Is This The End For Co2? Flextail Mini Bike Pump Review

How good is this tiny electric bike pump? Can you ditch your Co2 cartridges or your mini pump? How long does it take to inflate my MTB tires, gravel tires, or old-school road bike tires? Can I take it bikepacking or bicycle touring? Learn the ins and outs of this powerful yet tiny electric bike pump from Flextail. Is the Flextail Mini Bike pump right for you? RIP Co2!

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:20 About the Flextail Mini Bike Pump
02:48 Inflating a gravel bike tire
04:37Inflating a mountain bike tire
05:45 Inflating an old-school road bike tire
06:34 So, WILL IT replace Co2?
08:03 Wishlist and Headscratcher
09:00 Conclusion

#cyclinggadgets #gravelbike #bikepacking

[TroyOnTrails]

Editing Error - I managed to edit out the fact that I pumped up my gravel tire (700x38) and then pumped up my MTB tire twice (29x2.4). The second inflation of my MTB tire was cut out of the video accidentally. But good to know that it can pump up three tires on one charge at realistic tire volumes and pressures.

[doernerrr]

Pretty cool that it plays music while it pumps up your tire.

[johnshellenberg]

I've been using a Flextail pump for sleeping pads on backpacks and they're AMAZING. I'm excited to see them making a bike pump, they know how to make small battery operated pumps.

[rjmcgovs]

I've switched to a rechargeable pump (I have the Rockbros version, which looks identical) and will never go back to the old way (a pocket pump or C02 cartridges). One of the big advantages is you can partially inflate the tube to give it shape before the install. You can't do this with a C02 cartridge, with the risk the tube won't be positioned correctly before the surge of air. I also like having the ability to inflate multiple tires, given the risk of a second flat during a long ride. Lastly, speed is a big advantage over a traditional pocket pump. It takes one or two minutes to inflate, which is much appreciate when it's cold and you want a short stop. I paid $60 for mine and after two on-the-road flats can attest to it being worth every penny.

[jmaydelotte]

A few weeks ago I picked up a EausAir Mini Pump (on Kickstarter) for a similar price. I think it was $80. It does have a display and target pressure, after which it shuts off - much preferable to the Flextail. It is a bit bigger/heavier, but still fits in my seatbag. I've only topped tires off a couple of times, not pumped up from scratch. I am taking it on a 1300 mile tour in June/July so I'll report back if it meets expectations. I am still bringing a mini-pump and some Co2 because technology has let me down before, and the middle of nowhere is a lousy place to get let down.

[stewheelie]

I use Fumpa, excellent pump, been using it for years. They have four different models now, two have psi display but are larger units. Also if you have a TPU tube, you buy an elbow nozzle attachment to ensure heat is not transferred to the plastic valve step I have the mini fumpa and put it in my saddle bag. Their web site claims 0 to 100 psi in 50 seconds on a 700 by 25mm tyre. If I have a flat, after new inner tube fitted, pump the tyre up to it is pretty hard and ride on. If you have hookless tyres, you need a pressure gauge absolutely. For mountain biking, I just take my normal pump, I can get into isolated areas and can use the pump indefinitely.

[billmaidment]

30 years from now I’ll be dead but my Silca pump will still be going strong. The electric pump will be in a landfill within a few years. Thanks for a good review though.

[xuchenglin]

LOL years ago when I was all-in these tech gadgets I tried a few... and returned them all. Problem was 1. It's very very slow, 2. It can't pump up road tyres to high pressure. However it seems the later problem has been resolved, which was the dealbreaker for me back then. Interesting product, glad to finally see some "tech" that has a real-world usage.

[madtownangler]

I haven't used a C02 cartridge for pumping a tire in twenty years. Back when I lived in Denver we had goat head thorns and it seemed like I had to use about two of them Everytime I went for a ride.

I moved back to Wisconsin and have had like two flat tires in twenty years. I just went back to using a pump.

[lindajesse]

A good pump and a willing pumper are key to any kit!

[DEAR]

Most of my local lumpy gravel rides are mixed surface. I got one of these to top-up whenever I was going to switch to a long stretch of smooth pavement, mid-ride. It's just a quicker way to keep things moving than pumping, and less waste ($$$) than CO2 cartridges - - at least for this use case. I still ride with CO2 and a pump for road rides.

[samelgore]

Very nice video, appreciate your time and effort. As far as the pump is concerned, I wish you could read the tire pressure directly on it while pumping so you know when to stop. Having to carry around another device to read the pressure seems less than ideal.

[Rocketrecliner]

I couldn't agree more. It really needs a gauge with plenty of other products out there that do offer it. Even if the gauges aren't perfectly accurate, it would be nice to have some kind of estimate.

[nikcname]

the most amazing thing is it plays music when you pumps. LOL

[gregsettle]

I'm always looking for kit to make rides as bombproof as possible. Good video, thanks.

[JohnTye]

Great video. I got the Cycplus tiny bike pump and what I like about it is it does have the gauge on it but instead of using it to measure you set what the pressure you want to be and it just automatically stops when it hits that pressure and I've tested it with my good bike pump and it's pretty close in its accuracy

[tomreingold]

This is good to know, as this gadget is promising. It's still too expensive for me to consider, but it's not crazy for some people. One downside is that it needs charging, and remembering to keep it charged is at least as hard as remembering to keep your tires pumped. My mini pump is annoying to use, and I'm thinking of getting a 1970s style frame pump like the Zefal HPX I had years ago. Mini pumps and frame pumps are always ready if annoying to use.

[eddieluvski]

Really cool. Thankfully, I hardly ever flat on my road bike. When i do, I use a #16 co2. I know when the cannister is empty, my tire is full. I dont have to keep stopping, and checking the psi with a gauge.

[longrider]

I carry a slightly bigger USB Rechargeable air pump. It is programmable for tire pressure. I really like it. One that small is kinda small.

[MikeBaloga]

It’s a bummer they didn’t integrate a pressure gauge on it, other than that, agree with you, looks like a great solution.