Before this year this mini-compressor trend was mostly an Amazon brand thing. At first it was about inflating anything from automobile tires to pool toys to air beds. Then I started seeing really small versions of electronic compressors for cyclists. But were these any good?
Well, if this You Tube video from ultra-distance cyclists, Josh Ibbett is anything to go by, then the answer is "yes". I've reviewed a slightly larger version of this idea back in 2023 and I still use it occasionally. This unit I reviewed will pump up a car tire, barely, but it would in a pinch, which is why I went the way I did, but these mini-compressors are starting to look attractive to me as a cyclist.
Now I am seeing cycling accessory giant Topeak is offering a mini-compressor within their range. I suspect this trend will infiltrate the entire cycling brand world before too much longer. I have a few reasons for believing this will happen very soon.
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| Topeak's E-Boost (Image courtesy of Topeak) |
Convenience: First of all, using a mini-compressor is easier. I think this is by far the number one reason people will flock to these devices for cycling. Watch the linked video from Josh Ibbett above and I think you can agree that waiting 40-ish seconds to air up a tire instead of sweating over a mini-pump and potentially bending or breaking a valve core/stem makes these devices worth every penny.
Size: These are pretty compact now and it takes away any reason to resist carrying one around in your kit. Even for gravel racing, or MTB events, I can see this sort of device being employed now to pump up a tire. Especially if you are really fatigued. I may still carry a back-up standard mini-pump, but then again....
Cost: At around 100 US dollars, for most examples I found, these pumps are not out of the realm of most cyclists. Again, if this makes inflation on the trail/road easier, and it works, and the results are repeatable? I think most folks would be all-in on the idea.
Device Fatigue: Of course, there are some negatives. Yes.....it is yet ANOTHER thing to charge. Batteries. Gah! However; unless you use this sort of thing regularly, which I wouldn't, it theoretically should last for years. But.....how long does it hold a charge? Will I pull this thing out and find the battery is dead? Okay, fair question. I don't know about the mini-compressors, but the pump I reviewed hasn't been charged in well over a year and it still has a charge in it as of this writing. Of course, it may not pump up a fat tire, but the point is, you can rely on the battery for a while. How long an actual "while" is for a mini-compressor pump is anyone's guess. So, yeah...another thing to maintain.
Noisy: Then there is the noise. The mini-compressor is a shock to the system when you are out enjoying nature and have to inflate a tire. Some of you may think this is no big thing, but personally? I hate the sound of these things. Maybe it is just me?
Hot To The Touch: And heat is an issue. My compressor gets pretty hot to the touch after pumping up a big tire. I see these mini-compressors have silicone sheaths now. I'd definitely recommend using those. Another thing I've noted is the recommendation to put the compressor in a water-tight bag when not in use. Hmm..... Gotta make you wonder, right?
But overall, whether or not you think these devices are for you, I think the average, casual cyclist will flock to these like white on rice. Easier, portable, not too expensive, and did I mention it makes inflation dead simple and easy? So, I'd look for all the major inflator companies and accessory lines in the bigger brands to have a device like this in their range very soon.
15 comments:
I can see the appeal of this to some, but it’s not for me because of the concerns for battery charge and reliability.
Emergency use items have to be super reliable or else why bother? A good mini hand pump will take longer to inflate the tire, but it’s going to work when I need it. If one of these mini compressors fails me and I have to call for a ride, I would be really mad that I spent $100 and countless miles hauling the weight around!
@Nooge - I suspected many of my readers would feel this way. I get it. That is a totally valid argument against these sort of devices.
However; many cyclists are not in the same vein as most of my readers. Dare I say most cyclists are not?
This is why, based upon my interactions with customers in a bicycle retail setting over the years, that my opinion is these devices will win out over traditional mini-pumps. They are easier to use and have a digital gauge. That pretty much will be all people will need to hear to get them to buy. I also have based my opinion here upon my most recent Bicycle 101 classes I have held where I can see the eyes lighting up when I speak of these devices.
I had been looking at these for a while, and purchased one a few months ago after a friend of mine published a review of a few different ones. All of the comments you made are spot on. Small and convenient. Can get hot to the touch. Noisy. I think mine is rated to take a 2.4" tire from flat to riding pressure 3x per battery charge. I take mine on rides where I am staying relatively local, but for any "way out there" stuff like GW Long Voyage, I'd leave it at home and take a hand pump.
Honestly, the place that is most useful is in my garage. It makes quick work of topping off tires vs using a floor pump, and I can "set and forget" for the tire pressure. If a tire is completely flat, it's less noisy than firing up the air compressor. It still won't seat a tire bead tho.
E-Bikes could have a power port to run a mini-compressor ?
GT have you tried the compressor with TPU tubes ?
@scottg - Good point on the idea for an e-bike accessory item.
I haven't used one on a TPU tube. I could try it, I suppose. Honestly, I am so ingrained to using a hand pump after all these years I forget about the electronic compressor I have. :>)
@S. Fuller - Interesting use for the e-compressor! And I don't ever see anything small, be it a hand pump or e-compressor, that would seat tubeless tires at all, or even easily. If you were doing the GW Long Voyage, as a for instance, and had a bead break on a tubeless set up, I would imagine 99% of the time you would be relegated to putting in a tube at that point. This is where TPU tubes would be a great back-up along with that super-reliable mini-pump.
I’ve been using a Rock Bros electric pump for the past 6 months or so, and so far it’s been solid. I’ve used it a handful of times, and am careful to top off the battery every couple weeks. I do still carry a small pump as an emergency backup, but the electric pump has been all I’ve needed for trail/road side inflation since I bought it. Thumbs up from me.
Perhaps I’m paranoid, but I carry a 3oz bottle of sealant, a DynaPlug tool with extra plugs and two TPU tubes with me on nearly every ride.
I tried one from Amazon 3-4 years ago. Returned it after two uses. Just not up to the job.
Last year I bought two. Both have gauges and auto shutoff. Both where found at substantial discounts over MSRP.
The first a RockBros branded QiCYCLE that is on the large and heavy side (11cm x 6 x 4 not counting the permanently attached hose). It’s too bulky and heavy to carry on the bike. Used it to top off before rides and to top off my car tires. The latter is much easier than getting out the full size compressor in the garage.
I do carry the Cycplus Pro on the bike, and many times as a replacement for a floor pump when driving to rides. Even at home I use it to top off my tires before rides.
Dave Rome, from Escape Collective, calls them digital gauges that inflate. Likely more accurate than a floor pump gauge and faster than using a separate pump and gauge.
The Cycplus is about 7 x 5 x 3cm, not including the optional hose, and reasonably light. The hose is needed when inflating TPU tubes with plastic valve stem so they don’t melt.
Since I do use it often I usually remember to charge it. A worthy replacement for CO2, though it can not reseat a tubeless tire. As with CO2 I still carry a manual pump, though I’m more apt to reach for the electric pump than I was to use CO2 on a ride.
@MG I usually don’t carry sealant, but I always have tire plugs, tube patches, at least two inner tubes, Gorilla tape, and at least a hand pump. I guess 40 years of experience—and a few long walks teach you things
You have to be careful if your TPUs don't have metal stems. Your mini pump needs a hose or an extender because the heat can damage the stem.
Amen, @shiggy person. It’s one of those things I won’t compromise on because I know karma would spank me quickly if I didn’t bring it all along. No shame in being prepared.
@shiggy using it as the pump that gets brought in the car is a use case that I hasn’t thought of. It would be nice to keep in my gear bag. It also would be handy in my home office where I have a bike on the trainer and need to inflate the front tire from time to time. The bottom of my track pump is rusty so I not only have to carry it upstairs but I also need to find some scrap cardboard to protect my floor.
I bought one of the Cycplus pumps as well. Good stuff.
@GT - Yeah. These small pumps will never move enough CFM to reseat a tire, then again, it's rare that you can do that with a floor pump, although it's easier with some tire/rim combos.
@MG - I'm like you. Even tho all of my commonly ridden bikes are tubeless, I still carry a pump, bacon/plug, and a tube with me. Belt and suspenders is always the best approach and none of those weigh a lot.
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