with. Finding the optimal pressure for your tires, rims, terrain, and riding style requires experimentation, and, if you are using the same pump every time, you can feel out pressure changes by using any baseline reading from the pump. You may find that your tires feel great at 28 psi on your pump dial, which might read 24 psi on a digital pressure gauge. But you know that using your pump, you like the feel of 28 psi on that gauge, so you can compensate for the difference.

Since changes in tire pressure can have a relatively large effect on the feel and performance of your tires on road, mountain, and gravel bikes, having a separate pressure gauge is always a good idea for those looking to get the most from their tires. This will help ensure consistency and accuracy, and most feature an air release button for fine-tuning of pressure. We used the ToPeak SmartGauge D2X , which, while somewhat expensive, we found to work very well.

While it isn’t the most important aspect of a bike pump’s performance, stability in use is definitely a consideration, and they are not all created equal in this regard. In general, the more the stable the better so you’re not constantly knocking it over in your workspace or having to constantly stabilize it with your feet while pumping. We found that we preferred pumps with wide, three-legged feet for multi-directional stability, and we also appreciated pumps like the Silca Superpista Digital and Blackburn Core 3 for their rubber padding on the bottom of the foot, which helped avoid slippage and floor scratches. 

Quality bike pumps can be shockingly durable and last for decades if treated with a reasonable amount of care. Most mid to high-end models are made with steel or alloy bodies and feet, and many can be repaired if they are damaged. Plastic tends to be cheaper but much less durable, so typically spending a little more on a pump will get you a longer-lasting product. We recommend buying from recognizable name brands like Bontrager, Specialized, ToPeak, Blackburn, and Lezyne, as they are most likely to stand behind their products with warranties and many have replacement parts to keep your pump running smoothly should it ever get damaged.

Price/Value

In the grand scheme of things, bike pumps are relatively affordable tools that usually last for many years. You definitely don’t need to break the bank to get a great pump that covers your needs, and we found the sweet spot to be around $75 to $100. In fact, our favorite pump of the test was the Bontrager Dual Charger that retails for $75. Of course, you can spend less, and the super affordable AerGun X-1000 will get the job done for less frequent users or those on a tighter budget.

Pumps with special features, like tubeless booster pumps, require more materials and engineering, and they typically command a higher price as a result. Still, even at $160, the Bontrager TLR Flash Charger could be worth its weight in gold if you frequently install tubeless tires at home. At the highest end of the price spectrum, the $349 Silca SuperPista Digital won’t be for everyone, but it is an impressively well-made bike pump that’s sure to please anyone who is willing and able to spend that much.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bike Pumps

Well, some track racers do pump their tires to 160psi or more, but that’s only because they are riding on a perfectly smooth surface in a controlled environment. Regular riding outdoors, on real roads and trails, needs far less tire pressure.

Recently, and especially with tubeless tires becoming the norm, it’s been proven that lower tire pressures yield more comfort, better traction, and improved efficiency. Yep, lower really is better. Brands like Silca have even made guides to help you find your best tire pressure.

So, why do floor pump gauges read so high? Because they need to account for the pressure spikes that occur when pumping. Next time you’re inflating your tire, notice how the needle spikes really high on each stroke. The gauge needs to have room for those spikes or it can be damaged, which means it will no longer be accurate. Specifically, they need 20-30% extra in order to safely cover the higher pressures generated during your pump stroke.

Portable hand pumps and CO2 cartridges are intended for use on the trail and should be carried on longer rides, especially on longer rides that you won’t want to walk out of if something goes wrong. But, due to the small size of portable hand pumps, they are time consuming to use with high volume tires and difficult to use with high pressure tires. CO2 cartridges are compact and easy to carry in a hip pack (or in frame storage), but they are low volume and can only be used once. Hand pumps and CO2 cartridges are great for use on the road or trail, but we recommend investing in floor pump to make maintenance easier at the house.

Air compressors are great for tubeless setup! But, they are also relatively expensive, loud, and difficult to throw in your car for a road trip. While having an air compressor is wonderful, floor pumps are an indispensable piece of gear that makes it easy for any cyclist to keep their tires inflated to their desired pressure.

It depends on the type of bike and tire you’re running. All bike tires will have a recommended psi range listed on their sidewalls, so try to stay within that range. For most road riders, pumping tires to between 70 and 90 psi is a good starting point, while mountain bikers will run anywhere from 18 to 35 psi depending on the rider’s weight and the terrain. It is often a process of trial and error to find the optimal pressure for your tires, riding style, terrain, or road conditions to get the best performance from them.

Tire pressure should be checked before each ride even though it may not need to be adjusted every time you take out your bike. Some tires will hold air pressure perfectly for extended periods, but over time, and sometimes overnight, small amounts of pressure can leak that can impact your tire’s performance or even be a safety issue. Checking your pressure is quick and easy, and adding air takes only a few seconds, so it is worth doing every time you head out for a ride.

Shock pumps are optimized for use with high-pressure, low-volume air suspension components. While most air forks and rear shocks use a standard Schrader valve and shock pumps can be used to fill Schrader tubes (and ultra rare Schrader tubeless valves), they generally have a very low volume stroke and are inefficient for use with tires. 

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Paul Clauss has been riding his mountain bike for the past 25 years and still hasn’t gotten bored. Currently located in Vermont, Paul spends most of his days seeking out rustic VT descents carpeted in wet roots with his faithful trail dog Peggy. While he won’t claim to be the fastest rider around, there is nothing he enjoys more than super technical terrain and line choice – and he’s finally learning to enjoy going uphill as well! When he is not on the trails, you can find Paul trying to become a YouTube expert on home remodeling, at the dog park, on a splitboard tour, or learning to cook.

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The Best Bike Pumps of 2023

One of the most unappreciated pieces of gear for any cyclist is the humble bike pump. You can have the lightest bike, the most bomber shocks, and the sickest racing shades, but without air in your tires, you’re not going anywhere.

Despite its relegation to some forgotten corner of the garage, bike pumps are always there when you need them . The best bicycle tire pumps are reliable, fast, and, in the case of mini bike pumps, easy to carry with you if you get a flat on the road. While they seem simple, the best bike pumps come with features that make filling your tires easier and faster.

We’ve looked at a variety of pumps with high-capacity barrels, pressure gauges, and varying pump settings to find you the best bicycle pump for however you ride. What follows is the best of the bunch.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys, or jump to the category you’re looking for. For more help choosing the best bike pump, check out our buyer’s guide , comparison chart , and frequently asked questions at the end of this article.

• Best Overall:  Topeak JoeBlow Sport III Bike Floor Pump
• Best Budget:  BV Ergonomic Floor Pump
• Runner-Up:  Blackburn Designs Core Pro Floor Pump
• Best Portable Bike Pump:  Pro Bike Tool High Pressure Mini Bike Pump
• Best Portable Floor Pump:  Lezyne Micro Floor Drive Digital HVG Pump
• Best Fat Tire Bike Pump:  Topeak JoeBlow Dualie Floor Pump

Best of the Rest

Lezyne classic drive floor pump 3.5, crankbrothers sterling bike floor pump, bontrager dual charger floor pump, silca tattico mini pump, topeak joeblow sport iii bike floor pump.

• Type Floor pump
• Max psi 160
• Length 25.5"
• Weight 3 lbs., 11 oz.
• Valve types Presta, Schrader, Dunlop

• Inflates Presta, Schrader, Dunlop valves, and sports balls
• Rotating hose connection
• Steel construction
• Not the longest stroke

The JoeBlow Sport III ($60) pump from Topeak wins the top spot on this list thanks to its combination of versatility and durability. This pump not only works with Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop valves, but it also includes adapters to fill sports balls and air bladders.

The hose dock keeps the hose attached to the pump and the head off the floor when not in use. This keeps the head safe from being stepped on or runover as you pull your car into the garage.

A rotating connection keeps the hose from tangling and lets you fill your tires at different angles. The oversized dual-density polymer pump handle is easy and comfortable to use.

The gauge is fixed at the base. At 3 inches, it’s easy to read and sports a chronograph-style face. There’s also a pressure indicator, so you can pump your tires with precision. On top of that, the steel barrel and base are extremely durable, making this the best bicycle floor pump we’ve seen.

BV Ergonomic Floor Pump

• Length 24"
• Weight 2 lbs.

• Budget price
• Unique dual-sided head design
• Small pressure guage

For the price, it’s hard to go wrong with BV’s Ergonomic Floor Pump ($33). The star of this pump is the dual-sided head.

It works with Schrader valves on one side and Presta and Dunlop valves on the other. The head provides a secure, tight seal and minimal air loss when you remove the head, so the psi you read on the gauge is what you’ll have in the tire when you ride.

The steel barrel provides durability, and it sports a 34-inch hose. The pump also comes with a needle for filling sports balls and an attachment for inflatable devices like rafts and pool toys. Both of these are attached to the hose. This allows for easy access and helps prevent misplacing these small pieces.

The low price comes with some costs, however. The small pressure gauge on this floor pump is hard to read, so be ready to squint while you pump.

Also, the head’s tight fit comes with a stiff locking mechanism that is difficult to secure. The base is also relatively small, which makes it more unstable than other floor pumps on this list.

Blackburn Designs Core Pro Floor Pump

• Max psi 180
• Length 29"
• Weight 3 lbs., 13 oz.

• Large air chamber
• 51" long hose

This pump from Blackburn Designs ($115) is sturdy, stylish, and hard-working. The 29-inch alloy barrel is the largest in Blackburn’s lineup and makes pumping more efficient. The AirTap head fits Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop valves, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.

We’re also big fans of the extended hose. With a length of 51 inches, you can easily air up while your bikes are still loaded in the truck or favorite bike rack .

We found the gauge on the Core Pro to be accurate and easy to read. It has a max psi of 180, and the inline air-release button makes it easier to quickly hit the right pressure.

All in all, this is an incredibly durable and reliable bike pump. It’s on the higher end of the price spectrum, but the quality and durability make it a worthy investment for regular riders. Not to mention, it looks great and will easily add a bit of bike mechanic chic to your garage.

Pro Bike Tool High Pressure Mini Bike Pump

• Type Portable
• Max psi 100
• Length 7.5"
• Weight 4.5 oz.
• Valve types Presta, Schrader

• CNC aluminum construction
• Integrated hose with guage
• Included bike frame mount
• Guage limits hose flexibility

For a good blend of price and portability, it’s hard to beat the Mini Bike Pump  ($30) from Pro Bike Tool. This slick-looking pump features a removable flexible hose with a Schrader valve fit on one end and a Presta valve on the other. The hose also features an integrated pressure gauge.

At 7.5 inches long and under 5 ounces, it mounts onto a bike frame easily without adding a lot of weight. It will also fit easily into a pack or jersey pocket.

The CNC-machined aluminum body is durable and grooved for a solid grip while pumping. The multiple color options will blend in with any bike.

Despite its small size, the pump can reach up to 100 psi with a good number of pumps. The rubber and the thread-on air chucks prevent air loss. It performs well with high-pressure and high-volume tires, although the hand pump resistance increases greatly at higher pressures.

The only real complaint we’ve found with the Mini is that the integrated gauge limits the hose flex a bit. Besides that, the Mini is a perfect blend of price and utility, making it the best mini bike pump we’ve seen yet.

Lezyne Micro Floor Drive Digital HVG Pump

• Type Portable/Floor
• Length 13"
• Weight 7.3 oz.

• Impressive PSI in a micro pump
• Digital guage
• Swivel base on hose
• Larger than most micro pumps

If you’re looking for the most pumping power out of a portable pump, Lezyne’s Micro Floor Drive Digital HVG is your pick. At $90, it’s on the pricier side of micro-pumps, but it provides the power of a full-size floor pump.

It fits easily into a hydration pack and at under half a pound, you won’t even notice it’s there. Until you need it, that is. If you ride through a goat head thorn patch and you need to do a quick repair, this pump will get you back on the trail in no time.

The small kick-down foot pedal lets you put your weight into your pumps. Most mountain bike tires will be filled up in roughly 100 pumps.

The digital pressure gauge is accurate to about 1 psi, and the air bleed system lets you dial in the perfect pressure in your tires. The hose features a 360-degree swiveling base to prevent twisting or binding up.

The Micro Floor Drive Digital is bigger than most micro pumps, so you’ll want to carry it in a hydration pack or backpack. But if you hit some gnarly trails and you usually ride with a pack anyway, this is the pump for you.

Topeak JoeBlow Dualie Floor Pump

• Length 27"
• Weight 4 lbs., 3 oz.

• Large air volume
• Dual guages
• Extra long hose
• Won't work well for road bike tires

Can’t get enough time on your  fat tire bike ? This could be the pump for you. Designed specifically for high-volume tires, low-pressure tires, fat bike tires, and midrange mountain bike tires, the JoeBlow Dualie ($90) is a feature-rich pump.

Most floor pumps have a 30 mm barrel diameter, but the Dualie clocks in at 44.4 mm. This extra space allows for a larger air fill (meaning fewer pumps).

The dual gauges have also proven super useful. One gauge reads from 0-30 psi for airing up the fat bike. And the other ranges from 0-75 psi for standard mountain bike tires.

It’s worth noting that many road bike tires require 100+ psi, so this pump is not well suited to that use. But for fat bike tires, the Dualie Floor Pump can’t be beaten.

This floor pump has a plastic base and a comfortable bike grip handle. We also like the extra-long hose. It has a TwinHead valve connector and air release button.

• Max psi 220
• Length 26"
• Weight 3 lbs., 12 oz.

• Machined aluminum base
• Airtight threaded air chuck ideal for Presta valves
• Easy to read 3.5" guage
• Can be difficult to swap between Presta and Schrader valves

There’s a lot to like about Lezyne’s Classic Drive Floor Pump ($80). At first glance, the aesthetics are some of the best we’ve seen.

Gone are the plastic components and bright neon colors. Instead, the Classic sports a machined aluminum base, varnished wood handle, and steel barrel with an understated paint finish.

The ABS 1 Pro Flip-Thread Chuck head is compatible with Presta, Dunlop, and Schrader valves. Its threaded connection is a huge plus as well. It provides an airtight seal, so no air is lost with any pump.

It also prevents the head from flying off the valve if you get too ambitious with your pumping. The head also features an integrated valve core removal tool. The pressure gauge is mounted on the base, but the large 3.5-inch base makes it easy to read.

The aluminum base features a clip for the head. When not in use, the hose wraps snugly around the top and attaches at the base. This prevents tangling and keeps the head safe from errant feet or tires when not in use.

Running it over might not be an issue, though. With a pump that looks this good , you might want to display it in your living room.

• Length 25"
• Weight 1 lb., 10 oz.

• All aluminum build
• Smart valve
• High-volume to high-pressure switch
• Guage isn't the most accurate

Made of corrosion-resistant lightweight aluminum throughout the body, the Sterling Bike Floor Pump  ($70) from Crankbrothers combines versatility, strength, and light weight.

The smart valve automatically adjusts for Presta and Schrader valves. It also contains needle and plastic adapters, so you can pump up sports balls and flotation devices as well.

This versatility really makes the Sterling stand out among floor pumps. Besides the self-adjusting valve, it also features a foot-activated switch. This switch changes the pump from a high-volume pump to a high-pressure pump. This is a great feature for cyclists who ride different bikes.

The three-footed base is incredibly stable, which is great for cranking down and getting up to a higher psi. Additionally, the analog pressure gauge sits about a third of the way up the body for an easier view — though we did find it to be a bit off in testing.

• Length 43"

• Auto-select head adapts to different valves
• 4" wide guage
• Air chuck can be tricky to use

The Dual Charger Floor Pump  ($70) from Bontrager is another pump that is ideal for cyclists who go back and forth between road and mountain bikes. The quick-flip switch on the base lets users select high-volume inflation (for MTB tires) and high psi (for road bikes).

It also includes a ball needle and nozzle attachments. Likewise, the high-pressure setting works for basketballs and footballs. The high-volume setting will inflate rafts and other inflatables faster. Adding to the Dual Charger’s versatile nature is the autoselect head, which instantly fits both Presta and Shrader valves.

The wide tripod base adds stability and prevents tipping over. A large 4-inch base-mounted gauge is easy to read.

The steel construction of this floor pump is durable, and the internals are replaceable. So, if any parts wear out, you can replace the pieces, rather than buying a whole new pump.

• Length 9.5"
• Weight 5.4 oz.

• Ultra-compact design
• Hidden air hose
• Integrated heat sinks
• Not the easiest to mount to bike frame

For such a small pump, it’s impressive to see how many features that Silca managed to fit into the Tattico Mini ($70). The first thing you’ll notice is the inverted design.

The hose and valve are hidden inside the inner chamber (as opposed to the outer cylinder). This unique design adds up to 10% more air per stroke than pumps of similar length.

Also, the Tattico uses a rubber cup seal instead of an O-ring to seal the pump. O-rings lose effectiveness as heat builds up and the cylinder expands. The Tattico’s adaptable rubber cup seal grows with the tube, ensuring a tight seal and solid efficiency even as temperatures rise.

Silca also added temperature control designs to the Tattico Mini Pump . A heat sink hidden at the end of the barrel absorbs the heat you generate as you pump.

Additionally, the handle features an insulating air gap to help keep hands cool. Not only is it more comfortable, but it also minimizes hand sweat. These features, combined with the knurling on the aluminum alloy barrel, help you keep your grip as you fill your tires.

Comparison Chart

Why you should trust us.

At GearJunkie, we are lucky to play host to a number of cyclists that enjoy all different types of disciplines — from downhill MTB to winter fat biking, to racing cross-country in international adventure races . In order to find the best bike pump available today, we tapped into that knowledge and sought out the pumps that we use ourselves, as well as pumps that have been recommended to us by our riding partners.

During testing, we aimed to consider every facet of these bike pumps, including pumping pressure, ease of use, and the space they would take up in a garage or riding pack. Because not every blowout is going to occur at home, we paid equal mind to floor pumps as we did to portable pumps that are easy to bring along with you. Having both styles can cover your bases when it comes to bike maintenance.

And finally, because excellent new bike pumps are hitting the market every year, we are constantly cycling in new testers for our routines and will continue to update our guide as the best of the best becomes available.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Bike Pump

Secure attachment.

For the most part, when you’re fixing a flat, you’re already in a frustrating situation . Having a pump that’s a pain to work with only makes things worse. When you’re choosing a bike pump, it pays to have one that is reliable and easy to use.

The first step to that is to find a pump that offers a secure fit onto your tire’s valve. Many pumps have hose heads that you just push onto the tire valve. This often works, but you can lose air if it’s not secure. It can also lead to disconnection while you pump.

A loose connection can let air escape as you pump, requiring more pumps to fill your tire. Losing air between the valve and the head of your pump also adds to the time it takes to fill it up. That leads to more time spent pumping away and less time on your bike. Nobody wants that.

Even worse, a loose connection can lead to the pump head popping off the valve of your bike. This means you need to stop pumping and reapply the hose. After this happens three or four times, you might be ready to chuck everything into the bushes and walk home.

When you consider shopping for bike pumps, look for a pump with a threaded connection like Lezyne’s Classic Drive Floor Pump . This means that the head of the hose actually screws onto the valve. This provides a secure, airtight seal between the pump and the tire.

Ease of Use

A pump that’s complicated and difficult to use is not going to help your situation. You don’t need your hands slipping off your pump or the hose popping off the valve while you try to fill your tire.

Mini-pumps are what you’ll be using when you do field repairs. As there’s no foot pedal for extra torque, your hands are doing all the work.

Mini-pumps usually take at least 100 pumps to fill a tire. So, it’s likely that your hands will be tired and sweaty by the time you fill it up. Look for a mini-pump with a solid grip. Many pumps have knurling on the edges, which helps your hands keep a solid grip on the pump.

Also, some mini-pumps like the Silca Tattico Mini are designed to minimize heat buildup. This not only minimizes hand sweat but also keeps the pump from breaking down over time. If you usually ride with a pack, there are some mini-pumps with foot pedals available. Take a look at the list above for some of the best options.

Floor Pumps

If you’re looking for a pump for your garage or shop, there are a few other things to consider. Floor pumps need to be stable, so look for a pump with wide or long footpegs.

Most floor pumps come with two footpegs, but some come with a third peg for more lateral stability. This comes in especially handy when you’re bearing down on the pump to hit that higher psi.

The handle is also important when it comes to comfort. Larger, longer handles are generally more comfortable when using a bike pump. This is mostly because larger handles don’t dig in as much.

We’re also fans of the feel of wood handles on floor pumps. If you’re looking for more comfort, some floor pumps feature padded handles.

Speed of Inflation

The speed of inflation depends on the amount of air you can move into the tire per pump. So, it makes sense that if portability isn’t an issue, floor pumps are the fastest way to inflate your tires. The larger body takes in and expels more air per pump.

Because you don’t have to worry about carrying it on your back or mounting it on your bike, floor pumps can be built with bigger bodies and carry a higher volume of air. This is a huge issue, especially when it comes to mountain bike or fat bike tires . Some pumps are built specifically for use with high-volume tires like these.

The bigger bodies pull more air in and compress that air on the downward push. Often, these high-volume pumps have a switch somewhere, usually on the base.

This switch allows the pump to change from high-volume pumping (for MTB and fat bikes) to high-pressure (for road bikes). These are a great option for cyclists who ride a wide variety of bikes.

Because they have smaller bodies, mini-pumps take longer to fill a tire than a floor pump. Their portability requires smaller bodies, which means far less volume per pump than floor pumps.

When referring to mini-pumps, the speed of inflation depends largely on how easy it is to use. Look for a mini-pump with a solid grip, as your hands will be doing most of the work. A mini-pump with textured handles or knurling machined onto the grip will work well for maintaining a solid hold.

Guaranteeing a tight seal between the hose and valve is also a factor. A good screw-on hose head can minimize the loss of air when you pump. This lowers the number of pumps (and the time) that it takes to fill your tire.

When it comes to floor pumps, stability primarily comes from the base. As pressure builds in your bike tires, pumping becomes more difficult and you must bear down on the pump.

When you apply this weight, there is an increased chance of the pump tipping over. This can result in frustration, damage to the pump or yourself, and if anyone else is around, hilarity.

Most pumps combat this by making longer, wider footpegs to create a more stable base. If stability is your priority, look for a floor pump with three legs. This creates a stabilizing tripod effect and helps prevent tipping. Take a look at our list above for some three-legged options.

With the vast majority of mini-pumps, you’re holding it in your hands as you pump. The base isn’t the issue, as these pumps generally don’t have one.

For mini-pumps, stability refers more to grip and the hose’s ability to stay on the valve. Hose heads that screw directly onto a valve ensure a stable connection, which prevents the hose from popping off while you pump. This is especially important with mini-pumps, as they have much shorter hoses.

As a result, it’s a lot more likely that you’ll accidentally tug on the hose as you pump. A screw-on hose head keeps your hose secure if you accidentally pull it away from the valve.

Stability also refers to a mini-pump’s grips. A textured grip provides a stable grip on the pump’s handles as you pump away. This prevents slippage and wasted pumps — and it gets you back on your bike as soon as possible.

Grip is also a huge part of comfort when it comes to mini-pumps. The aforementioned grip features increase friction on your pump, so you don’t have to squeeze as hard to hold it. Look for a pump with rubberized or textured handles for a better grip.

When it comes to floor pumps, there are a few more handle options. Handles can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are even padded handles for extra softness.

Some people can find padded handles a bit excessive, but we are fans of wood handles. Wood handles provide a warmer, slightly softer feel than plastic or metal. They also give the feel of working with wood tools, which some find soothing.

Strong materials make for strong gear. When you’re shopping for a floor pump, look for strong materials like steel or machined aluminum in the body. This helps the body hold fast in the face of strong pressure buildup within the pump.

The hose head can also be a weak point, especially if it gets stepped on or run over in the garage. If this is a concern for you, look for a hose head built with strong material.

No matter how well-built or how strong the materials are, pumps can eventually break. Many companies sell replacement parts online. This is helpful, as you won’t have to buy a whole new pump if a piece breaks down.

Bontrager’s Dual Charger Floor Pump has replaceable internal parts as well. This way, pretty much everything on the pump is replaceable.

Mini-pumps are smaller and tend to be more delicate. Look for a mini-pump made with strong materials like aluminum. Aluminum is a great material for mini-pumps, as it combines strength with light weight. So, it won’t add too much to your bike if it’s attached to your frame.

Portability

Ease of carry is an important feature for mini-pumps. Mini-pumps generally have two carrying options. The first is the frame carry, in which the pump is mounted directly on the frame.

Most mini-pumps come with a mounting bracket. The bracket attaches to the pump as well as to the top tube (or wherever you can fit it).

Frame mounting is useful for several reasons. First, if it’s always attached to your bike, there’s no chance that you’ll leave it at home. Second, it saves room and weight in your pack. Or, if you prefer to ride without one, it doesn’t require a pack at all to carry.

For another option, these smaller pumps can fit in a jersey pocket. This also goes for medium-size mini-pumps. All but the biggest mini-pumps should fit well in a jersey pocket for quick accessibility.

Larger mini-pumps have more features and a higher air volume per pump. Their larger size comes with a trade-off, however. The biggest mini-pumps are too long to sit in a bike frame. Many are also too large to fit into a jersey pocket.

If you choose to buy a bigger mini-pump, be prepared to carry it in a backpack or hydration pack.

As with many things, there is generally a trade-off between features and price with bike pumps. You can easily get a solid floor pump for well under $100.

However, you can expect to pay more if you’re looking for additional features and durability. More expensive pumps offer more durable materials and features that make them easy to use.

If you only have one bike and you only use your pump occasionally, an inexpensive pump will do. And at a lower price, you can replace it without breaking the bank.

If you ride several types of bikes and take them out often, you may want to look at some pricier options. Look for a floor pump that works well for both high-volume and high-pressure tires. Many pumps have settings that can switch to a high-volume mode for mountain bike tires and a high-pressure mode for roadies.

Consider your needs and weigh them against your budget to find the best pump for you.

The best bike for you varies depending on your needs. If you own one bike that you ride occasionally, you are not likely to be using the pump very often. A low-priced floor pump will serve you well.

Do you have a variety of bikes that you ride often? You may want to spring for a higher-end model.

The same goes if you are serious about bike maintenance. Higher-end floor models offer features like high-visibility gauges and air bleed options. These help you make sure that your bike tires are filled to the optimal level for peak performance.

A mini-pump is considered optional by some. But if you ever get a flat during a ride, it seems anything but. If you’re not sure what kind of mini-pump to get, focus on portability.

High-end features are great, but mini-pumps are like spare tires: you hope you never have to use them. Since you’ll (hopefully) only use it once in a while, opt for one that you can easily take with you.

A frame-mounted pump is great for this use, as you can put it on your bike and forget about it until you need one. If you regularly ride over tire-popping terrain or are keen to tweaking your tires’ psi, you may want a higher-end mini-pump.

A great setup would be a mid-to-high-range floor pump combined with a frame-mounted mini. The floor pump helps you dial in your tire pressure before every ride, which can minimize the odds of you getting a flat during your ride. If you do get a flat, that frame-mounted mini will be there to get you home.

First and foremost, you’re going to want a floor pump. Their higher volume and stability make them the best choice for filling your tires in general. For most cyclists, a mid-to-low-end floor pump will do for the initial tire fill and occasional topping off.

Road cyclists should look at pumps that are capable of higher psi. People who ride mountain bikes or fat tire bikes should consider high-volume pumps.

As the name suggests, high-volume pumps fill those larger tires faster. If you ride both, some pumps can switch from high-volume to high-pressure to accommodate MTB and road bikes.

If you already have a floor pump, a mini-pump is also advisable. Mini-pumps are essential when you’re out on a ride and find yourself with a flat tire. Most cyclists don’t have flats often, so a good midrange frame-mounted mini-pump will work in a pinch if you get a flat.

If you ride often or ride long distances, you may get flats more often. In this case, a higher-end mini-pump would be a good option.

Mountain bikers who often ride in rough terrain may want to consider one. This particularly goes for those who tend to ride with packs. A larger, higher-end pump can fit in a backpack and will fill your tire faster.

It depends on how you plan to use it. If you ride occasionally, a smaller, frame-mounted mini-pump is a good option. Occasional riders can use a mini-pump the same way drivers use spare tires. You can stow it and forget about it until you need it. It’s basically an emergency device.

On the rare occasion that you get a flat or a leak, you can do a quick repair and fill it up. If you don’t have a repair kit or spare tube, a mini-pump will fill a tire with a slow leak and help you get home.

If you ride in a way that entails longer distances or sketchy terrain, you may use a mini-pump more often. Look for mini-pumps that have features like longer hoses and textured grips. These features not only fill your tire faster, but they can keep you comfortable while you do it.

Not necessarily. Most ball pumps are not designed to handle the pressure required to fill up a bicycle tire. And many bike hand pumps do not come with the necessary adaptors to fill a sports ball or inflatable device. That said, you can use a bike pump to inflate balls, but most ball pumps don’t fill bike tires.

Bike pumps are capable of filling balls and rafts with an adapter. Needle or inflatable adapters are available on most sporting goods websites and are low in cost. Many bike pumps come with the adapters included.

If you’re looking at an all-around pump, choose the floor pump you want. Then check online and see bike pump reviews to see if the adapters are included with your purchase.

As long as it has an adapter for the different types of valves, bike pumps should work on every bike. Most bikes come with either Shrader or Presta valves. Occasionally, you will find a Presta valve pump or another specific type.

But a good bike air pump will either have an adapter for both or have a hose head that will fit either valve. That said, some pumps work better than others for specific bikes. Higher volume pumps work best for larger tires like mountain bike or fat bike tires. A high-pressure bike pump is great for road bikes.

Minus a catastrophe (like running it over with your car), a good bicycle air pump can last for years without issue. Most companies offer replacement parts. This way, if something does break down, you should be able to replace the part without having to buy a whole new pump.

This usually entails a new hose or nozzle, as these are the parts that tend to break down. Bontrager goes a step further with its Dual Charger Floor Pump. The company also sells internal parts, so if the main body of the pump breaks down, you can repair it.

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3 Travel Bike Pumps That Pack a Punch

These compact bike pumps are small but mighty, and ready to go anywhere

Travel bike pumps might not look so tough, but they inflate almost as quickly as their full-size competition at a fraction of the suitcase space. Here are three of our favorites.

1. Specialized Air Tool ComPak Floor Pump This 21.5-inch-tall alloy Air Tool ComPak has fold-down steel feet, an in-line reversible chuck that works with presta and Schrader tire valves , and a hollow handle—with storage for tire levers and a patch kit—that detaches so everything fits neatly inside a hardshell case. A three-foot hose holds an inline pressure gauge to save space, but you need to get down on its level to read it. The Air Tool can get a 25mm road tire to 100 psi in just 40 strokes. Price: $100 Weight: 2.3 pounds (with case) Max Pressure: 200 psi

     RELATED:  Our Favorite Fast-Action Mini Pumps

2. Lezyne CNC Travel Drive This 20-inch-tall pump is the only one in our test to sport a proper dial gauge, built into a base that doubles as a solid foothold. The stout main shaft resists flexing for fast pumping—we hit 100 psi in 43 strokes on a 25mm road tire . A reversible chuck sits at the end of a short (18-inch) hose, fits presta and Schrader valves, and screws to the handle while stowed. Price:  $100 from Competitive Cyclist Weight: 1.8 pounds Max Pressure: 160 psi

Get the most from your pump of choice by following the steps in this how-to video:

3. Bontrager Travel Charger The Travel Charger is the lightest of the group, making it ideal for bikepacking . It’s only 18 inches tall, but still hit 100 psi on a 25mm road tire in 81 strokes. The convertible, lever-style head houses a small pressure gauge and sits at the end of a 32-inch hose. It’s the least stable of the three, the fold-out foot and handle are small, and the gauge can be tough to read. But if you are after the smallest, lightest travel pump that works reliably, this is it. Price: $30 Weight: 10 ounces  Max Pressure: 120 psi

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Best bike pumps 2024: Floor pumps and mini pumps for every occasion

With the best bike pump you'll never be left short of air in your tires

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The Quick List

• Best mini pumps

Best for quick inflation

Best all-rounder, easiest to stow, the lightest, best for accuracy.

• Best floor pumps

Best for tubeless

Best for 'any tire', best for rapid inflation.

• Best stability

Best for workshop use

Best on a budget, best for durability, best for high volume tires.

• Best pumps: buyer's guide

Best bike pumps 2024: Jump Menu

The list in brief ↴

Mini pumps 1. Best for quick inflation 2. Best all-rounder 3. Easiest to stow

Floor pumps 1. Best for tubeless 2. Best gauge 3. Best for 'any tire'

Advice How to choose a pump

The best bike pump is an indispensable piece of any bike tool kit. Whether it's getting your tire pressures right at home, critical to having a good ride, or the ability to inflate a flat tire mid-ride, owning a top quality bike pump will be one of the best investments you make as a cyclist. 

Achieving just the right level of air pressure pre-ride will be easy to achieve with a good, quality floor pump (also known as a track pump) while getting you home safely post puncture will be the responsibility of a mini pump you can take with you on your ride. 

Both have important roles to play in a cyclist's life, with the best bike pump forming the very foundation of every safe and enjoyable bike ride. If you are getting lots of punctures, you might find it's also time to invest in a pair of the best road bike tires , or if you're more of an adventure cyclist,  the best gravel bike tires and to think more specifically about tubeless tires .

We've tested a wide range of pumps, both mini and floor, over the years. Putting them through their paces means not only measuring how efficiently they inflate a tire but also the accuracy of the dial, the ease of use and the quality of he build among many others. This list features our favourite pumps for home use and carrying on the bike.

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Delivers plenty of volume per stroke. Lightweight but too long to carry in your pocket so you'll need to use the frame mount.

Read more below

Balancing performance with a an easy-to-stow size, it weighs under 100g and can inflate to 100psi in around 200 strokes.

At just 160mm long and 65g, it might even be compact enough to fit in your saddlebag. Despite it's size its comfortable to use.

Floor pumps

The two-stage tech allows you to first remove the valve core to get more air into the tire for better tubeless seating.

The large gauge is easy to read and accurate, while the pump as a whole is well put together and keenly priced.

The SwitchHitter head auto-adapts to the valve type while the dual-scale gauge makes it easy to get lower pressure in gravel tires.

Read more below 

Best bike pumps: Mini pumps

Specialized's Air Tool weighs under 100g and inflates tires quickly

1. Specialized Air Tool Road mini pump

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The design of the Specialized Air Tool Road centres around maximising the volume of air it delivers relative to its size, to make inflating your tires as quick as possible. 

It's lightweight (99g) but long so you'll need to make use of the frame mount to carry as it won't fit in your pocket. 

We found that the head fits really snuggly over the valve but is limited to Presta valves only. During out testing we also felt that the minimal design does make it a bit more tricky to hold firmly but once you've got your hands in position it's quick and easy to get more than enough air back in your tires. 

Read more: Specialized Air Tool Road mini pump full review

The Carbon Drive Lite is compact enough to fit easily in a jersey pocket

2. Lezyne Carbon Drive Lite Mini pump

The Lezyne Carbon Drive Lite Mini pump is perfect for anyone wanting to balance the need of carrying an effective pump without a weight penalty. 

Capable of both Presta and Schrader valves, this lightweight carbon bike mini pump comes with a hose extension stored in the barrel to give a slight distance between the wheel and pump for ease of use. 

At 17cm long, it's shorter than others but on test we found that it took 200 strokes to go from flat to 100psi, which is far better than most of a similar size.

The down side is that in order to reach such a high psi, the pump does become uncomfortable to hold, and it is pretty awkward to attach to the valve in the first place. 

Should you over-pump, there's a pressure relief button that allows you to let some air out. This tiny pump is small enough to slot into a pocket, but also comes with a mount that can be attached to a bottle cage.

It's not the cheapest bike pump by any stretch, but if you're wanting functions and performance as well, this is one of the best mini bike pumps out there. 

Read more: Lezyne Carbon Drive Lite bike pump full review

At just 65g Topeak's Microrocket AL is lightweight and easy to store

3. Topeak Microrocket AL mini pump

 A light aluminium construction, this pump is connected directly to the valve, without the need for any assembly or an extra hose.

At just 160mm long and weighing only 65g, it is one of the smallest bike pumps on the market, and easy to fit in a jersey pocket or even a saddle bag. If you are already packed to the rafters, the mini pump even comes with a frame mounting kit for either side of the bottle cage, or an optional extra centreline mount (although check the brackets fit on your tubing shape before investing).

The claimed 160psi seems slightly keen, as on test 200 strokes only got us to just above 60psi on a 23mm tire. It's more than enough to get you home or back to race HQ, but not as impressive as the Lezyne Carbon Drive Lite Mini pump, although to be fair it was comfortable in the hands when using.

Read more: Topeak Microrocket AL bike pump full review

The iPump weighs just 25g making it one of the lightest mini pumps available

4. iPump Twist mini pump

Technically we wouldn't really include a product that hadn't hit high scores on test, but the iPump Twist mini pump will appeal to a lot of riders, so it's good to know what you're getting in the claimed 'world's lightest bike air pump' and where you'll have to decide if the performance compromises are worth it.

Tipping the scales at just 25g, it really will be hard to beat the barely-there mini bike pump on weight. Even the best CO2 inflators will struggle to beat this flyweight, and of course, it's arguably more environmentally friendly in that it's reusable.

A thin, Presta-only hose is pulled out of the handle when it comes time to put it to use, which does increase the usability of the full carbon fibre pump, and helps to keep that weight to the same as most energy gels .

On test however, we found 200 strokes only got us to 60psi, but this alone took quite a lot of effort, and the body of the pump became quite hot.

It's a mixed review, but if you're just looking for an emergency option and saving weight and space are your priorities (and truth be told you're just showing willing that you do carry a pump, but know that you'll borrow the bigger and heavier option that your cycling mate always carries)  then it might suit you just fine.

Read more: iPump Twist mini bike pump full review

Lezyne's Digital Road drive features an easy-to-read gauge

5. Lezyne Digital Road Drive mini pump

A digital gauge on this mini pump from Lezyne will give you accurate tire pressure measurements to a realistic and achievable maximum inflation capacity of  90psi, out in the middle of nowhere.

On test we found that the hard-wearing aluminium pump was swift and efficient at reaching desired PSI's and, cross checked with a regular gauge, accurate, too.

Its length and weight are heavier than some of the other bike pumps, especially when compared to the likes of the iPump Twist mini pump or Topeak Micro Rocket AL mini pump but it can still easily fit in a jersey pocket - just watch for losing sight of the dust cap.

It's a great bike pump for several reasons. But if the price is putting you off, it's worth bearing in mind that it can potentially save you the additional outlay of having to purchase a pressure gauge.

Read more: Lezyne Digital Alloy Drive mini bike pump full review .

Best bike pumps: Floor pumps

The JoeBlow Tubi has a claimed maximum psi of 160psi

1. Topeak JoeBlow Tubi 2Stage

The Tubi 2Stage pump incorporates a knurled knob to remove a Presta valve core, so that you can get more air into a tubeless tire more quickly, promoting seating. That's Stage 1. You can then refit the core and flip a switch to get things up to operating pressure using Stage 2. There's an adapter if you want to pump Schrader valved tubes. 

The system works well, but we did find that the overall number of strokes needed to inflate a tire was a bit longer than with a standard pump.

Read more: Topeak JoeBlow Tubi 2Stage bike pump full review

Cannondale's Precise Floor Pump boasts a large, easy-to-read gauge

2. Cannondale Precise Floor Pump

Cannondale’s Precise Floor pump is a very effective and powerful floor pump, thanks to its large shaft and long stroke allowing for a large volume of air to be delivered per pump. It can pump 25mm tires up to pressure in 20 pumps, rather than the 30 it took for a competitor pump at a similar price point. We also found enough air was delivered to seat tubeless tires on occasion.

The pump head works with both Presta or Schrader valves, includes a bleed capacity to get pressure to an exact amount, and also doesn’t require too much of the valve to be exposed to get a good grip on it. 

The big selling point of the pump is the large pressure gauge – which is significantly larger than that of competitors. This scale is enlarged for the first 40 PSI, so that you can be very precise with larger volume tires which require lower PSIs. The scale then goes up to 145 PSI, so possibly not enough for track riders, but more than enough for most riders.

Value-wise, the Precise Floor pump comes in at a pretty good level. It performs better than other similarly priced pumps – and as good as or better than more expensive ones. Although not made of any fancy shiny materials as some more expensive options are, it is rugged and effective at its job. Overall, it is a great track pump and well worth the investment. 

Read more: Cannondale Precise Floor Pump full review

The Air Tool Comp's head automatically adapts to the valve type

3. Specialized Air Tool Comp Floor Pump

Having a flat or changing tires is one of the more simple but probably most frustrating jobs for the home mechanic. The range of different volume and pressure of tires and more than one valve type can all add in to this. 

The Specialized Air Tool Comp Floor Pump isn't going to inflate your tires for you, but it does do a pretty good job of minimising the fuss of inflating tires regardless of your valve, tire pressure and volume.

The SwitchHitter II head automatically adapts to Presta and Schrader valves taking away any fiddling or even remembering which one is which. The Air Tool has a max pressure of 120 psi which is easy to achieve and the dual-scale gauge makes it easy to get lower pressure in gravel tires too. 

Read more: Specialized Air Tool Comp Floor Pump full review

Topeak's JoeBlow Ace DX uses twin barrels for rapid inflation 

4. Topeak JoeBlow Ace DX

This does feel a little like a Topeak buyer's guide, but it does show how much we rate the brand's bike pumps, as arguably what Garmin GPSs are to the best cycling computers . 

The Topeak JoeBlow Ace DX towers over many other pumps not only in height but in capability too. We found that in its '60' setting the Ace DX inflated our test 700x25c tubeless tire to 100psi in 11 monster strokes making it the best bike floor pump for swiftly inflating your tire.

While the lower pressures are easily reached, it's worth noting that on test it took a lot of leaning on to get much more air in per stroke once it got beyond 60psi.

It is an excellent performer and features a bleed valve that lets air out the tire rather than just the hose - which is useful for getting pressure spot on.

The only downsides are that for the price it doesn't offer tubeless tire inflation capabilities and with the benefits that a huge visual gauge brings, it also means a large footprint, making stowing away neatly at home a challenge.

Read more: Topeak JoeBlow Ace DX bike pump full review

Best for stability

Zefal's Profil Max delivers classic track pump looks

5. Zefal Profil Max FP60 Track Pump

The follow up to the successful  Zefal Profil Max FP50 , the semi-classic looking FP60 now features a sophisticated wooden handle to go with its high pressure efficiency, which according to the brand should be around 174psi/ 12Bar.

With its Z-switch system, the French brand says it's easy to change from Presta to Schrader valves. In a break from its traditional looking upper, the bottom half is more functional, featuring a gauge with a magnifying lens, to help make gauge readings significantly easier, although we're unsure what the bright red ring to highlight the gauge in general brings to form or function.

The wide base and sensible chamber height will make this one of the best bike floor pumps for stability, especially when compared to the smaller, single footed Lezyne Steel Travel Drive Track Pump, but will require a lot of storage space when not in use and is far from ideal for travel.

The JoeBlow Booster is a shop quailty pump that's ideally suited to tubeless set-ups

6. Topeak Joeblow Booster

We found the Topeak JoeBlow Booster to be as close to a professional floor pump as you can get.

This does make it one of the more expensive options from Topeak, and a fair bit more than the Blackburn Chamber Tubeless floor pump, both of which come with a reservoir tube that holds air in, so it's the perfect option for seating tubeless tires.

Its ease of use and easy to read gauge make tubeless conversions or tire changes a doddle, and well worth investing if you're intending on riding without inner tubes for the foreseeable future, but it might be a bit too much if you're not totally sold on a tubeless set up, or just want to use as a standard pump.

It stands 30in/ 75cm tall and weighs 7.3lbs/ 3.3kg, so it’s not something you’re likely to want to lug around with you, but perfect for leaving in the garage or home workshop. This is certainly a good, reliable option if you're serious about going tubeless.

Read more: JoeBlow Booster reservoir bike pump full review

A wallet friendly price tag makes the JoeBlow Max II a reliable choice for cyclists on a budget

7. Topeak JoeBlow Max II Track Pump

If you're looking for something a little less pricey than the dual compatible pro-home Topeak Joeblow Booster floor pump, then this is the one. Finished with a steel barrel and a quality gauge, the JoeBlow Max II track pump is a great bike floor pump that meets all your basic needs, but by limiting its extra functionality keeps the cost down.

On test we found that it took just 19 strokes to get a 23mm tire up to 100psi, which makes it a very efficient pump.

The pump comes with a plastic twin-sided head that works with both Presta and Schrader valves and has a lever to lock it onto the valve securely.

There are even replacement parts available should anything stop working, making it a good long term choice too.

Read more: Topeak JoeBlow Max II bike pump full review

Capable of 230psi the SKS Rennkompressor is as powerful as it is durable - a pump for life if there ever was one

8. SKS Rennkompressor Track Pump

The Rennkompressor is a beautiful and timeless bike floor pump with a steel barrel and tactile wooden handle. Although there are more practical modern pumps out there with larger pressure gauges, this icon pump still delivers and is capable of pressures up to 230psi.

Here at  Cycling Weekly  we've had one of these live for over 25 years, having a very hard life travelling the world as part of a semi-pro bike mechanic's set up for race teams and home use, only meeting its demise once caught in a garage flood.

There are four valve head connectors on offer with this pump: Multi-valve, Thumb lock, EVA Head, and Brass Nipple Connector. In terms of performance, it took 40 pumps of the SKS Rennkompressor track pump to inflate the tire from near flat to 100psi, which is respectable but not class-leading.

More modern pumps with plastic composite feet, such as the Topeak JoeBlow Max II Track Pump, are more stable, and there are pumps with bigger gauges, such as the Blackburn Chamber floor pump, but for life long dedication, you can't get better.

Read more: SKS Rennkompressor bike pump full review

Lezyne's Gravel Digital Drive Pro delivers a high volume per stroke ratio making it well-suited to wide gravel tires

9. Lezyne Gravel Digital Drive Pro

An Editor's Choice pick, Lezyne's gravel tire pump adds more air per stroke than a more road-oriented pump, so it's good for higher volume tires and may help achieve easier seating of tubeless tires as well. It's made of aluminium and there's even an integrated valve core tool.

The digital pressure gauge means that you can get precisely the pressure you need for off-road riding, where getting it just right, even down to the nearest 0.5psi, is more important than with road bike tires. Although designed for gravel tires, the 100psi maximum rating means that it's more than adequate for road bike tires as well.

Read more: Lezyne Gravel Digital Drive Pro bike pump full review

Buyer's guide to the best bike pumps

How do i choose a bike pump mini pumps versus floor pumps.

Fundamentally there are three different ways to inflate your bike tires. We have lots of detailed information below, but as a quick summary: 

Mini pump - The best portable bike pump will balance the ability to inflate your rubber and being small enough to carry in your rear pocket or stow on the frame. Your riding priorities will help you focus your decision here as, like all bike pumps, each one will lean towards a specific talent, eg micro size and weight, but not great at achieving much more than getting you home tire pressure, or great PSI capabilities but heavier and frame mounted. 

Floor pump (aka track pump) - In the main, this is a stay home pump and the best way to achieve higher pressures, especially when going from totally flat. Most will include a pressure gauge so you can make sure your tires are properly inflated before heading out for your ride. Some floor pumps include an 'air chamber' which can be pumped to high pressures in order to seat tubeless tires. You may see them called reservoir pumps. 

CO2 Inflator - Technically this isn't a pump as it contains compressed gas, which can reach up to 120psi in seconds. There are pros and cons to this system, more of which is explained in detail on our page dedicated to the best CO2 inflators .  

What is a mini bike pump?

A mini pump is a bicycle pump that is small enough to fit in your back pocket so you can always take it with you on a ride. As a minimum, it needs to pack enough punch that when you get a flat you can get home comfortably without bottoming out your rim on the road if the going gets bumpy – around 40psi minimum.

Ideally, it should allow you to get enough air into your tire that you can continue your ride in comfort and so your tire doesn’t feel overly squishy – which for a 23mm clincher means reaching near 80psi, or 70psi on a 25mm tire.

Ideally pumping up a tire with a mini pump won't leave you so exhausted you need to go lie down before you hit the road again.

Some mini pumps are like shorter traditional pumps with a hose which is screwed into the barrel and onto the valve before use. Others have an integrated adaptor that pushes directly onto the valve and is secured by a locking lever.

Many now have a hose integrated into the pump itself, typically stored in the barrel. This design means that the hose extends from the handle, which is held steady in use, while the pump is operated by pushing and pulling on the barrel. In practice, this arrangement has no real disadvantages.

With any mini pump there is a compromise between compact dimensions and usability, with a longer pump being easier to stroke than a shorter one, as it takes less effort to reach higher pressures and you can pump more air volume for each stroke.

If you have invested in one of the best road bikes already, the price of a decent mini pump will seem like a small outlay in order to ensure you enjoy every ride on it. 

Getting up above 80psi with a short or inefficient pump can become very hard work and you may need to take a rest in the middle before completing the task.

What are the best mini bike pumps?

Buying the best mini pump will depend on what sort of riding you do, indeed you might even find you need a couple of mini bike pumps.

Long barrelled mini pumps will be a heavier option, but best for getting tires back up to a decent pressure swiftly, ideal for long club runs, to save hanging around too long in cold weather, or on more adventurous bike rides when it's further than a short slow scoot back to civilisation. 

An uber lightweight micro pump lends itself to a 'just in case' option; the perfect bike pump for summer racing and events. It won't penalise you weight-wise, or take up vital energy gel space,  but will be limited to providing 'just enough' pressure to your tires in order to get you back to the broom wagon or race HQ without incurring damage to a pair of the best road bike wheels .   

What is a bike floor pump?

Inflating your tires with a mini-pump before you set out is an option, but you'll soon realise that it's hard work and you'll probably tire before reaching a high enough pressure for a road tire. If you intend to use it for a track bike, it will need to reach much higher pressures than a mini pump will ever be capable of.

A floor pump will make things a lot quicker, easier and more comfortable. With a pressure gauge, and often an air bleed button, you'll be accurately able to determine your tire’s pressure to get it perfect for your ride preferences.

For those who ride off-road, either on a mountain bike, a cyclocross or gravel/bikepacking rig, getting the tire pressure just right is even more important because it is critical to ensuring grip in loose conditions and, if you are using inner tubes, avoiding pinch flats.

A bike floor pump will provide versatile inflation options. Most road, gravel and mountain bikes will come with Presta valves (either inner tubes or tubeless valves). But many entry-level and children's bikes come with Schrader rather than Presta valves, and the best bike floor pumps will be compatible with both types. 

The third most common type is a Dunlop valve, which looks like a combination of both, but is not often seen on bikes in the US or UK.

The best bike floor pumps will have a stable base and a metal barrel, which is perfect for longevity and pumping efficiency.  When buying your floor pump, make sure the handle is comfortable and wide enough so that its ends don’t dig into your hands.

It can be helpful to have a long hose on a pump so that you can find somewhere stable to place the pump body without needing to move the bike.

If you use a bike stand, a long hose helps access the valve while the bike is lifted off the ground, without having to fiddle around with the valve’s position.

However, hoses are more elastic than the chamber, so will lose some of the pressure the longer they are - so if extreme pressure is vital for you, select a bike floor pump that doesn't have reams of hoses.

What is the best bike floor pump?

The important thing is to get the right one to meet your needs, whether it's tubeless tire seating capabilities, a large gauge for ease of reading, swift inflation - or even all of these at once.

The key to finding the best bike floor pump for you is listing your non-negotiables, then nice to haves - this will help you work out your priorities.

For example, if tubeless compatibility is vital, you might have to accept that it's not going to be something you can neatly pop on a shelf, and you might have to dig a bit deeper into your wallet.

The above pumps all have their best features highlighted to help you filter out which one is right for you, including tubeless compatibility and maximum PSI / pressure capabilities. 

Word of warning: where a PSI is claimed it's worth erring on the side of caution. Just because technically a pump can reach such dizzying high pressure numbers, doesn't mean that you can, particularly for mini pumps. If you're without upper body strength, you might struggle to actually force the air into a tire once you reach anything above 80psi (5.51 bar).

Do I need a mini bike pump if I have CO2 cartridges?

Everyone needs a pump. A mini pump will still be a lighter and much cheaper option than CO2 cartridges. And even if you take a CO2 inflator to speed up getting back on the road, you may still need a fall-back option to get you home if you get multiple flats.

A mini pump should be pocketable or attachable unobtrusively beside your bottle cage — that way it's always attached to your bike and ready for action when the inevitable happens.

The pump usually clicks into the mount and is secured with a Velcro and/or a rubber strap. It is likely to get mucky if you keep it here though, particularly in the wet or if you're headed towards unpaved roads.

Protection of the valve connector and sealing between barrel and handle are important considerations if you plan to use the frame mount. 

Some are so mini that they will fit into a saddle pack, although pump stroke and efficiency are likely to suffer in such a short pump.

For pre-ride inflation, we would always recommend a good track pump with a gauge.

How we test

We have a dedicated team of testers here at  Cycling Weekly , whose job is to review a whole range of cycling products and to write objective reviews of their experience of using them day in day out in a whole range of conditions.

With huge experience, they're really well placed to compare products, identify their strengths and weaknesses and bring you an honest, unbiased assessment of how they perform.

When it comes to cycling pumps we've tested them for an extended period period of time to best assess their performance. For both track pumps and mini pumps we've looked at a number of factors including the stroke volume, the chuck design and the general ease of use. For mini-pumps we've also factored in their weight, how easy they are to carry on a ride and just how efficiently they'll help you get back on the road. 

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Hannah is Cycling Weekly’s longest-serving tech writer, having started with the magazine back in 2011. She has covered all things technical for both print and digital over multiple seasons representing CW at spring Classics, and Grand Tours and all races in between.

Hannah was a successful road and track racer herself, competing in UCI races all over Europe as well as in China, Pakistan and New Zealand.

For fun, she's ridden LEJOG unaided, a lap of Majorca in a day, won a 24-hour mountain bike race and tackled famous mountain passes in the French Alps, Pyrenees, Dolomites and Himalayas. 

She lives just outside the Peak District National Park near Manchester UK with her partner, daughter and a small but beautifully formed bike collection. 

Coffee connoisseur Adam Becket delves into the storied yet mysterious relationship between cycling and the original energy drink

By Adam Becket Published 28 April 24

Chris Boardman and author Tom Babin both advocate shifting the mindset away from tribalistic 'sport cycling' and 'commute cycling' to a more rounded approach

By Hannah Bussey Published 28 April 24

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Best bike pumps 2024 | Top-rated track pumps and mini pumps

The best track pumps and mini pumps, plus our buyer's guide

Steve Behr / Our Media

Stan Portus

If you're looking for one of the best bike pumps, you've come to the right place.

Over the years, the team at BikeRadar have put countless pumps to the test, from high-end track pumps and frame pumps to get-you-home mini pumps.

This list brings together some of the most reliable and durable pumps there are and has options to cater for every type of riding. So you'll be sure to find something to fit your needs, whether that's pumping your tyres up to 100psi quickly or getting your hands on a pump that will help you seat a tubeless tyre easily.

We've divided this list into the best track pumps and the best mini pumps.

Track pumps are ideal for home use because they will make light work of pumping up tyres. Mini pumps are suited to taking out on rides in case you have to fix a puncture , because they are lightweight and will fit in a pocket or frame bag .

You can skip to the track pump or mini pump sections by hitting one of the following links:

• Skip to the best track pumps
• Skip to the best mini pumps

If you're not sure which pump is best for you, keep reading until the end for our bike pumps buyer's guide , where we take you through everything you need to know about this essential bike tool.

Best track pumps of 2024

Lezyne classic over drive.

• Price: £60 / $70 / AU$200

The long, mid-volume barrel and quality metal construction help this Lezyne pump strike a great performance balance, with an easy action, smooth feel and low stroke counts. Although the gauge is at the base, it’s easy to read and accurate. The hose is long, and it’s easy to swap between valve types.

It's a shame that there’s no bleed valve for spot-on pressure adjustment and some won’t like the screw-on head, although we had no issues with the valve core working loose. Max pressure is only 60psi, which rules out use as a road pump.

• Read our full Lezyne Classic over Drive review

LifeLine Professional

• Use: Road, MTB
• Price: £40 / $49 / AU$83

LifeLine's professional track pump gets a 25mm Continental GP4000 tyre to 100psi in 25 strokes and was just 2psi out on our separate pressure gauge, which really doesn't matter unless you're very particular.

The steel barrel, wooden handle, long hose and all-metal switchable chuck are very impressive for the price, and we’ve had one of these going strong for years without complaint.

Specialized AirTool Comp Floor Pump

• Price: £50 / $70 / €65 / AU$110

The AirTool Comp ticks all the boxes in terms of functionality, with a head that accepts all valve types and a large base featuring grip tape for use in unfavourable conditions.

A wide, 'aero'-shaped handle adds ergonomics that you didn't know were missing from a pump (although it is on the large side for those with smaller hands). The analogue dial features a two-stage face, allowing for greater accuracy up to 30psi for high-volume tyres.

• Read our full Specialized AirTool Floor Pump review

Specialized AirTool MTB Floor Pump

This MTB-specific track pump offers great efficiency, inflating a 29in tyre to 25psi in 23 strokes. The base is wide and features grip tape for added traction.

The AirTool MTB provides great ergonomics, with a forward pumping motion and a flat, wide plunger encouraging quick tyre inflation.

A release valve placed on the handle enables accurate pressure adjustment, with the small scale dial adding accuracy for high-volume tyres.

The SwitchHitter II head is one of the best, accepting both Presta and Schrader valve types without needing adjustment.

• Read our full Specialized AirTool MTB Floor Pump review

Topeak Tubi 2Stage

• Price: £109.99

One of a handful of pumps featuring a two-stage system, enabling you to choose a high-pressure or high-volume setting for larger tyres.

The Tubi 2Stage has great high-volume ability, inflating a 29in tyre to 25psi in only 13 strokes.

Tight tolerances and a sturdy base plate keep the pump feeling solid, allowing for some bizarre pumping techniques.

The valve core remover on the Tubi head takes a knack, and can sometimes make it difficult to reinsert the core.

• Read our full Topeak Tubi 2Stage review

Birzman Maha Push & Twist V

• Use : Road, MTB
• Price: £45 / $48 / AU$80

The Birzman’s USP is its ‘Push and Twist’ head – simply push down and twist, and it is both secure and quick and easy to disconnect. It took around 30 strokes to hit 100psi, or a few psi higher according to our separate digital gauge.

The chunky polymer feet and handle make the Birzman feel a little bit cheap compared to some other pumps on test, but the Twist/Push head is neat and effective.

Syncros Vernon 3.0TR

• Price: £59.99

The Syncros' 665cc volume proves extremely efficient at inflating high-volume tyres, requiring only 19 strokes to inflate a 29in tyre to 25psi.

A wide, flat handle makes for a comfortable interface, while the fine tolerance between the piston and cylinder allows for long strokes.

A downside to the pump's plastic construction is the base plate, which has some flex under heavy pumping.

The head is compatible with Presta valves and M6x0.8 stems for seating tubeless tyres. A Schrader adaptor is supplied, as well as a valve core remover.

• Read our full Syncros Vernon 3.0TR review

SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi

• Price: £64.99

An encouraging pumping action and solid base make this pump less of a chore to use than other track pumps, allowing for a solid one-foot-off technique.

The MV-Easy head has two holes, allowing for both Schrader and Presta valve types, while the locking lever keeps a secure interface with all stems.

Compared to other digital displays, the SKS seems to over-read less when inflating your tyres.

A top-out spring at the top of the cylinder enables fast pumping, though on our test sample it made a disconcerting click.

• Read our full SKS Air-X-Plorer Digi review

Topeak Joeblow Mountain X

• Price: £55 / $70 / AU$100

With its high-volume metal barrel, the mountain-bike specific Joeblow gets tons of air into tyres with just a few strokes and seats tubeless mountain bike tyres easily.

The head has a large locking lever, with separate holes for each valve type. There’s a big bleed valve near the base for fine-tuning pressure, via the large, easy-to-read gauge located midway up the barrel. A rubberised handle and smooth action add to the comfy, solid feel.

It’s not quite as stable as we’d like, though, and the hose isn’t that long, so using it on bikes mounted in a workstand is tricky. The high volume also means a stiffer action, and it only inflates to a max of 60psi.

• Read our full Topeak Joeblow Mountain X review

Zefal Profil Max FP60 Z-Switch

• Price: £52 / €60

The Profil Max FP60 Z-Switch features a premium-feeling alloy construction with a beech-wood handle. A long stroke length of 51.5cm makes the Profil Max efficient at both high and low pressures.

A Z-Switch head system uses a locking lever that is quick and easy to set, and it can be used with all types of valve.

The dial features an in-built magnifier, which makes reading the pressure in your tyres easier, while the four-footed base provides good stability for aggressive pumping.

Our only gripe was the Z-Switch head feels a little unrefined and may be slightly biased.

Best mini pumps of 2024

Sks airflex explorer.

• Price: £36 / $52
• Weight: 136g
• Strokes to 25psi: 202

Made from a mix of aluminium and plastic-carbon composite, this stocky pump has a robust feel and a wide barrel diameter.

It's not overly long, at 20.5cm, weighs a respectable 136g and can be carried on the frame using the supplied bottle cage mount.

The pop-open dust cover helps keep mud and crud out of the head and conceals a short but practical pull-out hose.

While the screw-on chuck is fiddlier than a push-on version, it fits securely on both valve types.

With a smooth stroke and moderate air volume, the AirFlex Explorer gives a good balance of pumping efficiency and effort, taking 202 strokes to inflate our test tyre.

The soft rubber handle is a highlight and affords a comfortable, secure grip on the pump.

Lezyne Grip Drive HV Long

• Weight: 138g
• Length: 239mm
• Strokes to 25psi: 143
• 100 strokes: 17psi

Not only does the Lezyne pump have a great weight-to-performance ratio, it’s reasonably priced, too.

The textured barrel provides grip for your palms and its design ensures your skin is kept out of harm’s way. It also adds to the pump’s well-built feel and good looks.

The screw-on hose attaches to the valve securely and rubber caps do a good job of keeping gunk out.

It takes a little longer to set up for use than some others and the small mounting bracket allowed the pump to rub against our frame.

LifeLine Performance MTB

• Weight: 139g
• Length: 183mm
• Strokes to 25psi: 222
• 100 strokes: 12psi

This pocket-sized pump packs a punch, with impressive inflation speed for its size. It feels well-built, too, with all-metal construction and no annoying rattling out on the trails.

The extendable hose and push-on valve attachment have a locking tab that ensures a leak-free seal.

With 100 strokes taking you to just 12psi, it’ll take you a while to inflate large-volume tyres. Otherwise, there’s not much to moan about with this one.

And although we found it prone to pinching our skin while pumping, that low asking price is hard to argue with.

OneUp EDC 100cc

• Weight: 183g
• Length: 247mm
• Strokes to 25psi: 119
• 100 strokes: 21psi

The rattle-free, machined-aluminium build of this EDC pump feels second to none. It’s comfy in use and there’s no pinching of skin when compressing the handle.

Due to its large volume, each stroke takes a fair amount of effort, especially at higher pressures, but this does mean it inflates tyres in no time.

It’s easy to use, with a push-on valve attachment and while there is no locking mechanism it's still very secure. The pump can also house OneUp’s EDC tool (sold separately).

Its size and weight mean it’s best fixed to your bike or put in a pack (although OneUp does sell a shorter 70cc version) and it is pricey.

Riverside Mountain Bike Hand Pump

• Weight: 214g
• Strokes to 25psi: 157

This Decathlon pump has a build quality and feel that help it punch above its weight, in terms of price.

Speaking of weight, it’s chunky, so you’ll have to store it in a pack, because it doesn’t come with a frame mount and is too big for a pocket.

It uses a screw-on chuck for both Presta and Schrader valves, and the fitment is tight, secure and relatively easy to attach.

The pull-out hose even has a protective cap to help keep grime out. While the barrel is made from aluminium, the handle is comfortable textured plastic.

The smooth stroke pumps out plenty of air, making it the second most efficient pump on test; it never felt like we had to work too hard to keep pumping.

The handle twists to lock it in place when not in use, which is a nice touch. All in, it's a great little pump for the price.

Silca Gravelero

• Price: £74 / $75 / €90 / AU$133
• Weight: 145g
• Strokes to 25psi: 184

Fortunately, given the price tag, the Silca feels extremely well-made and has a smooth action and nicely machined, reversible chuck.

The only letdown is the flimsy rubber hose cover, which lets mud and water in. Its aluminium build and 24cm length mean it’s light, and it comes with a nifty frame mount that holds it securely.

The pull-out, retractable hose is quick and easy to use with its push-on chuck and flip-up locking mechanism.

This holds the pump solidly in place on both Presta and Schrader valves, although you need to switch manually between them.

The moderate stroke volume balances the number of strokes needed with the effort required. It inflated our tyres admirably, but not the fastest.

Here, you’re paying for build quality over outright performance.

Topeak Mountain 2Stage Digital

• Price: £95 / AU$150
• Weight: 223g
• Strokes to 25psi: 163

Topeak has combined a mini pump with a shock pump here, making the steep price seem more reasonable.

The pump feels impressive, with its aluminium barrel and solid-plastic details, and is comfortable to hold.

At 223g and 23cm long, it’s best stored in a pack (no frame mount is supplied).

The chuck fits both valve types, for inflating tyres and air-sprung suspension, and although it’s fiddlier to attach than one with a lever, it does give an air-tight connection.

It’d be good if it had a cover, though.

In high-volume mode, the Mountain 2Stage Digital inflates tyres adequately with a nice smooth operation, and the digital pressure gauge is accurate.

If you ride with a pack and like to tinker with settings, this is a smart choice, even for the money.

Topeak Mountain DAG

• Weight: 170g
• Length: 257mm
• Strokes to 25psi: 123
• 100 strokes: 20psi

If fast inflation is your key consideration, the Topeak Mountain DA G offers maximum bang for your buck with its dual-action stroke and reasonable price.

The pressure gauge is accurate and clear, the push-on valve connection holds in place well with a locking tab, and the build quality is good. Its mount held it away from our frame, too.

Your arm never gets a rest because air is pumped on both the instroke and the outstroke. It occasionally pinched our skin while pumping.

The styling isn’t that appealing and it’s also bulky.

Bike pump buyer’s guide

Knowing how to pump up a bike tyre is an essential skill for cyclists, and a bicycle pump is one of the most basic, mandatory tools to own if you want to carry out your own bike maintenance.

Pumps are designed to serve a very simple purpose – that of adding air to your tyres. Despite this, many pumps seem to fall short of the mark. So we’ve put together this guide to tell you about the different types of pumps and what to look for when buying one.

Types of bike pump

Every cyclist needs a decent track pump (also known as a floor pump), and if you’re building a home workshop it really should be one of your first purchases. This style of pump will almost always offer a long flexible hose, pressure gauge and large chamber for quick air transfer.

While a portable hand pump (or mini pump) can be used as your only option, it really shouldn’t be your first port of call.

Portable pumps are designed for emergencies or occasional use, and so are kept compact and light. With these size constraints come compromises.

The main issue is that these pumps stress the valve stem, eventually leading to a leaking or useless inner tube . There are pumps on the market that add a flexible hose to remove this issue, but you’re still left pumping longer than you would do with a track pump, and in many cases, not able to reach the ideal pressure.

Effectively a longer, more efficient hand pump. A frame pump is designed to fit within the triangle of a bike frame. This allows the pump to be bigger, which often means a more effective hand pump. You’ll generally only find this style of pump on steel road bikes and touring bikes .

CO2 inflators

You can inflate your tyres in a hurry with compressed carbon dioxide. This should only be used in case of a flat out on the road or trail though because the cartridges are expensive and wasteful.

A common 16g cartridge will inflate a standard 700 x 23c tyre to about 100psi.

An issue with these inflators is that you only have as many attempts as there are cartridges. A way out of this is with a hybrid pump, this combines both a CO2 inflator and hand pump together, so you can use the CO2 if you’re in a hurry or save it if you’ve got time.

We have a list of the best CO2 inflators if this sounds like the right thing for you.

If you own a mountain bike with air-sprung suspension, it’s worthwhile investing in a shock pump . This high-pressure, small-volume pump will often have a max pressure of 300psi, allowing you to get the right pressure and then fine tune it.

Other options

You could also consider a battery-operated air pump or air compressor.

The battery-operated air pump is popular among professional cyclocross mechanics – its electric-drill shape makes it easily portable and inflating light work, but its maximum pressure is limited and the good ones are expensive. Other options, such as the Fumpa , also exist.

Air compressors are the go-to option in bike shops and are especially handy when seating tubeless tyres, but are more expensive, very loud and casual users will sooner reach for a floor pump than switch on the compressor.

Things to consider when buying a bike pump

Pressure needed.

Not many people really need a pump that goes to 260psi and even a committed mountain biker probably won’t need above 40psi. A higher-pressure pump is often a trade-off for volume output, or at least gauge accuracy. Because of this, brands such as Lezyne offer pump models specific to road or mountain biking.

Volume needed

Much like pressure, this will depend on your main bike choice. A high-volume pump will mean it takes fewer strokes to reach your desired pressure, but in turn, will generally mean a lower maximum pressure.

As mountain bike tyres have far greater volume (and lower pressure), a large-volume pump is more important here. If you have tubeless tyres, a pump with a massive volume output may be enough to seat a tyre without needing an air compressor.

Gauge accuracy

Few hand pumps include a gauge, but any decent track pump should.

Look for a gauge that’s easy to read and offers a suitable pressure range for your needs. Gauges are generally most accurate at the middle of the range, so if you’re trying to accurately inflate your mountain bike tyre between 23 and 25psi you’ll need a gauge with a low-pressure accuracy (or just a separate pressure gauge ).

A pump with a digital gauge is also an option if you’re looking at more expensive options.

Pump heads and valve types

Presta (racing style) and Schrader (like on a car) are two of the most common valve types. Nearly all pumps these days will cater for at least Presta and Schrader , but not all are as simple as others.

Some pumps are valve-specific, others must be changed internally to fit various valves. A twin-valve head will have two separate slots for either valve, while a ‘smart-head’ will automatically adjust to the various valve sizes. Then there’s the thread-on style, which offers a reliable fit, but needs to be ‘flipped and changed’ depending on your desired valve.

If you use tubes or tubeless valves with a removable core, just be aware that some thread-on pump heads can unscrew the valve once inflated. For this style of valve, more common press-on style heads are best.

If you run tubeless tyres, check out our list of the best tubeless pumps and inflators .

If your pump is going to stay at home, size isn’t going to be of great concern. But if you’re planning to carry your pump on a ride or take it in the car, then it’s an important factor in your decision. The smallest mini-pumps will eventually inflate a tyre, but are obviously limited on air volume.

Much like size, weight isn’t a concern if the pump is going to be left at home, and here, a sturdy pump that doesn’t topple over is a bonus. But if you’re looking to carry it with you, then you don’t want anything too heavy.

The most expensive pumps are now made with lightweight aluminium, but there are plenty of plastic options, which are perfectly acceptable too. Don’t trade low-weight for something that’s just not suited to your needs, but at the same time, there’s no point carrying extra weight if you don’t have to.

Construction

The quality of a pump’s construction is often in line with its price, and generally speaking the more expensive the pump, the more metal it contains.

For track pumps, the cheapest options are plastic and will flex and wobble under heavy use, eventually giving up. The metal ones are far more solid, keep going and are well worth rebuilding.

Serviceability

Serviceability generally applies to the more expensive pumps, which can be seen as a long-term investment.

Most main brands will offer a range of common spares to keep your pumps working. The most important spares are the head and valve gaskets because these will wear and begin to leak over time.

Don’t buy an expensive pump if spares are not readily available.

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Best Bike Pumps Reviewed: Mini, Floor, and CO2 Options for Optimal Tire Pressure

A high-quality bike pump is one of the most important accessories a cyclist can own.

No matter what type of cycling you do, keeping your tires inflated to the recommended tire pressure is a crucial factor in achieving comfort, safety, and speed. 

While all pumps do the same thing, there’s a huge selection to choose from, each with slightly different specs and features; therefore, choosing the best bike pump for your needs can prove to be tricky.

Should you get a mini pump or a floor pump? How about a high-volume or high-pressure pump? Or maybe an electric pump would be best? Then again, what the hell is a shock pump?

In this article, we’ll show you the best bike pumps in each category, and explain all the nuances and features to help you make the best choice for yourself!

How Did We Choose?

The bike pumps listed below are chosen based on our real-life experience and the online rating and feedback from cyclists like you who have bought and used them.

We’ve carefully analyzed customer reviews and expert opinions to ensure these selections meet a wide range of needs and preferences.

Additionally, we’ve considered factors like durability, ease of use, and versatility in different situations, from quick roadside flat tire fixes to regular home tire pressure maintenance.

Our goal was to pick the best-selling models that have proved to offer good value for the money and get the job done for a variety of riders, including recreational cyclists and more dedicated enthusiasts.

This comprehensive approach ensures that whether you’re a casual rider or a serious cyclist, you’ll find a pump that suits your requirements.

Table of Contents

Best bike floor pumps.

• Best Portable Bike Pumps
• How to Choose the Best Tire Pump?

A high-quality bike floor pump is generally a cornerstone of every cyclist’s equipment.

Below you’ll find a nice selection of bike pumps, including high-pressure and high-volume types, suitable for different applications.

1. Topeak JoeBlow Sport III

Best Bang for the Buck

MSRP: $59.95

• Max Pressure: 160 PSI
• Valve Type(s): Presta, Schrader, Dunlop

The Topeak JoeBlow Sport III is an affordable and straightforward bike floor pump that gets the job done with minimal fuss. Plus, it’s colored bright yellow, which means you can easily find it when you’re in a rush, even if your garage is messy. 

The twin pump head fits Presta, Schrader, and even Dunlop valves, so you can use it on all of your bikes. On top of that, the max PSI you can achieve is 160, which is more than enough even for slim road tires. 

Finally, the Topeak JoeBlox Sport III should last you for a long time as the barrel and base are made from steel, which makes it extremely durable.

Buy on REI.com

2. Bontrager Charger

Best Pump with Auto-Select Head

• Valve Type(s): Presta, Schrader

The Bontrager Charger bike pump holds an unbeatable value at the lower price range.

You’ll get a pump with a comfortable anti-slip handle and footpads, durable steel construction, and replaceable internals for under $50. 

The main reason we chose to include this pump is its auto-select head that instantly fits both Presta and Schrader valves, which is great when you’re in a rush because you’re late for your weekend group ride.

The maximum tire pressure you can achieve is 160 psi (though you won’t need to go that high on any bike) and the 3-inch gauge is easy to read for anyone.

3. Specialized Air Tool Sport Switchhitter II

Best with a Long Hose

The Specialized Air Tool Sport SwitchHitter II floor pump’s name is almost as long as its 42-inch hose. That’s one of the longest on this list, which makes this pump highly practical and easy to use, no matter the setup you have. 

The SwitchHitter II also boasts a steel barrel and base for excellent durability, as well as an ergonomic handle that won’t give you blisters after prolonged use.

We also love the large 2-inch gauge and the 160 psi maximum tire pressure. Moreover, the head of the pump has an auto-selecting mechanism, which means it automatically adjusts to Presta and Schrader valves. 

If you want a pump that looks good, has a reasonable price, and has excellent reviews, the Specialized Air Tool Sport SwitchHitter II is the one.

Buy on JensonUSA.com

4. Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive

Best for All Valve Types

MSRP:   $90

• Max Pressure: 220 PSI / 15 Bar

The aluminum Lezyne floor pump has a whopping 220 PSI max pressure, which is more than enough for all bike tires you can imagine, and other applications not related to cycling.

This pump is made with precision CNC machined parts and equipped with an Air Bleed System for easy air tuning. The head is compatible with all three valve types (Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop), so you can use it with your road, mountain, and commuter bikes. 

The handles are made from wood, so they feel great in your hands and give the Lezyne Alloy floor pump a timeless look. 

5. Foundation Airblast Tubeless

Best Floor Pump for Tubeless Tires

• Max Pressure: 260 PSI

The Foundation Airblast is a versatile bike floor pump suitable for all types of valves and tires, including tubeless tires. 

Namely, this pump boasts a 260 PSI maximum pressure and a fill-in tank that’s used to quickly seat tubeless tires. This means you don’t need to pump fast and hard like with other floor pumps to get the job done. 

On top of that, the Foundation Airblast is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves and comes with a 2.5″ top-mounted gauge that’s much easier to read compared to the ones mounted at the base. 

Finally, the 6063 aluminum barrel and steel base mean this pump is almost indestructible and will probably last you for decades of regular use. 

Best Mini Bike Pumps

Whether you own a road, mountain, or city bike, a mini bike pump is an essential accessory every cyclist should own.

Although this type is not as fast and can’t achieve higher pressures, you wouldn’t want to get stranded without one in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire.

Of course, in addition to a mini pump, you also want to carry a patch kit to be able to repair the tube first.

6. Silca Tattico Mini

Best Mini Bike Pump w/ a Hose

• Max Pressure: 100 PSI

The Silca Tattico is a dependable and fuss-free mini bike pump suitable for all types of bikes, but best for slim, high-pressure road tires. 

It has an inverted design with a hose and valve hidden inside the rear chamber. That means that, once you extend it, you can deliver 10% more air per stroke and you don’t need to get in awkward positions thanks to the hose. 

The entire pump is 9.5″ long and weighs around 5.5 ounces, which is perfect if you’re a roadie and you’re trying to carry as little weight as possible. It also comes with a mounting bracket, so you can easily attach it to the bike’s frame.

The maximum pressure you can achieve is 100 PSI, which may not be enough to get to the perfect pressure if you’re a heavy rider, but it’s more than enough for road-side fixes. 

7. Topeak Pocket Rocket Mini Pump

Best Budget Mini Pump

• Valve Type: Presta, Schrader

The Topeak Pocket Rocket is called that way because it costs just $30, fits in your pocket, but packs a strong punch. It allows pumping to pressures of up to 160 PSI, so it’s ideal for roadies, mountain bikers, commuters, and all other types of riders. 

It’s built with a sleek machined aluminum barrel that’s durable and lightweight and comes with a handy mount that lets you carry it on your frame. However, you can also easily fit it in your jersey pocket as it’s only 8.7″ long and weighs just 4.1 ounces.

The Topeak Pocket Rocket also has an integrated seal and dust cap that keep the pump head clean, which is especially useful for mountain bikers who ride muddy trails.

This makes it one of the best mini pumps for riders on a budget.

8. Lezyne Grip Drive Hand Pump

Best Hand Pump for Mountain Bikers

• Max Pressure: 90 PSI

The Lezyne Grip Drive is a heavy-duty hand pump made from machined aluminum that can keep your mountain bike tires inflated and take a beating. Of course, you can also use it if you are a roadie, but with a 90 PSI maximum tire pressure, it may not be suitable for everyone. 

The Lezyne Grip Drive also features an integrated ABS Flex Hose that’s presta and shrader valve compatible, so you can easily find a comfortable position to inflate your tire.

We also like the lightweight Composite Matrix frame mount that let’s you mount the pump to your frame, though you can also carry it in your pocket. 

Buy from Mike's Bikes

9. Crank Brothers Gem Mini Pump

• Max Pressure: 100+ PSI

If you want a less expensive mini bike pump that looks good and is made to be durable, the Crank Brothers Gem is a real gem available for just $25.

It’s available in two sizes, short (176mm) and long (205mm) and can inflate your tires to 100+ PSI. That makes it a good choice no matter what type of bike you are riding. 

On top of that, the Gem hand pump has an air switch that lets you switch between high volume and high pressure modes, so you can make it more suitable for fat tires, MTB tires, and narrow road tires. 

Of course, the pump head is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves and you even get a 5-year warranty if you buy it.

Buy on evo.com

10. OneUp Components EDC

Best Hand Pump for Tubeless Tires

• Max Pressure: Not Available
• Valve Type(s): Presta only

This Presta valve pump by OneUp costs pretty much the same as the floor pumps above, but that’s all for a good reason.

This is a high-quality hand pump with fully weatherproof seals and two sizes (70cc, 100cc) to choose from. The OneUp Components EDC is made of aluminum, which makes it durable and lightweight. 

However, the best thing about this mini pump is that it holds an EDC Tool and a 20g CO2 cartridge, which makes it suitable for quick fixes and seating tubeless tires on the road. 

The only disadvantage is that it’s only compatible with Presta valves, but if you’re riding on tubeless tires, that’s the only valve type you need.

Best CO2 Inflators

11. bontrager air rush elite co2 inflator.

Simple and Lightweight CO2 Inflator

• Valve Type(s): Presta and Schrader
• Features: Reusable cartridge insulator; regulator design

The Bontrager Air Rush Elite is a super-simple and compact CO2 inflator that will easily fit in your pocket and save the day when needed. 

It’s compatible with Presta and Schrader valves and comes with a regulator design that lets you adjust the rate of inflation. 

It does not include a cartridge, so you’ll have to buy one separately, but it does come with a reusable cartridge insulator that will protect your hands when inflating the tires. 

Get it if you want an affordable and simple product that gets the job done.

12. Bikesmart Masterflate CO2

Most Streamlined Design

• Valve Type(s): Presta
• Features:  Compact, lightweight

The Bikesmart Masterflate is the most compact CO2 inflator on this list. So, if your goal is to carry as little weight on your rides as possible, this is the right choice. 

However, due to the streamlined design, this inflator does not have a flow regulator and is only compatible with Presta valves. 

We like it because it takes almost no space in your jersey pocket or saddlebag, so you can bring extra cartridges to have just in case. 

Buy on MikesBikes.com

13. Portland Design Works Barkeep CO2

Best CO2 Inflator w/ a Gauge

• Features:  Integrated pressure gauge; weighs 94g

CO2 inflators are amazing tools when you’re in a pinch and you need to quickly inflate your tire and continue the ride. 

However, their biggest disadvantage is that you need to guess your tire pressure and use the unreliable “thumb method.” 

Well, you don’t have to do that with the Portland Design Works Barkeep CO2 inflator as it comes with an integrated pressure gauge. 

This inflator is compatible with Presta and Schrader valves and weighs 94g, which is a bit heavier than other choices, but worth it if you like the gauge.

14. Lezyne Control Drive CO2

Most Durable Design

• Features:  Control knob; four colors; weighs 24g

If you’re looking for a CO2 inflator that gets the job done, looks good, and will probably last you for decades, we recommend the Lezyne Control Drive CO2. 

This inflator is made from CNC-machined aluminum parts and features brass internals, so it is guaranteed to be durable. Despite that, it weighs just 24g.

The Lezyne Control Drive also boasts a precise control knob, a neoprene sleeve for cartridge insulation, and is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves.

15. Portland Design Works Fatty Object CO2 Inflator

CO2 Inflator w/ Cartridge Included

• Features:  Control knob; cartridge included

A CO2 inflator is worth nothing without a cartridge, so it’s good that the Portland Design Works Fatty Object CO2 Inflator comes with one when you buy it. 

The inflator itself is made from precision-machined alloy that is pretty much indestructible and has a control know that lets you regulate the flow. 

The inflator is compatible with Presta and Schrader valves and has a foam insulator sleeve to protect your fingers from the freezing cartridge. 

How to Choose a Bike Pump

New cyclists rarely give bike pumps the requisite consideration; after all, don’t they all do the same thing?

As every experienced cyclist knows, not all pumps are made equal; there are several different kinds to consider.

The prepared cyclist should have two pumps: a small one to take on rides and a large one for use at home. The portable pump is suitable for re-inflating after a puncture; the floor pump is for quick, easy, and accurate inflation to a specific PSI before riding.

This guide will explain the different tire valves, pumps, and pump heads. We’ll also discuss tubeless tire considerations and important features to look for when you’re choosing.

The Different Pump Valves and Their Strengths and Weaknesses

There are three types of tire valves, two of which are used on bikes in the United States. Presta and Schrader valves are the two most common types, whereas the third, which we won’t cover in this article, is called a Woods or Dunlop valve.

Each type has slightly distinct usages and strengths.

Schrader Valve

The Schrader valve was invented in 1891 by August Schrader. These are ubiquitous on cars and also common on bikes, especially city and commuter models.

Schrader valve stems are short and wide with thread on the outside. Inside is a small threaded core that controls the flow of air. This stays closed using a spring. When you push the pin on the valve core down, the spring compresses, and air can flow in or out. 

This design is the most durable and easy to use. However, the width means a bigger hole is needed in the rim, reducing rim strength. They’re also heavier than Presta valves, and the short stem isn’t compatible with deep rims.

Presta Valve

Etienne Sclaverand invented Presta (French) valves around the turn of the 20th century. These are more common on modern bikes, especially those that use 700c wheels, such as best road bikes and best gravel bikes .

The valve itself is tall and skinny , with a threaded outer stem. The core screws into the stem and has a closure nut on top. This nut opens by twisting counterclockwise. When open (raised), the pin on the stem can be depressed, allowing air to flow in and out. To close it fully, you must lower the nut again by turning it clockwise.

These valves require smaller rim holes, increasing rim strength. They’re also lighter, less likely to get clogged, available in multiple lengths, and they make it easy to let air out. However, they’re also more fragile and prone to bending or breaking while inflating. 

Tubeless Valves

Tubeless valves aren’t attached to an inner tube. They have the same upper structure as regular valves (Schrader or Presta), only with a rubber bottom that plugs the hole in the rim, creating an airtight chamber. These valves require tubeless-compatible rims.

Types of Bike Pumps

Now that you understand the different valves, you’ll know which pumps are compatible. Thankfully, most pump heads are compatible with both Schrader and Presta.

But what are the different types of pumps?

Floor (Track) Pump

Floor pumps are the best for regular use at home . The large chamber, long plunger, and wide base to stand on make it easy to pump a high air volume and generate greater force. Floor pumps also have pressure gauges for inflating to the desired PSI. This design makes inflating tires faster, easier, and more accurate.

The hose on a track pump is usually long and flexible, meaning you can position the bike and pump as you like. Almost all track pumps are compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves. Ideally, you want a floor pump with a wide, stable base that’s easy to stand on and hold in place while you pump.

Mini (Hand) and Frame Pump

Hand pumps are lightweight and compact for taking along on rides . These pumps vary in size from ones that fit neatly in your jersey pocket (mini) to longer ones (frame) that require mounting to the frame. Most hand pumps come with a mount to clip, but many riders carry them in their pocket.

The attachment method varies, some having a small hose that screws onto the valve, but most clip directly onto the valve and seal with a small locking lever. Most don’t have pressure gauges. 

Inflating your tires from empty with a mini bike tire pump is quite laborious, taking several dozen strokes to get the appropriate PSI. The smaller the pump and chamber, the less air it delivers per stroke. However, ‘dual-action’ hand pumps work faster by inflating on both parts of the stroke.

When choosing a portable bike pump, it’s important to choose one that can fill the bike to the desired PSI. If you have tires that are 23mm and 26mm wide, you’ll need a pump that can reach 100 PSI.

Tubeless Pump

The best pump for a bicycle with tubeless tires is one with an air compressor. Tubeless tires require a fast influx of pressurized air to seat the tire bead correctly each time.

These pumps have a secondary canister you charge with air before releasing it in one highly pressurized dump. If you use tubeless tires, consider buying a floor pump with this design.

CO2 Inflator

CO2 inflators use pressurized gas to rapidly inflate your tires without requiring a bicycle pump. The canisters come in multiple sizes for different tire volumes. A 16g canister will fill a 25mm road tire to roughly 90 PSI, whereas 20g and 25g canisters are for higher-volume tires.

To use an inflator, you must connect the regulator to the tire valve, push or twist the canister into the regulator, and open the regulator to release the gas.

The downside of CO2 inflators is that the gas leaks out of the tires slowly, so you must empty the tire and refill it with your floor pump when you finish your ride. In addition, they are more expensive and best kept for when you’re in a rush.

Electronic Air Compressor

An electric bike pump (not a pump for electric bikes) is a rechargeable unit that automatically inflates your tires to the desired pressure. These are portable but quite heavy, so most riders wouldn’t carry one while riding.

High-Pressure vs. High-Volume Bike Pump

In addition to understanding the different styles of bike pumps, you should also know the difference between high-volume and high-pressure pumps.

High-volume tires (MTB, fat bike, and some hybrids) that require lower PSIs (20 to 60) are best served by a high-volume pump. These have larger chambers that deliver more air per stroke for faster inflation. However, they cannot achieve the required pressure to inflate a tire to road bike PSI (80 to 120).

A high-pressure pump for bicycle tires doesn’t deliver as much air volume per stroke, but the narrow chamber allows you to pressurize the air and inflate up to 160 PSI or higher. These are more common because they can be used with high-volume or high-pressure tires (such as a road bike tire).  

Some high-end floor pumps can switch between high-volume and high-pressure settings with the flick of a lever.

Bicycle Pump Heads: Which to Choose?

The pump head (also known as air chuck) plays a big role in user-friendliness. Awkward, poorly designed heads lead to lost air when connecting and disconnecting or to damaged Presta valves.

Many cyclists want to use their bike tire pump on both Presta and Schrader valves, and most brands offer this dual valve compatibility. However, the design differs.

There are three types of pump heads you’ll encounter:

• Reversible – These heads are only set to one side at a time and often require an unnecessarily complicated process to change between a Schrader and Presta valve pump.
• U niversal/Auto-select – These ‘smart’ heads have one hole that accepts both valve types. When they work, they’re great, but if they’re not designed well, they can be fidgety.
• Dual – These have a connection for both of the main valves on the same head, either side by side or on opposite sides. This is the most reliable type but requires a larger pump head.

If your pump supports only one valve type, you can get Presta-to-Schrader or Schrader-to-presta adapters that let you inflate both types.

Ease of Use

In our opinion, the quality of a bicycle tire pump is largely determined by how easy it is to connect to the valve. Again, a poor design will release air and potentially damage the valve when connecting and disconnecting.

Screw-on pump heads create the most secure seal, but they take longer to use than a press-on head with a tab that flips to seal the chamber. The issue with the press-on design is that it’s more likely to be fidgety and release air accidentally.

Features to Look Out for on a Pump

In general, the more you spend, the more features you get and the more user-friendly and robust the product is. However, some simple, less expensive pumps work better than expensive, overly complicated ones.

So, what should you look for when buying a pump?

Easy Attachment

As mentioned, ease of attachment is one of the most important characteristics of a pump, if not the most important. It should allow a fast, secure connection to the valve, avoiding damage to the valve and releasing air when connecting and disconnecting. If possible, avoid reversible pump heads that require switching parts around to swap between valve types.

Written or video tests and buyer reviews are great ways to determine if a pump head is user-friendly. Otherwise, you can test them in your local bike shops.

Inflation Speed

While not of major importance for floor pumps, there is a big difference in inflation speed between different mini bike pumps. Some have ‘dual-action’ inflation that increases speed and reduces effort, getting you back on the road quicker after repairing a flat. The quality and ease of connection are also important factors.

The stability of a floor pump isn’t an obvious thing to look out for until you own one that topples over at the slightest touch. The height, weight distribution, and base shape and size determine a track pump’s stability.

Ideally, you want a tripod base over a two-sided one. Additionally, you want the base feet to be spread wide and offer plenty of room for your feet to rest while you pump.

A tall pump with a heavy hose and poor base will likely fall over easily, causing damage and annoyance.

Pressure Guage

At a minimum, you want a pressure gauge on one of your bike pumps. Most mini bike pumps don’t have them, but some higher-end options do. Any good track pump has a pressure gauge, but the best ones are easy to read, accurate, and positioned well.

Gauge accuracy is important if you run specific PSIs. Most pump gauges aren’t fully accurate (they may be off by a few PSI), but some are better than others. We recommend buying a hand-held pressure gauge if you want the most accurate reading.

The display size, markings, and position also affect how easy it is to read. Some displays are positioned at the base and have small numbers, making them hard to read while pumping. The best gauges have big numbers and are positioned higher up (although this can make the bike pump unsteady).

A long, flexible hose makes floor pumps easy to use, as you can position the pump and valve wherever you like. Some hoses are unnecessarily short, but most are adequate. 

Again, a hand pump with a hose can take longer to connect but typically creates a more secure seal and doesn’t lose air when connecting and disconnecting.

The durability of a pump isn’t a huge consideration for most of us, who generally leave it in one place and use it once or twice a week (or less). However, the best bike pumps will typically have more metal in their construction to increase durability. Metal also flexes less, meaning the pump is sturdier while pumping.

A cheap plastic pump can break easily, even with light use. The sealing tab on the pump head is a likely culprit if it’s made of plastic. Some brands offer replacement parts, such as hoses, pump heads, or handles, to repair the pump if it breaks. This is especially important if it’s an expensive pump.

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Here are the best bike pumps:

Best bike pump overall, best bike pump for tubeless tires, best budget bike pump, best co2 inflator bike piump, best on-bike pump, how i test bike pumps, the 5 best bike pumps for road cyclists, mountain bikers, and city commuters.

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Bike tires go flat for many reasons and while a flat is never ideal, it's even worse to be caught without the means for fixing it — i.e. a reliable bike pump. 

But not all bike pumps are the same and it's important to understand the difference between the three types: Floor pumps, hand pumps, and C02 inflators. And keep in mind that your specific tire style determines the type of pump that's best for your kit.

To compile this guide, I spent months riding my bike as often as I could — to the market, to the park, around the block, everywhere. The goal was to see how versatile the pumps I tested were in allowing me to fill my tires with air as needed and that they'd function whether I was on the side of the road or gearing up at home. 

Below are my five favorites, each of which were stress-tested via months of cycling (and a few remain staples in my setup post-testing). I've also included answers to some FAQs , as well as insight into how I test bike pumps , at the end of this guide. 

Best overall: Specialized Air Tool Comp V2 - See on Jenson USA Specialized's Air Tool Comp features sturdy construction, smooth pumping action, and an accurate gauge making it one of the most reliable bike pumps available.

Best for tubeless tires: Pro Team Tubeless Floor Pump -  See on Amazon It looks like a standard floor pump but Pro's Team Tubeless Floor Pump seats tubeless tires, from road to mountain, without the bulky air reservoirs of other tubeless charging pumps.

Best budget: Schwinn Air Center Pro - See on Schwinn Schwinn's Air Center Pro is the best pump you can buy for the price, with reliable performance and some of the bells and whistles of more expensive pumps.

Best CO2 Inflator: Lezyne Control Drive - See on Competitive Cyclist Road bikers, mountain bikers, and any cyclist who prefers to carry less will pass on the pump and pack a CO2 inflator and a couple of air canisters instead.

Best on-bike: Crank Brothers Klic HV -  See on Crank Brothers When you're far from home and far from help, you need a pump that's accurate and reliable. Crank Brother's handheld Klic HV is both, and it has more features than meets the eye.

Specialized's Air Tool Comp features sturdy construction, smooth pumping action, and an accurate gauge making it one of the most reliable bike pumps available.

Pros: Sturdy, well balanced, with an easy-to-read and accurate gauge.

Cons: Only goes to 120 PSI, doesn't seat tubeless

Specialized's Air Tool Comp has one of the most accurate pressure gauges I've tested. When pumping, its dual-stage pressure gauge gets close enough that you don't need to double-check it with a dedicated pressure checker. While it's not digital, the gauge is accurate even at low pressures, where many pumps don't register PSI. Its oversized gauge numbers were easy to read and the gauge has a twist ring that allowed me to pre-select the pressure I wanted while also providing a visual cue when I reached it.

The Air Tool is ergonomic, with a flared, textured no-slip handle, and sandpapery footpads on the stable triangular base. Even with rapid-fire pumping, the pump stayed put. A 41-inch long hose made it easy to pump tires on bikes that were already loaded on a car hitch rack, too. The pump head also has a grip and an easy-to-grasp lever that locks securely onto the valve when flipped open.

Its steel base and aluminum air canister were extremely durable, as well. The twist ring on the pump head is textured for easy removal and replacement, and also allows for easy switching between Presta and Schrader compatibility.

The pump was efficient inflating mountain, gravel, commuter, e-bike, and road tires. It does have a max PSI of 120, so if you're a performance road biker who prefers higher pressure, this isn't the pump for you. When not in use, the hose wraps over the handle and clips to the top of the air canister on both sides.

It looks like a standard floor pump but Pro's Team Tubeless Floor Pump seats tubeless tires, from road to mountain, without the bulky air reservoirs of other tubeless charging pumps.

Pros: Super durable, seats tubeless tires and inflates any tire, universal head

Cons: Expensive

At the base of this two-in-one pump's air cylinder is a foot lever that lets your choose between charge or inflate mode. To inflate a tire, flip the foot lever up to inflate and the pump works like a normal floor pump. To seat a tubeless tire on a rim, flip the foot lever down to charge and pump the handle as many times as you can to pressurize its reservoir. This pump also makes it easy to switch between Schrader and Presta valves and inflates to 160 PSI. 

The Pro Team Pump's steel base and alloy barrel-over-barrel construction were strong and stable, able to withstand the strained push and pull of canister charging. The rubberized palm pads cushioned my hands and made it comfortable to use, too. 

Oversized numbers in the gauge, which is in the pump's base, were easy to read and this pump works for all types of tires. The head is universal, so I didn't need to swap parts to switch valve types, either. 

Schwinn's Air Center Pro is the best pump you can buy for the price, with reliable performance and some of the bells and whistles of more expensive pumps.

Pros: Super affordable; head takes Presta and Schrader without conversion; gauge easy to see

Cons: Materials feel cheap, floppy hose

This do-it-all pump will get you rolling on a budget. Schwinn's Air Center Pro  is the best pump you can buy that has a modest price tag, reliable performance, and some of the bells and whistles of more expensive pumps. It's versatile, too, allowing you to inflate kids' bike tires , pump up a basketball, or top off your e-bike. 

The two-port Presta/Schrader head has an indicator to remind you when the pump is locked on to the valve and when it's ready for insertion and removal. The metal base and 24-inch steel barrel held up well to daily use and abuse and I appreciated the included sports ball needle and yoga ball inflation cone that stores in a clip-on plastic case.

The 49-inch fabric hose was even long enough to reach bike tire valves with bikes on a car rack. Its gauge in the handle is always close and easy to read and the pump pressurizes a tire to 160 PSI. 

The Air Center Pro features more plastic parts than other floor pumps here and though I didn't test it long enough for something to break, the materials don't feel as high-quality as others in this guide. Pumping was often loud and metallic, too, and the handle gauge necessitates that the hose also directly attaches to the handle. This means it moves with every pump stroke, giving it good reach while also creating some pull on tire valves. 

Road bikers, mountain bikers, and any cyclist who prefers to carry less will pass on the pump and pack a CO2 inflator and a couple of air canisters instead.

Pros: Easy to keep track of; precision control knob, works with Presta and Schrader

Cons: Larger and heavier than some other inflators, Co2 cartridges are expensive, and disposable

With CO2, there's no pumping required. Simply screw the canister into an inflator, press it into your bike's open valve, and open the on/off knob to let air surge in. 

I like Lezyne's Control Drive  because the on/off knob let me dispense air more precisely than other inflators, and allowed me to turn off the flow to save some for later. The switch is knurled for a good grip even with bike gloves. The chuck has two heads, one for Presta and one for Schraeder, so there's no need to switch parts to move from one to the other — which can be especially hard roadside or trailside when it's easiest to lose parts during a conversion. 

The 0.8-ounce CNC-machined aluminum inflator has brass internals for long-term reliability. It comes in four colors and works with 16, 20, and 25g CO2 threaded cartridges. The Control Drive comes with a neoprene cartridge sleeve that slips over any size CO2 to protect your hand from canister freeze when using the pump, too.

The inflator automatically prevents overinflating, which was especially handy when inflating a road tire with a larger cartridge.

When you're far from home and far from help, you need a pump that's accurate and reliable. Crank Brother's handheld Klic HV is both, and it has more features than meets the eye.

Pros:  Small enough to fit into a backpack, inflates up to 100 PSI even though it's a smaller pump, can hold a C02 inflator

Cons:  Isn't strong enough to be a full-time, go-to pump

The Klic HV is a plain-looking 10-inch long by 1-inch wide black cylinder when stored on your bike. When in use, its handle flips open into a T so you can wrap your fingers around both sides of the pump shaft for the best grip. Its pump hose features a built-in pressure gauge that stores inside the pump when packed. 

The Klic HV is single action, so it only inflates when you push not when you pull. However, it can still take a mountain, gravel, hybrid, or road tire to 100 PSI, which is ideal for all but the most highly inflated road tires. If you don't want to tire your arm out pumping, the handle of the pump has a screw cap that hides a CO2 inflator.

Unfortunately, this pump doesn't have a universal head but switching from Presta to Schrader is straightforward. Just unscrew its valve adapter from the end of its pressure gauge hose, flip the valve head, and screw it back in. There are no internal pieces to reposition and the conversion is quick and easy. 

The double-sided gauge was easy to read but only useful over 20 PSI. Experiment with this pump before you hit the road so you know how it likes to be held for the most efficient inflation. 

Each of the bike pumps in this guide went through months of testing to see how well they compared across these four categories:  Ease of use, reliability, build quality,  and  value . Here's how each category specifically factored into which bike pumps ultimately made the cut:

Ease of use:  Most bike pumps aren't inherently hard to use but this is still an important category to consider. To test this, I looked at how easy it was to not only pump air but to get the hose attached to my bike tires, if any of the head attachments were hard to install, and if it actually delivered enough air on each pump. 

Reliability:  Perhaps the one thing worse than getting a flat tire without having a pump on-hand is getting a flat tire while having a pump on-hand that doesn't work. And since a bike pump runs the risk of taking a beating — getting thrown into a backpack, clanking around while attached to the bike itself, etc. — the one you ultimately buy should be able to last longer than a season or two of use. This was tested by seeing if each pump functioned as well on day 50 as it did on day 1.

Build quality: This category is similar to reliability in that a bike pump's build quality directly affects how dependable it is. Almost any bike pump will work straight out of the box but the best should work for years if they feature a quality design and build. 

Value:  Value is always one of the hardest categories to judge because it's not just about how much it costs but how long it lasts compared to that sticker price. It's often better to spend a little more on something that will endure years of use rather than spend less more often. This is especially true with bike pumps (though none of the pumps featured have any sort of shocking price tag). 

What kind of bike pump is the most effective?

A floor pump has the biggest capacity and is able to get the most air into a bike tire every time you pull up and press down on the handle. Most use a canister with a handle on a rod that moves an internal diaphragm forcing air into your bike tire. 

Its foot platforms let you stabilize the pump while you're inflating, and the handles accommodate two hands to make pumping easier. These tend to also feature a gauge so you know when you've reached the desired pressure. 

Floor pumps can also seat a tubeless tire, which is important because many modern bikes use sealant inside a tire to keep the tire inflated, not a tube. Floor pumps are mid-thigh tall and designed for home use, or for carrying in a car to pump tires at a trailhead or the start of a ride.

How effective is a hand pump? 

They can be very effective, especially in a pinch. These are made to be carried on the bike and typically require a lot more effort to inflate your tire. A hand pump has a much smaller volume canister than a floor pump, so it takes longer to inflate a tire than a floor pump. Some are designed for high volume, which is best for a mountain bike or fat bike tires, and others are best for high pressure, like a road bike tire. 

Hand pumps are usually used as a backup or emergency pump and are not often relied upon as a primary pump. Gauges are less common in hand pumps and most have a valve head attached directly to the inflation canister. 

What other kinds of bike pumps are there?

The other most common bike pump variety is a CO2 inflator. This type of pump is the most convenient and compact inflation tool available for bicycles. They dispense small, disposable metal cartridges and some have an on/off switch so you can save the air you don't need for later.

With CO2, inflation is instant, but when you've used up the cartridge, or if your cartridge doesn't have the capacity to inflate your tire to full pressure, you're out of luck until you find another cartridge or borrow a pump.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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13 Best Bike Tire Pumps for Travel

• Travel Gear
• 13 Best Bike Tire Pumps…

There’s nothing worse than getting a puncture while you’re out on a bike ride in the countryside and then discovering that the pump you have is woefully inadequate. So, either you lose half an hour as you wear your arm out pumping your tire or contend with a less-than-ideal ride on squishy tires, thus effectively ruining your day. This is where portable bike tire pumps enter the picture. A great mini road bike tire pump, with or without a gauge, will help you deal with flat tires on the road much more effectively. In fact, a mini pump is a great backup for a regular floor pump, and a rather useful accessory when you’re out on long bike rides in the countryside.

Whether your mini pump is your main pump or a backup obe, there are some things you need to check before every ride. Firstly, tires need to be checked for proper inflation prior to every single long ride, and once a week at the very minimum. When selecting a good mini or portable pump, you want to consider factors such as its weight, how easy it’s to mount, the head, and how much air it moves with each pump. Hence, we’ve also come up with a handy guide to choosing good pumps, besides listing the best amongst them for travel. To that end, here are the 13 best road bike tire pump options for travel, both with and without a gauge.

How To Choose The Best Bike Tire Pumps for Travel?

Choosing bike accessories is as important as it’s choosing a good bike. Stuff such as the best bike tire pumps is as important as the Best Lightest Bike Helmets , Best Saddle Bags For Bikes , and even the Best Bikepacking Bags . When choosing tire pumps for bikes, there are certain specific considerations you need to keep in mind. So, what are they? Read on to know more.

Types of pumps

Basically, there are two kinds of bike pumps, floor, and mini/portable ones. Why people like freestanding floor pumps is because they have a large volume, inflate faster, and require less effort than a portable one. Their only drawback for travel is that they’re too big to transport easily on your bike. Mini pumps, on the other hand, are smaller and can be transported on your bike, or even in your backpack or your jersey! These compact inflators on the bike tire pump might require more effort and less power to reach the ideal psi, but the fact is that at least you won’t be stranded at the side of the road mid-ride. While mini-pumps usually don’t have pressure gauges, they can be attached both via a flexible hose or directly to your bike valve. If you can, go for a dual-action mini-pump that’ll inflate much quicker.

The volume of the bike pump is the amount of air that’s transferred via each stroke into the tire. It’s obvious that floor pumps have higher volumes than portable pumps, but might not necessarily move more air. Additionally, more expensive pumps tend to push more air as compared to cheaper models. Thus, you need to go for a more efficient pump that’ll fix your flat in lesser time on the trail. Since it’s no fun pumping like a maniac in the heat or the rain, get yourself a faster pump that’s worth the additional cost.

Ergonomics and weight

Well-designed pumps are always more enjoyable to use, making even the activity of filling up the air a lot less arduous. For instance, badly designed handles and fiddly valve attachments will only leave you frustrated, uncomfortable, and make the process painful. At the end of the day, you don’t want to be dreading your tools, but rather want to enjoy using them. Another factor for buying a mini pump is weight, which is obviously important since you’re going to be lugging it around on your bike ride. While the weight of the mini-pump as such won’t make a difference, the weight of all your tools and gear can add up. So, why not get a lightweight pump to begin with?

Pressure gauge and valve connection

While floor pumps do have pressure gauges, portable mini pumps rarely have them. However, some of them do have tiny but rather useful pressure gauges, which allow you to get the exact pressure for differing trail conditions. Last but not least, you need to check for a good valve connection. Generally, there are two common kinds of valves – Schraeder and Presta. Ensure that the connection is easy and not causing any damage to the tube/valve. While some pump heads directly push and lock into the valve, the better ones have flexible hoses that screw on.

How Often Should You Pump Up Your Tires?

After being used several times, your tires will lose pressure naturally and gradually. So, you need to always check them as well as preserve the pressure by topping them up, thus ensuring that your ride is smooth and efficient. But, as a thumb rule, check your tires every week. However, if you use your bike a lot, say for a ride every day, then you need to check it every 2-3 days.

How To Remove A Bike Pump Without Losing Air?

This is perhaps one of the biggest hindrances people face while using pumps, as it’s a rather tricky proposition. However, all you need to do is simply flip the switch on your pump head once you’ve inflated your tires to the desired pressure. Post that, immediately tighten the locking nut. The next act is important – you need to cover the tire valve as quickly and speedily as you can to avoid losing air. That said, there are times that your tires will lose a bit of air, which is normal. So, adjust the air and tire pressure accordingly before removing the pump from the tire.

Topeak Race Rocket MT

If you’re headed out on your very first bike ride onboard one of the Best Beginners’ Mountain Bikes , then the Topeak Race Rocket MT should definitely be your backup. The excellent bike tire pump is an indispensable tool for bikers relying on CO2 cartridges, but would also like to possess manual insurance. Measuring just 7.3 inches and weighing just 0.27 lbs, it fits in your jersey pocket easily. What’s more, it’s powerful enough to get even fat tires back up to the desired pressure after a blowout. That said, its best feature is the long rubber hose living within it that works with both Presta and Schrader valves. Plus, this flexible hose makes it much easier to pump vigorously sans the fear of damaging the stem of the valve. While it isn’t a dual-action pump, it’s reliable, lightweight, and won’t let you down, whether this is a backup plan or whether you want to micro-adjust the tire pressure mid-ride.

• Flexible hose.
• Lightweight and small.
• Can easily fit into your pocket or clipped to the bike.
• Powerful enough to be pumped vigorously.
• Not dual action.

Check Price & Info

Silca Tattico Bluetooth Bicycle Pump

The Silca Tattico Bluetooth Bicycle Pump is the best high-tech road bike tire pump on this list. Silca was always known to produce gloriously over-the-top, exquisitely detailed, and beautiful pumps, but this one is a whole yard ahead. One of the smartest pumps on the market, this mini-pump has a highly accurate electronic pressure sensor, measuring in the range of +/- 0.5 psi. However, its best feature is that it has a Bluetooth radio that allows the pump to pair to the iGauge smartphone app, which displays the pressure in easy-to-read and huge numbers! So, it’s essentially a bike pump with gauge. Moreover, the lossless, locking air chuck (usable with Schrader/Presta) is connected to a flexible hose stored within the pump when not in use. Finally, the minute the pressure sensor detects a few psi, it jolts the Bluetooth running and automatically pairs with the iGauge app.

• The bike pump has a smartphone app with a digital gauge.
• Highly accurate electronic sensor.
• A flexible hose that’s tucked in the pump when not in use.
• At $125, it’s very expensive for a mini pump.

Topeak Mountain DA G Mini

The Topeak Mountain DA G Mini is the best high-volume bike tire pump on this list and is also a great bike pump with gauge. While it’s better suited for high-volume tires and is also relatively larger than the rest of the pumps on this list, it also does a solidly wonderful job of getting your bike tires back to serviceable riding pressure. What’s more, it inflates the tires extremely fast, since it’s a dual-stroke type of pump. If that wasn’t enough, it even has an in-built gauge, so you aren’t left wondering how much pressure is there – for you’ll exactly know by the reading. This lifesaver of a pump works with both types of valves, Presta and Schrader. Measuring just 8.1 inches in length and weighing just 0.27 lbs, this is one mini-pump that should definitely be part of your gear.

• Comes with gauge
• Dual-action pump.
• Inflates even high-volume tires very quickly
• Slightly large in size.

Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Bike Pump

We have yet another Topeak contender on this list – this time it’s the Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Bike Pump . If you’re a serious biker who goes off the road all the time, then this pocket pump is the perfect lightweight bike tire pump to have with you. Besides being portable, the pump is also extremely durable and can handle years of repeated use across a wide variety of landscapes. Despite weighing just about 0.25 lbs, this pump is made from high-quality aluminum and is extremely robust, and can handle all sorts of impacts and bumps. At the same time, it’s highly capable of pumping high pressure into your tires, with a maximum pressure of 160psi. What’s more, it can easily be mounted to your bike frame using the mounting bracket that comes along with it. Finally, it’s compatible with Dunlop, Presta, and Schrader valves thanks to the integrated dust cap.

• Comfortable handle.
• Easy to use.
• Lightweight.
• Very small in size.
• Harder to pump at higher pressures.

VeloChampion Mini Bike Pump

Yet another excellent bike tire pump for the value-oriented cyclist is the VeloChampion Mini Bike Pump . You don’t have to break the bank on a good mini-pump, and the VeloChampion one fits the needs of most of the mountain/recreational road bike riders. To begin with, the pump is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves. Secondly, it boasts a maximum pressure of 100 psi, which is more than enough to get going after a minor puncture. What’s more, the pump comes with an included and full-blown bike frame mount kit, which works on a variety of bikes. These include everything from mountain/road bike frames to cyclocross, BMX, and hybrid ones. The pump is merely 7 inches in length and has a non-slip finish for holding it in the hand or slipping it into the pocket. Finally, a reversible attachment provides a tight seal and a secure fit.

• The velcro strap adds security.
• Mounting kit included.
• Fits most bike frames.
• Non-slip finish.
• Road bikers need to change the valve before usage.
• The plastic valve pieces are small and easy to lose.

PRO BIKE TOOL Mini Bike Pump Classic Edition

If you’re going to e riding over rough roads, then you’ll need gear that will keep you safe and protect you, such as the Best Dirt Bike Helmets . At the same time, you’ll also need peace of mind and not worry about potentially being stuck in the middle of nowhere, which is why you need the PRO BIKE TOOL Mini Bike Pump Classic Edition . This road bike tire mini-pump fits both Schrader and Presta valves and is equally suitable for both mountain and road bikes, while a reliable thread-on valve connection prevents air from escaping. However, the cherry on top is that this requires fewer pumping strokes to inflate tires to 100 psi pressure. Weighing just 0.25 lbs, this lightweight mini-pump is just over 7 inches in length. So, it can be easily stored in your jersey pocket or bike saddlebag. Plus, you can even drill holes into your bike’s frame in case you want to mount the pump directly onto the frame. Unlike other ones, this pump is designed using CNC-machined aluminum alloy for durability and longevity and is also available in many colors.

• Made from CNC machined aluminum alloy.
• Works with both Schrader and Presta valves.
• Comes with a flexible air hose for reaching tight spaces.
• Lightweight and compact.
• No in-built pressure gauge.

Lezyne Micro Floor Drive High Volume Pump

The Lezyne Micro Floor Drive High Volume Pump is another great bike tire pump that works with both Presta and Schrader valves, making it a useful choice for both mountain and road bikes. Thanks to the ABS Flip Chuck, you can switch easily between both valves and ensures a stable connection to your bike valves as well. Plus, most ABS Flip Chucks are quite robust and can even be redesigned for extending the life of your mini bike pump further. You’ll find a 24-inch rubber hose that easily reaches most valve stems as well as a comfy machined handle for proper control. Available in two versions, high-pressure and high-volume, the former inflates to 160 psi and is better for road bikes.

High-volume pumps, on the other hand, inflate to a maximum of 90 psi and are best for mountain bikes. In spite of its compact size, this frame-mounted bike pump feels secure and stable when pumping, thanks to a robust stainless-steel wire footpeg. 

• Stainless steel footpeg.
• The 24-inch hose is able to reach most valve stems.
• Compatible with both Schrader and Presta valves.
• Compact size and frame.
• The mounting bracket is relatively flimsy.

Crankbrothers Gem Bike Hand Pump

Hit the harshest biking trails with more confidence with the Crankbrothers Gem Bike Hand Pump , which bails you out beautifully in the event of a flat tire. Designed specifically for mountain bikes, this mini pump features a convertible head that fits both Schrader and Presta valves by simply switching the inner cap. Furthermore, the pump even comes with a frame mount bracket included so that you can secure it safely to your mountain bike’s frame. With a total weight of 0.28 lbs, this pump will certainly not be weighing you down as you ride. The best part? This is a high-volume bike pump, which makes the task of pumping up a mountain bike tire simple and not at all tiring. Also, did you know that it comes in three colors? Take your pick between silver, red, and green!

• Comes in multiple colors.
• Designed especially for mountain bikes.
• The convertible head fits both Schrader and Presta valves.
• High-volume pump.
• Can be tricky to secure it onto the valve stem.

Topeak Road Morph G Mini Pump

If you’re looking for a mini bike tire pump that’s more than simply average, then consider the Topeak Road Morph G Mini Pump . Perfect for pressures up to 160 psi, this bike pump is perfect for bike touring, commuting, and even road riding, complete with an in-line gauge. What’s more, you can use your Dunlop, Schrader, Presta, and Morph G valves all with this pump. Featuring a stable T-type handle and a fold-out footpad, this pump makes make pumping tires hassle-free and less tiring. If that wasn’t enough, the mini-pump weighs just 0.48 lbs and is compact enough to be stowed away in your jersey pocket or bike saddlebag. Going further, the pump also has a centerline mount bracket in case you prefer having the pump on the frame. Wrapping up the features is the heavy-duty aluminum barrel for maximum performance.

• Compatible with all kinds of valves.
• The fold-out footpad and T-type handle make pumping easy.
• Comes with an in-line gauge.
• Can be tough to pump at high pressure.

BV Mini Bike Frame Pump

Are you riding one of the Best Budget Mountain Bikes and are looking for a similarly affordable bike pump too? Go for the BV Mini Bike Frame Pump , which is just the right pump for all your cycling needs and features a smart valve design that works with both Presta and Schrader valves. Despite not coming with a gauge, this bike pump inflates up to 120 psi and even comes with a flexible hose that extends as much as 10 inches in length. Moreover, it’s also lightweight to carry and can even be stowed away in a bike saddlebag or your jersey pocket. Weighing just around 0.25-0.3 lbs this compact pump even comes with a well-designed mounting bracket in case you want to mount it to a down tube or the seat tube. If that wasn’t enough, the pump even snaps easily into place once it’s mounted, thus fully ensuring that it won’t fall off even as you ride at high speeds.

• Doesn’t require valve changes.
• Compatible with Schrader and Presta valves.
• No pressure gauge.

Vibrelli Mini Bike Pump

The Vibrelli Mini Bike Pump is one tire pump that has cyclists from all over the world raving about it. Not only does it automatically latch onto both Schrader and Presta tire valves, but also the innovative “Super-Fit” valve also prevents air from escaping. So, you don’t need to waste precious time changing adapters or valves, for that matter. Moreover, the extending telescoping barrel conveniently switches between high-volume and high-pressure outputs for mountain and road bike riders. If that wasn’t enough, the flexible hose extends to a generous 17 inches and the pump can inflate tires comfortably up to 120 psi.

Weighing just 0.33 lbs, the Vibrelli mini pump can even be carried around in your saddlebag or jersey pocket. Or, it can be attached to the bike via a velcro strap and mounting bracket. Rounding up the features is the glueless puncture repair kit that comes along with it. Did you know that this road bike tire pump has a version that comes with a gauge too? Yes!

• Has a capacity of 120 psi.
• Capable of low and high-pressure pumping.
• Could come loose when mounted on larger bike frames.

Park Tool PMP-3.2 Micro Pump

The Park Tool PMP-3.2 Micro Pump is a great road bike tire pump, even if it doesn’t have a gauge. Weighing just 0.23 lbs, this compact bike pump measures less than 8 inches. This basically means it can fit anywhere on your person, right from your saddlebag to your jersey pocket. Even if you don’t have space on you, you can even mount it to a standard water bottle cage using carabiners. The pump is large enough to pump efficiently, allowing you to get back to your ride quickly. It boasts an easily reversible head gasket that fits both the Schrader and Presta valves and will work on both mountain and road bikes. Also, you can inflate your tires up to decent pressure levels of 100 psi once the pump is properly attached. Moreover, thanks to the all-aluminum barrel build, you can rest assured that it’ll hold up over time.

• Solid and durable all-aluminum barrel build.
• Fits Schrader and Presta valves.
• Mounts to a standard water bottle cage too.
• Requires more strokes to fully inflate tires.

Blackburn Core Slim Mini-Pump

We wrap up the list of best bike tire pump options with the Blackburn Core Slim Mini-Pump . What most cyclists are looking for in pumps are simplicity and elegance, and this mini-pump offers just that. Basically, there are two versions of the pump, of which the slim road bike version is the high-pressure one with pressure levels of 120 psi. Besides its longevity, the pump also boasts rebuildable internals as well as a lifetime warranty, too. Despite being slightly longer than other mini-pumps, the Core Slim Mini is pocketable but might be just better off mounted on the bike with the included frame. Moreover, the rubber seal stops grit from getting inside the pump body as well as keeps it from lengthening when not in use.

Plus, there’s even a rubber dust cap that protects the valve head. Despite featuring no gauge and solely Presta compatibility, the bike pump comes with a valve-core tool for tightening the valves mid-ride as well as a thread on the head for a secure fit.

• Lifetime warranty.
• In-built valve core tool.
• Rubber dust cap and thread.
• Practically none.

Author:  Craig Connors

As a travel enthusiast and experienced adventurer, I have spent years exploring the world and discovering hidden gems in every corner of the globe. From backpacking through Europe to trekking in the Himalayas, I have chased my passion for travel and embraced every opportunity to learn about different cultures and ways of life. Now, as a travel writer and website author, I channel my love of exploration into creating informative and inspiring content for fellow travelers. Whether you're planning a solo trip to a remote destination or seeking family-friendly activities in a bustling city, I am dedicated to providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to make the most of your journey. With a keen eye for detail and a love of storytelling, I bring each destination to life through vivid descriptions and engaging narratives, highlighting the unique experiences and attractions that make each place so special. So join me on this journey of discovery, and let's explore the world together!

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The 8 Very Best Bike Pumps

One way to ensure your bike doesn’t get a flat is to keep the tires regularly and properly inflated. Bike pumps seem straightforward enough, but there are a few factors to consider when purchasing one, such as valve compatibility, pressure gauges, and whether or not you want to be able to take it with you on the ride.

When it comes to pricing, the difference between cheap models and more expensive ones comes down to durability. Andrew Crooks, owner and founder of NYC Velo , says that you’ll notice the difference in the overall build quality: “The nicer ones will have more metal than plastic. The things that wear out quickest on a pump are the hose and gasket. On cheaper pumps, those will wear out a lot faster.”

We spoke to bike-shop owners, road cyclists, mountain bikers, and cycling-gear experts to find the best and most efficient bike pumps you can buy, from reliable floor models to mini versions that can fit in your backpack.

Best overall floor | Best (less-expensive) overall floor | Best durable | Best overall mini | Best (less-expensive) overall mini | Best mini with pressure gauge | Best carbon dioxide-powered mini | Best air compressor

What we’re looking for

Floor, mini, or compressor model: Crooks says that when a customer comes into the shop looking for a bike pump, they usually opt for either a standing floor model or a portable (often referred to as “mini”) pump. “Do you want to be able to carry this with you or not?” Crooks says. “Is it a bike pump that attaches to your bicycle? Or is it one that can live at your apartment?” Beyond that, consider ease of use. “The larger the pump, the larger the chamber of the pump,” Crooks explains. Floor models, which have larger chambers, require less work to inflate your tires, whereas mini models will require more pumping to inflate tires to the same pressure. Though less common than floor or mini pumps, air compressor models will inflate tires the fastest, but are the least portable of the three types.

Valve compatibility: It’s important to know which valve your bike’s tires have, because that will determine which pump head will be compatible with your bike. There are two main types of bike tire valves you’re likely to work with: Presta and Schrader. Presta valves are generally longer and skinnier and found on most road and mountain bikes, while Schrader valves are wider and found on some hybrid and children’s bikes. “Most pumps are adaptable either automatically, or with very little work to use either of the main two valve styles,” says Crooks. We’ve noted each pump’s valve compatibility below.

Gauges: Most floor pumps have a pressure gauge — either analog, with a needle, or digital — to make sure you’re not under- or over-inflating. (Road-bike tires generally have a higher recommended pressure reading, given in pounds per square inch, or PSI, while mountain-bike and gravel tires trend lower.) Because they’re meant to be used in a pinch, most mini pumps don’t come with a gauge, but if you think you’ll need to know the exact pressure of your bike’s tires while on the go, opt for a mini model with a gauge.

Other features: Some bike pumps use pressurized CO2 cartridges or air compressors to inflate tires. Either feature is helpful when installing tubeless tires, when you need a burst of air to seat the tires to the rim (and not a slow, gradual pump).

Best overall floor bike pump

Floor pump | Presta and Schrader valve compatible | Pressure gauge

The steel Joe Blow is the only floor pump that most cyclists will need. It comes recommended by three experts we spoke to, including Gloria Liu , an avid cyclist and former editor at Outside and Bicycling . “It’s bombproof: I had one for probably eight years,” she says. Medhi Farsi, co-founder of  State Bicycle Co ., recommends the Joe Blow for anyone who’s looking to get into cycling and prefers models that have metal bases because they’re sturdier and are more durable. Colorado-based cyclist Ethan Peck has been using the Joe Blow for three years and praised it for its reliability, as well as for how smoothly it latches to the valve and how it doesn’t lose air when you remove it after pumping. Graham Averill , a freelance writer and outdoor-gear expert, swears by this pump for inflating his family’s various bikes. “I like it because the nozzle has built-in outputs for both Schrader and Presta valves so you don’t have to screw/unscrew the valve when you’re pumping up different kinds of tires.”

Best (less-expensive) overall floor bike pump

The simple Schwinn Cyclone Plus comes recommended by Strategist managing editor Kelsie Schrader , who has been using it for about two years. “Mostly I liked that it was not expensive (I did not really care about having a state of the art one), and it does what it’s supposed to do: Inflate my tires,” she says. “No frills, has nozzles for both Schrader and Presta valves, which will be nice if I ever get a new bike. There is not a lot to it which is why I like it. [There is] less for me to get confused about or mess up.”

Best durable floor bike pump

Christopher Ick, a cyclist and  CRCA  athlete based in Brooklyn, recommends the Floor Drive as an upgrade to entry-level plastic models. It’s a pump that you won’t mind having on display next to your bikes, thanks to a few key details. “It’s got a steel build, huge gauge, nice firm wooden handles, and it’s solidly constructed,” he says. “It’s also pretty and less ‘sporty’ than my older pumps which is why I chose it.”

Best overall mini bike pump

Mini pump | Presta and Schrader valve compatible | Thumb lock | No pressure gauge

The Pocket Rocket received expert-approval from Liu and Averill, who use it for inflating both road and mountain bike tires. “I’m always wary of thread-on models with a hose because they can have a tendency to pull out your valve core when you unthread it right after you just spent all that time pumping, which for obvious reasons is … less than ideal,” says Liu. That’s why she prefers the Pocket Rocket, which has a head that attaches right onto the valve. “This lil guy works remarkably quickly even on fat 29er MTB tires,” she says. Averill likes the Pocket Rocket for its portability — it’s eight inches long and weighs just over four ounces. That means it “fits in tiny bags, but it’s powerful enough to pump up road tires to max pressure,” Averill says. “I’ve used it for several years, and it’s never done me wrong.”

Best (less-expensive) overall mini bike pump

Mini pump | Presta and Schrader valve compatible | Telescoping shaft No pressure gauge

Brooklyn-based cyclist Alex Laitamaki has used this Vibrelli hand pump since 2018 to inflate his commuter, road, and gravel bikes. The head attaches to both Presta and Schrader valves without adjustment, and it has a telescoping shaft that allows you to pump at a higher volume per stroke, if needed.

Best mini bike pump with pressure gauge

Mini pump | Presta and Schrader valve compatible | Pressure gauge

City Bicycles NYC manager Charlie Williams says the Fresh Air pump is a straightforward mini pump he recommends to new riders and also the shop’s best-selling pump. “Most of the time, if a customer comes in looking for a pump, and they don’t have a specific model in mind, we’ll recommend this one,” he says. “At the end of the day, they just want a pump that works.”

Best carbon-dioxide-powered mini bike pump

Mini pump | Presta and Schrader valve compatible | CO2 pump

Tubeless tires require a burst of air to seat the tire’s beads to the rim (pumping with a floor or hand pump often won’t provide enough pressure), which is why air compressors and floor pumps with pressurized chambers make good options for tubeless setups. If you’re in a pinch, a CO2 hand pump like this one from Pro Bike Tool can provide that burst of pressure.

This CO2 pump is one of the top-selling hand pumps on the Strategist. Since we first featured it on the site in 2019, our readers have bought over 430 of these mini-inflators.

Best air compressor bike pump

Compressor pump | Schrader valve compatible | Digital pressure gauge

Although this pump is mostly used for car tires, many Strategist readers and Amazon customers use it as a bike pump as well. (Strategist readers have bought over 820 of these since 2019.) “We just leave it in the trunk just in case. This can inflate bike tires and balls in a jiffy.” said one reviewer. “It was relatively fast getting my bike tires from 5 up to 65 PSI, maybe two minutes or less, and it does shut off at whatever preset PSI you have designated,” said another reviewer who liked the digital gauge. Also impressed with the speed and ease of this pump, this reviewer said, “Talk about knocking it out of the park! This is the best purchase I’ve made in a long time. I connected it to an ATX computer power supply, and filled up my bike tires in a couple of minutes.”

Our experts

• Andrew Crooks, owner and founder of NYC Velo • Graham Averill , a freelance writer and outdoor-gear expert • Gloria Liu , freelance journalist, cyclist and former editor at Outside and Bicycling • Medhi Farsi, co-founder of  State Bicycle Co . • Ethan Peck, Colorado-based cyclist • Alex Laitamaki, Brooklyn-based cyclist • Kelsie Schrader, Strategist managing editor • Christopher Ick, cyclist and  CRCA  athlete based in Brooklyn • Charlie Williams, City Bicycles NYC manager

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Home » Garage » Bike Pumps

The 11 Best Bike Pumps

Gene Gerrard

Updated March 6, 2023

A fter learning that two of our top picks were discontinued, we tested new bike pumps and a CO2 injector. We’ve selected the Topeak – Joe Blow Sport III as the best floor bike pump. It has a dual head for Presta and Schrader valves that attaches and detaches in a snap, a large easy-to-read gauge, and a smooth, effortless pump. Another floor pump that’s worth your consideration is the Lezyne – Steel Floor Drive . For the best mini bike pump we chose the sleek and stylish Lezyne – Micro Floor Drive that’s lightweight, easy to attach, and easy to use. Another great mini pump is the Topeak – Road Morph G .

Our Top Choices

Best Floor Pump

Joe Blow Sport III

Steel Floor Drive

Best Mini Pump

Micro Floor Drive

Road Morph G

Table of contents

The 11 bike pumps we tested.

• Best floor pump: Topeak – Joe Blow Sport III

Also great: Lezyne – Steel Floor Drive

• Best mini pump: Lezyne – Micro Floor Drive

Also great: Topeak – Road Morph G

• Pro Bike Tools – CO2 Injector

Other products we tested

How we selected, how we tested, floor pumps vs. mini pumps, important features to consider, the bottom line.

(Editor’s note: In 2020 we learned that our two top picks — Nashbar – Earl Grey and the Lechi Mini Bike Pump — have recently been discontinued. In this update, we tested new contenders for floor pumps and mini pumps. See our new reviews below.)

Floor pumps

Best floor pump: Topeak – Joe Blow III

In our earlier review, we tested Topeak’s previous model and were not impressed by its plastic components and small, hard-to-read gauge. Topeak has solved those problems with its much-improved Topeak – Joe Blow Sport III , which we’ve selected as the new winner for best floor pump. The Joe Blow III has almost no plastic components, and the 3-inch gauge is considerably larger and much easier to read than it was in the previous model.

It has a twin-valve head for accommodating either Presta or Schrader valves that connects easily and secures onto the tire valve with the flip of a lever. The Joe Blow III is 27-inches tall, making it the tallest of all of the pumps we tested, and has a 27-inch hose, which is slightly shorter than other pumps, but we had no problems reaching the tire from any angle, thanks to its 360-degree rotating connector.

Best Floor Pump: Topeak - Joe Blow Sport III

Made of aluminum and steel, this sturdy floor pump is the fastest of any pump we tested to inflate a bike tire to 80 PSI.

The Joe Blow III’s barrel is aluminum, its base is steel and its 10-inch-wide handle is made of double thick polymer that’s been padded for a comfortable grip. The Joe Blow III performed almost identically to our former top pick, the Lezyne – Sport Floor Drive, but it hit 80 PSI in a completely flat tire in only 31 pumps, by far the fastest of any pump we’ve tested before and for this update.

The Joe Blow III and the Lezyne – Sport Floor Drive are the same price, and although we still recommend the Lezyne, it’s often out of stock on Amazon. These are both great pumps, but if you’re looking to purchase one now, it’s likely that you’ll find the Joe Blow III more available.

Key takeaways:

• The Topeak – Joe Blow Sport III is an improved updated model that’s made of aluminum and steel. Its dual gauge head easily and securely fits Presta and Schrader valves.
• Its larger 3-inch gauge is clearly marked and easy to read.
• The Joe Blow III hit 80 PSI in only 31 pumps with almost no resistance.

The Lezyne – Steel Floor Drive ‘s unique valve attachment screws to lock onto both Presta- and Schrader-style valves. While nearly all the other models we tested rely on two separate holes and a sometimes clumsy toggle switch, the Lezyne valve firmly fits both types with a smaller, tighter component. Once fastened, the head of the pump cannot be dislodged from the tire.

The pump is 25.5 inches tall and at 48 inches, its hose is the longest of all the pumps we tested. Connected to the base, it can pivot a full 360 degrees, which helps make the valve connection incredibly easy.

It reaches 80 PSI on a standard Presta valve road tube in 37 pumps, and because its barrel is made of steel, the Lezyne can handle higher pressure, with a maximum of 220 PSI. Other floor pumps we tested maxed out at 160 PSI.

Runner-up Floor Pump: Lezyne - Steel

Sturdy and durable, the Lezyne pump makes inflating bike tires simple and fast.

While most cyclists will never need to hit PSIs above 140, the higher capacity makes reaching lower PSIs much easier. When pumping even to 120 PSI, there was barely a perceptible resistance in pumping, unlike our other finalists, which required more effort after 80 PSI.

Finally, the Lezyne – Steel Floor Drive looks and feels great. The polished black steel is sharp and sleek. The base is properly weighted and sturdy. The engraved wooden handle is unique and feels smooth in your hands.

• The Lezyne Steel Floor Drive’s unique screw valve attachment creates the easiest and most secure connection.
• Steel components provide impressive strength and durability with the highest PSI capacity.
• Its polished black surfaces and wooden handle look and feel great.

Best mini: Lezyne – Micro Floor Drive

The Lezyne – Micro Floor Drive ’s ingenious ABS Flip Thread Chuck, which allows you to switch from Presta to Schrader valves by simply flipping it over, is our new top pick for best mini pump. This little device has two threaded sides — one for Presta, the other for Schrader — that screw into the tire valve, and the chuck is then screwed into the hose connector.

Lezyne’s ABS (air bleed system) has a small button in the middle of the chuck that can be pressed to release pressure. Not only is the connection secure and slip-free, the Micro Floor Drive was also the easiest pump to attach to a tire valve.

Since we last reviewed the full-size Lezyne – Sport Floor Drive , the company has introduced a new ABS2 chuck that eliminates the need for threading it onto the tire valve. In our opinion, this design upgrade should be adopted by all bike-pump manufacturers since it makes tire inflation a breeze.

The Micro Floor Drive is made of lightweight aluminum and can be tossed in a bag or mounted on your bike’s frame with the included mounting bracket. It’s 11 inches with a 23-inch hose — unheard of in a mini pump — that’s designed to wrap over the handle and down the sides of the pump. It has a 2.5-inch stainless-steel kickstand that flips down, so the Micro Floor Drive can operate like a miniature floor pump.

Best Mini Pump: Lezyne - Micro Floor Drive

This well-designed and well-crafted mini pump can hit 80 PSI in under 5 minutes. It’s only 11 inches in length, but its 23-inch hose is the longest of any mini pump.

The Micro Floor Drive has a 90 PSI maximum, and we were able to achieve 80 PSI in 150 pumps, which sounds like a lot, but we inflated a flat tire effortlessly in less than 5 minutes. The pump we tested did not have a pressure gauge, so we used a separate gauge to check the PSI; a model with a gauge is available, but it’s $30 more. If there’s anything we did not like about the Micro Floor Drive is that it’s more expensive than other similar mini pumps, especially if you buy the model with the pressure gauge.

That said, like all Lezyne products, it’s an exceptionally well-made mini pump, and you would be investing in one of the best that’s clearly been designed to last for years.

• The Lezyne – Micro Floor Drive’s ABS flip chuck for both Presta and Schrader valves makes this mini pump the easiest to securely attach to a tire valve.
• It can reach a maximum of 90 PSI effortlessly.
• The model with the pressure gauge is more expensive than other mini pumps.

The Topeak Road Morph G has unique features for a hand-held, mini bike pump including a pressure gauge, flip-down foot stand and a hose-attached valve head. These components clearly distinguish it from other top portable bike pumps.

Most mini bike pumps have a valve connection directly on the end of one side of the tube. The Road Morph, on the other hand, has a small attached hose that spins 360 degrees at the connection point, making it very easy to securely lock onto the tire.

Traditional mini pumps require holding the two ends of the pump in either hand, using forearm muscles to open and collapse the tube upwards of 200 times. The Road Morph allows you to use the leverage of your body weight and gravity, standing over the pump and pushing down on the handle in the same fashion as a floor pump.

Runner-up Mini Pump: Topeak - Road Morph G

A secure and reliable companion for those long biking trips.

While it was nearly impossible to achieve a PSI higher than 30 with many of the mini pumps, the design of the Road Morph makes reaching a PSI higher than 60 relatively easy for most users. This is aided not just by the stand-over design but by the size of the pump itself. At 13.5 inches, it is the largest in the category, making it easier to use but a bit more difficult to transport.

The valve head at the end of the hose features a small pressure gauge, unlike most mini pumps. The ability to get an accurate PSI reading gives the rider confidence that the tire is properly inflated.

The Road Morph’s handle rotates 90 degrees, allowing for an overhand grip that is stronger and more comfortable than being forced into a parallel grip.

The connection valve is not our favorite in the mini pump category, but it is easy enough to get accustomed to after a couple uses. By unscrewing a large plastic washer at the opening, you release a plastic part with a stem designed for the Schrader valve and a rubber ring designed to fit over the Presta valve.

By rearranging the parts, choosing which one faces out and then resealing with the plastic washer, you can accommodate either valve type.

• A flip-down foot stand and longer tube length, combined with the stand-over design, make the Topeak Road Morph G Mini Pump by far the easiest mini bike pump to use.
• While pumping, the user experiences less resistance, allowing for proper inflation above 60 PSI.
• The inclusion of a gauge lets you know exactly when you’ve reached you optimal level of pressure.

Pro Bike Tools – CO2 inflator

The dreaded flat tire can happen anywhere, and you may have forgotten your mini pump, or it can’t fit in your bag or on your bike. A CO2 inflator and a patch kit will get you out of that stressful situation in a jiffy. We tested the Pro Bike Tools – CO2 Inflator , and it could not possibly be easier to reinflate a flat tire.

The Pro Bike Tools inflator is a 2-inch-long gun head with a universal valve that fits Presta and Schrader. A threaded cartridge (sold separately) is screwed into the head, which is then secured onto the tire valve. Once the inflator is in place, a small flow-control lever at the back of the head releases the CO2 into the tire with a whoosh. In our test, the tire was inflated to 75 PSI in 2 seconds, which would be just enough pressure to get us wherever we were going.

When the CO2 is released, the cartridge gets icy cold, and the Pro Bike Tools inflator has a rubber foam sleeve that slides over the cartridge to protect your hand. (The cartridge is recyclable, so take it with you and dispose of it responsibly.)

We tested Pro Bike Tools’ 16g cartridges , which are intended for use with this inflator. If your tires need more pressure, Pro Bike Tools also sells 25g cartridges , but they won’t fit this particular inflator. Even if you already have a mini pump, this nifty little tool should be in every cyclist’s kit.

It is important to note that all of the products we tested will reliably and successfully inflate your bicycle tires. But we investigated and discovered some features that improve the user experience and make durability more likely.

Pro Bike Tool – Mini

The Pro Bike Tool – Mini offers individual valve connections for Schrader and Presta valves, a sliding pressure gauge and a hose that detaches and fits inside the tube, all inside a compact package. Its 6-inch hose has a screw-on connection for either a Presta or Schrader valve. Its pressure gauge is located in the middle of the hose, and when air is added to the tire, it slowly slides open as its rendering the PSI reading.

The Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump was very efficient, reaching 50 PSI in about 150 intervals. But at 150 PSI, the reliance on our arm strength was tiring and reaching pressures levels above 60 PSI required a considerable amount of effort.

If size and convenient transport are your main concerns, the Pro Bike Tool is an excellent choice. At just over six inches long, it can fit in almost any bag or purse and can be mounted to a bike frame even with a water bottle cage on the same bar.

AerGun X-1000

The AerGun X-1000 is a popular and well-priced floor pump that gets the job done. It has an aluminum cylinder and plastic base and handle, which will affect the pump’s long-term durability. The pressure gauge’s markings are small, squished together and difficult to read. The AerGun’s head, however, is a real stand-out. It’s a single, universal valve that fits Presta and Schrader, and it has the Lezyne ABS release button. Performance-wise, it inflated our tire to 80 PSI in 36 pumps, but it gave a lot of resistance at about the 30th pump.

BV Floor pump

The BV Floor Pump looks identical to the AerGun. It also has an aluminum cylinder, plastic base and handle and a difficult-to-read gauge. It does not have the universal valve head, however, but a twin head instead, which alone contributed to our preference for the AerGun. It has the same dimensions as the AerGun, but the BV did not perform as well. It took us 38 pumps to hit 80 PSI, which certainly isn’t bad, but at about the 10th pump, resistance increased dramatically, and it was tiring to pump.

Vibrelli – Performance

The Vibrelli – Performance suffers from heavy use of plastic components that feel cheaper than others. The twin valve head is a bit clunky and prone to slipping off the connection. We like the black face gauge with a yellow needle that is large and easy to read. The handle, too, is well designed, tapered to be easily gripped by any size hand.

Schwinn – 5-in-1

We liked the Schwinn – 5-in-1 for its large gauge, mounted high on the tube itself instead of the base, which was easy to read. We also found the design of the valve head (both openings on the same side) sturdier and more substantial than the twin heads with connection points on opposite sides.

But we were unimpressed with the Schwinn floor pump’s hose length of just 28 inches, nearly half the length of the Lezyne hose. The short hose made it awkward to attach and maintain a secure connection to the tire during pumping.

Vibrelli – Mini

The Vibrelli – Mini has a couple of unique features for a hand-held pump. First, a universal valve eliminates the need for fumbling with the small reversible parts that most mini pump valve systems utilize. It’s a great innovation at lower pressure, but the valve repeatedly slipped or popped off the tire as the pressure increased.

The Vibrelli Mini also advertises a secondary telescope, a smaller tube inside the main tube that allows you to increase the volume of air with each pump, ideal for the early stages of pumping. Then, as the resistance increases, you retract the inner tube and the motion becomes shorter, better adapted to adding higher pressure above 60 PSI.

We really liked the collapsible telescope, and it made reaching higher PSI levels easier. We were frustrated, however, by the small pump and handle, which pinched our hands when we were trying to secure a connection.

EyezOff – GP96

The EyezOff – GP96 Alloy Mini Pump is a good option if all you need is a basic, functional portable pump. At around $11, it’s about half the price of any other finalist in the mini pump category. It gets the job done with no frills, but it is very difficult to reach a PSI of 20, and the valve connection leaks somewhat with the Presta connection.

Serfas – TCPG (Discontinued)

The Serfas – TCPG has a unique universal valve mechanism that connects to both Presta and Schrader valves. While not as secure as the Lezyne’s screw system, the locking lever on the Serfas is definitely a close second, stronger than the other floor models we tested.

The slide of the pump is super smooth, but the size of the Serfas makes the repeated action of pumping uncomfortable for taller users. At 23 inches, it is the smallest floor pump to make our finalists, which also means it took the longest to reach full inflation. Fifty-three pumps are more than 10 pumps over any other product we tested and 16 more than our favorite.

If you own a bike, you need a bike pump. Properly inflated tires not only make your ride through the neighborhood or down a mountain smoother and faster, they’re also critical for riding safely. Bike tires are more vulnerable when they’re under-inflated, and the more you ride, the more air pressure slowly escapes from your tires. Even if you don’t ride often, the air in your tires will seep out while your bike waits for you in the garage.

Having a strong base of knowledge from years of city cycling, we’ve reviewed must-have items for every cyclist, like bike helmets and indoor bike racks . However, we learned in 2020 that our two favorite bike pumps have been discontinued, so we searched for the latest models and tested four. Our new research brought to light that many cyclists prefer a CO2 inflator over a mini pump, so we added the Pro Bike Tool CO2 Inflator to our list of products to test.

Measurements

We first differentiated our finalists with a simple measurement, comparing each pump’s height and hose length. Taller pumps require less bending down and thus reduce strain on the back. Longer hoses simply make it easier to connect the pump to the valve regardless of the tire position.

Not all mini pumps have hoses, but we also noted their lengths and components.

Build quality

While the air pressure increases inside your tire, it also increases inside the components of the pump. To stand up to the stress of years of use, these components must be strong and durable. Steel and aluminum will hold up better than parts made of plastic.

While our testing lasted a couple of weeks and not a couple of decades, we needed to get a pretty quick feel for how well the products will age. The quality of the materials and the construction was evident after having pumped several dozen tires and subjecting our finalists to a bit of common abuse.

Speed and pressure

While inflating a tire is not necessarily a speed sport, if you can do it quicker and with less effort that’s a plus. For our floor pumps, we recorded the number of full pumps it took to achieve 80 PSI.

It becomes increasingly difficult to add air to a tube as the pressure builds when using a mini pump. Therefore, we compared the PSI levels at the moment that the resistance of the pressure halted our ability to continue pumping.

The kickback from the pressure is so great that forcing more air into the tire just becomes impossible. We also compared how many pumps were required to reach those points.

User experience

At the end of the day, the overall ease of operating each pump is really what differentiates one from another. The way the handle fits and feels in your hand; the intuitiveness and security of the valve connection; the smooth glide of the pumping motion; the level of resistance you must work against as you force air into the tire — all these factors define what it’s like to use each pump.

While styles vary slightly, floor pumps all work the same way. With the base on the floor, the rider uses gravity and leverage to push air into the tire while standing over the pump and pressing down on the handle. As the tire inflates, resistance builds, and it becomes more difficult to add air to your desired pressure. But the leverage from standing up and using your body weight to push down makes it relatively easy to achieve full inflation.

Handheld mini pumps can be brought along on rides to help you mend tires that may lose air or fill a new tube when one is punctured. Most measure about an inch in diameter and a foot long and easily fit inside a bag or mounted onto the bike’s frame.

It’s difficult to achieve full tire inflation with a mini pump as the pressure increases. Without having the benefit of using your body weight, filling a tube with a mini pump can be a pretty intense workout for the forearms. In fact, many riders will find it nearly impossible to reach the optimal PSI level with a hand pump alone.

Schrader valves vs. Presta valves

The two most common bike tire valves are Schrader and Presta.

The Schrader valve resembles a car-tire valve and is found mostly in older bikes. It has a wide stem wrapped with rubber where it attaches to the tube. A small pin in the middle of the opening acts as a check valve; when it’s depressed, air is able to flow both in and out. A pump fitted with a Schrader attachment will push the pin down when attached correctly.

The Presta valve is the new standard in the cycling world, as it tends to hold air longer and more consistently than a Schrader valve. Its stem is longer and thinner and taper almost to a point at the connection tip. At the tip, a small nut — when unthreaded — lets air enter the tire. Unlike the Schraeder, the pressure of the tube itself seals the air inside, negating the need for a check valve.

All of the pumps on our list can accommodate both Schrader and Presta valves, albeit in different ways. The floor pumps offer two separate insertion points, which are relatively easy to identify and use. The tire then locks onto the pump by pulling a lever or screwing onto a nut.

The mini pumps can be a bit trickier. Some require you to rearrange a couple of rubber and plastic components inside the connection point. For example, a small internal stem will protrude enough to access a Schrader valve. For the Presta, you have to turn that piece around and face the thinner side of the rubber washer outward so it securely fits onto the valve.

Once you’ve determined what kind of valve you have, you need to know what the optimal pounds per square inch (PSI) is for your particular tire. As a general rule of thumb, the thinner the tire the more pressure is required to get the perfect fill.

Road tires, for example, usually perform best when pumped to between 80 and 120 PSI. Hybrid and city bike tires need 50 to 70 PSI, and mountain bike tires should have about 30 to 50 PSI. Less pressure in mountain bike tires is what allows them to conform to different-sized rocks along a trail.

Most tires will have an optimal PSI imprinted somewhere on the tire itself. If not, look up your tire specifications online or ask at your local bike shop.

The gauge displays the PSI, which measures the pressure inside your tire as you pump. All floor pumps should have a gauge mounted on or near the base. This gauge should be easy to read and the needle should move steadily and hold its position without wavering.

The look and feel of the pump are also important — not just in terms of aesthetics but for durability as well. A good bike pump should last for many years. The design and materials used to manufacture these products will impact their longevity.

If you’re a regular road-bike rider, no doubt you use a floor pump weekly, and an extra hand pump mounted to the bike frame will be a permanent fixture.

It is less common for hand-held mini pumps to have gauges. Because these pumps are designed for travel, with a small size and low weight, most do not include a way to measure your PSI. There are some with cleverly crafted and unique gauge systems, but most will require the old method of manually feeling the pressure of the tire until you’re satisfied it is firm enough to ride.

Proper bike tire inflation is the best way to ensure a smooth, fast ride and avoid flats. If you own a bicycle, a good bike pump is a necessary investment.

For this 2020 update of our prior review, we’ve selected a new winner as the best floor pump: the Topeak – Joe Blow Sport III . It’s made of aluminum and steel with a padded polymer handle, and it was the fastest to inflate a tire to 80 PSI with a smooth, gliding action that offered virtually no resistance.

Our runner-up floor pump is the Lezyne – Steel Floor Drive . Its extra-long 48-inch hose and unique screw-on valve mechanism make connecting the pump to the tube incredibly easy and secure. The pump’s black polished finish and wooden handle look sharp and feel great.

If you ride often and want to add air to low tires and perform tire changes while out cycling, a mini bike pump is also a wise accessory. For this 2020 update, we chose a new best mini pump, the Lezyne – Micro Floor Drive , which has the same the ABS flip chuck as the floor pump model. This well-designed and beautifully crafted mini pump can hit 80 PSI in less than five minutes.

Our runner-up mini pump, the Topeak – Road Morph G , sports a flip-down foot pedal and attached hose that allow it to function more like a small floor pump than a traditional hand-held travel pump.

Best Bike Pump: Topeak - Joe Blow Sport III

This sturdy and durable floor pump easily and securely fits Presta and Schrader valves and was the fastest of the pumps we tested to fully inflate a tire.

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Gene Gerrard , Writer

Gene has written about a wide variety of topics for too many years to count. He's been a professional chef, cooking-appliance demonstrator, playwright, director, editor of accountancy and bank-rating books, Houdini expert and dog lover (still is). When he's not writing for Your Best Digs, he's performing as a magician at the Magic Castle in Hollywood.

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Best track pumps 2023 — the easiest way to put some air in your tyres

First Published May 15, 2021

A track pump, also called a floor pump, is designed to inflate your tyres quickly and easily. A small, lightweight pump is great for carrying when you ride, but a track pump is the best tool for the job when you're at home. We've inflated hundreds of tyres over the years to find out which track pumps do the job best. These are the best track pumps you can buy.

This article contains links to retailers. Purchases made after clicking on those links may help support road.cc by earning us a commission. Find out more about road.cc buyer's guides .

• The 10 best track pumps in 2022

Everything you need to know about track pumps

• Best overall: Topeak Joe Blow Sport III — Buy Now for £33.74 from Amazon | Find out more
• Best for multiple tyre sizes: Topeak JoeBlow Tubi 2Stage — Buy Now for ~£93 from Bike-Discount | Find out more
• Best for workshop football: SKS Rennkommpressor — Buy Now for £49.50 from Merlin Cycles | Find out more
• Best on a budget: Lifeline Essential — Buy Now for £9.99 from Wiggle | Find out more
• Best standalone for tubeless: Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator — Buy Now for £49.99 from Merlin Cycles | Find out more
• Best all-in-one for tubeless: Topeak Joe Blow Booster — Buy Now for £133.00 from Tweeks Cycles | Find out more
• Best portable: Cannondale Airport Carry On — Buy Now for £44.99 from Triton Cycles | Find out more
• Best "Ooh, shiny!": Birzman Maha Push and Twist II — Buy Now for £72.08 from Amazon | Find out more
• Best money-no-object: Silca Superpista Digital — Buy Now for £290 from Chain Reaction Cycles | Find out more
• Almost as good as Joe Blow Sport, but slightly cheaper: Zefal Profil Max FP60 — Buy Now for £29.99 from Merlin Cycles | Find out more

A track pump makes it easy to keep your tyres at the right pressure, keeping them performing at their best. They start at just £10, so there's no need to struggle with a hand pump every time your tyres need topping up.

Pay attention, Bond: it's easy to over-inflate a tyre by using a track pump absent-mindedly so keep an eye on the gauge.

Smaller riders should go for narrow-barrel floor pumps to get the right pressure; we've seen diminutive riders lift themselves off the floor with some fatter pump.

Looking for a portable pump? Check out our guide to frame pumps and CO2 inflators and six of the best mini-pumps.

The 10 best track pumps you can buy in 2022

Best overall: topeak joe blow sport iii — buy now for £33.74 from amazon.

Great performance and build quality from a home workshop favourite. The construction is all-steel, with the pressed base bolted to the barrel. The Sport uses Topeak's TwinHead adapter, with Presta and Schrader valves sitting opposite each other and sharing a locking lever. It's a simple design that's simple to use. Both sides of the head accepted all the valves we tried with no leaks.

Read our review of the Topeak Joe Blow Sport III Find a Topeak dealer

Best for multiple tyre sizes: Topeak JoeBlow Tubi 2Stage — Buy Now for ~£93 from Bike-Discount

If your fleet includes lots of different tyres sizes and tubeless systems too, this is the track pump you want. The Topeak JoeBlow Tubi 2Stage features the new TubiHead valve coupler, and it's a revelation for anyone using tubeless tyres. The two-stage chambers save time and effort when inflating tyres too.

With track pumps there's usually a compromise to be made; get something capable of getting the skinny rubber up to 160psi, and have it take forever on big tyres, or choose one that pumps large amounts of air per stroke – but struggles to reach high pressures. Topeak has overcome the whole volume vs pressure issue here by using two barrels, and adding a switch at the top of the pump.

If you're running tubeless, the TubiHead can remove valve cores while keeping air in the tyre . This is a revelation for tubeless tyre users. Removing the valve allows you to get far more air into the tyre, more quickly, and keeping the pressure up while you replace the core means the tyre stays seated. Genius!

Read the full review of the Topeak JoeBlow Tubi 2Stage floor pump Find a Topeak dealer

Best for workshop football: SKS Rennkommpressor — Buy Now for £49.50 from Merlin Cycles

The classic pro workshop pump has its deficiencies — the gauge is relatively small and being at the bottom of the shaft is awkward to read — but it's tough as old boots, which explains its enduring popularity. The base is made from cast metal, the shaft is a hefty steel tube and the comfy handle is nicely turned from wood. The construction quality makes it highly resistant to the kind of everyday knocks and bumps that a floor pump has to endure in a pro workshop.

It's available with a selection of heads from a fits-everything 'smart' head to a simple push-on Presta-only attachment.

Find an SKS dealer

Best on a budget: Lifeline Essential — Buy Now for £9.99 from Wiggle

For just a tenner, this inexpensive pump from Wiggle's own-brand Lifeline is a major bargain. It has a dual-valve head that fits both presta and Schrader valves, and the gauge is at the top of the barrel so it's easy to read.

Best standalone for tubeless: Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator — Buy Now for £49.99 from Merlin Cycles

The Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator is a workshop-quality tubeless air tank with well-thought-out features and excellent performance. It should last you a lifetime of tubeless setup, road or mountain.

Read our review of the Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator Find a Beto dealer

Best all-in-one for tubeless: Topeak Joe Blow Booster — Buy Now for £133.00 from Tweeks Cycles

Topeak's Joe Blow Booster is an easy to use, all in one solution for anyone that wants to seat tricky tubeless tyres or just inflate them, using a high-pressure reservoir to provide enough of a blast of air to get even the most stubborn rubber seated. It's expensive but it's the best all-in-one unit we've used, by some way.

If you regularly inflate tubeless tyres and need a quality track pump anyway, it makes a lot of sense to plump for this. Even if you've already got a decent track pump, the ease of use makes it highly tempting too.

Read our review of the Topeak Joe Blow Booster Find a Topeak dealer

Best portable: Cannondale Airport Carry On — Buy Now for £44.99 from Triton Cycles

Most cyclists have a couple of pumps: a mini pump for road-side rescue and a track pump for home inflation. The cycling industry is nothing if not adept at creating niches, however, and the travelling track pump might be just such a niche - for when you're on a biking holiday or just need to cram a lot of stuff in a small car for an event. Cannondale's Airport Carry On floor pump is just such a pump, with a capacity equal to many a full-sized track pump and a clever folding design to make it more packable.

Read our review of the Cannondale Airport Carry On Find a Cannondale dealer

Best "Ooh, shiny!" Birzman Maha Push and Twist II — Buy Now for £72.08 from Amazon

Birzman's Maha Push and Twist II Floor pump is a really high quality unit, and the new head is simple to use and effective for both Presta and Schrader valves. It's expensive, but a very nice thing and definitely worth a look if you're after a good-looking pump with performance to match.

Read our review of the Birzman Maha Push and Twist II Find a Birzman dealer

Best money-no-object: Silca Superpista Digital — Buy Now for £290 from Chain Reaction Cycles

Silca makes super-high-quality tools and accessories, with the associated high prices. The Superpista Digital Floor Pump is the most expensive track pump we've ever tested (and probably the second most expensive track pump ever made), but it is extremely nice to use, with a solid build quality. It's highly accurate and it offers a few neat tricks up its barrel.

Still not prestigious enough for you? Check out the Silca SuperPista Ultimate Hiro Edition for a mere £430 .

Read our review of the Silca Superpista Digital Find a Silca dealer

Zefal Profil Max FP60 — Buy Now for £29.99 from Merlin Cycles

Zefal's Profil Max FP60 is a decent floor pump and doesn't cost the earth. It's pretty well-made and is a pleasure to use. It looks like it'll go the distance and if the head wears out then replacement is available. The long hose, Z-switch head, big dial and smooth pumping action make it a pleasure to use, and it gets tyres to 120psi with ease.

Read our review of the Zefal Profil Max FP60 Find a Zefal dealer

It doesn’t need to be especially portable so, unlike most things in cycling, the weight of a track pump isn’t an issue. Instead, you want something that’s solidly built so it’ll last you years.

What features should you look for in a track pump?

The base needs to be stable so wide is good. You usually put a foot on either side of the base to hold the pump steady. If you’re likely to use your pump on polished floors inside your house or flat, check for non-slip rubber contact points that won’t cause scratches.

One of the advantages of a track pump is that you get a gauge that allows you to inflate your tyres to the correct pressure (some hand-held pumps have gauges but most don’t). Some are digital but most are dials.

The ability to set a marker to show your target pressure is handy. Some people prefer a gauge positioned at the top of the barrel rather than at the bottom for easier reading. A gauge at the top can be damaged if the pump gets knocked over so needs to be well protected. The important thing is that you can see it clearly, wherever it is.

The barrel – the main body of the pump – can be made of various different materials. Because weight isn’t usually an issue, strong steel and aluminium are good options. The larger the barrel, the more air you can pump into your inner tubes with every stroke.

As well as getting your tyres pumped up more quickly, a large barrel will allow you to seat tyre beads in tubeless tyre systems, but beware if you're a very small rider: you might struggle to get higher pressures into your tyres with an oversized barrel.

Valve head/chuck

Most track pumps are suitable for both Presta (road type) and Schrader (car type) valves. Some have a dual head with different holes for different valves, some have a single hole that works with both, some have a chuck that you turn around according to the valve type. Sometimes you have to unscrew a cap and flip over a bung to swap between valves. That’s not a problem if you use the same type of valve all the time but it’s a bit of a pain if you use both.

If anything is going to fail on your track pump over time, it’s likely to be the valve head, so it’s a good idea to check that you can buy spares separately to save you buying a whole new pump.

Bleed valve

A bleed valve is a handy feature if you want to be very precise with the air pressure in your inner tubes. It allows you to let a little air out without removing the valve head from the valve.

The piston is the rod underneath the handle that forces air out of the barrel and into your tyres. Some pistons can be flexy meaning that you have to pump carefully to avoid destroying the whole pump. Go for something as sturdy as possible.

Handles come in a variety of different materials. Choose a handle that’s comfortable to use and, again, go for something sturdy that’ll stand the test of time.

A long hose – one that stretches the full length of the barrel and back again – can make life slightly easier although it’s unlikely to be a deal breaker.

Tubeless air tank

The growing popularity of tubeless tyres has led to a new pump category, with an extra chamber that provides a big burst of air to get a tubeless tyre seated. You pressurise the tank, and then release all the air into the tyre in one hit, blowing the tyre bead up on to the rim seat.

Weight and portability

The weight of your track pump probably isn’t much of an issue for you because it’s likely to live most, if not all, its life in your house or garage. You might want something relatively small and lightweight if you’re likely to take it with you when you travel to events/races, particularly if you’re flying.

Check that the pump is capable of getting your tyres up to the pressure you need. The chances are that it will be, but bear in mind that some tubulars require very high pressures and some manufacturers exaggerate their pumps’ capabilities.

It used to be that track pumps were purely functional (or ‘boring’, depending on your point of view). Now you can get ones with polished steel or anodised aluminium barrels, wooden handles, and so on. They actually look cool.

Why pay more?

Pretty much every track pump out there will get enough air into your tyres relatively easily, so why not just buy the cheapest you can find and be done with it?

Well, pay extra and you're likely to get something made from better quality materials so it'll probably be more robust and last longer. If you only cycle rarely, that might not be much of an issue, but if you're a year-round cyclist, perhaps with several bikes to keep on the road, a better pump is more of an asset.

Plus, paying for a decent pump with a good head that locks firmly in place on the valve without leaking or working loose is definitely worth having. It makes life that little bit easier.

If you want a pump that's shiny and/or anodized with a wooden handle and a cool-looking gauge, it'll cost you more than a basic plastic pump, but you might not be interested in how the pump looks, especially if it's going to spend its whole life in the shed or garage.

Explore the complete archive of reviews of pumps and on road.cc

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John has been writing about bikes and cycling for over 30 years since discovering that people were mug enough to pay him for it rather than expecting him to do an honest day's work.

He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history.

Since then he has worked on MTB Pro magazine and was editor of Maximum Mountain Bike and Australian Mountain Bike magazines, before switching to the web in 2000 to work for CyclingNews.com. Along with road.cc founder Tony Farrelly, John was on the launch team for BikeRadar.com and subsequently became editor in chief of Future Publishing’s group of cycling magazines and websites, including Cycling Plus, MBUK, What Mountain Bike and Procycling.

John has also written for Cyclist magazine, edited the BikeMagic website and was founding editor of TotalWomensCycling.com before handing over to someone far more representative of the site's main audience.

He joined road.cc in 2013. He lives in Cambridge where the lack of hills is more than made up for by the headwinds.

Add new comment

39 comments.

I don't understand the love for the Joe Blow. I had one for a couple of years (before it gave up the ghost) and found it to be unstable and just not that nice to use.

It was replaced with a Lezyne which is much better.

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srchar wrote: I don't understand the love for the Joe Blow. I had one for a couple of years (before it gave up the ghost) and found it to be unstable and just not that nice to use. It was replaced with a Lezyne which is much better.

Have had mine for must be getting on for 20 years. The only issue is that if the pipe dresses to teh right it leaks slightly, (and the moral is?)

But overall it works like new, in spite of being left out in teh rain once and filling with water

The gauge on the Aldi is inaccurate but consistent so I know if I pump up to 100 psi on it then when I check it with my digital gauge then I'll need to let 2 or 3 psi out to reach my favoured 80psi.

One of the things that strikes me about user reviews is that very few people comment on how heavy handed or rough they are on stuff. I know some people who'll unintentionally destroy the same tools I've been using for years.

Because I once forgot to take my Lezyne floor pump on holiday, I've been running that and a Zefal for about a decade.  They're used daily and both still work, but I've always been irritated by the on-off the valve experience with both (one screw-on, the other has a lever) which has always been fiddly and lead to leakage.

In short I'm happy with neither and haven't been for a long time; wouldn't recommend either, but refuse to chuck them out whilst they're still servicable.... Staring accusingly at the Zefal now as I prepare for my morning ride!

If you want a pump that is super stable while in use, I can recommend the Beto tripod track pump.  I've had one for around 5 years now and it's still pretty much perfect.

On the 'breaking the valve seal' thing, I always give the valve a blip with my finger to release a bit of pressure prior to putting the pump valve head on.

yup, plus one for the decathlon which once again typifies the profligatory capricous nature of most cyclists.  

We've used a B'twin 900 track pump for 5 years solid in the workshop....day in and day out... it does the job , never fails.... best £20 we ever spent.... our one is black coloured but yellow which they have now would be nice.... here's to more years of solid service...

My Beto Tank Inflator failed after 14 months.  Just out of the warranty period — Great (!) 

I've replaced it with a Stanley compressor.  Couldn't be happier.

I constantly see articles about track pumps but when is someone going to do a test on the accuracy of the actual gauges. Most track pumps sold use cheap Chinese made gauges that are up to 20% out of tolerance. It seems totally pointless making an article like this without providing an accuracy figure!!!

Biggus-Dickkus wrote: I constantly see articles about track pumps but when is someone going to do a test on the accuracy of the actual gauges. Most track pumps sold use cheap Chinese made gauges that are up to 20% out of tolerance. It seems totally pointless making an article like this without providing an accuracy figure!!!

I don't think accuracy is an issue for any pump brands. Gauges are sourced from the same suppliers who make gauges for diving gears etc...

Simiarly, we don't need to worry about the accuracy of the speedometer when buying a new car. 

I bought a Birzman a few months ago and love it. Does the job well and looks great.

The push and twist mechanism is flawed and should be avoided. Works well for about 12 months and then the *very tiny* parts inside the head unit wear out and it becomes unusable. Just had my 2nd warranty head fail, back onto the joeblow 

I recently bought a new Blackburn pump. I love the huge dial but the head was utter rubbish. I replaced it with a Hirame head from Track Supermarket in Japan and it's bloomin' awesome!

I searched around for pumps and bought a  Silca Super Pista Pump  in Yellow. All the parts can be replaced and I have owned it for a few years now. The only delay is it is a screw on head. This takes a few seconds to wind on but is fine for me. Great pump, once you have your model of choice great if you can look after it and maintain it, replace parts if needed.

Lezyne Steel Floor Drive for me. It uses the flip head chuck mentioned in the article and has an analogue gauge. I've been thoroughly impressed by it over the last 8 years or so of faultless inflation.

Zefal Husky — mine is 20+ years old and still going.

My Joe Blow Deluxe is almmost 20 years old.  On to the second smarthead valve, and an occasional strip, clean and squirt with WD40.

I want to change my tyres to the tubless ones on my CX bike, but I don't have any experience with tubless tyres.

Is it requires a special pump like the last one in the list? Or it is possible to inflate my tyres with the JoeBlow (or something similar)?

Alexx_B wrote: Hi! I want to change my tyres to the tubless ones on my CX bike, but I don't have any experience with tubless tyres. Is it requires a special pump like the last one in the list? Or it is possible to inflate my tyres with the JoeBlow (or something similar)?

I think a lot of people use a co2 cannister if they don't have a suitable pump. That's just to get it on and make the 'pop'. You can use a normal pump after that

StoopidUserName wrote: Alexx_B wrote: Hi! I want to change my tyres to the tubless ones on my CX bike, but I don't have any experience with tubless tyres. Is it requires a special pump like the last one in the list? Or it is possible to inflate my tyres with the JoeBlow (or something similar)?

You can, but some sealant reacts with CO2.

Have had a Topeak Joe Blow Sprint for the better part of 15 years and it's been brilliant.

The only time it stopped working was due to a worn O-ring in the barrel - easily replaced and worked perfectly again.

SkS Rennkompressor, in my case with a Hirame head. As used by pro mechanics (for decades). You  can't go wrong - it doesn't!

justDave wrote: SkS Rennkompressor, in my case with a Hirame head. As used by pro mechanics (for decades). You  can't go wrong - it doesn't!

I bought one of these to replace my previous trackpump, which only lasted 17 years. This one should see me out. Whoever finds my rotting corpse can keep the pump as an, ahem, 'air loom'.

Quoted for truth 

As tyre pressure is supposedly so important why have I never seen a pump review that measures accuracy??

Road.cc you're missing a trick here...

StoopidUserName wrote: As tyre pressure is supposedly so important why have I never seen a pump review that measures accuracy?? Road.cc you're missing a trick here...

Exactly what I was going to say. Pump accuracy varies hugely across manufacturers. To do this review properly, you should have had a sample of say five of each pump and tested the pressure with a calibrated guage in-line to check the accuracy. If you're not going to do it properly, why bother? Have a look at DC Rainmaker tech reviews and take a leaf out of his book for thoroughness, it can only serve you well.

Since not one single brand makes or design their gauges, they are sourced from a pool of gauge makers and its basic function is to be accurate. 

Another satisfied Topeak Joe Blow Sport II owner here. I must of bought it at least 5 years ago and it still works as if I bought it just yesterday.

After 3 track pumps that (1) worked briefly, then wouldn't hold the stem, (2) could never clasp a valve extender and (3) just broke, mine's a Spesh Airtool 252HP

https://bikemagic.com/accessories/specialized-air-tool-hp-floor-pump.html

The trick was to ask the LBS mechanics what they used, and buy that.

In my experience, a solid, reliable gimmick-free valve fitting is key ...

Thanks guys, the idea of having to overcome the existing pressure in the tyre is obvious but it's weird I have to pump until it's gone way past the 160psi point to the end stop before popping the valve. I may spray a touch of silicone spray into the cores to lube them and prevent sticking.

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How to travel by bicycle in Russia: ideas and suggestions

• April 15, 2021
• Last updated: April 19, 2021
• Adventure , Destinations , Outdoor , Russia

Home » Travel Blog » How to travel by bicycle in Russia: ideas and suggestions

Day trips in Russia

Newcomers can test their “strength” on a one-day trip – the roads should not be complicated and the distances should not be too long. For first-time riders, study the route carefully, taking into account not only the length of the road, but also the conditions: there should be no long climbs and no high mountain passes. The flatter the road, the better. Do not ride close to crowded and busy large traffic lanes, even if conditions permit.  Also, make sure carry your Russian invitation letter with your visa . 

Route: Levutov – Pavlovsky town

Distance: 65 km

From Reutov (metro station “Novokosino”) outside Moscow, via Saltykovsk, Zheleznodorozhny, Fedurnovo, then turn to Biserovo, to Staraya Kupavna, then to Elektrostal via Ivashevo, and finally to Pavlovsky Posad via Subbotino, the intercity electric train This is a good route for newcomers to the town of Pavlovsky Posad (Vokhna or Pavlovsky Posad station).

This route is good for beginners: the terrain remains almost unchanged throughout the route. It’s mainly asphalt, but it’s quiet, with a rural landscape and few cars. Also, there are many intercity train stations along the way – if you get tired, you can take the train back to Moscow.

For the uninitiated, there are plenty of suitable roads around Moscow. The entire Moscow region is dotted with railway lines, so it is not necessary to make a circular route. You can take an intercity train to one station and back from another. There are many convenient route options around most Russian cities. You can make your own route, or take the advice of experienced travelers and use an already prepared route map.

Two-day trips in Russia

If you can travel 60-70 km per day, it’s no problem and you’ll be able to ride for two days. First of all, you need to solve your overnight problem: will you stay in a hotel, borrow a private house or pitch your own tent? Be sure to take the weather into account and take extra things that will keep you warm or heated.

When choosing your route, add some “hills” on the way, but not too steep.

Keep an eye on your bike. Ideally, it should be carefully checked and tested two days before departure; if you don’t know much about bike parts, you should have a full “car check” at a good mechanic’s shop to remove all faults in time.

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Route: ride along Nizhny Novgorod and rest on the Volga

Distance: 140 km

This is a self-guided route with picturesque Volga forests, where you will have to pitch a tent on the road overnight. You don’t have to think about the schedule of electric trains or buses, even if you are delayed on the way, don’t worry.

From Nizhny Novgorod, you will pass through the town of Bor (you can cross the Volga by cable car). Next, head to Ivanovskoye. On the way, note the unique, interlocking bi-level railroad: it is no longer in use, but the original structure is still there. Then go in the direction of Yurasovo, where you will turn to Maloye Utkino, then to Beryozovka, to Vypolzovo, then to the Volga River, to Apraksino, passing through the hill fortress with its ancient earthen embankment. Hillfort, which retains its ancient earthen berm.

After that, follow Orlovo, Belkino, Yamnovo, Zavrazhnoye, Selishi. After passing through Zhukovka, you can go straight through the forest to the bank of the Volga River and find a place to pitch your tent.

The next day, go in the direction of Pumra, then through Vagankovo, Orekhovo, Markovo, turn left at Matveyevka, go to Vatoma, then through Put’kovo and back to the banks of the Volga, then to the town of Pol, and then to Nizhny Novgorod.

There are many suitable two-day rides in the Volga Valley, around the Voronezh region, around the cities along the Golden Ring and in the Crimean steppe.

Multi-day rides in Russia

Riding for several days in a row is a very serious matter and you need to be physically prepared. For the first time, choose a route that is not too difficult and not extreme, because riding a few days in a row is not at all the same as riding 100 km in a week. Please estimate that it is more comfortable to travel 70-80 km per day on the plains and with much less hills.

Check to see if there are any settlements along the way – it depends on whether you’ll be carrying a lot of food, or if you can buy all your food along the way. But whenever and wherever you go, make sure you have drinking water on you. Please do not forget to constantly replenish your supplies and have an emergency reserve – about 1.5 liters of water per person. 

Route: “Crimean coast: from Kerch to Alushta”

Distance: 270 km , 5-7 days

We have intentionally divided the trip on this route into several days, as it depends a lot on your fitness and desire to visit the sights – which will be seen on the way, and quite a lot of them. There will be some mountain passes – if you feel tired as you pass them, it is always possible to set up camp early and prepare for an overnight stay. Almost the entire road runs along the coastline. If you don’t want to pitch a tent, you can easily find a place to spend the night in the resort.

Get off the ferry to Kerch and head directly to the Feodossia steppe. Pass through the town of Ordzhonikidze and head to Koktebel. Be prepared for a long and tiring uphill climb. If you don’t want to tire yourself out that much, then sacrifice some of the scenic views and take a different route – along the Simferopol highway.

From Koktebeli there is a difficult mountain road leading to Sudak. The strongest will can cycle to the town of “Novyi Svit” in one day, while the rest of the people should go to the village of Morske and then to Alushta via Rybache and Malorichens’ke. From Alushta, you can take a bicycle and a trolleybus to Simferopol, from where you can return by plane or return to Kerch by bus or taxi.

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• Published: April 15, 2021

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USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

One of the best and greenest ways to experience the beauty of the world is by bike. Just start pedaling and the journey becomes as important as the destination. These top companies have been nominated by an expert panel for their fantastic guided and self-guided tours that take you around the globe on two wheels.  Which bike tour company would you most like to tour with? Vote for your favorite once per day until polls close on Monday, May 27 at noon ET. The 10 winning tour companies will be announced on Wednesday, June 5. Read the official  Readers' Choice rules . 

One of the best and greenest ways to experience the beauty of the world is by bike. Just start pedaling and the journey becomes as important as the destination. These top companies have been nominated by an expert panel...   Read More

Best Bike Tour Nominees

Photo courtesy of Adventure Cycling, photo from Bruce Malarky

Adventure Cycling

A dedicated advocate for all forms of biking, Adventure Cycling has compiled more than 50,000 miles of bike routes across North America since their inception in 1973. While seasoned cyclists are welcome to peruse their interactive map as they plan their next journey, the company also offers a wealth of guided tours, with regions ranging from the Florida Keys to the Pacific Northwest.

Photo courtesy of Backroads

Backroads believes in the transformative power of going at your own pace, which is why the company offers bike tours for every type of rider. Guests ride custom-built titanium bikes on itineraries in some 55 countries. In the United States, tours include everything from Death Valley or Saguaro National Park to Martha’s Vineyard or the Hudson Valley.

Photo courtesy of Bicycle Adventures

Bicycle Adventures

Bicycle Adventures’ motto is "stay curious, eat well, and pedal happy." With more than 35 years of experience in the industry, that’s just what many a guest does, whether biking the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway in Wyoming or riding through Oregon’s Columbia Gorge. Itineraries cover 11 states, along with around a dozen countries.

Photo courtesy of BikeHike Adventures

BikeHike Adventures

With curated tours across five continents, BikeHike Adventures showcases the diverse landscapes and cultures across the globe from the comfort of a bicycle. While strictly-cycling excursions can be booked across destinations like Colombia, Ireland, and Morocco, ambitious adventurers can also sign up for a multi-sport itinerary for some added hiking and kayaking.

Photo courtesy of Kruck20 // Getty Images

BikeTours.com

BikeTours.com specializes in organizing biking tour experiences in over 30 European countries. They offer both guided and self-guided tours geared towards all experience levels from leisure riders to biking enthusiasts. Riders can also enjoy family-oriented tours and a combination of biking/boating adventures.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Laughlin

Bubba's Pampered Pedalers

Bubba's Pampered Pedalers offers the ultimate bicycling vacation options. Whether taking a weeklong or cross-country tour, or simply overnighting at a hotel or bed-and-breakfast, you'll experience some of the best scenery from D.C. to Colorado or the sunny coasts of Florida. 

Photo courtesy of Carolina Tailwinds

Carolina Tailwinds

Carolina Tailwinds offers multiday, inn-to-inn bicycle tours to destinations largely around the eastern United States, with all bicycle vacations providing a nice balance between physical activity and relaxation. From flat and easy to hilly and challenging, there are bike routes to choose from for all levels of riders. Guests stay at boutique hotels and country inns, with breakfasts and most lunches and dinners included.

Photo courtesy of Ciclismo Classico

Ciclismo Classico

Ciclismo Classico is a woman-founded bike tour company that specializes in educational trips to European countries and the Northeast United States. Cyclists are fully immersed in the local art, language, music, and delicious cuisine of each unique area, aiming to meet the company's goal of providing an adventure their guests will never forget.

Photo courtesy of DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. / Gwen Kidera

DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.

DuVine's mission is "for every traveler to experience the world by bike." These luxury bike tours focus heavily on food and wine, and itineraries often include family-run restaurants and boutique accommodations. You’ll find tours around the globe, including domestic options in California, the Hudson Valley, Maine, and Vermont, among others.

Photo courtesy of Exodus Adventure Travels

Exodus Adventure Travels

Founded 50 years ago, Exodus Adventure Travels offers small group and self-guided cycling trips to over 100 countries. Cycling tours include leisurely exploration in places like Portugal and the Baltics, as well as more challenging routes in places like Sicily, Panama, and Sri Lanka.   

Photo courtesy of ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours

ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours

ExperiencePlus! is one of the oldest and most well-respected bike touring companies based in the United States. For more than a half-century, adventurous cyclists and active travelers have joined their guided bike tours and followed along some of the most delightful roads in the world. ExperiencePlus! provides both novice and seasoned cyclists alike with local tour leaders, thoughtful routes, and plenty of cultural immersion.

Photo courtesy of Daniele Mazierli / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Great Explorations

Built around being environmentally conscious, Great Explorations believes in leaving the environment around the biking trips the way it was found. As a boutique travel company with tours taking place across multiple continents, they create one-of-a-kind experiences that include charming hotels and unique dining experiences with cycling days that range between 25-40 miles.

Photo courtesy of Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel

Launched in 1989, Intrepid Travel offers more than 1,000 voyages across the globe — and cycling tours are no exception. In addition to classic biking destinations like Provence and Tuscany, the company has mastered the art of shining a spotlight on underrated regions, operating bike excursions to Sri Lanka, Slovenia, Tanzania, and a wealth of other countries.

Photo courtesy of REI Co-op / REI Adventures

REI is a household name for adventure seekers and outdoorsy tourists alike. Cycling enthusiasts will want to check out their biking adventures around some of the nation's best national parks, which range from three to six days in duration.

Photo courtesy of Summer Feet Cycling

Summer Feet Cycling

Summer Feet Cycling was founded more than two decades ago, offering bicycle tours of Maine. Today, the company continues to introduce visitors to the Pine Tree State, with additional tour offerings in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Europe.

Photo courtesy of Barbara Hoyt

Timberline Adventures

Timberline Adventures provides guided and self-guided cycling tours throughout the United States and Canada. All guided adventures include lodging, support from a sag wagon, and most meals. Destinations include Death Valley National Park, the Northwest Passage, Aspen, and more.

Photo courtesy of U. J. Alexander / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Trek Travel

Trek Travel leads all kinds of adventure tours to all corners of the globe, but the company got its start in bicycling trips. From North America to Europe, and South America to the Asia-Pacific region, see the world with personalized care and fantastic guides for your type of cycling style. 

Photo courtesy of VBT Bicycling Vacations

VBT Bicycling Vacations

Guests traveling with VBT can choose their trip by activity level: easy, easy/moderate, moderate, or moderate/challenging. Guided and self-guided itineraries explore destinations around the globe, including the Vermont countryside, South Carolina Lowcountry, and the Sonoran Desert of Arizona.

Photo courtesy of Wilderness Voyageurs

Wilderness Voyageurs

From the arid depths of New Mexico to the lush forests of the Olympic Peninsula, Wilderness Voyageurs provides guests with an opportunity to traverse some of the most gorgeous bike paths across the lower 48. While road, gravel, and mountain bike tours are all available, the company's inn-to-inn rail trail tours offer a more relaxing perspective on the sport, combining outdoor adventure with cozy accommodations throughout the trip.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Brandon withrow.

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in...   Read More

Brandon Withrow is a travel journalist based in Northwest Ohio, covering ecotourism, wildlife, outdoor adventures, and eco-friendly stays, as well as the secrets of underrated cities. He appears in The Daily Beast, BBC Travel, Canadian Geographic, Business Insider, The Hill, and Sierra Magazine. You can find him at  www.brandonwithrow.com ,  @bwithrow  on Twitter, and  @bgwithrow  on Instagram.

Chelle Koster Walton

Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for...   Read More

Chelle Koster Walton — the Local Expert for Naples, Florida and the Caribbean — has been covering the destination for 30 years. Her top-selling  Sarasota, Sanibel Island, and Naples  guidebook (Countryman Press) is in its sixth edition. She was contributing editor for  Caribbean Travel & Life  for 12 years and has written guidebooks on the Bahamas. A veteran travel writer, Chelle has published thousands of articles for  Miami Herald, USA TODAY, Latitudes;  has written/contributed to a dozen guidebooks, and produces travel shows for the local PBS station.

Chez Chesak

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor...   Read More

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com .  

Dave Stamboulis

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer...   Read More

Dave Stamboulis is a travel writer/photographer based in Bangkok. Born in Athens, Greece and growing up in the U.S., Dave first discovered Bangkok while on a 45,000-kilometer bicycle trip and moved there for good in 2005. Dave's photos appear in publications around the world. He's the author of Odysseus' Last Stand , which received the Silver Medal for Travel Book of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers. In addition to updating the Fodor's Guidebook to Thailand, he is the author of 500 Hidden Secrets to Bangkok, and his travel stories and photography appear in publications around the globe. 

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She...   Read More

Jamie is an attorney, writer and photographer. She was born with deeply ingrained wanderlust and has visited 45 countries and counting. She often brings her children along for the adventure and is passing her love of travel on to the next generation. Jamie has written for   Insider,   Fodor's Travel ,   Yahoo ,  the Huffington Post , the  Washington Post,   Viator  and  Reviewed  among many other publications. Jamie is from Philadelphia and now lives in Washington, DC, where she takes advantage of everything the region has to offer.    Jamie can be reached at  [email protected]  and can be found on  Twitter ,  Instagram  and  TikTok .

Melanie Reffes

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in...   Read More

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers  the Caribbean for a variety of publications  including  USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.  A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started  young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico.   An avid fan of spicy food,   Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She  holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto. 

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USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

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Amazon’s Comfiest Spring Travel Outfits Start at $20 — Shop Our 10 Favorite 2-piece Sets and Jumpsuits

We found the most comfortable spring travel clothing for long plane rides, road trips, cruises, and beyond.

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Travel + Leisure

The key to curating a great travel wardrobe is by filling it with comfortable, versatile staples that can be worn in a plethora of ways. That’s precisely why two-piece sets and jumpsuits are the MVPs of my closet, providing all-day comfort no matter where I’m going.

If you head to Amazon’s fashion section , you’ll find a vast catalog of cozy yet cute jumpsuits and two-piece sets for spring. From a breathable linen outfit to the loungewear set of my dreams , these picks are easy to style and provide hassle-free outfit options. The best part? All of our picks are under $50, with pieces starting at $20. 

Automet Button Down Two-piece Shorts Set

I have trips to Miami, Cape Cod, and Asheville this spring and summer, and I’m packing this two-piece set. Complete with a relaxed button-down shirt and drawstring shorts, this set is going to be a great addition to my wardrobe for its seemingly endless mix-and-match options. I can pair the shirt with a pair of jeans or wear it over a swimsuit, plus I can sport these cozy shorts to bed and beyond — all for a mere $26. In addition to black, this two-piece set is in 27 colorways in sizes S–XL. 

Anrabess Two-piece Knit Sweater Set

Made from a soft fabric, this two-piece set includes a sleeveless sweater and loose-fitting pants, and it’s just $36 thanks to an on-site coupon. Not only are both pieces breathable, but together they make the perfect transitional set for spring because of its “thick but breathable material,” according to one reviewer . Plus, the pants are complete with practical pockets that are big enough to hold onto your phone and wallet. 

Zesica Two-piece Lounge Set

The best two-piece sets are the ones that offer versatile pieces that expand your wardrobe options. This set does precisely that. It’s complete with a loose-fitting cropped long sleeve top that can be worn with jeans, shorts, and skirts, along with a pair of jogger pants ideal for the gym, travel days, and beyond. Available in 19 colors, like royal blue and khaki , and sizes small to 2XL, this two-piece set is a must-have addition to your travel wardrobe.

Glamaker Oversized Bike Shorts T-shirt Set

I’m a huge fan of bike shorts since they’re lightweight, compressive, comfortable, and longer than spandex shorts. This set not only comes with knee-length biker shorts, but it also includes an oversized T-shirt that’s breathable and comfortable enough to wear on long plane rides. Even Amazon shoppers love this outfit, with one calling it the “perfect travel set.” 

Lingswallow Two-piece Shorts Lounge Set

A pair of lounge shorts and a versatile racerback tank are essentials for anyone’s summer travel wardrobe. Worn together or as separates, this waffle-knit set is made from a cotton blend, giving it a flexible, four-way stretch. Plus, it comes in sizes small through 2XL and 21 colors, including mocha brown , black , and purple .

Amazon Essentials Fleece Romper 

Shoppers call this sleeveless romper “cool and comfy” and love its “light and airy” construction that remains “well-made and modest.” Complete with a sleeveless V-neck construction and moisture-wicking fabric to keep you cool, this spring outfit can be donned for beautiful, sunny days or worn on a plane. And as an added bonus, the shorts feature spacious pockets.

Anrabess Linen Lounge Set

My favorite fabric to wear in the spring is linen. The material has moisture-wicking properties and a breathable feel, making it an excellent choice for warm-weather styling. I’m currently eyeing this $36 linen set that comes with a pair of wide-leg pants and a sleeveless top that lends itself well to long car rides as well as dinner out on the town. This set is available in 25 colors, including brown , deep blue , and light gray , and sizes small through 2XL. 

Anrabess Linen Jumpsuit

This discounted jumpsuit is comfortable for long travel days, dinner dates, and running errands. Crafted from a linen blend that’s breathable and flexible, the jumpsuit can be styled with a tank underneath for extra coverage or with a sweater on top for chilly evenings. And the best part? It features two front pockets large enough to hold essentials like keys and a wallet. 

Dokotoo Sleeveless Loose Jumpsuit

I don’t like wearing garments that make me feel restricted, which is why I’m gravitating toward this extra stretchy jumpsuit that’s designed with wide-leg pants and adjustable straps. This jumpsuit is crafted from a spandex blend that one shoppers said is “very comfortable, loose fitting, easy to get in and out.” Plus, reviewers reported that there was no shrinkage or color fading after washing this garment a few times.

Prettygarden Ribbed Two-piece Set

When I read that one shopper who traveled to the Dominican Republic called this two-piece set “breathable, comfortable, and cute,” I knew it would make a stellar option for other travelers this season. This sweatsuit comes with ribbed drawstring pants that feature an elastic waistband and a scoop neck top’s both breathable and comfortable. It’s so versatile that you’ll be able to dress it up with a jean jacket or swap in different pants, instantly doubling your outfits. It’s available in 15 colors, including army green and classic black . 

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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