The mini bike pump: Small, compact and easy to carry

No bicycle should be without a pump. Mini bike pumps are highly practical due to their small format and the ease of transporting one in a bag or on a bottle cage. This makes them the best solution for inflating tyres on the go.

Mini bike pumps are a faithful companion on long rides

If you want to go on long bike rides, you’ll have to stop periodically during the tour to reinflate your tyres. For this, you’ll need an air pump that quickly restores your tyres to the necessary tyre pressure.

A large bicycle pump is usually kept in the cellar or garage, but that won’t help you if you get a flat tyre on the road. Larger models are often floor pumps or electrically operated models and therefore stay at home.

That’s where the mini pump comes in. A mini pump is the best portable solution – it can be used anywhere, and it’s easy and convenient to take with you on a ride. Mini pumps are light and compact, taking up little space in your luggage. There are already models as small as 4.6 cm and as light as 16 g.

Most mini pumps come with practical holders that can be easily mounted on the bike. They’re usually equipped with a universal pump head that fits all common valves. We recommend always checking exactly what valve types your mini pump is suitable for. It’s best to be sure so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises on the road.

Electric mini pumps

If you prefer not to inflate your tyres by hand, you can also opt for an electric mini pump. These models are usually equipped with a display that allows you to easily set the desired tyre pressure.

Electric mini pumps have the advantage of achieving higher pressure than manual models. The downside is that you always need a power connection, which makes the electric mini pump unsuitable for travel. Electric models are well suited for use at home, but a manual mini pump is what you need on the road.

The situation is different in professional cycling, for which there are special electric mini pumps tailored to the demands of racing cyclists. These electric pumps have a built-in battery that can be charged with a USB cable. A power bank, for example, can be used for this purpose.

With a fully charged battery, the device can be used for thirty minutes. The compressor of this practical mini pump stops automatically at the desired tyre pressure, which can be set in advance on the device. These electric pumps typically have up to five pre-programmed air pressure settings.

You can also get a mini pump with a pressure gauge

More and more mini pumps come equipped with a pressure gauge. A pressure gauge allows for precise adjustment by displaying the current tyre pressure. This makes inflation easier, since you no longer have to press into the tyre to check whether the pressure is right. Mini pumps are available both manually operated and electrically operated with a pressure gauge.

It’s important that you always adjust the tyre pressure to suit how you intend to use the bike. If you don’t know exactly what tyre pressure your bike needs, just check the side of the bike tyre. All manufacturers note the tyre pressure here. The thicker the tyre, the less pressure it needs. Also note that tyre pressure is always given in bar.

If you are transporting heavy luggage or want to transport a child on your bike, you should increase your tyre pressure. The heavier the load, the more pressure required. A tyre pressure of 4 bar is a good starting point. For mountain bikes and road bikes, the tyre pressure is different.

A racing bike needs about 8 bar, which has to do with rolling resistance, among other things. In racing, the harder the tyre, the better, because rolling resistance is lower.

It’s different for mountain bikers, who ride more in forests and across uneven terrain. Especially there, the tyre pressure must be lower, usually around 3 bar. Mountain bikers usually deflate their tyres in order to be able to react optimally on off-road terrain.