Social media algorithms know that I ride a bike almost every day. My quiver includes a city bike, a mountain bike, and a gravel bike, as well as one or two e-bikes that I’m always in the process of reviewing. I’m also the family mechanic, which means I’m responsible for no less than 16-18 tires that I need to constantly inflate. So you better believe I noticed when Instagram showed me some ads for the Flextail Tiny Bike Bump.
The mini rechargeable pump works with Presta (thin) or Schrader (old, thick) valves and provides ultra-fast inflation that reaches a maximum of 100 psi (about 7 bar) – enough for any bike that doesn’t require a flexible wardrobe. with shoes and helmet.
The origin of the pump is suspect as I see it is the exact same product sold under brand names such as Cyclami, Toptoper, Rrskit and Epoom at various prices, some as low as $25. Flextail sells its version for $85 and lists the manufacturer as Huzhou Jingwei Outdoor Products on the box and on the device itself. The first pump Flextail sent me was unable to inflate the tire above 19 psi before dying. Flextail sent me another one that (mostly) meets the requirements.
Imagine hearing this in the middle of a quiet forest:
The ads I’ve seen don’t mention how loud this tiny pump is: in my tests, 76 dB at arm’s length, which is like bending down to check the running vacuum cleaner or garbage disposal. Using it while parked on forest trails gets more angry looks than the sight of a mountain biker in Lycra.
However, the Flextail Tiny bike pump does work. It is much faster and smaller than the mini hand pumps that drivers usually carry in case of problems. At 111 grams, it’s also only slightly heavier than the trusty 3.4-ounce (96-gram) Unich pump that I regularly carry. But the Flextail pump doesn’t put as much stress on the air valve mounts because it doesn’t require long periods of vigorously irregular pumping.
The biggest downside to the Flextail pump is that it only takes a few zero to full inflations before it needs to be refilled, but this depends on the size of the tire and the desired pressure. It will last much longer if you just refill your tires. Its small 2.59 Wh battery charges in just 25 minutes.
1/4
Comparison of the Flextail with two mini pumps, my trusty Unich pump (top) and a mini stand-up pump from Pro Bike Tool (bottom).
1/4
Comparison of the Flextail with two mini pumps, my trusty Unich pump (top) and a mini stand-up pump from Pro Bike Tool (bottom).
During my testing on a city bike equipped with wide 700 x 40c tires and a Schrader valve, I was able to inflate one tire to 45 psi in 45 seconds. Then, switching to a gravel bike equipped with wider 700 x 42c tires and Presta valves, I was able to get to 50 psi in 90 seconds before the pump stopped needing charging. For those keeping score, that means two real inflations per charge.
The Flextail Tiny Bicycle Pump is so small and light that I initially thought it would be perfect for bike touring or even long day rides. But with only two tank fills, I’d still like to carry a hand pump to supplement my kit of patches and spare tubes. But there’s no way my gram-obsessed brain would let me carry two pumps.
If your setup is an electric bike with a built-in USB charging port, you’re already traveling with a giant power bank on wheels. This makes it easier to recharge your Flextail pump when it runs out of juice because repairing a flat tire on the side of the road didn’t go as planned (it happens!). Just don’t forget your USB-C cable… and a carb bar to snack on while you wait.
If you’re still interested, all I can say is that one of the two Flextail Tiny bike pumps I tested worked as advertised, and I bet you’ll have similar success with other brands that sell what looks to be the same Huzhou Jingwei Outdoor Products with a battery pump for much less.
For everyone else, just buy a mini hand pump for much less money. They never need charging, are too big to lose, and will likely last a person’s lifetime – or two.
All photos: Thomas Ricker / The Verge
Credit : www.theverge.com
