The Flextail Tiny bike pump works reliably half the time.

Social media algorithms know that I trip my bike nearly on daily basis. I’ve a metropolis bike, a mountain bike and a gravel bike in my quiver, in addition to one or two e-bikes that I hold checking. I additionally work because the household mechanic, which makes me liable for a minimum of 16-18 tires that I’ve to maintain inflated. So, consider me, I took discover when Instagram confirmed me some advertisements Tiny Flextail Bike Kick.

The mini rechargeable pump works with Presta (skinny) or Schrader (previous thick) valves and delivers super-fast inflation to a most stress of 100 psi (about 7 bar)—sufficient for any bike that does not require a coordinated stretchy wardrobe. along with your sneakers and helmet.

The origin of the pump is suspicious as I see it’s the very same product bought underneath a model akin to In cycles, Topper, RrskitAnd Epum at various costs, some for as little as $25. Flextail sells its model for $85, and the producer is listed on the field and the gadget itself as Huzhou Jingwei Out of doors Merchandise. The primary pump Flextail despatched me could not inflate the tire above 19 psi earlier than dying. Flextail despatched me one other one which (principally) matches the invoice.

The advertisements I’ve seen do not point out how loud the tiny pump is: in my testing, it was 76 dB at arm’s size, which is akin to leaning down to examine a working vacuum cleaner or rubbish disposal. Utilizing it whereas stopping on a forest path causes extra frowns than seeing a mountain biker in Lycra.

Nonetheless, the Flextail Tiny bike pump works. It’s a lot quicker and smaller than the mini hand pumps that drivers normally carry with them in case of hassle. At 3.9 ounces (111 grams), it is just a little heavier than the trusty 3.4 ounce (96 grams) Unich pump I carry with me recurrently. However the Flextail pump additionally does not put as a lot stress on the air valve mounts as a result of it does not require lengthy durations of vigorous, erratic pumping.

The most important draw back to the Flextail pump is that it is solely good for a number of pumps to zero earlier than needing a recharge, however this may rely on tire dimension and desired stress. It’ll final for much longer should you simply high up your tires. Its tiny 2.59 Wh battery fees in simply 25 minutes.

In my testing on a metropolis bike with broad 700 x 40c tires and Schrader valves, I used to be in a position to inflate one tire to 45 psi in 45 seconds. Then, switching to a gravel bike geared up with wider 700 x 42c tires and Presta valves, I used to be in a position to attain 50 psi in 90 seconds earlier than the pump not wanted recharging. For these retaining rating, that is two actual boosts per cost.

The Flextail Tiny Bike Pump is so small and light-weight that I initially thought it could be excellent for bike rides and even lengthy day journeys. However with solely two pumps within the tank, I’d nonetheless like to hold a hand pump as a backup together with my patch equipment and spare tubes. However my gram-obsessed mind would by no means enable me to hold two pumps.

In case your setup is an e-bike with a built-in USB charging port, then you definitely’re already touring with a large wheelie battery. This makes it straightforward to recharge the Flextail’s pump after it runs out as a result of a roadside flat tire restore did not go as deliberate (it occurs!). Simply do not forget a USB-C cable… and possibly a carb bar to snack on when you wait.

If you happen to’re nonetheless , all I can say is that one of many two tiny Flextail bike pumps I examined labored as marketed, and I am prepared to wager you will have comparable success from different manufacturers that promote that very same Huzhou Jingwei Out of doors. Merchandise with a battery pump are less expensive.

For everybody else, simply purchase a mini hand pump for lots much less cash. They by no means want recharging, are too giant to be misplaced, and can most likely final a human lifetime or two.

All images by Thomas Ricker/The Verge.