Best electric bike pumps in depth
Prestacycle Prestaflator Go
The Prestacycle Prestaflator Go has a bigger battery than any pump we’ve tested. Warren Rossiter / Our Media
£99 / $129.95 / €99.95 as tested
Pros: Secure fit; fast; relatively quiet; large battery; spares and accessories available
Cons: Larger size and Presta valve only
Verdict: Workshop-quality head; powerful and rapid inflator, but a bit larger than most
The Prestaflator Go has the largest-capacity battery of my half a dozen test pumps and comes with a colour LED screen that shows current battery level and pressure in psi or BAR.
Switching between the two is a simple matter of pressing the + and – buttons simultaneously.
Instead of a proprietary head, it uses a standard Presta head that’s compatible with floor pumps from the likes of Silca.
Unlike a classic track pump head, it’s made from lightweight 6061-T6 alloy rather than traditional brass. Prestacycle claims it weighs around a third as much as a brass head.
The Prestaflator is TPU inner tube safe, because the large urethane grommet inside the head serves to isolate heat build-up from the pump from transferring to the valves. That’s something its rivals here can only achieve via the use of an accessory hose.
Rated to 120psi, the Prestaflator Go is good for a wide variety of tyres, both clincher and tubeless.
The push-on head is remarkably secure, and its extra width and deep engagement keep it stably engaged.
The Prestaflator inflated my 35mm tubeless tyre to 51psi on its gauge in 52.01 seconds, and once settled and the valve tightened, the tyre measured 52psi on my AXS app.
The noise level of 86.8dBA means this is one of the quieter units, which is impressive considering it’s one of the quicker inflators. In context, the sound level is around the same as a coffee grinder or small blender.
After four consecutive inflations, the unit was too hot to handle; it cooled after 10 minutes, and when I resumed testing, it inflated my tyre another seven times, managing 12psi on the 12th inflation.
Charge time was measured at just over an hour (60 minutes 54 seconds).
The Prestaflator is an impressive inflator at a good price. It’s low on included accessories, however, and is Presta valve only as standard.
Prestacycle offers plenty of accessories and spares, and because of its standard threaded valve interface, it’s compatible with all of Prestacycle’s head options.
Specifications
Weight: 157g | Dimensions: 78x51x31.5mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8 BAR | Battery: 750mAh | Valve: Presta | Extras: Zip-lock waterproof bag, USB-C charge cable, needle valve (football)
Flextail Tiny Bike Pump Pro
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Flextail’s Tiny Bike Pump Pro is a pocket-sized pump at a great price. Warren Rossiter / Our Media
£58 / $75.99 as tested
Pros: Cheap; accurate; quick charge time; good run time
Cons: Noisy
Verdict: Great-value mini pump for clinchers and tubeless
I’ve been using Flextail’s original Tiny bike pump for more than a year now, and that small pocket rocket has got me out of plenty of jams.
It does have limitations, though. Having no gauge, it’s hard to get tyre pressures just right after road or trailside repairs.
This new Pro model brings increased battery capacity, along with a gauge that can be pre-set to your preferred pressure.
The smooth, compact design is great for stowing in a jersey pocket, using the included ziplock bag, or stowing in a saddle pack, down tube or tool can.
Although the valve head is flush-fitting with the unit, it can be a little awkward to use, especially on small-wheeled bikes.
Thankfully, Flextail includes an extension hose, also useful for TPU tube users because they often come with plastic-bodied valves, which don’t like the heat a mini electric pump generates.
In our test, the Flextail hit 51psi on its built-in gauge in a swift 42.5 seconds. On the AXS app, this equated to 52psi; the Flextail is quite accurate.
It is, however, quite noisy, topping out at 91dBA: that’s about the same as a blender.
Like most inflators, the Flextail gets warm. After five successive inflations, it was hot.
After being left to cool, it inflated my tyre a further five times, although on the final inflation, it could only manage 32psi.
The Flextail charges via a USB-C cable (included), and I timed the recharge from flat at 31 minutes.
Compared to the competition, the Flextail is excellent value; it inflates quickly, has good battery life, and all the accessories you need are included.
I think I may have found my new best-value ride essential.
Specifications
Weight: 130g | Dimensions: 77x53x32mm | Max pressure: 120psi/8.27 BAR / 827.4 kpa | Battery: 450mAh | Valve: Presta and Schrader | Extras: Ziplock bag, extension hose, USB-C cable, needle (football) adaptor
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