Bike Pumps Buying Guide

Whether you're a champion bicyclist or a novice going for a spin around the park, you need to keep your tyres  filled with air to have a smooth, safe ride.  Investing in a bike pump that is durable and easy to use will ensure that your wheels are always rolling.  But depending on your needs, you may choose one type of bike pump over another--the champion bicyclist might need something that pumps quickly during a race, while the novice may simply want a pump that is small and easy to store.  To figure out what's right for you and your bike,  scope out the options below.

Your Choices

Foot Pumps  No need to bend over each time you put pressure on the bike pump. Has a wide, stable base that rests on the floor. A hose connects the pump to the bike tube’s valve and the pump is then operated with the foot. Foot pumps almost always have an air gauge.	Stand/Floor Pumps  Shaped like a tall "T," they have a rigid body with a flexible hose that comes out from the bottom of the pump. Uses a compression washer to attach the hose to the air valve on the bike tube. When you want to pump air, you raise the "T" handle and push down.	Handheld Pumps  Small and can attach to the frame of the bike. Can either be integrated or tubed. Integrated pump has a cup at the bottom where the tire's air valve is inserted.  Pressure must be applied to this connection in order to depress the valve stem and pump air in. Tubed pump works like traditional pump with an air hose, compression washer and lever on the end.	CO2 Pumps  Expensive, but fast. A cup is placed over the tube’s valve stem and pressure is applied. The pump is then activated, and a CO2 cartridge releases gas into the bike tube. Most often used in bike races.

Full Size Vs. Mini

Size

Some pumps are small enough to fit in your purse, the pouch in your car seat or even your back pocket.  Others can be attached to your bike frame so you'll always have them while riding.  Being able to access and travel with your bike pump is useful, but the pumps themselves are not the most efficient.  Because their small and hand-operated, you'll likely be pumping for a very long time before you see results--it can be quite a workout.  Regular-sized floor pumps, on the other hand, require far less effort and can pump a tire fully in approximately a minute.

Durability

Some mini-pumps have a lot of moving parts that you often need to unfold and click into place.  All the small, moving pieces increase the possibility of breaking something.  Full size pumps are often more durable because they are not tailored for portability, thus the materials they're made out of are heavier--various metals--and they have less moving parts.  Also, since you aren't likely to need a ton of force or vigorous motion while pumping, they're even more likely to stand the test of time.

Major Manufacturers

The following is list of reputable bike pump manufacturers.  Look for products put out by these companies to ensure that you're getting something of quality.

• Blackburn 
• Crank Brothers 
• Devol 
• Magura 
• Planet Bike 
• Scotts Performamce 
• Topeak 

Related Guides

Bike Tyres	Bike Racks	Bike Pedals	Mountain Bikes	Road Bikes

External Links

• BikePumps.net:  From how to use them to where to buy them, this site's got the low-down on bike pumps.