Nicola Rutzou
The electric mini pump revolution started with smaller, lesser-known brands, but the big ones like Trek are catching up with this impressive pocket-sized pump.
Electric pumps, both the compact variety and the large-use at-home version, have been around for a few years, but up until recently, most were from smaller brands. But the big bike manufacturers are joining this popular bandwagon. Enter the Trek Air Rush Electric Pump.
These powerful compact devices replace the small, inefficient hand pump and sometimes awkward CO2 canister and applicators with one rechargeable, reusable gadget. Unlike CO2 cartridges, they are aircraft safe, making them a better option for travelling.
They are also easier to use than small handheld pumps. We’ve all stood at the side of the road pumping away, wondering when the tyre will finally be inflated! CO2 applicators are easy to use (once you’ve mastered them), but you throw away the canister after use, which is not great for the environment.
A few of my mates have been early adopters of various brands of mini electric pumps, so I’ve seen and heard a number of them in operation. The thing that surprised me the most is the noise they emit. It’s loud, so don’t use it in a confined area, but usually, when you’re standing at the side of a road, noise isn’t an issue.
Unlike some of its earlier competitors, the Trek pump has a large, colourful display. This makes it easy to preset your desired tyre pressure and precisely indicates when it reaches that level.
The Trek mini pump’s inflation range is two to 120psi, which covers most situations, particularly when the trend towards wider tyres and tubeless setups means PSI levels are decreasing. If you prefer, you can also display the pressure in bar or kPa.
On my main road bike, I inflate my tyres to 85psi. The Trek pump fully inflated a tyre in about one and a half minutes, which seemed like a long time while I was waiting, but compared to pumping by hand with a small pump, it is rather quick.
The display shows the target pressure in green and the current pressure in larger white type below it. Once you reach the desired pressure, the screen flashes green, which makes it easy to know when you’re done. Also on the screen are four bars showing the current battery status.
One feature that sets the Trek pump apart from its competitors is the built-in torch that illuminates the valve area. Although I only used the pump in daylight, I know this feature would be invaluable in dark or low-light conditions on the road.
Operating the switches is intuitive. The buttons are large enough, so you don’t need to take your gloves off. There is a plus and minus button to choose the desired level and a play/pause button that doubles as the on/off switch.
Charging is via a USB-C cable and takes less than an hour. I highly recommend you check it regularly so you don’t find it flat when you need to use it in an emergency roadside repair. Air Rush is powered by a 33.7Wh Lithium-polymer (LiPo) battery designed to function in temperatures ranging from -10°C to 45°C.
Presta (used on most road bikes) and Schrader valve adaptors neatly fit onto the pump’s body. They also supply an extension hose in case the valve is difficult to access. Plus, a needle valve adaptor is also supplied to pump up other sports equipment, like balls.
Trek says it weighs just 133 grams and is compact enough for the typical jersey pocket or spares bag (dimensions are 80 x 45 x 32mm). Plus, it comes with a purpose-built pouch to protect it from damage on the road. I weighed it at 153 grams in the bag, which is still quite light, as my mobile phone, which I also carry in my jersey pocket, weighs 230 grams.
Trek says its new pump replaces up to four 16g CO2 cartridges in one charge. Our testing on my 85psi tyres found it pumped a 700 x 25 tyre three and a half times, which I guess is adequate for most situations.
From my perspective, the hardest thing is to remember to charge it regularly so that you won’t find yourself with a roadside flat tyre and a flat pump!
Air Rush is available at Trek retailers and online for a retail price of $139.99.
More info trekbikes.com/au
Nicola Rutzou – a long-time contributor and, most recently, the editor of Bicycling Australia. Nicola is a keen Sydney-based road cyclist who writes reviews, news, and destination pieces, as well as the weekly e-newsletter for BA online.
