The Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump is truly very small, well made and gives a secure fit on your valves. If you want to reach the claimed 100psi, though, make sure your gym membership is up to date.
- Pros: Quality construction; fits in a pocket easily
- Cons: Small size means a small amount of air per stroke; gets hot in use
> Buy this online here
Having a mini pump on you is more about insurance rather than performance, so you want something that is going to be discreet on the bike or ideally fit in a rear jersey pocket without the risk of losing it. At just 185mm in length, the Pro Bike Tool offering does exactly that.
Even some of the race jerseys I've worn with pretty shallow pockets will swallow this pump with ease and with very little worry that it is going to slide out when in a crouched position.
It doesn't weigh much either, at 100g or, if you want to attach it to your bike, 113g including the mount.
Diminutive it may be, but when you do need it its size does mean there is a bit of a compromise on performance. You only have 115mm of stroke, which means there isn't a whole lot of air going into your tube or tyre for all of that hand movement.
From flat I managed to get about 50psi into a 700x28mm tyre in 200 strokes, and it was warm work with the barrel and handle getting hot from the friction.
From 160 strokes there is a noticeable increase in the amount of effort required to keep forcing air into the tyre, and to go above that 50psi it is only going to get tougher.
I got tired of counting but managed to get the tyre up to 75psi, which is ample for most and definitely enough to get you home.
To attach the pump to the valve you'll find a flexible hose hidden inside the handle. You unscrew it and select which valve head you need (Presta or Schrader), then screw the opposing end to the bottom of the pump. The end you need to use then screws over the valve for a secure fit.
The hose is 150mm in length, which gives you a little bit of room for manoeuvre and means you don't need to be so close to the wheel when pumping begins.
It is simple and easy to use.
Quality is pretty good too: the whole thing feels solid in use and the turned body and handle have very tiny grooves for a bit of extra grip.
Rubber caps are fitted to each end of the pump to stop water ingress when not in use.
Money-wise, the RRP of £24.98 is about right for a decent mini pump with this kind of construction. Dave Arthur found the BBB Samurai Telescopic Mini Pump easier for getting air in and it could also switch between high pressure and high volume setups, which makes more sense for both road and mountain bikes. It does cost a fiver more, though.
> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best pumps and CO2 inflators
Another option could be the Topeak Roadie DAX pump for £22.99. It works well but isn't quite as compact, so you won't be able to carry it in your pocket.
Overall, assuming (hoping!) you'll be carrying the Pro Bike Tool mini pump a hell of a lot more than you'll be using it, its small size makes it ideal, and should you need it there is still enough puff to get you home.
Verdict
The perfect size to fit in a jersey pocket but requires a fair bit of work to get a tyre up to pressure
Make and model: Pro Bike Tool Mini Bike Pump
Size tested: 18.5 x 2.5 x 2.5cm
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?
Pro Bike Tool says, "Pro Bike Tool's Mini Bike Pump is compact & lightweight to get you back riding fast. Pumping to 100 psi this is a reliable way to get back on the road."
On the whole it's a decent pump that provides a tight air seal.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Pro Bike Tool lists:
PSI/BAR
100 psi / 6.9 bar
FAST
Get back riding fast with 30% fewer pumping strokes than conventional mini pumps.
DESIGN
Super compact & lightweight. Only 7.3 inches long and 3.6oz in weight.
BUILD
Reliable & built to last.
CONNECTIONS
Super tight Presta & Schrader connection with no leaks.
SECURE BRACKET
NEW secure frame mount bracket with extra security strap.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
6/10
Rate the product for durability:
7/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
7/10
Rate the product for value:
5/10
For the materials used it's certainly in the right ball park on price. The two options I've mentioned in the review show that there are decent pumps either side of this.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It takes a lot of strokes to get the air in, but the hose does provide a secure fit.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Solid build and flexible hose.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
A lot of strokes to get the tyre up to pressure.
Did you enjoy using the product? It's a workout!
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
It's all about compromises – space in your pocket versus performance – and this pump has a pretty good balance. Decent quality too.
Age: 40 Height: 180cm Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: This month's test bike My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components
I've been riding for: Over 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
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