Topeak’s Mini Morph G is designed to let you take all of the benefits of a track pump out on the road with you. The ‘G’ stands for gauge, so with this model you can put a pressure value to the point where your biceps start to scream (there’s a non-G model for £24.99).
It’s not a new idea, but the big difference compared with other more traditional mini pumps is the fold-out handle and foot peg, which certainly makes getting higher pressures of air into your inner tubes or tyres.
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As you are effectively pushing the pump down onto the ground rather than holding it in mid-air, you can really get your bodyweight behind it, something you need to do when you’re sticking 120psi into a 28mm tyre to test the Morph’s capacity. That took about 300 strokes and I wouldn’t say the pump would handle a whole lot more, not efficiently anyway.
The first 150 strokes achieved around 70psi on the gauge; I say around as it’s not the clearest of gauges to read, so it’s best to just use it as a rough guide. Attaching my track pump to the inner tube straight after saw that both gauges were in the same ball park at least.
The head itself is a push fit with a locking lever, very similar to a lot of others, and provided a snug fit the majority of the time. On some valves it needed a bit of a tweak to become airtight.
This one came set up for Presta valves as default, so I’m guessing that’s the standard. Should you need to use the Morph on Schrader valves you need to unscrew the knurled end of the head, remove the rubber bung and then the plastic part which pushes the valve head down. Both the plastic part and rubber bung need to then be spun round to face the other way before tightening the screw head back on. The reason I’m telling you all this is because it is a faff, not something you want to do too often on the side of the road – the rubber bung is tight to get out and I had to poke a screwdriver head in to drag out the plastic part.
There are some other issues too, that plastic handle for starters. In theory it’s all good: you twist it to unlock and then once in the extended position it snaps into place ready for you to push down on.
The problem is the cut-out on the bottom – which allows the handle to fold away – has sharp edges, making it uncomfortable to use without gloves, as does the twist-lock locator at the end. When pressures are getting high and your hands are starting to sweat, it’s not a nice combination.
> Check out our guide to the best pumps and CO2 inflators here
The fitting kit can be mounted to the frame using your cage bolts, but unlike others it sits centreline so there is no option to fit a cage over the top – if you like to carry two bottles, this’ll be an issue. It can be fitted to the top tube but for this it uses cable ties – not the prettiest of solutions.
Don’t bother trying to stick it in your rear pocket, either. I tried that and the Morph got crushed by a following taxi as it bounced off down the road. A couple of the plastic clips and things broke, but it still works – which is a good nod to the pump’s durability if nothing else.
As for price, it’s at the upper end of the mini pump scale, though similar to other ‘mini track pump’ models from Zefal and BBB, but it needs quite a bit of refinement to be considered good value.
Conclusion
A well-thought-out design, but the Mini Morph G just lacks a little in every aspect, meaning that I’d happily keep using my small handheld mini pump and put up with about 20psi less in my tyres until I get home.
Verdict
Can achieve decent roadside pressures but needs refining all round to make it a good pump
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Topeak Mini Morph G pump
Size tested: 26x5x2.8cm , Black/Siver
Tell us what the product is for, and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Topeak says: “Morph™ technology packs floor pump efficiency and ease of use into a compact, portable design you can bring along for the ride.”
The Mini Morph G does make it easier to reach higher pressures than a standard mini pump due to the foot peg and handle, but the sacrifice is bulk in its construction.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Head Presta/ Schrader/ Dunlop Valves
Barrel Butted Aluminum
Gauge In-line Gauge, Reads 140 psi/9.6 bar
Thumb Lock Plastic
Handle T-Type Plastic/Kraton
Added Features Fold-out Foot Pad
Flexible Hose
Centerline Mount Bracket
Size (L x W x H) 26.5 x 5 x 2.8 cm / 10.4′ x 2.0′ x 1.1′
A large use of plastic gives it a cheap and fragile feel but in use it is actually quite strong.
It’s got a few niggles but overall it gets air in your tyres pretty quickly and easily.
Mine got run over by a taxi which broke some of the plastic clips but it’s still working.
It’s a big old beast for a mini pump.
Sharp edges on the small handle dig into your hands at high pressures.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
The handle and footpeg design do make it easier to get air into the tyres at higher pressures but it’s all a bit of a compromise.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The gauge seems pretty accurate.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Sharp edges on the handle.
Did you enjoy using the product? It was okay.
Would you consider buying the product? No, too many little niggles.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? No
Use this box to explain your score
It’s a good concept but lacks refinement, which to me is too much of a sacrifice to make over a small pocket-sized pump to gain a few extra psi.
About the tester
Age: 37 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month’s test bike My best bike is: Mason Definition
I’ve been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,
8 thoughts on “Topeak Mini Morph G Pump”
I use the cheapest mini pump
I use the cheapest mini pump from Decathlon with a small stand alone analog gauge – light and easy to store – as these things are always a hassle anyway why go with a more expensive and heavier one?
Geraldaut wrote:
I see your point. Mini pumps are for emergency use only and there isn’t a lot of opportunity to use it. Not sure if you ever tried inflating your tires up to 120 PSI with a handpump, it’s a pain in the ass. Imagine doing that in a hot summer day on scorching hot pavement. Ergonomics + quality would be important in this case.
Lancesky wrote:
I had to use it quite a lot with my son’s bike and also twice for my road bike. It is feasable to get up to 5 bars which is OK as I am riding alone in no hurry and have 28mm tyres.
I got a Presta/Schraeder adaptor, so next time I’ll just pump the minimum and make it to the next petrol station.
PS: thieves are definitly not attracted
I have one of these – though
I have one of these – though it is many years old. I’m pretty happy with it. The plastic foot peg has broken off but the pump still works well and holding one end against the ground is a much better design than a regular frame pump.
The ability to pump my tyres up to full pressure (which is only 95 PSI in my case) with a pump small enough to carry with me is important for me because I like to tour. If I get a puncture I might have to ride, heavily loaded, on the tyre for days at whatever pressure I have managed to get to before coming across a track pump. There was also a time when I used to fly with my bike and was often forced to let the tyres down by the airline (I know its not really needed but sometimes they check) and so have to pump them up at the other end.
I can’t compare against other mini track pumps but I would buy this over a regular frame pump every time.
On the one hand, the Mini
On the one hand, the Mini Morph is a less showy version of the Lezyne Micro Floor Drive, which is all shiny aluminum but is in essence also a portable track pump. That was always my problem with the Micro Floor Drive – it basically screams “steal me!” at ne’er-do-wells.
On the other hand, the Mini Morph is much fiddlier to store aboard a frame, and it basically eliminates second bottle storage.
Oh well.
I have one, never used in
I have one, never used in anger though. But mine came with a mount that allows it to sit tucked in next to a bottle. Though if you don’t position it right it takes about 14 miles to discover what the ticking noise is as your crank catches it every revoloution.
Taken off the bike in favour of a couple of CO2 canisters, though will probably be stuffed in a pannier if I do any touring.
Ive had one of these for 6
Ive had one of these for 6 years, 80 psi on my 28mm commute bike within a minute, why would you put 120psi in a 28mm tyre?
On the Wild Wales challenge helped pump up a flat 2.1 29er tyre much to the amazement of the owner very quickly. Fold out head and foot make it a mini track pump, not the smallest but easily fits in the back pocket of a decent jersey which it was where it stayed for the whole of LEL & all my rides, it has never bounced out. Does both presta and Schrader too. Cheap at half the price.
I have the previous version.
I have the previous version. The trick is to not go all the way down in the stroke, and that way you don’t bash your hands.
I keep it in my bicycle flight case and use it down route rather than lugging a track pump with me on the plane. Works well enough for this.
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