All Arround MTB

THE AXIOM ANNIHILATEAIR may seem crazily expensive, but this pump is certainly built to last. The sturdy metal base has metal pins to grip your shoes and a large, accurate pressure gauge.

THIS MID-SIZE mini pump from Park Tool is a perfect size for packs or frame mounting, but a touch too long for stowing in a pocket.

THIS FLOOR-STANDING shock pump has a digital gauge for accurate reading and a unique bleed system so no air is lost when you unscrew the pump trom the valve.

SO GOOD… The all-metal construction of the Floor Drive oozes quality. This attention to detail extends to the long hose and big dial, which shows only the first 70psi for accurate inflation. The shaft has a large volume for fast inflation but the stroke isn’t stiff. Swapping between valve types is easy.

SO GOOD…   With the highest air volume here, the Topeak took a mere 13 strokes to reach 30psi and the double-sided head means no faffing. The textured, rubberised handle offers loads of grip and is comfy to boot. The gauge stops at 75psi, has clear numbers and a bright yellow arrow. It’s the cheapest pump on test too.

SO GOOD… The head on the Airess is great – a super-simple metal design that just requires you to unscrew and flip the end round to change between valve types. It also has a bleed nipple for accurate inflation. Despite the gauge going up to 240psi, the numbers are easy to read from a distance and the pressure marker can be rotated easily before pumping to point at the right pressure.

SO GOOD…   The Birzman’s high-volume shaft gets tyres up to pressure quickly and the metal construction gives an indestructible feel. The wooden handle is comfortable, the extended legs give a secure footing and the shaft is angled towards you, supposedly improving ergonomics. The SNAP-IT head is simple to use on Presta valves and the gauge, which goes to 120psi, is easy to read.

SO GOOD…   There’s no harm in having a long hose, and the Infinity’s is the longest in this test. It leads to a ‘smart’ head that automatically adjusts to work with either valve type. The head is big and easy to grip, with a decent length lever that provides a secure grip on valves. There’s a bleed nipple for easy pressure regulation.

SO GOOD… The Airport Plus’s footprint is large, giving a solid, stable base for pumping. The handle may be one of the narrowest here but its teardrop shape fits comfortably into your palms.

SO GOOD… The Lezyne’s build quality is instantly striking, and it packs a punch thanks to its large air volume and 310mm length. In the 100-stroke test, we reached 16.5psi. Swapping between Presta and Schrader valves is easy, and the head screws into the base to keep dirt out. It’s the only pump on test with a built-in gauge.

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.

SO GOOD… We’re big fans of the Truflo’s flexible pump head, which can be swapped between Presta and Schrader fittings with a simple quarter turn, and it works well on both valve types too. At 245mm long it’s easy to stow, the alloy body feels like it’s built to last and we like the rubber cap to keep dirt out of the head. Though the air volume is small, there’s little resistance in the pumping action so it’s not exactly tiring.

SO GOOD… Although the T-shaped handle and foot peg are plastic, the Mountain Morph is built to last. It’s the longest pump on test, at 350mm, but boasts a massive air volume, which enabled it to reach 18.1psi in our 100-stroke test. This means you’ll be back on the trail in no time. The fold-out foot peg and T handle make the job even easier too.

SO GOOD… At just under 300mm in length, the Airspeed will easily fit in most hydration packs. The fold-out foot peg and T-shaped handle help steady the pump and give it a solid footing for pumping. The pump head simply screws on to Schrader valves on one side and Presta on the other, and is easy to attach to both types. The air volume is high too, with the pump reaching a fairly high 12.8psi in the 100-stroke test.

SO GOOD… The Syncros is one of the smaller pumps on test at 225mm long and it’s constructed from aluminium, which looks good and improves durability. The pump head has two exits, one for each valve type, which means no trailside fiddling if your riding buddy has different valves. Handily, the pump head retracts and clips into place to keep it out of the way.