Bicycle Air Pump – These Variants Are Available
Air in the tires is a basic requirement for almost every bike to function properly. If the air pressure in the tire is not correct, the tires will have difficulty rolling – and the functionality of your bike will be severely limited. It is therefore no coincidence that an air pump is part of every cyclist's basic equipment – regardless of whether you are riding in the city, off-road or on a road bike.
The area of application is the main criterion when choosing your new bike air pump. The spectrum ranges from the classic frame pump to CO2 cartridge pumps and mini pumps with an extendable hose to multifunctional floor pumps with a digital gauge. We have listed the most important types of air pump below:
- Floor pump: This is ideal for home use and usually offers a gauge for precise pressure measurement. The floor pump consists of a sturdy base, a larger pump cylinder, a handle, a hose with a valve attachment and a gauge that clearly shows the air pressure in bar or psi.
- Tubeless floor pump: A variant of the classic floor pump. With the advent of tubeless tires, it has become a "must-have" for mountain bikers and road cyclists in recent years. The reason: tubeless tires require a strong air flow to get air into the tire quickly when starting to inflate, so that the tire bead presses into the rim and seals it. Tubeless pumps therefore have a high-pressure cylinder that can be quickly deflated into the tires.
- Mini pump: It is significantly smaller and lighter in design, making it perfect for taking with you on the road. The mini pump fits comfortably in your jersey pocket or can be mounted on your bike frame. In the road bike scene, it is also known as a road bike air pump.
- CO2 cartridge pump: A special feature of the mini pump. The cartridge pump is particularly suitable for sporty use due to its quick and easy handling. The function is simple: instead of air, CO2 is filled into the tires from a gas cartridge.
- Shock and suspension fork pumps: Shock pumps and suspension fork pumps play a special feature in the bike pump sector. Shock absorbers are installed in all full-suspension bicycles and these lose air over time. The high-pressure pumps equipped with gauges allow the desired air pressure to be set precisely.
Buy a Bike Tire Air Pump at Bike24
In addition to the type of air pump, you also need to know the type of valve on your tires when buying. In principle, there are three types of valves on bikes: the French valve, also known as the Sclaverand or Presta valve. Then there is the car valve, also known as the Schrader valve. And then there is the bicycle valve, also known as the dunlop valve or Blitz valve.
The size and performance of the pump are also crucial. A smaller pump is portable, but a larger pump with more power can inflate your tires faster. The choice depends on your individual needs. In any case, you will find a large selection of pumps from leading manufacturers such as Lezyne, SKS or Topeak.