As much as we'd like to pretend flats don't happen, they do. They're annoying and they can ruin the day. But they don't have to though! Equip yourself with the best mountain bike pumps and you'll never have to worry about calling a day riding short again as you'll have the tools to get you back up and running again.
We'll be looking at a range of mountain bike pumps and what you should look for so you get the best one to suit your biking needs.
Sounds good?
Let's dive right in!
Different Types Of Mountain Bike Pumps
1. Floor Pumps
Otherwise known as a track pump.
It could be argued that every cyclist should own a floor pump - it's a good argument and I'm all for it! You're not going to get too far without one if you find your bike with a flat tire.
Floor pumps come into their own when it comes to pressure. They can provide pressure at a much higher rate than your average hand or mini pump.
Using these pumps is easy. The base goes onto the floor. There is a handle that operates as a push-pull system, this is what causes the air to push through into the bike tires. Simply connect it to your bike tire valve and begin pumping. Job done!
A floor pump is perfect for when you need to inflate tires quickly and easily.
2. Mini Pump
Mini pumps are great while you are out on the trails, they can even be the only pump you own and you'll get by.
'Get by' doesn't sound so great, does it?
The joy of mini pumps is that they are compact, lightweight, and ideal for emergency situations.
A mini pump is small so it can be carried with you, wherever you go.
If you need a lot of pressure for your tire, then you're going to be there a long time with a mini pump but they are ideal for getting you out of a sticky situation and it's always good to have something like that available to you.
3. CO2 Inflator
Okay, strictly speaking not a pump but CO2 inflators do the same job and something you should consider and for some could even be the best MTB pumps without even being a pump!
The perfect answer if you get an outright flat tire. These things can get you back on your bike in no time.
A CO2 inflator is basically a little tank of compressed carbon dioxide. It is designed to give you a burst of air, that will get back to the desired air pressure you need and quickly so you can be on your way again.
The downside to these cartridges is that they can be quite pricey so they aren't something you want to use all the time.
Carbon dioxide also leaks more quickly than air so don't be surprised if you find yourself reaching for a pump sooner than you might expect.
CO2 inflators can be the ideal solution if you're wanting to save on weight by not carrying around a pump. They can also be a massive time saver, if you don't like hanging around, here's your answer!
4. Electric
A great option if you're after a pump for home use. You will get accurate readings from the pressure gauge and control is usually much easier than your traditional floor pump.
One of the big selling points of an electric pump is that they require less effort on your part - sounding good, right?
The downside is that they aren't all that portable and do require the odd service check to ensure that they're in good condition.
Overall
Having a decent and reliable pressure gauge can be important, it will help to reduce the chances of you getting a puncture.
Low pressure can lead to the rim of the wheel getting damaged and increase your chances of getting a puncture.
High bike tire pressure can potentially lead to a blowout and that's just not nice in the slightest, especially if you're traveling at speed when it happens.
Taking the time to ensure that your mountain bike tires are at the correct pressure can save you money, hassle, and time so it's well worth doing!
So that's the break down of different pumps, there may not be one that fits your needs completely so a mix of several might be the solution.
I personally have a floor pump at home and carry a mini pump when I'm out. That way I'm covered for most things.
How To Choose The Right Mountain Bike Pump
1. Volume
Generally speaking, the bigger or fatter the tires you have, the higher volume pump you will need.
A large volume pump will shift a large amount of air with every stroke. So if you have fat tires these can be filled really quickly!
With high-volume pumps, you may struggle to inflate a tire above 60 psi and can be quite difficult to use when you get to higher pressures.
A real upside to large volume pumps is that the gauges are usually pretty large, making them incredibly easy to read and get a precise tire pressure.
2. Pressure
Pressure and volume can be easy to get mixed up but they are quite different in the MTB pump world.
A high pressured pump is capable of reaching higher pressures, greater than 60 psi. The volume of air pumped through will be smaller with each stroke and this makes them better for filling thinner tires.
You will be able to reach pressures of around 160 to 220 psi with high-pressure pumps.
3. Valve Connections
Valves can be the more complicated part of buying a pump but once you understand the different types, you'll be a whizz!
There are two main types of valves, Presta and Schrader.
Schrader
If you're riding a mountain bike, Schrader is what you're most likely to come across - even on your car potentially!
When comparing the Presta and Schrader valves side by side you will see that the Schrader is wide and has the same circumference from the rim to the tip.
This style of valve is threaded at the end and wrapped in rubber. You will also find they use a pin in the center, this can be used to release or add air.
Presta
Moving onto the Presta valve, which is thinner in appearance and made from metal, no rubber involved.
At the top of the valve, there is a nut. This will need to be unscrewed to add or release air.
You may find the occasional mountain bike with a Presta valve, but they are more common on road bikes as they use higher air pressures.
Presta valves have a diameter that is smaller than Schrader ones, this means that the opening in the rim is smaller, making it a stronger wheel. Though not very practical for mountain bikes as they perform better with lower pressure.
Dunlop
The next valve isn't all that common but it's always good to know about its existence in case you do come across it (you'll also sound knowledgeable to your cycling buddies).
Known as the Dunlop valve, it is used more in Europe and Asia. You may spot one on the odd city bike in the US. On the first inspection, they may look like Presta valves. They are similar but a Dunlop is wider.
The good news is that these days most pumps use systems that work with both Presta and Schrader valves so you don't have to worry about buying the right one!
4. Size & Portability
There are lots of different styles of pumps so spend some time thinking about how portable you want yours to be and what you'll use it for.
Will you be slipping it in a jersey pocket or backpack on a ride or are you looking for one to keep at home?
A mini pump can be fantastic to carry around with you, even attach to your bike. However, due to their size, the amount of air they can push through is limited so it can take a while to inflate a tire. Honestly, when it's your only option, it's a good one and they're incredibly practical!
If you want your bike pump for home use, then size and portability are less of a factor so a floor pump could be the best option. This style of pump can inflate a tire quickly so you can be out of the door in no time!
5. Weight
This probably isn't a concern for you if you're in the market for a floor pump as you won't need to take it on your rides.
The point that is worth making about floor pumps and weight is that it is best to look for a sturdy one, a one that won't fall over easily because that gets tiresome quickly!
Weight becomes more of a concern when you want a pump to carry with you. Something too heavy is unnecessary.
The higher-end mini pumps use lighter weight materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber. These are strong but have the advantage of not adding much weight (marginal gains are a thing!).
There are plenty of other options and plastic is widely used for mini-pumps. They're popular and do the job well.
6. Gauge
A pressure gauge can be nice to have. Not something you're likely to get with a hand or mini pump but a track pump should use a gauge.
To make your life easier, make sure that the pressure gauge is easy to read and importantly, that it has the right pressure range for what you need!
The accuracy of a pressure gauge will vary. A mid-priced pump will give you a pretty accurate reading.
There is the option of a digital pressure gauge, these are more expensive. However, they are super accurate.
The 6 Best Mountain Bike Pumps
1. Pro Bike Tool Mini Pump
Pro Bike Tool is a well-known manufacturer in the cycling world and they offer a range of high-quality products. Their gear is made for cyclists, by cyclists so they understand our market.
I'm sure they won't mind us pointing out that they're award-winning!
'Best Buy' award winner by Outdoor Gear Lab. Being the market leader for 'quality products that offer the most bang-for-the-buck'.
Designed to be lightweight so you can take it with you anywhere. It weighs in at only 4.5 oz so it's not going to add much in the way of noticeable weight to you.
Working with high-quality materials this mini pump is simple to use and gives you quick and accurate inflation, exactly when you need it.
Pro Bike Tools want you to enjoy your ride, not spend hours using their mini-pump so they make it as simple and as efficient as possible.
A world-class design has meant that this mini pump won't take as long to your mountain bike tires at the pressure they need to be. Thanks to an oversized piston, the pump will take an average of 30% fewer strokes to get you back up and running than that of conventional mountain bike pumps.
Are you considering mounting your mini-pump to your mountain bike? That's easily done with this pump as the bracket needed is included.
The pump snaps into place on the bracket and for an extra measure is secured in place with a rubber strap.
If strapping the bike pump to your bike isn't an option, then this one is compact enough that you can slip it into your jersey pocket or backpack and it'll be still comfortable.
One of the standout features of this mini pump is that it has a pressure gauge. Quite an unusual option for mini-pumps but very useful. The gauge goes up to 100 psi, which shouldn't be needed for a MTB but always nice to have!
The gauge does start at 20psi so fat tires, it may not be a suitable guide.
This mountain bike pump will compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves and the best bit, you don't need any adaptors. On either end of the pump hose, there are specific valves for each type, this is another fine example of the quality as there will be no air leaks coming from this pump.
Pros
Cons
The ideal all-rounder floor pump.
Joe Blow floor pumps are high-quality and built to last. They're also built with riders in mind so they're highly functional. The Sport III bike pump comes with some attractive features, making it a worthy upgrade from the Sport II.
The pressure gauge gets a facelift, it's now a 3" chronograph inspired design. An easy to read gauge is always appreciated, and this one certainly is. Rather than mounting it at the base which is a common bike pump design, it is mounted up from the base - closer to you!
Overall, this upgrade makes it a lot easier to see the pressure you're at and you're able to get an accurate reading more easily.
The pressure gauge isn't the only part of this floor pump that has seen an upgrade. The pump head is in a new hammer style, a TwinHead DX pump head system. This pump head caters to each valve type; Presta, Schrader, and even the Dunlop valve.
Making the job easier, the Joe Blow III comes with an extra-long flexible hose, not only that, it has a 360-degree pivot so you can easily get to your tire valve.
Pros
Cons
A mini pump that could potentially rival even the best floor pumps out there in terms of usability and features.
One design on this bike pump that is genius is the valve feature. With a lot of bike pumps, they can leak when you fit them to a Presta valve.
Not with the Vibrelli bike pump!
It has what they call a "Super Fit Clever Valve" and to be fair, it is super clever.
This bike pump will fit both Presta and Schrader valves without leaking. I know what you're thinking, "cool but does that mean you have to use any adaptors or change things?".
No! This super clever pump will secure itself to either valve automatically - no effort required by you.
It may not apply to a mountain bike but it won't leak, even at high pressure.
This isn't just a pump, you get a few little handy extras and who doesn't love extras? The first thing you get is a glueless repair kit, perfect for getting you patched back up. The second extra you get is a sports needle. Ideal for the times when your basketball needs a top-up of air.
Pros
Cons
Lezyne claims that this pump is the 'ultimate travel pump' and I've got to be honest, I'm with them! It does everything you could want from a quality floor drive pump.
It's compact so it won't take up much room and the great thing is, this floor pump can actually lay flat so Lezyne is really excelling at the travel bike pump market.
One of the best mountain bike pumps on the market if you are wanting a lightweight but highly durable pump as it is constructed from CNC machined aluminum.
We most certainly can't shy away from the aesthetics of this floor pump. Usually, it's not something that is high up when you're considering a pump but 10/10 for looks! It's highly polished aluminum just looks classy.
Not forgetting the nice and easy to read 1.5" pressure gauge.
In keeping with the travel aspect of this bike pump, it comes with a felt-lined canvas bag so it will be protected while you're transporting it.
Pros
Cons
AerGun is a US company and their products are used by professional cycling teams so you can be sure of the quality!
Known as the AerTight Pump Heads, AerGun is very proud of the design on their pump heads. To provide a quality product (and this pump certainly is), they only use heavy-duty metal components.
A lot of mountain bike pump, manufacturers will use plastics in their designs and this can affect their durability.
This doesn't take away from how easy this pump is to use. Switching for a different valve is a thing of the past as far as AerGun is concerned. You shouldn't have to fiddle or change anything to flip between each valve and that's a huge plus!
If you like to vary up your training, then you might like to adjust your tire pressure on your mountain bikes to suit. AerGun has thought about this and included a Pressure Release Valve so you can remove air from your tires quickly but also precisely.
One tiny little thing AerGun has done is included a marker that you can use to set your desired air pressure so you can see when you've reached it more easily.
It may not seem to be a big thing, but it does make things a lot easier!
Pros
Cons
I know I said that mini pumps with pressure gauges are hard to come by (and they are) but they do make for the best type of mini pump so here's another one!
A neat portable mini pump to keep you moving when you're out on the trails.
It comes with a decently sized 1.5" pressure gauge so you'll be able to read the dial, which includes both psi and bar for completeness.
The best mountain bike pumps are those that are going to be reliable, they are built to last and you know that when you need them, they're going to work. That's what we've got here!
This barrel is made from CNC aluminum alloy so it's going to do just that.
Giving you the flexibility that you sometimes need, you can switch between 'Hi-V' and 'Hi-P' mode.
That's high volume and high-pressure modes. Making this the best pump for changing up your air output to exactly what you need!
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict
So which one takes the yellow jersey? Or should we say the best mountain bike pumps award? The winner has to go to Topeak Joe Blow Sport III. It has seen a serious upgrade from its predecessor and it is now a truly great mountain bike pump that you can use for years to come!