Picture this – you’re making great time cycling to work, when all of a sudden you feel one of your tyres getting flatter and flatter. What can you do? You don’t want to be late, and you can’t ride your bike in the state that it’s in, but you don’t have a portable bike pump with you.
Avoiding eventualities like this is why it’s always handy, no matter why or where you’re cycling, to keep a mini bike pump on you at all times; one that can easily fit in your pocket or bag, or be attached to your bicycle should you suddenly need it.
That’s where we can help. Below, we’ll take a look at five of the best bike pumps that should fit nicely into your pocket – all for affordable prices, too. We’ll also address some FAQs when it comes to bike pumps so that, once you’ve read this you should know everything there is to know about them.
After all, even if you end up never needing them, it’s good to keep one on you while you cycle just for that extra peace of mind.
Where to Store a Bike Pump when Cycling?
There are plenty of places you can keep your bike pump while riding. Many of them will be small enough to be stored safely away in your pocket, but will also come with a mount that can be attached to your bike frame.
Compact Bicycle Pump: Pros and Cons
On the positive side, the best compact bike pump will be lightweight, it will do the job quickly and effectively (some pumps can deliver the contents of a carbon dioxide cartridge into your tyre), and it won’t take up much room. In those senses, they’re an extremely convenient alternative to bigger, if more advanced pumps.
That said, some can be so small that you’ll spend too long trying to inflate your tyre enough sufficiently, and others may have a disappointedly short shelf life. These are things to look out for, given you won’t want to aggravate the bad mood you’ll likely already be in.
So, before deciding what mini pump to buy, you’ll need to think about a number of factors. How much will it inflate your tyre per pump? How lightweight is it? How easy can you stash it away or mount it to your bike frame? And how durable and versatile is the pump head?
Does My Bike Have Presta or Schrader Valves?
Bikes tend to come with a Presta valve or a Schrader valve, with Schrader valves being the most common. The easiest way to spot the difference between the two is that Presta valves are made almost entirely from metal, while over half of a Schrader valve is wrapped in rubber.
Mars v Rehook Air v iPhone 13 Mini: Size Comparison
This pump ticks every box. Not is it only the smallest (by some distance) on this list, it is also the lightest, packs the most power (an impressive 160psi) and is universal – so works with both Schrader and Presta valves.
It was created by Rehook – the guys behind the Dragon Den-backed tool that promised to get your chain back on in less than three seconds.
Now Rehook are expanding at quite a pace with lots more handy cycling gadgets. As well as the Rehook, the Rehook PLUS and the Rehook Mini, the British-based company have even tried their hand at creating a lightweight helmet with a built-in light.
This mini bike pump might be their most impressive creation to date though as it is incredible small and lightweight.
Can you fit it in your pocket? Definitely. It’s smaller than the iPhone 13 Mini and is about the same size as a wrapped Mars bar.
As well as being one of the compatible and smallest bike pumps, this mini pump is also one of the slickest, with its lightweight titanium design available in multiple colours, including black, matte black, red and silver.
The Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump comes with a secure frame mounted bracket so you can keep it attached to your bike if you want – and it fits snuggly so it doesn’t rattle. At just 18.5cm in length, it’s also small enough to comfortably into most trouser, jacket and jersey pockets.
It’s also exceedingly light, weighing in at just 100 grams – which is considerably less than the majority of smartphones.
But just because it’s small and light doesn’t mean it’s not a powerful pump – on the contrary, this pump can reach riding pressure with 30% fewer pumping strokes than most other mini bike pumps.
Get Riding Back Fast - Reach riding pressure with 30% fewer pumping strokes than conventional mini bike pumps. High pressure up to 100 psi/6.9 bar.
Super Compact And Lightweight - Only 18.5 cm long and 100 gm in weight, perfect for Size and Weight obsessed cyclists
Reliable and Built To Last - Made from superior quality CNC machined aluminum alloy with durable and precise parts, which are built to last so you can have a safe and enjoyable ride
If you exclusively ride bikes with Presta valves, then this is the smallest bike pump you can find.
Measuring just 16cm in length and weight just 60g (just a touch more than a Mars bar), this is a seriously lightweight bike pump for Presta valves.
But just because it’s small, doesn’t mean its not powerful. On the contrary, in fact, with a maximum pressure of 160psi – making it a remarkable efficient mini bike pump.
The aptly-named Topeak Micro Rocket also comes with a simple side mount bracket for you to discreetly attach it to your bike
This pump may be a smidge heavier and not quite as sleek as the Pro Bike Tool Mini, but it’s almost a third of the price.
If you’re after the best cheap mini bike pump, therefore, the VeloChampion is indeed the champ.
The VeloChampion Alloy 7 comes with several adaptors (include a ball pump attachment) as well as a bike frame mount and a velcro strap – so you can attach it to your bike however you choose.
It’s compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves and really is a great all-round budget mini bicycle pump.
Overall it’s a very versatile mini bike pump and the best option if you’re looking for a budget pump.
✅ RELIABLE, LIGHTWEIGHT & BUILT TO LAST - Made from superior quality aluminium alloy with durable and precise parts, which are built to last so you can have a safe and enjoyable ride, outlasting...
✅ MAX 100 PSI / 6.9 BAR HIGH PRESSURE CAPACITY – Velochampion Alloy 7 Mini Bike Pump saves you time & energy while dealing with a flat tyre and quickly get you back on road.
✅ BIKE FRAME MOUNT- attaches securely to your bike and holds your portable tyre pump firmly in place. Powerful yet lightweight and easy to carry.
Another highly compact bicycle pump, this model from Diyife weighs just 160g and can be attached to your bike frame with the mounting bracket.
Like the Cykeway, it comes with ‘Presta’ and ‘Schrader’ valve attachments, meaning it is great for either road or mountain bikes, and its bike frame mount means it can be attached securely to your bike and will be held firmly in place, with being overly heavy so as to weigh you and your bicycle down.
Plus, boasting a 120 psi pump, it’s another extremely powerful piece of kit, and can repair much more than just bikes, including footballs and basketballs.
It also comes with a gas needle to inflate the sports balls, a fixed belt and holder to attach the pump on the bike, a rubber binding strap to fix the tube, a puncture repair kit and user manual.
Diyife Bike Pump Instructions:
Attach the pump to the tyre valve. The hose head can be switched between Shrader and Presta valves easily.
When in place, pull the grey lever on the pump head to secure the pump in place.
Pump the tyre and use the gauge on the side to monitor PSI.
【For All Bikes - Fit Presta & Schrader】The 2 valves are inside the bike pump head. Unscrew the black cap, pull up the gray lever on the pump head and the valves inside will automatically be pushed...
【Ultra Lightweight and Portable】Diyife mini bicycle pump is almost weightless (only 160g) and extremely compact that can be attached to the bike frame under the water bottle cage with the mounting...
【Pressure Gauge & 120PSI Fast Inflate】With a 120 PSI capacity, Diyife bike pump with pressure gauge can be used to inflate bike tires during emergency repairs or simply to maintain tire pressure...
Now, a disclaimer: this is technically not a pump. It’s a pressurised canister, and one that you’ll need to change the cartridge of after each use.
It is, though, the smallest item on this list, measuring it at a tiny 12cm in length.
There are two major benefits of CO2 bike tyre inflators: 1) they can be very small and portable and 2) they are extremely fast at pumping up your tyre.
The downside is undoubtedly cost and remembering to make sure you have a full cartridge ready for your ride. The upfront cost is actually a little cheaper than PRO BIKE TOOL’s mini pump, but you will have to pay for replacement 16g cartridges.
tThe integrated canister safely stores carbon dioxide cartridges, meaning there’s no risk of any leakage, and the canister body also insulates from the cold while you use it to inflate. A slightly different product, but an equally reliable design nonetheless.
GET BACK RIDING QUICKLY WITH SUPER FAST & RELIABLE TIRE INFLATION - Inflate a tire in seconds with our 1-Turn Valve System. Control lever operation regulates speed of CO2 release for precisely...
SAFE CARTRIDGE STORAGE & SECURE CONNECTION WITH NO LEAKS - Integrated canister for safely storing a CO2 cartridge, canister body also insulates from cold during inflation. Secure & safe screw-on valve...
SMALL, COMPACT & LIGHTWEIGHT - Read the amazing reviews, customers love this stylish CO2 inflator for its compact small size which is perfect for stowing away in your saddle bag or cycling jersey...
Bike Pumping – FAQs
How to use a bike pump?
A bigger, or more ‘normal-sized’ bike pump, will often come with a lengthy, flexible hose, a pressure gauge and a large chamber for transferring more air.
To use one to pump up a bike tyre, unscrew or remove the bike’s dust cap to access the valve, before attaching the head of your pump to the valve and inflating to a level of pressure in between the tyre’s minimum and maximum levels (should be found on the tyre’s sidewall),
How to use a mini bike pump?
In exactly the same way. The only difference is it might take longer with a mini bike pump with a pressure gauge given that they’re, well, mini.
What PSI should my bike tyres be?
It really depends on the bike, mini pump or not.
Narrow tyres need more air pressure than wider ones. As a general rule, road tires usually need to be between 80 and 130 PSI; mountain tires 25 to 35 PSI, and hybrid tires 40 to 70 PSI.