One of the most mandatory, basic tools used to maintain your own bicycle is the tyre pump. The pump is designed to serve a very simple purpose – adding air to your tyres. Despite their purpose being so easy, some pumps fall short of the mark. With so many tyre pumps available on the market, finding the right one might be harder than you might think. There are a couple of things to consider when buying one, such as: do you want to operate it with your hands or feet? Do you want a smaller and more compact pump? Being aware of all the options will ensure you get the most out of the tyre pump.
Stand Pump
These pumps are also known as floor pumps and they’re the most commonly used type of bicycle tyre pump by far. The stand pump is usually placed on the floor, and by pressing the handle, you force air into the tyre. Stand pumps usually feature a fitted gauge in order to ensure the correct tyre pressure is attached. Moreover, they have a stand attached to the bottom, so that it can stand upright without any support whatsoever. Some stands are extended outwards, so that you can place your foot on the stand. This makes it convenient to pull and push the handle without it being lifted when pulling.
Hand Pump
Hand pumps are the most portable solution to a flat tyre. However, they generally shouldn’t be your first choice, as they’re designed for occasional use and emergencies. They’re light and compact, but at the price of stressing the valve stem, which oftentimes leads to a leaking inner tube. Some hand pumps feature a flexible hose to avoid this issue, but you’ll most likely still have to pump longer than a stand pump without reaching the necessary pressure.
CO2 Inflators
This is the most advanced form of a bicycle tyre pump, and it’s commonly used by professional cycle racers and serious cyclists. They have a replaceable cartridge filled with CO2, onto which a lever is broken and the air is quickly pushed into the tyre’s valve. However, because the pumps contain carbon dioxide, the tyres will go flat in a couple of days due to the fact that CO2 molecules leak through the inner tube quicker than air does. These pumps are also compact and lightweight, which makes them convenient, simple and fast to use. They aren’t as effective as standing pumps, but they can do the job fast and easy.
