Best Mountain Bike Pumps of 2022

Updated on August 25, 2020

Choosing the best mountain bike pump is important so you can always easily add more air to your tires, whether that is before or during a ride. You should check your tire pressure before each ride and make sure that it matches the trail and weather conditions.

A floor pump is the best tool to use to accomplish this. Should you get a flat tire while riding, you will want to have a mini pump with you to repair it instead of pushing or carrying your bike all the way home.

Figuring out what to look for in a mountain bike pump can be tricky, so we made this guide for you to let you know what you need to consider. We have also reviewed some of the best pumps available.

For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out the Best Mountain Bike Racks. 

Quick Answer – The Best Mountain Bike Pumps

Topeak Joeblow BoosterView at Jenson USATopeak Pocket Master BlasterView at REIBlackburn Chamber HVView at AmazonTopeak Joeblow MountainView at Jenson USALezyne CNC Digital DriveView at BackcountryCrankbrothers SterlingView at Jenson USALezyne HP DriveView at BackcountryTopeak Race Rocket MTView at Jenson USAPark Tool PMP-4View at Backcountry

Comparison Table – Best MTB Pumps

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Reviews – The Best Pumps for Mountain Bikes

Topeak Joeblow Booster

Specs

Type: Floor PumpWeight: 6lb 4ozPressure Gauge: Yes

PROS: Air chamber to inflate tubeless tires, normal pump mode for fine tuning, good construction, large dial is easy to read

CONS: Heavy

View at Jenson USA

Topeak Pocket Master Blaster

Specs

Type: Mini PumpWeight: 4.05ozPressure Gauge: No

PROS: Handle is easy to grip

CONS: Slow inflation

View at REIView at Jenson USA

Blackburn Chamber HV

Specs

Type: Floor pumpWeight: 5lb 2ozPressure Gauge: Yes

PROS: Dedicated mountain bike pump designed to work with high volume tires and low pressures, a gauge with a low pressure tolerance gives more accurate readings, very fast inflation

CONS: Uncomfortable handle

View at Amazon

Topeak Joeblow Mountain

Specs

Type: Floor PumpWeight: 3lbs 12 ozPressure Gauge: Yes

PROS: High volume pump designed for mountain bike tires, accurate gauge

CONS: Some plastic parts wear out quickly

View at Jenson USA

Lezyne CNC Digital Drive

Specs

Type: Floor PumpWeight: 3lbsPressure Gauge: Yes

PROS: Accurate digital gauge, solid construction

CONS:High pressure design is better for road bikes, battery will need replacing

View at Backcountry

Crankbrothers Sterling

Specs

Type: Mini PumpWeight: 4.0ozPressure Gauge: No

PROS: High and low pressure mode, fast inflation

CONS: No frame attachment included, no flexible valve hose

View at Jenson USA

Lezyne HP Drive

Specs

Type: Mini PumpWeight: 4.8ozPressure Gauge: No

PROS: Well designed and constructed, flexible valve hose

CONS: None

View at BackcountryView at Jenson USA

Topeak Race Rocket MT

Specs

Type: Mini PumpWeight: 4.44ozPressure Gauge: No

PROS: Small, lightweight, flexible valve hose

CONS: None

View at Jenson USA

Park Tool PMP-4

Specs

Type: Mini PumpWeight: 4.65ozPressure Gauge: No

PROS: Comfortable to use, very affordable

CONS: Switching the between Schraeder and Presta valve attachments is fiddly and time consuming

View at BackcountryView at Jenson USA

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE PUMPS

TYPE

Floor pumps have a large volume and are great for quickly inflating your tires. They are too big to transport easily on your bike so are best used at home or in the car park before your ride.

Mini pumps are smaller and designed to be transported in your jersey, bag or on your frame. You can use a floor pump to set your tire pressure before a ride and a mini pump on the trail if you get a flat tire.

If you only want to own one, then get a mini pump. However, you will never be able to set up tubeless tires with a mini pump and they take more time to use than a floor pump.

So, it would be ideal for you to own one of each to make your life easier. Have a look at this beginners guide to learn more about different types of pumps and how to correctly inflate a tire.

VOLUME

This refers to the amount of air that is transferred into the tire from each stroke. Obviously, this is much higher on floor pumps. But, do not assume that a larger pump will move more air.

Cheap pumps tend to push less air than well-made, more expensive models. This is particularly relevant when looking at mini pumps because a more efficient pump means less time fixing a flat tire on the trail. It is certainly no fun to be pumping like a maniac for ages in the rain, so a faster pump is worth the extra cost.

ERGONOMICS

A well-designed pump will be more enjoyable to use. If the valve attachment is fiddly, you will become frustrated each time you use it.

If the handle is not designed well, then it will be uncomfortable to use and can leave your hands in pain after inflating a tire. At the end of the day, you want to enjoy and not dread using your tools.

WEIGHT

Although this is not too important for a floor pump, you do not want to carry around a heavy mini pump on each ride. Granted, the weight of a mini pump is not much but cumulatively, all of your gear and tools can add up. So, why not get a light pump while you can?

PRESSURE GAUGE

A good floor pump will have a pressure gauge so you can see what pressure you have inflated the tires. Mini pumps rarely have a pressure gauge but you can take a small gauge with you on your rides if getting the exact pressure is important to you or if you are expecting differing trail conditions.

Enduro racers often carry a gauge with them to make sure their tire pressure is perfect before each run and to adjust according to the changing weather conditions.

VALVE CONNECTION

A good pump will be able to connect to the two common types of valve: Presta and Schraeder. The connection should be easy and not cause any leverage that could damage the valve or tube.

Accidentally ripping out a valve could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, so it definitely pays to get a good quality pump. Some pump heads push and lock directly onto the valve, which has a higher risk of damage.

The best pumps have a flexible hose that screws on. This isolates any movement from the pump, preventing the valve from getting pushed around.

READ MORE

For more of our top mountain biking gear recommendations, check out these popular buyer’s guides:

Mountain Bikes for Men

Women’s Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bike Pedals

Mountain Bike Tires

Mountain Bike Brakes

Mountain Bike Helmets

Mountain Bike Shoes

Mountain Bike Shorts

Bike Computers

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