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.
