_ForceD_

Anyone use this mini electric pump? Reviews, comments?

https://rockbrosbike.us/products/roc...T9iPXOFRJ8ULNA

Dan

icemilkcoffee 

My worry is that if you don't have a flat for 3-4 months at a time, and when you do get a flat, and need to use this- it would have lost a lot of its battery power from sitting around for all that time.

_ForceD_

Well, this…like my rechargeable lights, GPS device, etc would go back onto the charger after every ride/use. I’d hope that like most rechargeable devices these days, it automatically stops charge when full. My real concern is about the claim that it can pump up to 100psi.

Of course I clicked that one link and now I’m getting ads for numerous mini electric pumps.

Dan

jon c. 

I'd be interested in hearing user reports as well. I thought about buying something like this when I had a flat a few months ago and couldn't get my CO2 cart to function correctly. And I only had one cartridge although I thought I always carried two. I hadn't had a flat in a long time so the stuff had been sitting in my saddle bag for a couple years. Part of why I couldn't get the CO2 dispenser to work. But it also instilled in me the fear that if I had one of these I'd forget about it and it would be dead when I went to use to. I'd have to find a way to remind myself to charge it once a month.

It seemed a pressing concern for a few days, but I haven't had a flat since so I somewhat forgot about it. But the question will arise again I'm sure.

msu2001la

This seems to have no benefits over CO2 cartridges?
Even if you're diligent and keep it fully charged for every ride, the website says it'll only work to inflate two 25c tires to 80psi. It looks like it's as big as two CO2 cartridges.

Am I missing something here?

msu2001la

Why not just carry a manual mini pump as a backup? You can get a good one for less than $30. No charging, and they come with frame mounts, so it lives on your bike - always ready to go:
LEZYNE SPORT DRIVE HP | ROAD AND GRAVEL BIKE HAND PUMP

_ForceD_

Well, there’s no residue of expended CO₂ cartridges. And, as mentioned above, you don’t have to worry about the possibility of your CO₂ going “Pffffffsssst” into the air.

Dan

wolfchild

I prefer a regular hand operated mini pump, not interested in electric mini pumps.

terrymorse 

One comment. It reportedly takes about a minute to pump up a 25mm road tire, versus 2-3 seconds for a CO₂ cartridge.

If it's going to take a minute, I might as well just use a hand pump.

zandoval 

Nice... But not so mini for a bicycle.

Could be well worth it for a touring motorcycle.

icemilkcoffee 

CO2 leaks out too fast with TPU and latex tubes, and shortens the life of tire sealant. So CO2 has its own issues. I carry CO2, but I'm on the lookout for new inflation gizmos as well.

TiHabanero

I view these mini electric pumps as not much different than CO2 cartridges, specifically when in a pinch it will let you down. Must always carry a manual backup pump. Perhaps as a qualifier question one might ask, "Would I rely upon this pump as my only pump during a world tour?"

SW84

I bought this one and love it. If not used it holds it's charge for weeks. You can set the pressure and it automatically shuts off. It comes with it's own bag and measures about 1.5"x 1.5" x 7".

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1

majhi

This. I'd be afraid of getting caught in the rain with an electric pump and then having it be dead dead after getting a little wet.

indyfabz

But eventually there will be expended battery residue.

indyfabz

I wouldn’t rely upon it for an overnight tour. My Road Morph G is all I need. I rarely flat anyway.

chaadster

I’ve not used the device in the OP nor any of its type, but those little electric pumps make quite a racket from what I’ve seen.

They don’t hold any appeal for me, seeming more like pointless headaches as they do, but I imagine they’d be awesome for riders who have difficulty using hand pumps or apprehension using co2.

I appreciate speedy flat repair as much as anyone, but fortunately good, manual mini-pumps work flawlessly and hassle-free for me. I do carry a 16g co2 on me, too, but that’s more for handing out to the hapless I chance across so I can be a hero without having to suffer them any longer than the case warrants. Some of y’all cats are weird!

indyfabz

How cute.

rsbob 

More items to go into the landfill, as well as resources to make. It still takes resources to make the electric pump but it’s not a use and toss situation.

I also have two CO2 cartridges with a mini-pump backup, but they haven’t been used in two years. Just lucky.

Would I consider electric if and when the CO2 are used up? Distinct possibility.

msu2001la

This is a dubious argument.

This mini pump will last a few years before the battery has degraded to the point where it's not usable. At that point, the entire thing will get tossed in the garbage and end up in a landfill (batteries and all).

Spent CO2 cartridges are made from metal and can easily be recycled with any other scrap metal. You also accurately note that most people are not using enough C02 for this to really be a factor.

rsbob 

Thank you for your astute correction. I wonder how many people are conscientious enough to recycle their cylinders? No way to accurately know, but I hazard a guess it wouldn’t be in the 90% realm. But 100% of the electric mini-pumps would go in the garbage unless they were astute enough to remove the battery and take that to their hazardous waste recycling event - if they had one. I will stick to CO2 and minipump