Size isn't everything. These marvelous lightweight mini-bike pumps pack a punch, and are perfect for topping up on the go.
If you are looking for a small bike pump that still packs a big performance, we’ve got the best suggestions for you right here. Read through our complete guide to buying a mini pump, learn what to look for, and discover where to put your cash to get the pump you need.
We’ve highlighted some of the best brands and designs on the market, all with highly rated responses from existing owners. Get set to find out how good a small bicycle pump can be.
The Best Mini Bike Pumps
Within the small range of mini pumps that we’ve selected for this section, you’ll find ones that are ideal for many purposes and bikes. We’ve also made sure you can find something for your budget, however much or little you are prepared to spend. High performance mini pumps are easy to find nowadays, and you’re about to discover some of the best ones on the market. A varied mix of features and advantages are highlighted in the following section. Here are the best mini bike bumps that are light to carry and perfect for dealing with flats on the go.
Vibrelli Mini Bike Pump
This smart pump comes with the bonus of a glueless puncture kit, ensuring you’ve got everything you need if you get a puncture the next time you are out and about. The compact design features a telescope-style extendable portion for easy use. This means you can swap from high volume inflation to high-pressure inflation if desired. The valve has also been designed to work with both Presta and Schrader valves without changing anything. Fast and effective, you can also keep it close at hand with the mounting bracket included. Easily accommodates 120 psi.
Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump
This model enables fast switching between Presta and Schrader valves with minimal hassle. The Pro Bike Tool pump achieves 100 psi quickly, often up to 30% faster than similar-sized pumps. The flexible hose allows for easy use in the most convenient and comfortable position. Meanwhile, the hose also features a pressure gauge to aid in pumping up the tires to the correct psi. The mini pump comes with a frame mount bracket (requires pre-drilled holes in the frame to allow for installation). The mini pump also includes a security strap to ensure it always remains in a safe position when cycling.
Topeak Pocket Rocket Master Blaster Mini Bike Pump
This one wins the competition for the best name, but it stands up to scrutiny in the performance stakes too. A popular choice among professional cyclists, the Pocket Rocket also provides an affordable and smart choice for amateurs. Offering a capacity of 160 psi, the soft head is easy to hold during use, as is the tough plastic handle. No more slipping as you get your tires back up to pressure in the shortest time. Designed to be easily affixed to your bike frame, the pump takes up minimal space. It also has an integrated dust cap to make sure it is ready for use at a moment’s notice, with no cleaning required.
LEZYNE Pressure Drive Hand Mini Bike Pump
If you want something more eye-catching this LEZYNE model comes in four colors. Each one offers an aluminum finish created with durability in mind. Capable of reaching 90 psi, it measures just 170mm in length and weighs just 112g. The mini pump comes with a flexible air hose offering compatibility with both Schrader and Presta valves as desired. You’ll also receive a frame pump mount to keep it firmly in place when not in use. They also provide a Velcro strap to stop it from rattling or moving around for additional peace of mind.
Pro Bike Tool Floor Mini Bike Pump
If you are looking for a floor pump but you are short on room, this Pro Bike Tool mini floor bike pump could be the solution you’re after. Offering up to 100 psi, you can inflate tires in far less time thanks to the oversized barrel and pistol design. The T-shaped handle is comfortable to hold during use, while the model also comes with a foot peg to keep it firmly in place. Size wise, this smart pump can still fit on a bike frame if the required pre-drilled holes are already in place.
Buyer’s Guide To Mini Bike Pumps
There are bike pumps and then there are mini bike pumps. Most cyclists want to travel light and reducing weight wherever possible is a good way to do it. Hence the mini bike pump.
Of course, a smaller pump still needs to get the job done if you end up with a flat tire. Similarly, it’s no good having a large and easy to use pump at home if you’re stuck out on a track or trail somewhere – or halfway to the office – with a puncture. A small pump should be easy to stow on your bike or in your bag, ready to be used at a moment’s notice. Some can even fit in a pocket, although we recommend those should be neatly zipped up, so they don’t accidentally fall out.
If you are looking to buy a suitable bike pump, read our guide to find out what you should be looking for. There are several things to remember that you may not have thought about, which is true for most, if not all bike accessories.
Do you want a pump that attaches to the seat tube of your bike?
If so, make sure you choose one that is designed for this purpose. Some are too large to fit on the frame, although there is a chance you might spot one designed to fit on the down tube instead. Most mini pumps should be suitable for attaching to the frame, hence the size. Double check before purchase to be safe.
Are you happy to carry your pump in a rucksack?
If you regularly carry a rucksack on your cycling journeys, you might be happy to find a pump you can pop in your bag. Size still matters here though, as you’ll want to be sure whichever one you choose isn’t too large to store in there. Measure your bag first and compare it to the available options.
I’d recommend keeping a minipump in a bike trunk bag. We’ve reviewed some of the best bike trunk bags, and there are perfectly affordable ones listed that are suitable for carrying mini-pumps.
Do you want a pump you can leave at home for checking tires before you travel?
If so, you’ll want to look for a floor pump. Designed for use on the floor, they make light work of pumping up your tires before you head out. These are easier and quicker to use than hand pumps because you can push down on the pump and get lots of air into the tires in seconds.
Most professional or serious cyclists have a floor pump and a separate pump to carry with them while they are out, to cover all eventualities.
How heavy is the minibike pump?
While they are smaller than most floor pumps, a mini bicycle pump is still capable of weighing in at a surprising amount. You cannot go on looks alone when it comes to assessing this purchasing point. The materials used to make the pump come into play here (more about those shortly).
To give you a brief idea of what we mean, a quick glance at a range of pumps revealed weights ranging from just 90 grams to almost 300 grams. That’s quite a difference, especially if you are already carrying a heavy rucksack to work with you by bike. After all, the idea behind a mini pump is that they’re nice and portable. If you’re cycling on a road bike, aerodynamics and weight reduction is key. The lightweight design combines with a flexible hose allows you to compactly pack the mini pump away. The idea of lugging a larger sized pump around, or even a floor pump is what makes so many people lean towards getting a mini pump.
Don’t assume a heavier pump is going to provide more power for easy inflation though. Read the reviews and compare performance.
Which inflator head are you looking for?
Road bikes use Presta valves while mountain bikes use Schrader valves (the larger ones also used in car tires). Most modern bicycle pumps can handle both, but it is still worth checking this is the case.
One thing you should consider is whether you’ll need to change over the head to use the valve you need. This won’t be an issue if you only have one bike. However, if you have a road bike and a mountain bike, you might want to look for a twin-head pump to save time. You can even get pumps with a valve that automatically fits either the Presta or the Schrader valve. You don’t tend to pay much (if anything) more for that either.
How much air does it pump out per stroke?
You might well have had the experience of using a bike pump for what feels like ages, for little movement on the pressure gauge and your tyre to have inflated by just the tiniest amount. The performance of your pump is arguably one of the most important features to look at. You want to reach your desired psi as quickly as possible in the fewest strokes possible. Fewer stokes = less effort!
There are two elements to remember here. Firstly, if you get a puncture, you’ll want to be back on the road or trail again as quickly as possible. Secondly, you’ll want to do so without an aching arm. The easier the pump is to use, the more you’re going to like it when you do need to use it. Punctures aren’t fun; the least you can do is to make sure they’re fast to resolve. This isn’t the time for a comprehensive upper body workout.
What is the mini bicycle pump made from?
Materials can vary from plastic to steel. Aluminum is another possibility, as is a combination of two or all three of these. It’s worth investing in a decent pump for performance alone, but it’s wise to make sure your selected pump is built to last too. This is something that could occasionally be dropped and needs to have some ‘oomph’ to it.
You should also look for something that is comfortable to hold and use. If you are in the middle of a bike ride when you get a puncture, you’re not going to have soft dry hands. They’re likely to be sweaty. Trying to manage a pump that looks great but feels slippery in your hands is going to get very frustrating very quickly.
Finding the right pump can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for. We hope our guide has made life easier for you and revealed some of the many elements you should make sure of before purchasing your ideal mini pump.
Why are pumps so important?
Let’s be honest, cycling lingo can cause confusion. Let’s take something as simple as bike tires. If you break it down, it consists of just a few parts, one of which is the tire valve. That said, there’s plenty of confusing terminology such as the valve head, then valve types including the scharder valve and presta valve. This is enough to put beginners off, and frankly carrying a pump is vital.
Pumps are also complex, we wanted to keep it as simple as possible; air gets pumped through your pump head and fills your tire until you reach desired air pressure.
Investing in the wrong hand pump can cause a lot of effort. You might end up with something that can’t provide high volume or isn’t the right size and weight. It’s a vital part of your puncture repair kit, and the right one will be small enough to be packed away compactly maybe even in your jersey pocket.
If you don’t want to carry it around, get a mounting bracket, just like a water bottle cage a frame pump holder can keep it safe and easily accessible.
The right air pressure in your bike tire is vital for a safe ride. This applies to mountain bikes just as much as it does to road tires. Don’t be fooled by even the best bike, road and mountain bikes alike need regular pressure checks and require you getting that pump onto the valve to fill it back up. At the end of the day a bike tire is the only thing between you and the road, so the correct tire pressure is essential.
Conclusion
You might be surprised at the versatility on offer with these striking bicycle mini pumps. Small most certainly does not mean weak – indeed, the pumps we’ve reviewed here have more power than many ‘regular-sized’ pumps we’ve seen elsewhere. As good as floor pumps are, the fact that mini pumps are so portable makes them difficult to beat.
Whether you have mountain bikes or a road bike, it’s certainly worth investing a little more in a powerful and well-built mini pump if you can. We’ve seen here that you don’t need to spend too much to get a higher quality model that is easier to use. They tend to last longer too, giving you the peace of mind and convenience of knowing you can resolve a puncture more quickly and easily than ever before. Hopefully, your packed with the knowledge needed to get your hands on one of the best mini bike pumps around. Happy cycling!