Tested: Cyclami lights, tubes, and pump – how cheap is too cheap?

CYCLAMI is a relatively new name for many riders, operating in the growing budget end of the cycling tech market. The brand offers a broad range of accessories, including lights, pumps, and inner tubes, at price points well below what most cyclists are accustomed to. While affordability is clearly central to the proposition, CYCLAMI positions its products as practical, safety-focused alternatives rather than disposable throwaways, aiming to deliver dependable performance without the premium price tag.

AI1800 Bicycle Headlight

Out of the box, the AI1800 feels far more premium than its price suggests. The compact aluminium body has a reassuring weight and finish, the sort you’d normally associate with much more expensive lights. For a budget-focused unit, the build quality is genuinely impressive.

On the road, the AI1800 continues to punch well above its weight. The beam pattern is broad, with a strong central hotspot that provides plenty of confidence on unlit paths and quiet rural roads. It delivers more usable light than many entry-level options and never feels underpowered in real-world riding.

Battery life is respectable for the category, though not class-leading. On longer rides, particularly when running the highest output mode, you’ll likely find yourself dropping into lower settings to conserve power.

The good

• Strong, consistent beam
• Compact, well-built aluminium body

The bad

• Solid but unremarkable battery life
• Small, fiddly mode button when wearing gloves

Overall, the AI1800 delivers standout value for road riders, commuters, and recreational cyclists looking for serious brightness without the premium price tag. Endurance riders who regularly spend long hours riding at night may notice the battery limitations more, but for most riders, it’s an easy recommendation.

CY120 Brake Sensing Intelligent Taillight

The CY120 is a tiny, featherweight taillight with some surprisingly advanced safety tech. Its standout feature is brake sensing, which boosts brightness under deceleration to alert riders and drivers behind you. For such a compact unit, it delivers strong visibility for everyday road use.

In use, the CY120 is impressively bright given its price, with good visibility across its various modes. More importantly, the brake-sensing feature actually works. Slow down or touch the brakes, and the light immediately jumps to a higher-intensity flash.

The small form factor does bring a few trade-offs. The charging port is slightly recessed and can be fiddly to access, mode changes require a deliberate press when wearing gloves, and the brake sensor can occasionally trigger on very rough surfaces. That said, it never did so in a way that felt misleading or unsafe.

The good

• Reliable brake-sensing function
• Impressively bright for its size and price
• Ultra-compact and lightweight

The bad

• Small, difficult-to-use mode button with gloves
• Occasional false brake triggers on rough roads
• Good but unexceptional battery life
• Proprietary quarter-turn mount isn’t cross-compatible with Garmin-style systems

For urban riders, commuters, and anyone wanting a compact taillight with genuinely useful safety tech, the CY120 is a smart, low-profile option. It lacks the polish and ecosystem compatibility of higher-end lights, but at this price point, it delivers far more than expected.

AM6 Mini Air Pump

Pocket-sized electric pumps were once a novelty, until Australian brand Fumpa pushed the concept into the mainstream in the mid-2010s. Since then, the category has grown rapidly, and CYCLAMI’s AM6 Mini Air Pump is one of the most affordable examples I’ve come across. At first glance, it feels solid enough, with a compact form and decent finish, but the real test is how it stacks up against more established, higher-priced options.

In use, the AM6 holds its own. It’s small enough to disappear into a saddle bag or jersey pocket, and operation is straightforward. Set the target pressure, connect the hose, and let it do its thing. Inflation speed is reasonable for a pump of this size, best described as slow but acceptable. Bringing a 28mm road tyre up to 80–90psi requires a bit of patience, though it never feels frustrating. Heat build-up is noticeable but controlled, and noise levels are about what you’d expect from a mini compressor.

The good

• Compact and genuinely portable
• Simple set-and-forget operation
• Excellent value for an electric pump

The bad

• Slower inflation speed than premium mini compressors
• Short hose with limited flexibility
• Noticeable heat build-up during longer inflations

For budget-focused riders looking for an electric pump as a backup or travel option, the AM6 is surprisingly capable. It lacks the refinement and speed of high-end alternatives, but at this price point, the trade-offs are easy to accept. As a compact, no-fuss solution to get you rolling again, it does the job well.

TPU Inner Tubes

I’ll be honest, TPU tubes and I haven’t always got along. A run of poorly made options in the past led to unnecessary flats and fading confidence in the category. I’m also not a big tubeless fan, so I’ve largely stuck with trusted butyl or latex tubes. With that history, I was curious but not particularly hopeful about whether CYCLAMI’s take could change my mind.

In use, they proved to be a pleasant surprise. The tubes seated easily, inflated evenly, and held pressure overnight without the slow leaks I’ve experienced with other TPU options. Durability during normal riding was solid, with no pinch flats, unexplained blowouts, or leaking around the valve seams.

That said, TPU still isn’t bulletproof. Sharp debris can cut them more readily than thicker butyl, and installation requires a bit more care to ensure the tube isn’t pinched between tyre and rim. Riders accustomed to quick roadside tube swaps may find TPU less forgiving.

The good

• Reliable, lightweight alternative to butyl or latex
• Packs down small and works well as a spare
• Solid valve quality with no leaks in testing

The bad

• More delicate during installation and requires careful seating
• Less tolerant of sharp debris and pinch flats
• Fiddlier repairs than butyl, even with patch kits

While I won’t pretend there was a dramatic transformation on the bike, for weight-conscious riders looking to shave grams where possible, CYCLAMI’s TPU inner tubes make a lot of sense, particularly at this price point.

Verdict

CYCLAMI’s pricing is almost unheard of in the cycling space, yet the quality across this range is genuinely better than expected. You’re not getting high-end finishes or cutting-edge tech, but you are getting products that do what they claim and feel far from disposable.

There are clear compromises compared to premium alternatives, but at these prices, that’s hardly a criticism. The fundamentals are there: solid construction, useful features, and dependable performance where it counts.

They won’t suit every rider, but for cyclists who are genuinely budget-conscious and still want safe, functional gear, CYCLAMI offers impressive value that’s hard to ignore.

Specifications

AI1800 Bicycle Headlight

Brightness (max) – 1800 lumens

Battery – 3200mAh rechargeable battery

Dimensions – 29 x 30 x 100 mm

Water-resistance rating – IPX6

Weight – 127g

Price – approx. $28

CY120 Brake Sensing Intelligent Taillight

Battery – 400mAh rechargeable battery

Dimensions – 39 x 29.5 mm

Water-resistance rating – IP65

Weight – 27g

Price – approx. $17

AM6 Mini Air Pump

Battery – 700mAh rechargeable battery

Max pressure – 130PSI

Dimensions – 75 × 46.3 × 31 mm

Weight – 167g

Valve compatibility – Presta & Schrader (with adapter)

Price – approx. $41

TPU Inner Tubes

Material – Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)

Sizes – 700c options (various widths available)

Valve type – Presta (various lengths available)

Weight – approx. 30g (varies by size)

Price – approx. $10.00