Electric Pumps?

[biking_fox]

Just seen ads online for the FlexTail bike pump. Anyone tried it, or something similar?

It's a lithium battery powered pump. Claims to reach 120psi in <2min and depending on the tyre size and requested pressure can inflate upto 4 tyres from completely flat in one charge. Is then USB re-charged like lights.

Seems like a clever idea to carry and saves a bit of weight and faff compared to a manual pump.... if it performs anywhere close to as stated. Obviously wouldn't have as main workshop pump.

 

[sevenfourate]

Topeak eboost is the latest ‘Top of the tree’ i believe. And got awesome reviews on GCN YouTube channel. Claims to be able to have enough reserves to pump 4 x Tyres to 120psi:

https://www.tweekscycles.com/topeak-e-booster-digital-pump-euktdp-e01/

 

[DCLane]

There was a thread on this recently (can't find it ) and I posted that I have one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/356055264581

It's from Cyclami and cost £41. Gets to 120psi like the others and seems OK so far, having needed to use it twice.

 

[geocycle]

The important thing is to decide what you want to use it for. I have a Fumpa nano about the size of a matchbox that comes with me on rides. It takes the strain from a mini pump and will pump up 1, perhaps 2 tyres on a charge. I’d not want it as my only pump but is a very useful back up when you are exhausted and I have a shoulder problem. It holds its charge well when not in use so gets topped up about every month. At home the track pump is very easy so I reach for that.

The larger size and weight ones are stronger for higher pressures and last longer on a charge but are heavier so you have to decide on priorities.

 

[fossyant]

How often are you pumping up your tyres ? Can't remember the last time I needed my pump other than the track pump at home. If it's so few and far between, there is a chance the battery could go flat with lack of use. I'll stick with a pump, doesn't take long. CO2 if in a rush.

Pumps like the Road Morph or it's MTB cousin are like a mini track pump and take a lot of effort out if inflating a tyre, especially if you have an injury. For me, it's just another 'thing' to charge. Lights and the Garmin are enough.

Geocycle says it's better not to rely on as your only pump. Same goes for CO2 users, I always take a pump.

 

[Conrad_K]

How often are you pumping up your tyres ?

I generally ride the bike twice a week. I have to pump up the tires every time I ride. They will lose >20PSI in a few days. I replaced the original tires and tubes shortly after I got it, and then the rear tube a second time, making a total of three rear tubes, that all leak about the same.

The trike will make it four or five days before losing >10PSI. A couple of times one or more tires has gone almost flat overnight. The front stems are Presta, the rear is Schrader. All the stems on both cycles are tight.

Having to pump up the tires every time I ride is so annoying I've skipped rides because of it.

 

[rualexander]

I generally ride the bike twice a week. I have to pump up the tires every time I ride. They will lose >20PSI in a few days. I replaced the original tires and tubes shortly after I got it, and then the rear tube a second time, making a total of three rear tubes, that all leak about the same.

The trike will make it four or five days before losing >10PSI. A couple of times one or more tires has gone almost flat overnight. The front stems are Presta, the rear is Schrader. All the stems on both cycles are tight.

Having to pump up the tires every time I ride is so annoying I've skipped rides because of it.

Why are you having to pump up your tyres so often?

 

[sevenfourate]

Why are you having to pump up your tyres so often?

Right ! ?

My Winter rider 'just' has a pair of Schwalbe Inner Tubes. Good Quality.......but nothing ridiculous i'd say. I just had two weeks without using that bike; and on checking the tyres the PSI drop was immeasurable since last time. So i put the dust cap back and rode on.......

And some of my display / unridden BMX's in the man-cave were pumped up well over a year ago....and although i'm sure they've lost a few PSI - the tyres are certainly holding their shape ok; and are in no way dead-flat as-such.

**Losing 20 psi in a few days, 10psi in 4-5 days - or going flat overnight is in no way; and hasn't ever been normal in my Cycling World.

BUT......i have had quality issue's with cheap inner tubes before. Not saying you have skimped. But you may have possibly paid OTT for something thats turned out to be less than stellar quality. And if you're a rider this isn't the place to save pennies imo. As eluded to : at worst it's ride-wrecking

Goes without saying they all clearly leak. And can only be coming from the tube / material itself - or the valve. Some simple checks / spraying with soapy water and looking for bubbles at the point of the leak, dunking in a bucket of water and looking for bubbles and carefully checking the whole valve area for leaks will pay dividends. I wouldnt put up with any of that mallarky. What a faff !

**Good luck

 

[geocycle]

Thats a significant loss of pressure especially with tubes. My tubed tyres start at around 60 psi and a month later would be more than 50 psi. Tubeless might lose that in a week starting from 60 psi but less in absolute terms if they were softer to start with, I suppose if you are going to 100 psi or more for some reason then greater losses might be expected.

 

[fossyant]

I generally ride the bike twice a week. I have to pump up the tires every time I ride. They will lose >20PSI in a few days. I replaced the original tires and tubes shortly after I got it, and then the rear tube a second time, making a total of three rear tubes, that all leak about the same.

The trike will make it four or five days before losing >10PSI. A couple of times one or more tires has gone almost flat overnight. The front stems are Presta, the rear is Schrader. All the stems on both cycles are tight.

Having to pump up the tires every time I ride is so annoying I've skipped rides because of it.

Get a track pump then.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I ride 5 or 6 days a week. I go at least a month between needing to add some air. This is one tubed, one tubeless.

Something not right if doing this every other day.