The Flextail Tiny Bike Pump is a solid pump half the time

Social media’s algorithms cognize that I thrust a motorcycle almost each day. My quiver includes a metropolis bike, upland bike, and gravel bike, successful summation to 1 aliases 2 e-bikes I’m ever successful nan process of reviewing. I’m besides nan family mechanic, which makes maine responsible for nary little than 16 to 18 tires that I must support inflated. So, you’d amended judge I took announcement erstwhile Instagram served maine respective ads for the Flextail Tiny Bike Bump.

The mini rechargeable pump useful pinch Presta (the bladed one) aliases Schrader (the aged fatty) valves and promises ultra-fast ostentation that maxes retired astatine 100psi (about 7 bars) — capable for immoderate motorcycle that doesn’t require a stretchy wardrobe coordinated pinch your shoes and helmet.

The origins of nan pump are suspect, arsenic I spot what looks to beryllium nan nonstop aforesaid merchandise sold pinch branding like Cyclami, Toptoper, Rrskit, and Epoom astatine a assortment of value points, immoderate arsenic debased arsenic $25. Flextail sells its type for $85 and lists nan shaper arsenic Huzhou Jingwei Outdoor Products connected nan container and instrumentality itself. The first pump Flextail sent maine couldn’t pump a tyre beyond 19psi earlier dying. Flextail sent maine different that (mostly) lives up to nan claims.

The point that’s not mentioned successful nan ads I’ve seen is really large nan mini pump is: 76dB astatine arm’s length, successful my testing, which is akin to bending complete to inspect a moving vacuum cleaner aliases garbage disposal. Using it while stopped alongside wood trails generates much scowls than seeing a upland biker successful Lycra.

The Flextail Tiny Bike Pump does work, though. It’s overmuch faster and smaller than nan mini manus pumps riders usually transportation successful lawsuit of trouble. At 3.9 ounces (111 grams), it’s besides conscionable a spot heavier than nan trusty 3.4-ounce (96 grams) Unich pump I regularly carry. But nan Flextail pump besides doesn’t strain your aerial valve mounts arsenic overmuch because it doesn’t require agelong periods of vigorously erratic pumping.

The Flextail pump’s biggest disadvantage is that it’s only bully for a fewer zero-to-full inflations earlier needing a recharge, but that will alteration by tyre size and desired pressure. It’ll past overmuch longer if you’re conscionable topping up tires. Its mini 2.59Wh artillery recharges successful arsenic small arsenic 25 minutes.

In my testing, connected a metropolis motorcycle fitted pinch wide 700 x 40c tires and Schrader valve, I was capable to pump 1 tyre up to 45psi successful 45 seconds. Then, moving to a gravel motorcycle fitted pinch wider 700 x 42c tires and Presta valves, I was capable to deed 50psi successful 90 seconds earlier nan pump discontinue successful request of a recharge. That’s 2 real-world inflations per charge, for those keeping score.

The Flextail Tiny Bike Pump is truthful mini and lightweight that I initially thought it would beryllium perfect for bikepacking trips aliases moreover agelong time rides. But pinch only 2 inflations successful nan tank, I’d still want to transportation a manus pump arsenic backup alongside my spot kit and spare soul tube(s). But there’s nary measurement my gram-obsessed encephalon would let maine to transportation 2 pumps.

If your rig is an e-bike pinch a built-in USB charging port, past you’re already walking pinch a elephantine powerfulness slope connected wheels. That makes it easy to recharge nan Flextail pump aft depleting it because your side-of-the-road level tyre repair didn’t spell arsenic planned (it happens!). Just don’t hide your USB-C cable... and possibly a carbohydrate barroom to snack connected while you wait.

If you’re still interested, each I tin opportunity is that 1 of nan 2 Flextail Tiny Bike Pumps I tested worked arsenic advertised, and I stake you’ll person akin occurrence from different brands that waste what looks to beryllium nan aforesaid Huzhou Jingwei Outdoor Products battery-powered pump for overmuch less.

For everyone else, conscionable bargain a mini manus pump for overmuch little money. They ne'er request charging, are excessively large to lose, and will apt past a quality life — aliases two.

All photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge