Whether you skirt around your city on a classic two-wheeler or an electric bike, chances are you’ve found yourself with a flat tyre at least once or twice.
Rather than zooming between traffic jams and double-decker busses like The Flash, you find yourself just like the rest of pedestrian London, sheepishly (and lopsidedly, thanks to that pesky flat) rolling your bike through the underground barriers and down the escalators.
You sigh with an almost aggressive exasperation, for investing in cycling across London was supposed to save you money on public transport. If only you had a solid bike pump and tyre repair kit to hand in your commuter backpack.
Yet not all of us can be cycling experts, and learning the tricks of the trade takes time and patience. That’s where we come in.
Contrary to what you might have thought, a standard old pogo stick-looking bicycle pump isn’t going to do the trick when it comes to re-inflating a tyre that has lost its air. Though it might have come in handy for that pink and purple striped tricycle from your childhood, it just won’t do the job properly for your grown-up, adult bike.
What should I look for in a bike pump?
- Pounds per square inch (PSI): Before purchasing a bike pump, check what the maximum PSI that your bike’s tyres can handle is. This, much like car tyres, can usually be found on the side of the tyre. Make sure that the bicycle pump you then go on to purchase can either match or exceed the maximum PSI of your tyres, or else you won’t ever get a fully inflated wheel.
- Pressure gauge: In order to gain an accurate idea of just how inflated your tyres are (rather than just squeezing them), a decent pressure gauge with easy-to-read PSI numbers is essential.
- Stability: Inflating a tyre to the max isn’t the easiest task and can often leave the pump itself unstable. Purchase a bike pump that can rest firmly on the ground without shaking or toppling over while you’re pumping.
- Portability: Make sure you’re never left in a deflated pickle again by purchasing a portable bike pump that can accompany you on all of your travels.
- Interchangeable needle: If you’re investing in a decent bike pump, we recommend ensuring that your pump comes with an extra needle for inflating other things – like sports balls.
We’ve rounded up some of the best bike pumps on the market. Keep scrolling to keep cycling.
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Topeak Joe Blow Sport III High Pressure Floor Pump
PSI: 160
Though on the pricier side, this bike pump is certainly worth the investment. Bright yellow and hard to miss, this floor pump is equipped with a large, three-inch diameter chronograph-style pressure gauge for brilliant accuracy when it comes to pumping up your tyres quickly and effectively. Designed to withstand all weather conditions, this pump easily and tightly locks on to the tyre valve for the utmost efficiency.
Buy now £39.91, Amazon
Schwinn Bike Pump
PSI: 120
Not only is the gauge on this pump incredibly easy to read, but it also comes equipped with a handy system that tells you just how much pressure you should be pumping into your tyres depending on what kind of bicycle you have, and what you’re using it for. We’re also big fans of the weighted, steel base which provides unrivalled stability during pumping, keeping both your feet and the pump itself firmly on the ground while in use.
Buy now £29.99, Amazon
Specialized Air Tool Comp V2 Track Pump
PSI: 120
Designed with professional cyclists in mind, this pump from Specialized may be another option that is on the pricier end of the spectrum, but it is yet again worth the investment for those who are serious about tyre pressure. With a dual-scale three-inch oversized gauge for easy PSI-reading, steel base and aluminium barrel construction, you simply can’t go wrong. There’s even ergonomic handles to reduce the amount of pressure placed on your hands while pumping.
Buy now £50.00, Sigma Sports
Topeak Mountain DA Mini Pump Black, with Gauge Mountain DA Mini Pump Black, with Gauge
PSI: 60
If you couldn’t already tell, we’re fans of Topeak here at ES Best. This mini, extra portable bicycle pump may appear small, but it is certainly mighty. Though it only has a maximum pressure output of 60 PSI, it’s all you need for an extra boost while you’re out and about. Then, when you get home, you can bring out your larger floor pump to do the rest.
Buy now £23.44, Amazon
Beto CJA001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator
PSI: 700
No, you didn’t read the PSI rating wrong. This mightily powerful pump is designed to inflate tubeless tyres with ease. Such ease, in fact, that you won’t even have to put your arms to work. Delivering continuous airflow for a whopping four-second inflation, you’ll never suffer from flat tyre woes again.
Buy now £44.00, Tredz
Riverside 900 Floor Pump - Black
PSI: 160
A wallet-friendly and durable option, the Riverside 900 floor pump is a solid option that’ll accommodate the vast majority of bike tyres. Suitable for hybrid, city, kids’ and mountain bike tyres - this is a bike pump for the entire family to use.
Buy now £29.99, Decathlon
