Cycplus Mini Bicycle Tire Inflator

There are now many mini pumps that are lightweight and portable. One of the first pumps that I know of is the Xiaomi Portable Pump, but it is super noisy, rather heavy and also relatively bulky. Not ideal for bringing on bicycle rides.

In order to reduce the size of the pump, something has to be compromised. In this case, the battery capacity is greatly reduced to lower the weight, cost and size. For a portable bicycle pump that you will only use in emergencies, this is fine.

Cycplus Mini Bicycle Tire Inflator!

The battery capacity is only 300 mAh which is really small. This means that it can only pump 2 bicycle tires, which I assume is 2 road bike tires from flat.

Comes with a user manual and USB cable, along with a translucent rubber sleeve for the pump.

Clear instructions provided!

Shows the pumping capacity for different bicycle tires. If using on a large MTB tire, it might be barely enough for one tire.

Compact unit with the pump nozzle

I think the reason for this instruction is to ensure that attaching the pump to a half-inflated tire does not cause it to deflate fully when the nozzle is engaged to the valve.

Power button with the LED underneath the button.

Close up view of the nozzle, with the rubber seal inside. This configuration is for Presta valves.

Comes with interchangeable parts at the nozzle, if you wish to use it on Schrader valves.

With the nozzle parts removed

Cycplus pump weighs 98 grams! Lighter than I expected.

With the rubber sleeve, it weighs 116 grams

A CO2 canister with valve would weigh 83 grams, about 30 grams lighter.

A traditional manual hand pump would weigh 100 grams, including the mounting bracket.

In terms of weight, all 3 options are quite similar. Using the manual hand pump as a baseline,

Manual pump: Can be used as many times as you need. However, takes longer and needs effort.

CO2 canister: Can be used only once. Fast and quite effortless to use. Slightly lighter.

Battery powered portable pump: Can be used a couple of times. Not very fast, but saves effort. Slightly heavier.

Size comparison of CO2 canister vs the Cycplus portable pump. Slightly wider, but similar in thickness and length.

Here is how it will be used! Might not fit on smaller wheels where the spokes may block access.

Using the Specialized Aethos bike as a reference for the size of the Cycplus pump.

Here are all the spares and tools on the Aethos road bike!

All of them fit into the tool bottle, including the Cycplus portable pump.

I'm happy with the size of the Cycplus portable pump, as it is compact enough to fit into the tool bottle, replacing the CO2 canister. As an emergency pump, I hope I never have to use it. 

I recommend getting a mini pump such as this if you want to avoid putting a manual pump on your bike, and yet want to avoid using CO2 canisters.

Lezyne Sport Gravel Floor Drive vs Steel Floor Drive

Just when you thought you already had everything gravel related, such as a gravel bike, gravel drivetrain, gravel tires, gravel shoes, etc, here comes another item.

This time, it is a gravel specific floor pump. The first time I heard of a gravel specific floor pump, I was quite amused, as the normal floor pump for road bikes works for gravel tires in any case.

However, once I started reading more about gravel floor pumps, it seems to make sense. For example, 28 mm road bike tires only need about 80-100 PSI, but the usual floor pumps go up to 220 PSI, which is way beyond what is required.

As such, the pressure gauge has all the numbers squeezed closely to fit in up to 220 PSI of range, but only about 100 PSI is needed. The pictures below will show you what I mean.

Let's do a comparison between my trusty Lezyne Steel Floor Drive, vs the new Lezyne Sport Gravel Floor Drive (gravel floor pump in short).

Lezyne Sport Gravel Floor Drive, with a maximum pressure rating of 100 PSI.

Instead of having a Presta/Schrader reversible pump head, it has a special head where one side threads onto the outside of the valve. More details below.

Side by side comparison, with the new gravel pump shown on the right.

Gravel floor pump is slightly taller, otherwise they look pretty similar.

Both pumps have a wooden handle, which is nice. However, the gravel pump's handle has been dyed black.

Both barrels are steel, but the gravel pump barrel has a slightly larger diameter and has a matte finishing.

The base area looks quite different, although they are both of the tripod design.

The gravel dial is huge! Also, since the gravel dial reads to a maximum of 100 PSI, it is much easier to fine tune the air pressure.

Steel Floor Drive dial: Max of 220 PSI, with lines at every 5 PSI interval

Gravel Floor Drive dial: Max of 100 PSI, with lines at every 1 PSI interval

Ever since I used 28 mm wide Continental GP4000/GP5000 tires, the maximum tire pressure that I needed was 90 PSI, but usually 80 PSI is enough. Therefore, this gravel pump is able to satisfy my tire pressure requirements.

With the indicator intervals of just 1 PSI, I can adjust the tire pressure accurately for gravel tires, where my usual tire pressure range is 25 to 35 PSI. For low pressure tires, a pressure difference of just a few PSI can be felt. Previously on the Steel Floor Drive, tire pressure control was vague, but now I can set it to within 1 PSI accuracy if I want.

Gravel pump uses a fibre reinforced resin base, instead of a steel base.

The resin base is big and strong with reinforcing ribs, but still not as stiff or stable as a steel base.

I wanted a steel base for a floor pump, as it makes the pump more stable due to the heavier base. There is no need to get a floor pump that is lightweight, as a heavier one is actually better for stability. However, it seems that Lezyne is gradually changing their pump base design to use resin material, which I believe is due to lower cost.

Steel floor drive weighs exactly 1600 grams.

Gravel floor drive is a bit lighter at 1521 grams.

There is no meaning to get a lightweight floor pump, unlike a portable pump where a lighter pump adds less weight to the bike. In this case, a heavier floor pump is actually preferred, but not available.

Moving on, let's compare the pump heads.

Red ABS 2 pump head from the steel floor drive, vs the black ABS 1 Pro pump head from the gravel floor drive.

I don't think I ever did a review for the Lezyne Steel Floor Drive, so I shall elaborate a bit more on the pump head. A few years ago, Lezyne came out with this new ABS 2 pump head, where instead of screwing the pump head onto the valve, you slide a sleeve on the outside of the pump head. After sliding the sleeve, you turn it slightly to secure the airtight seal.

Theoretically, this makes attaching and detaching a pump head faster than screwing it on and off. Plus, it has an added benefit of preventing the valve core from being unscrewed from the valve during pump head removal. This can happen if the valve core was not tight enough, while the pump head is attached too tightly.

Practically, this works well if there is plenty of spoke clearance around the valve, as both hands are needed to hold and slide the sleeve onto the valve. Sometimes it can be quite tight, making it difficult to attach or remove the pump head. I always find it difficult to attach this pump head to the valve which is on the wheelset of the Bike Friday Haul-A-Day, due to the high spoke count and small rim diameter.

Also, this ABS 2 pump head depresses the valve core continuously on the Presta valve, meaning that if you press the pressure release button at the side, it will let out ALL the air in the tube, instead of only the air inside the pump hose. On previous pumps with ABS 1 pump head, pressing this button releases only the air in the pump hose, making it easier to unscrew the pump head.

ABS 2 pump head, with an external sleeve that you slide down to tighten the pump head onto the valve.

Converting to Schrader is easy. Just slide down the sleeve first, BEFORE screwing it onto the Schrader head. This is one advantage over traditional screw type pump heads where it needs to be removed and inverted.

ABS 2 Pump Head

Advantages:

1) Quick to attach and release, given sufficient spoke clearance

2) Easy to switch between Presta and Schrader

3) Does not loosen valve cores

Disadvantages:

1) Needs more spoke clearance around valve

2) Can be difficult to attach on some valves

3) Bleed button releases all the air from the inner tube, instead of just the pump hose

4) Sleeve can be slippery, making it difficult to slide on, especially if it is tight

5) Does not work on valves that are too short as there is nowhere for the internal rubber ring to grip

6) Pump head needs to be detached quickly to prevent air leakage during removal

7) Makes a loud popping noise during pump head removal

The ABS 2 pump head has been discontinued, probably due to having too many disadvantages compared to advantages. Lezyne claims that it is discontinued due to having too many internal moving parts to work reliably.

Now, the new Lezyne pumps are equipped with an updated version of the original ABS 1 pump head, which is called ABS 1 Pro. It is the screw on type of pump head, which may have the tendency to loosen valve cores if they are not tightened properly.

ABS 1 Pro pump head on the gravel floor drive.

Pump head is detachable and reversible.

On one end of the pump head, it is the familiar Presta thread, which threads onto the valve core. On the other end, instead of a Schrader head, it has a M6 x 0.8 mm screw thread, which is the thread size on the OUTSIDE of the Presta valve.

On the Presta valve, there are two threads. The smaller one on the valve core, and the larger M6 x 0.8 mm thread at the bottom.

The purpose and idea of having this M6 x 0.8 mm thread is to allow the pump head to be screwed onto the Presta valve, with the valve core removed. This way, there is no valve core restricting the airflow through the valve.

On tubeless wheels, the Presta valve is just a valve attached to the rim hole, with no inner tube. Theoretically, with the valve core removed, and the M6 x 0.8 mm pump head side attached, it is possible to inflate and seat the tubeless tires, without the use of an air compressor or compressed air tank. I have not had a chance to test this out, but if this works, then there is no need to use my Schwalbe Tire Booster to seat tubeless tires any more.

Other pump heads that are included: The needle head for balls, and the yellow plastic head for balloons and other stuff.

Without a Schrader adapter, this also means that the gravel pump is not able to pump up inner tubes with Schrader valves, if you only have the stock pump head. In my case, it is not necessary, as all my bikes are using Presta valves.

However, I do have extra Lezyne pump heads (ABS 1), which is the usual Presta/Schrader reversible pump head. That fits nicely onto this Lezyne gravel pump as well, if I ever need to connect it to a Schrader valve.

Lezyne ABS 1 pump head, with a reversible Presta/Schrader design.

The internal profile depresses the recessed pin in the Schrader valve, which works differently from Presta valves.

Here is a nice summary showing the history of the different pump heads used by Lezyne. Ultimately the ABS 2 pump head used on my Steel Floor Drive has been discontinued, so only the ABS 1 Pro pump head (screw type) are now available.

Favourite Features of the Gravel Floor Drive:

1) Large dial with indicator lines at 1 PSI intervals, makes it easy to fine tune the air pressure for gravel tires.

2) ABS 1 Pro pump head is still preferred over the ABS 2 design, as it is easier to use.

I don't miss the extra pressure range of the old steel floor drive, as I don't need to pump over 100 PSI (except when I was using the narrow Schwalbe One 23-451 tires, where 120 PSI was recommended).

In all, I am happy with the Lezyne Sport Gravel Floor Drive, with the major advantage being the large pressure gauge and more precise tire pressure adjustment.

Xiaomi Portable Air Pump

I recently came across this motorized Xiaomi Portable Air Pump, which can be used to pump up anything from soccer balls to car tires. It is apparently quite popular, as there are some features that are pretty useful.

Since it was not too expensive, I decided to get one to try it out myself, to see what the fuss is all about. Let's take a look!

One of the many advertisements that can be found online

Here is the actual size, when next to a road bike wheel.

Default pump head is shown on the right, for Schrader valves. A Presta valve adapter is included as shown on the left.

Parts of the pump and the purpose. There is a nice digital display, with easy to use controls.

Charging port is located at the bottom, with an indicator light.

Preset modes for setting air pressure, although it can also be adjusted manually as desired.

The air pressure range is between 3 to 150 PSI, which is a huge range! I think the motor would have to work very hard to achieve a pressure of 150 PSI. Otherwise, the pressure range is definitely enough for high pressure road bike tires. As for the rate of pumping, I have to try it out to see how long it takes. The concern is that the air volume of the pump may be small, and take a long time to pump up large volume tires.

Once the hose is plugged out, the unit is turned on automatically. There is a white LED light on top which can be activated, useful for low light conditions.

Testing it out on my gravel wheelset, with 45 PSI. Press the + or - buttons to adjust the preset air pressure, and the right side button to change the measurement unit. The centre button starts the pumping!

Unit weighs 434 grams, which is pretty OK considering how useful it can be. But not so portable to carry as a spare while riding a bike.

Being a digital pump, the desired air pressure can be preset, so that the pump will turn off automatically once the pressure is reached. This is the most useful feature, along with the automatic pumping. There is no need to use arm power to work the floor pump, while also ensuring an accurate tire pressure. Basically just connect the pump head, set the pressure, and press start!

However, once I turned it on, I knew that I would not be using this to pump bicycle tires at home. It is far too loud! Although the unit is quite small, the internal pump makes a lot of noise, which is very loud when used in an enclosed area. It would have been a nice automatic pump, but I find the noise unbearable. I would rather use my quiet old-school manual floor pump for my bicycle tires.

I find that it is much more useful when used to pump up the car tires. Being outdoors at the car park, the noise is more bearable. Previously, I used a 12 volt air pump to pump up the car tires at the car park, but I had to start the car, so that I can run the air pump off the car's electricity. This is not ideal as I am using the large car engine to power the small air pump for the car tires.

This portable Xiaomi pump does the job well, as I don't need to start the car engine in order to pump the car tires. It is able to pump up the large volume car tires, which are relatively low pressure. The battery power is also sufficient to pump up all 4 of the car tires with no issue. After that, I just bring home the portable pump for a quick charge, and leave it in the car for the next time.

In summary, the Xiaomi Portable Air Pump looks good and works well, at a reasonable price too. The deal breaker for me is the loud noise it generates, which makes it unsuitable for use indoors. Works great as a car tire pump though.