Deniz Compares the conveniences of modern pump technology.

We used to carry large backpacks filled with tubes and spare parts on our daily rides, which lasted only an hour or two. These packs were like our support animals, ready to comfort us with the tools and supplies they contained. Eventually, Specialized put a hole in their downtubes so we can carry less on our backs and for some people, this changed everything.

I tend to overpack for trips, often bringing parts that even most bike shops wouldn’t use for repairs over the course of a year. I always tell myself, “You never know,” as a way to justify extra gear. Last year, during the BC Bike Race, I had a SRAM T-Type cassette unthread itself from the freehub and jam against the inside of the X01 derailleur. It was mildly entertaining to for racers following me up the back side of Mt. Tzouhalem to see smoke rising from my bike as metal parts ground together. I was not amused. I pulled over, and after confirming that my thousand-dollar derailleur wasn’t on fire, opened up my little container of nuts and bolts and pulled out a pedal washer that had been waiting years for its moment. I slipped it on the axle to create enough room to get me to a proper set of tools at the Shimano Tech Zone.

That’s an extreme case for me, though. On the daily quick-and-dirty spin, an Evoc Hip Pouch with a multi-tool, a tiny Gerber knife I found while walking around Whistler Village, tire plugs, and a ski-strap are all I bring. It has just enough room for a light wind jacket to wear on for the downhills. Oh, right, I forgot the pump!

Whenever I’ve needed a pump, either for myself or someone else, a helpful friend would hand me a OneUp that was strapped to their bike. Most of the time, these unassuming compressors get the job done with very few strokes. I personally don’t love the idea of exposing my pumps to the elements, only to find they are no longer functional, with sand and dirt making their way in, and I don’t want to dress every bike in the garage with a pump. This can get expensive for a tester. Currently, I use four different devices to inflate my tires. A couple of these double also do truck duty. Of the four, two are hand pumps, and two are electric.

Oh no! ePumps are upon us?

Crankbrothers Gem

I like a simple device, and hand pumps are as simple as they get. Until the OneUp revolution, the inflation experience was subpar when things went wrong in the woods. Wanting to try something different, I picked up a Crankbrothers Gem pump for 30 bucks. This adjustable air chamber pump is quite pleasant. I usually start in the high volume setting and switch to the high-pressure setting as my arms get tired, and they do. The Gem is about 7″ / 180mm long and weighs 130 grams / 4.6 oz. It doesn’t take up a ton of room in the bag or the frame storage. I wrapped mine in a NOS Lizard Skinz neoprene chainstay protector. Some people use old inner tubes. If there is one thing I would like these little pumps to have, it would be a tiny digital pressure gauge.

I decided to pit these four pumps against each other to see how they perform and how annoying they are to use. In the process, I also wanted to see how quickly they get me back on the bike and how much effort they require. While my last two flats happened during ideal weather conditions with a super chill group of friends, on Cam’s Birthday, statistically, you are more likely to puncture when the in grizzly country, when light is fading, and storm clouds are rolling in.*

*Riding in Smither’s in September 2025, Karin managed to destroy a tire partway down the Backdoor trail, in similar conditions.

The Crankbrothers Gem is currently on sale online for 20 USD

CYCPLUS A2 Pro

Last year, Pete gave me a tiny electric pump to try out. These little things are buzzing around all over the place these days. Mostly utilized by roadies, I wanted to see if there was a use case scenario for us mountain bikers. Turns out there is. I started carrying the little Cycplus AS2 Pro with me in my slim Evoc Hip Pouch. Weighing 120grams and taking up no more space than three AXS batteries, I can throw it into my small food bag or jersey stash pocket. There are bigger versions of these pumps out there and even smaller ones for weenies.

Aside from the compact size, an obvious advantage of an electric pump is convenience. While the pump does its job, you can gather your tire levers, tube packaging, plugs or maybe even have a little safety meeting. The Cycplus can also be used as a tire gauge and to top up the few psi required between each ride. In my tests, the Cycplus has been good for 2-3 full 29″ tire inflations from zero pressure. It can be charged from any USB device in about 30 minutes and costs 110 USD.

Pro Digital Team

At home, I use a Pro Digital Team Pump* that I absolutely love. It just works and gives me accurate readings to 0.5 psi, which is enough for me. If I am pumping my tires in the warmth of the house and the outside is significantly colder, I will do another check before I drop into a questionable descent, often with the Cycplus pump.

Floor pumps have gotten really good in the past few years. You can spend Silca dollars or get a budget one from Lezyne, and they all work pretty well. I appreciate a digital gauge and a high-volume air chamber for setting up tubeless tires. For me, a high-volume pump pushes about 1-2psi of air per pump. The Pro Digital Team is just that. I do lust for a tubeless air chamber floor pump from time to time when a tire gives me some trouble, but so far, I’ve been satisfied with the Pro.

*This pump model doesn’t currently seem to be available on the Shimano Pro website but it’s still listed in many stores for around 150 CAD.

Dewalt 20V battery-powered air compressor

In the truck, there is a Dewalt 20V battery-powered air compressor. With a chainsaw and a leaf blower using the same big flexvolt batteries, I use this compressor to air up my tires after airing down for off-road drives. 35psi street pressures in the 33″ Load range E tires in a lighter truck means a harsh ride unless aired down to 15-18psi for the forest roads in BC. Airing down also helps prevent flats on the sharp shale we have on our backroads. The little Dewalt has been useful for occasional bike duty, too. It’s twice as fast as the little Cycplus, and it occupies 20 times the space. It’s not the fastest pump, though, and it takes 5 minutes to boost the truck tires from 18 to 35 psi. About 20 minutes later, I am ready to hit the pavement again. The Dewalt can seat a tubeless tire depending on the rim/tire combination, but it is not reliable for this task. While it is great for inflating air mattresses or other high-volume devices, it is loud and annoying to be around, especially if it’s running for 20 minutes straight. I have been looking to replace the Dewalt with a more efficient setup for a while now.

Napa Twin Compressor has entered the chat for a tinker project I am about to embark on. This 150 USD pump is a bargain for fast inflation. It airs up a truck tire in about a minute and can provide enough flow to seat the most stubborn tubeless setups. I am hoping to make this compressor part of my truck for a powerful onboard compressor setup. The faster I can fill up my truck tires, the more often I will air them down. On road trips, it will also serve as a reliable way to seat tubeless tires.

A Worthy Purchase

Whenever my neighbour asks for my floor pump while I’m in the middle of doing something, I think about the way people sometimes avoid dealing with the lowest-hanging fruit. Upgrading dampers, bearings and flux capacitors while ignoring the very basics that cost little money yet provide so much for our rides. Pumps are definitely on that list, along with grips and a decent set of lights. I appreciate these pumps for the purpose they serve and the quality of ride they provide above and beyond a “squeeze test.”

What is your go-to inflation setup?