Birzman Velocity Mini Pump

SO GOOD…

The Birzman is short at 200mm, and the hidden head has a rubber cap to keep dirt out. The barrel packs an impressive punch for its size, with a smooth action that felt slicker than the others on test. We like the Snap-It Valve head too, which fits straight on to Presta valves and can be unscrewed to work with Schrader valves. It’s built to last too – no plastic here.

NO GOOD…

Despite packing a decent amount of air volume for its small size, it still only managed to reach 7.0psi in the 100-stroke test.

PRICE: 47$

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

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KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

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SKS Airbuster CO2 inflator

The alloy Airbuster has a large knob so you can regulate the flow of gas, a mechanical stop to prevent the cartridge being pierced in transit and a dust cap to keep the valve free of debris. While it works with Presta and Schrader valves, switching between them requires a fiddly change of the valve head. The thin rubber sleeve doesn’t provide much protection from cold spent canisters. You can’t insert much of the valve into the inflator head, so you have to be careful to avoid leaks. Price $33 w/16g cartridge

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