A Review of the Different Types of Bike Pumps & Their Benefits

If you are someone who enjoys taking their bike out for a ride, then you know how beneficial a reliable bike pump can be when you most need it. But like with many other cycling equipment pieces, there are variations in the design of the products – they all complete the same task, just in a different way and come with different features. So let’s see what you need to pay attention to as to find the bike pump that is just right for your needs.

Track Pump

These types of pumps are the most common ones and they are often referred to as floor pumps. They are very handy around the house as well as they have a large capacity and can be used for other tasks such as inflating a small pool or toys for your kids. They almost always come with a long flexible hose, pressure gauge and a large chamber that gives it its ability to transfer air quickly. For many cyclists, this is a must-have pump as it is reliable and doesn’t have a lot of working parts that can break.

Hand Pump

Hand pumps are great to have as a backup, they are small but can come in very handy when you need them. These pumps are typically used in cases of emergency and their design is so compact and light that you won’t even notice you have one with you. However, because of their small design, the pump stresses the valve steam and can eventually lead to air leaking. But this problem is easily solvable by adding a flexible hose to alleviate the pressure.

Frame Pump

These pumps got their name because of their feature that allows them to be mounted inside the triangle of the bike frame. They are very large and effective cycling bike pumps that are generally seen on steel road and touring bikes. Their larger capacity allows for faster air transfer and their design makes them durable and practical for taking with you while cycling. If you want a reliable pump that you can take with you while cycling then this is the option to go for.

Shock Pump

Shock pumps are designed to be compact and exert a large amount of pressure. They have a minute volume but are great for precision pumping or suspension. These types of cycling bike pumps are used on mountain bikes that have air suspension, so if you have one, adding this pump to your arsenal is a good idea. It often has a max pressure of 300 psi which can be regulated until you find the right pressure and then fine tune it.