Bicycle tire pumps are an essential part of any bicycle rider’s repair kit. There are three main types: floor pump, frame-fit pump and mini pump, according to REI. CO2 cartridges are also a type of limited-use pump. Though many bicycle tire pumps can accommodate both Presta and Schrader valves with an adjustable pump opening, some are specific to one type of valve, so be sure to pick one that can accommodate your valves.
Floor Pumps
These pumps are designed for home use. They are the largest and heaviest of the bicycle pumps and give higher volumes of air per pump, and can handle high-pressure tires much easier than smaller pumps. You can stand on one or both sides of the pump to hold it in place on the floor as you pump air through a tube that attaches to your tire valve. Floor pumps usually have gauges to measure tire pressure as you pump.
Frame-Fit Pumps
Frame-fit or frame pumps snap onto your frame with attaching brackets, specially designed for each brand of pump and included with the pump. They are shorter and narrower than floor pumps, may have a fold-down stand for easier pumping and sometimes have tire pressure gauges. Ensure that your frame pump fits where you want it to go on your bike, and that the hardware properly attaches to your frame. For road-racing purposes, get a high-volume and lightweight pump; you may find that a mini pump better meets your needs than a frame-fit pump.
Mini Pumps
Miniature pumps are the smallest and lightest of the pumps. BicyclingLife.com notes that mini pumps can be easy to use but do not inflate your tires as quickly as frame or floor pumps. They are best for short rides or races in which pump weight is important. Mini pumps generally do not have tire pressure gauges, but you can buy a separate gauge. Mountain biking mini pumps should be durable enough to handle impacts from branches and rocks and other debris you might encounter.
CO2 Cartridges
CO2 cartridges are even smaller than mini pumps. BicycleTires.com states that each cartridge contains enough CO2 to fully inflate road tires or inflate mountain bike tires to about 40 psi. These cartridges, when attached to the valve, inflate tires quickly and easily without any pumping, but they are not reusable.
Member Comments