Getting yourself a good bike floor pump is important because having precisely the right air pressure in your tires makes a significant difference to the way your bicycle performs. Here’s how to evaluate and pick the right pump for the riding you do.
How to Evaluate a Bike Floor Pump for Your Needs
Like most things to do with cycling, deciding which bike floor pump is right for you starts with considering the type of riding you do.
- Road Bike: Tires for road bikes are generally high-pressure, and you want a pump that is robust enough to handle it with a pump “head” or “chuck” that won’t easily blow off the tire valve.
- Mountain Bike: Fat tires are lower pressure, but they have more volume. For that, you’re going to want a high output pump that has a gauge that shows fine gradations in the under 30-pound range. I ride a hardtail, and just a pound or two of pressure difference has a dramatic effect on traction and smoothness of a ride—especially over rough rocky or rooty terrain.
- Quality: If you’re looking for a new pump, I recommend a few things. Pick one with a metal barrel and a wide stable metal base. I’ve had plastic pumps rupture under pressure, and the broad base keeps it from constantly—and annoyingly—falling over. Look for a robust hose, a sturdy handle, and take the time to look over the head/chuck for things like metal in the head construction.
Whenever considering a pump, do your research and find reviews of the model you’re looking at.
Best Budget Bike Floor Pump for All Round: Topeak Sport II
I have the “Pro” model of this pump, and I’ve been very happy and impressed with Topeak’s attention to quality and performance. The Sport II comes in at a very budget-friendly price, yet features most of the benefits of its higher-priced brethren. That includes a solid steel base for stability and double-sided “twin head” with one side for Presta and the other for Schrader valves.
Topeak Joe Blow Sport II Floor Pump
The Topeak Sport II Floor Pump features a twin head for both Presta and Schrader valves along with a steel barrel and sturdy wide base for stability. It also comes with adapters to inflate balls and blow-up pool toys.
$36.66
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Best Road Bike Floor Pump: Lezyne Steel Digital Drive
I have an ongoing love affair with Lezyne and own two of its mini pumps. They have very simple designs that just work whenever I need them. I like the Steel Digital Drive for a couple of reasons. For one, I’ve been hooked on digital gauges since I got my first. It’s just so fast and easy to get exactly the right pressure every time. Secondly, the Lezyne Digital Drive features a remarkably simple all-metal head that works with both Presta and Schrader valves by simply flipping an adapter. It’s a design that—along with the steel barrel, cast aluminum base, and wood handle—is clearly meant to last.
LEZYNE Steel Digital Drive Floor Pump Matte Black, One Size
The Lezyne Steel Digital Drive features a steel barrel, cast aluminum base, and a wood handle. The easy-to-read digital gauge combined with the cleverly simple chuck—which works with both Presta and Schrader valves—makes it a joy to use.
$89.99
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Best Bike Floor Pump For Tubeless: Topeak Joe Blow Booster
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