Best mountain bike pumps – fix flats the easy way with our expert pick

A mountain bike tire being pumped up
(Image credit: Rich Owen)

When searching for the best mountain bike pumps, pretty much every accessory brand has a range of pumps and CO2 inflators to choose from. Unfortunately, you have to work through a lot of them to find out which are genuinely good, which are generically okay, and which are unreliable or rubbish. Luckily for you, our test team has decades of experience trying to inflate tires in the darkest, dirtiest conditions and they know which products can be considered the best MTB pumps around. 

Our list of 10 of the best mountain bike pumps and CO2 inflators includes models we've reviewed here on Bike Perfect, but also ones we've used over the years and know they do their job very well. We wouldn't advise on heading out on a ride without a way to reinflate your tires, but just as vital, should a mishap strike, is one of the best mountain bike multi-tools and we'd also recommend wearing one of the best hydration packs too.

The best mountain bike pumps and CO2 inflators

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Specialized Air Tool Big Bore

(Image credit: Guy Kesteven)
Big volume pump from Specialized

Specifications

Length: 20cm
Weight: 85g
Features: Alloy construction, cage mount, Presta and Schrader valve heads

Reasons to buy

+
Fast inflation
+
Push-fit valve heads
+
Robust alloy body construction

Reasons to avoid

-
Takes some arm strength 
-
Shaft gets dirty 

Specialized offers a simple yet solid mini-pump for inflating high-volume mountain bike tires on the go. An alloy body and shaft are connected by a hose to a headpiece that has both Presta and Schrader valve heads. The push-fit valve heads connect well to valves and don't rip out valve cores. 

The big volume design means that pumping up tires is faster, albeit more taxing on your arms. One of our only complaints with this pump is that getting a tire all the way up to 30psi does require some strength. However, seating tubeless tires with it is not an issue. 

If you're looking for a simple, strong mini-pump that can handle modern mountain bike tires, then this pump is for you. 

For more info, head over to our full Specialized Air Tool Big Bore review.

Merida Telescopic MTB mini-pump

(Image credit: Graham Cottingham)
An affordable pocketable pump

Specifications

Length: 18cm
Weight: 112g
Features: Aluminum construction, Presta and Schrader valve head, rubber cap and seal

Reasons to buy

+
Aluminum construction
+
Small size and lightweight
+
Decent price
+
Works well across mountain and gravel tires

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the fastest inflation

Merida's Telescope MTB mini-pump supports a max of 80 psi, so it's suitable for both mountain bike and gravel riding. The body is mostly constructed from aluminum, with the exception of the head, so this is a durable pump. 

The head supports both Presta and Shrader valves, and the valve heads are protected from dirt and grim with a rubber cap and seal. The pump is small and light, so you'll forget that you even brought it with you. 

Since it is smaller, you get less leverage, so inflating tires can take some time. However, considering the strong construction and reasonable price, this is a great option to chuck into your pack or pocket for emergencies. 

Head on over to our complete Merida Telescope MTB mini-pump review for more details.

Birzman Infinite Apogee MTB pump

(Image credit: Guy Kesteven)
Puncture-beating pieces that are stylish and innovative

Specifications

Length: 25cm
Weight: 177g
Features: Metal body construction, valve head, braided hose, Co2 inflater attachment available

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish
+
Reasonable price
+
No danger of valve core removal
+
CO2 compatible

Reasons to avoid

-
Connector may leak
-
Wobbly pump shaft 

This CO2-compatible pump from Birzman is stylish with its silver metal body construction and green shaft. The shaft connects to a valve head, and you can also buy a CO2 connector kit for even faster inflation. The optional CO2 kit costs extra and adds an additional 46g. 

Tire inflation works well and the price of this pump is on par with the competition. However, space between the shaft and body means that it gets wobbly when pumping, and the CO2 connector can potentially get leaky. If you can handle these inconveniences then the pump should work for you to pump up a tire on the fly.

For more, read our complete Birzman Infinite Apogee MTB pump review.

Topeak Mountain TT

(Image credit: Topeak)

Topeak Mountain TT Twin Turbo

Impressively fast double action pump

Specifications

Length: 22cm
Weight: : 192g
Features: Auto adjust valve, lock head, cage clip

Reasons to buy

+
Double-action for fast filling
+
Tough build quality

Reasons to avoid

-
Labor-intensive to use

With big volume 27.5-inch and 29er mountain bike tires now becoming standard fit on so many bikes, you need a pump that can push serious amounts of air. That's where Topeak's TwinTurbo system comes into play. The technology allows the pump to compress and release air on both the 'up' and 'down' stroke. 

The increased resistance makes it pretty labor-intensive to use, but the wide shaft and alloy barrel make it a tough piece you can put plenty of muscle into without flexing and bending. The auto valve-adjust head has a solid locking lever for a tight seal. This newest model is actually a few dollars cheaper than Topeak's last MTB-specific mini-pump, however, this one doesn't have a pressure gauge.

Topeak build quality is always excellent, making it a great long-term investment, and it comes with a bottle cage clip if the length is too big for your bag or pocket.

Lezyne Pressure Drive CFH

(Image credit: Lezyne)

Lezyne Pressure Drive CFH

Retro design hides excellent pump and CO2 package versatility

Specifications

Length: 190mm
Weight: 108g
Features: Screw head, hose, CO2 cartridge, cage clip

Reasons to buy

+
Both hand and CO2 operation
+
CO2 cartridge supplied

Reasons to avoid

-
Small bore stroke

Lezyne thinks harder than most about products, and the Pressure Drive is a particularly neatly packaged version of a system that lots of brands also produce.

The alloy pump with a separate screw-in hose design is decidedly retro and the short, relatively small-bore stroke takes a while to get pressure up by hand. However, the screw-in braided metal hose also has a puncture pin to open CO2 canisters for super-fast tire inflation. You get a CO2 cartridge supplied with the pump too so you’re good to go straight away. Lezyne also includes a secure, rattle-silencing multi-clip bottle bolt mount as well as a cunning double-barrel neoprene sheath and twin-strap system. That means the pump and cartridge can sit on your frame or you can just attach two cartridges and the hose to frame tubes or seatposts for racing, which creates a really versatile, decent value set-up that’s impressively tough. 

Just be careful when unscrewing the hose from Presta valves as they can sometimes unscrew the valve core in the process, dumping all the air you’ve just put in.

B'Twin Telescopic Hand Pump with Pressure Gauge

(Image credit: B'Twin)

Decathlon B'Twin 920

Telescopic hand pump with pressure gauge

Specifications

Length: 32cm
Weight: 150g
Features: Screw head, hose, gauge, cage clip

Reasons to buy

+
Bargain at the price
+
Also suitable for road bikes

Reasons to avoid

-
Inaccurate gauge
-
Slightly awkward to use

Decathlon is always worth a look for basic kit done well, and while it’s a bit wobbly, this telescopic pump gets plenty of air in quickly. The extending telescopic action of the twin-tube alloy construction pushes on to high enough pressures to make it road bike compatible too, and the built-in gauge will give you a vague idea if you’ve done enough pumping. The swiveling hose has a reversible end chuck for Schrader and Presta valves, which means you don’t have to squeeze your hand and pump head between the spokes. You do have to be careful not to unthread the valve core when you remove the hose though and you need to pump straight to stop it flexing and sticking. The gauge is very much approximate rather than accurate, so double-check with a proper pressure checker as soon as you can. Considering you get a bottle clip and a locking head to stop rattle, it’s definitely a bargain. 

SKS Airboy XL

(Image credit: SKS)

SKS Airboy XL

Basic big volume pumping done in a super tough, serviceable, smooth-action way

Specifications

Length: 18cm
Weight: 90g
Features: Auto adjust valve, cage clip

Reasons to buy

+
Large volume
+
Comprehensive range of spares

Reasons to avoid

-
Not suitable for road bikes

SKS are pump-building legends, and they take pride in packing that heritage and performance into some hand-sized inflators as well. The Airboy XL is a larger volume evolution of the original Airboy with a dual-chamber, dual plunger design so it fills bigger tires faster, although your biceps will be bulging to get much beyond 50psi so it’s not suitable for road use. The hooked head fits easily onto either valve type with an adjustable collar for a tight secure fit. The kinked rubber tip on the handle feels good in your hand and the smooth action makes it great for repeated use. It comes with a bottle cage clip and SKS also sells a full range of spares so as long as you don’t lose it you’re pretty much set for life.

OneUp EDC 100cc Pump

(Image credit: OneUp)

OneUp EDC 100cc Pump

Not cheap but a brilliantly cunning pump, inflator and storage combo

Specifications

Length: 25.5cm
Weight: 160g
Features: Auto adjust valve, CO2 inflator, internal storage, cage clip

Reasons to buy

+
Innovative design allows for extra storage
+
Both hand and CO2 inflation

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite expensive

OneUp is rapidly establishing itself as the kings of cunning stash components, and this pump is naturally a masterpiece. As well as working as a tough, alloy, high-volume (100cc unsurprisingly), short-stroke pump it also has a pull-out CO2 inflator head. That’s smart enough but the really unique bit is that the big diameter shaft means you can not only slide the CO2 canister inside it for storage, but also EDC’s super neat trail tool. Or the tool and a separate stash capsule for whatever else you might want to carry in a discreet weatherproof way. Unlike a lot of combo set-ups, the pump, inflator and mini tool all work extremely well in their own right too, so while the price is relatively high the convenience and packaging are brilliant for those wanting to minimize bulk on the bike or in their pack.

Crankbrothers Klic

(Image credit: Crankbrothers)

Crankbrothers Klic HV Gauge + CO2

Really neat feature-loaded mid-volume pump with gauge and CO2 upgrade options

Specifications

Length: 260mm
Weight: 185g
Features: Screw head, hose, gauge, T handle, CO2 inflator, cage clip

Reasons to buy

+
Customizable options
+
Fast inflation via hand operation
+
Five year warranty

Reasons to avoid

-
Price
-
Doesn't come with C)2 cartridge

Crankbrothers is another company that always separates itself from the masses with smart, stylish design. The Klic pump range also lets you choose exactly what gauge and CO2 add-on features you want as well as High-Pressure HP or High Volume HV chamber sizes. Either way, the Klic name comes from the fact that the pull-out hose connects to the pump magnetically, which might seem a bit of a gimmick but actually works simply and securely. 

The gauge plus CO2 option is listed here, but even if you have to resort to pumping by hand, the fat-shafted HV pump gets even big tires up to pressure fast. Just be careful not to grip the flip-out T-handle fully or the pump body will bite your knuckles. While pricing is slightly high, little touches like the rotating collar to keep the hose connector clean and a five-year warranty mean you won’t regret reaching a bit deeper into your pocket to pay for it.

Genuine Innovations AirChuck

(Image credit: Genuine Innovations)

Genuine Innovations AirChuck

Spring loaded simplicity makes this our favourite premium inflator

Specifications

Length: 4cm
Weight: 15g
Features: Auto adjust valve, CO2 inflator, CO2 cartridge

Reasons to buy

+
Super-simple, but effective design
+
Easy to regulate airflow
+
Two canisters included in price

Reasons to avoid

-
None

Genuine Innovations are inflator specialists so it’s perhaps no surprise the AirChuck head is the nicest we’ve used. Like a lot of the best stuff, it’s a super-simple design. Screw the included 16 or 20g cartridge onto the head and then back it off to open it. The clever bit is that you then just push the spring-loaded head onto the valve which releases the air into the tire. Pull it off and the cartridge shuts again, making it super easy to regulate the fill if you’re blowing up a smaller-volume gravel or road tire or working with frozen fingers in winter. The fact you get two canisters included means it’s not as expensive as it looks at first glance either, and the build quality is properly bombproof, making this the head we always pack if we’re not taking an integrated pump set up.

Best mountain bike pumps: what you need to know before you buy

What size bicycle hand pump is best?

The bigger the tires you run, the more air you need your pump to move. Bigger shafts like Blackburn’s Mammoth are more likely to stick if they get dirty though, and high-volume pumps are hard work once you get to higher pressures. That means something in the middle like Crank Brothers Klic HV is the best bet for use across both road bikes and mountain bikes.

What hand pump features should I look for?

The simplest pumps like SKS’s Airboy XL slap straight onto the valve without any interference. However, something that uses a lever to lock the head in place will make for much fewer chances of leaks. A head that automatically works with either valve type makes life easier in mixed groups and sealing caps (that actually work) are very useful in filthy weather. Frame clips are handy if you don’t use a bag, but make sure there’s an o-ring or handle lock to stop the pump rattling or extending. Fold-out handles, screw-in hoses, and built-in storage can all make life easier if you use them, but expect them to lift the price.

Should I use a pump or a CO2 inflator?

The big choice for every purchase – and every ride – is whether to use a pump or inflator. Pumps are bulkier and slower to use, but the air you use is free and you can top up pressure accurately as many times as you need to. CO2 inflators are much smaller and provide an instant inflation hit if they work right, making them great for race or emergency situations. Cartridges are expensive though, even if you buy big catering packs on the internet, and make sure you recycle the cartridges to minimize waste. If you want the best of both worlds, then a combo package like Lezyne’s Pressure Drive is a great option.

Are hand pumps with pressure gauges best?

Gauges are a common upgrade option to get you to spend a bit more, but their usefulness depends on two things: How well you can judge tire pressure with just a squeeze and how accurate the gauge is. Obviously, we don’t know how accurate your hand grip tire pressure calibration is [aka, how good you are squeezing a tire to feel if you have enough pressure – Ed.], but we can tell you that mini-pump dial gauges are very approximate, inline gauges only slightly better, leaving digital displays the best option but even they can be irritatingly inaccurate. 

Guy Kesteven
Technical-Editor-at-Large

Guy Kesteven has been working on Bike Perfect since its launch in 2019. He started writing and testing for bike mags in 1996. Since then he’s written several million words about several thousand test bikes and a ridiculous amount of riding gear. He’s also penned a handful of bike-related books and he reviews MTBs over on YouTube.

Current rides: Cervelo ZFS-5, Specialized Chisel, custom Nicolai enduro tandem, Landescape/Swallow custom gravel tandem

Height: 180cm

Weight: 69kg

With contributions from