Just some years in the past, the battery and motor know-how didn’t actually exist to make compressors so small that you can moderately think about carrying one on bike rides. Know-how is advancing fairly quickly, nevertheless. And moveable electrical pumps are usually not solely a actuality, they’re rapidly rising in quantity and recognition.
A number of manufacturers now provide these compact units, together with Fumpa, Silca, Rockbros, Viair, and Muc-Off (which Cory lately reviewed), amongst others. Topeak is among the newest to hitch the electrical tire inflator membership with its new E-Booster Digital pump, which they launched on the Sea Otter Basic.
The oldsters at Topeak had been sort sufficient to ship me an E-Booster Digital ($130) for testing, and I’ve been carrying it with me on all of my rides for the previous month or so. Fortunately, I haven’t actually wanted it for emergency tire inflation. However I’ve used it for top-offs and ran it via a collection of checks to see if it performs as marketed.
Topeak E-Booster Digital electrical mini tire inflator
Topeak has been making a variety of equipment, together with bike pumps for greater than 30 years. They make effectively over 20 totally different fashions of flooring pumps alone, and the reasonably priced JoeBlow Sport III has been my go-to for the previous few years. It’s cheap, it’s sturdy, it really works, and the brilliant yellow shade makes it tremendous straightforward to seek out in my messy storage.
Topeak don’t simply make pumps for the house workshop. From mini-pumps to CO2 inflators, Topeak sells all the pieces you can probably want for moveable tire inflation. I’d say their Mountain Morph is among the greatest mini-pumps that I’ve used. However it’s pretty giant, so I finished carrying it across the identical time I finished sporting large hydration packs a number of years in the past.
Why may an electrical inflator be a good suggestion for me?
Lately, I’ve adopted a extra minimalist strategy, leaning on CO2 cartridges as my inflation instrument of selection. CO2 is quick, straightforward, small, and comparatively light-weight. Plus, I can squeeze the separate cartridges into the corners of luggage and pockets. It’s approach simpler and faster than pumping tires by hand with a mini-pump, however creates extra waste and prices a couple of bucks each time you want one. It varies from year-to-year, however I can undergo 20-30 cartridges. Heck, generally it’s three cartridges on a single trip, as a result of as soon as I puncture, it usually occurs repeatedly.
And at roughly $3-4 a pop (relying on dimension & model), that’s anyplace from $60 to $120 a yr. Certain, I couldn’t spend that cash through the use of any of the 4 or 5 mini pumps that I already personal, however I constantly select to not. To be clear, I notice that mini-pumps can and do get the job accomplished, but I choose to not use them. I additionally acknowledge that utilizing CO2 is wasteful and dearer, but I select to make use of it anyway.
That’s why I used to be excited to attempt the brand new Topeak E-Booster Digital. May this be the one factor that replaces the 2 different strategies of moveable inflation that I at the moment use?
Editor’s Word: Jeremy makes use of a number of CO2 cartridges! He’s probably an edge case. A lot of the remainder of us at Bikerumor use between 0-5 in a yr. However nonetheless, possibly an electrical inflator might minimize that to zero for extra of us, too?
E-Booster Digital Particulars
Earlier than I dive into my expertise utilizing the Topeak E-Booster, listed below are some specs, particulars, and measurements.
The E-Booster is pretty compact with measured dimensions of 8.6 x 5.9 x 3.8 cm with the silicone cowl on. Topeak lists the claimed weight as 162 grams. I weighed it and received 156 grams for the pump solely, one other 25 grams for the silicone cowl, 25 grams for the extension hose, and 9 grams for the storage bag. By my calculations, that’s a complete system weight of 215 grams. You don’t have to make use of the storage bag or the extension hose, so one might simply trim that weight right down to an actual 181g for using. (However you’ll need that silicone cowl.)
Along with the elements listed above, the E-Booster comes with a small waterproof bag for climate safety. A USB-C charging cable can also be included for recharging the 600mAh battery, which is claimed to take 45 minutes.
The electrical inflator itself has a SmartHead that matches Presta or Schrader valves with the flip of a change. Plus, the versatile, 2-inch-long extension hose threads onto the inflator and has a thread-on Presta head that may be eliminated to entry a thread-on Schrader head.
On the again of the inflator, the ability button turns the unit on/off, and begins & stops inflation. The plus & minus buttons are used to preset the specified strain on the LED display screen. When inflating, the display screen exhibits the precise strain with claimed accuracy of +/- 2psi. Topeak claims a most strain of 120psi, which is way increased than anybody needs to be inflating their tires today, OK!
On the E-Booster’s product web page, Topeak gives a chart with varied wheel and tire dimension combos, pressures, common inflation instances, and variety of inflations. There’s some variability, after all, however the takeaway is that it ought to have the ability to inflate most traditional wheel and tire combos to regular pressures ~4 instances on a single cost.
Adapting to packing a dice as a substitute of a tube
It’s humorous, I’m not satisfied that biking essentially wants extra batteries or know-how. I believe wi-fi shifting, droppers, and even Flight Attendant are cool. However cable-actuated parts work effectively sufficient, in some instances higher, and price considerably much less. But for some unknown purpose, one thing about these moveable electrical pumps actually appeals to me. I assume, I simply strongly dislike pumping tires by hand.
Anyway, the very first thing that stood out to me in regards to the Topeak E-Booster was its compact dimension. I’ve a transportable electrical compressor for automobile tires, and that factor is compact for what it does, nevertheless it’s huge compared to the E-Booster. I’m impressed that Topeak, Muc-Off, Rockbros, Fumpa, and others have packaged batteries and motors into such small models that really work as pumps.
This factor matches within the palm of my hand.
I can simply stuff it in a jersey pocket, cargo bib liner pocket, fanny pack, or within the backside of my EVOC hydration vest. It doesn’t take up any extra whole house than the three x 20g CO2s and the CO2 inflator head that it has changed. In comparison with any mini-pump I personal, the E-Booster is roughly the identical quantity, however they’re formed so in a different way that they aren’t straightforward to match.
On that observe, the E-Booster is clearly cube-like in its form, so pocketing or packing it required a brief adaptation interval. I used to be so used to the flexibleness of packing unfastened CO2 cartridges and thin mini-pumps, {that a} dice took a number of rides to get used to. I’m a creature of behavior, for positive.
When it comes to weight, 215g (inflator, cowl, extension, and bag) is 70-ish grams heavier than many mini-pumps, just like the Blackburn Mammoth CO2 that I exploit often. However when in comparison with the CO2 setup I’ve been carrying, the E-Booster is definitely a number of grams lighter. Three 20-gram CO2 cartridges (68g every), together with a 16g inflator, add as much as 220g.
Utilizing the Topeak E-Booster Digital
Utilizing the Topeak E-Booster couldn’t be simpler. You principally simply flip it on, set your strain, put it in your valve, and press begin. And it shuts itself off when the preset strain is reached.
I’m keen on utilizing the extension hose and threading it onto my Presta valves. Then I can fully let go of the inflator and are available again to it when it’s completed.
It’s additionally surprisingly fast. Not CO2 fast. But it surely’s a lot quicker than utilizing a mini-pump. In my at-home checks, I inflated a 29 x 2.4” tire from zero to 25psi in ~80 seconds. After all, that pumping energy comes with a little bit of noise from the motor, nevertheless it isn’t outrageous by any means. Certain, it could be nice if it had been silent. But it surely’s a pocket-sized air compressor. There is no such thing as a avoiding the truth that it is going to be considerably noisy. Realistically, it’s in all probability quieter than me swearing whereas pumping a tire up by hand.
Pumping Checks
I’ve fortunately prevented flats on current rides, so I ran the Topeak E-Booster via a number of unscientific at-home inflation checks in my storage. The primary spherical was with mountain bike tires, the place I inflated the aforementioned 29×2.4” tire from 0 to 25psi twice. Then, I inflated a 29×2.5” tire from 0 to 25psi one and a half extra instances, earlier than the battery died.
Every week or so later, I did a second spherical utilizing a 700c x 45mm gravel tire. I inflated it from 0 to 35psi 3 times, and on the fourth attempt, it stopped at simply round 8Psi.
After doing my very own checks back-to-back, I noticed that Topeak recommends a 5-minute break between every use. I undoubtedly didn’t take any breaks in between, so which will have skewed the outcomes considerably. Regardless, I used to be nonetheless fairly impressed.
It doesn’t have limitless pumping energy, after all. However I’d say it’s lots sufficient for the overwhelming majority of my common rides. That greater than replaces the three CO2 cartridges that I carry with me most frequently.
Potential Drawbacks
I’ve heard dialogue round seating tubeless tires with a mini-inflator just like the E-Booster. I haven’t tried, nevertheless it looks like its skill to take action would fully rely upon the rim and tire mixture. It will actually be no match for the cussed tires that require each trick within the ebook to get seated. It doesn’t blast air like CO2, so it could in all probability solely work for these good rim and tire combos which you could simply inflate with a flooring/observe pump.
On rides, I hardly ever (nearly by no means) must re-seat a tubeless tire. If I puncture or pinch and might plug it, then the bead usually stays on. If I’ve to place a tube in, then I don’t must seat a bead both. There could also be some cases the place seating a tubeless tire within the area is critical, and if that’s an enormous concern, then possibly the E-Booster – or another mini electrical pump for that matter – isn’t for you.
Or, you’ll need to carry a backup CO2 for that objective.
For racing, I’ll nonetheless be carrying CO2 because the distinction in inflation time could possibly be the distinction between touchdown a spot on the rostrum and ending mid-pack. Carrying the E-Booster is one other consideration. It’s fairly small, however its blocky form could throw folks’s packing programs off a bit. It in all probability gained’t match into tight saddle baggage, so that you may want to contemplate alternate options.
Possibly somebody might 3D-print a body mounting bracket for it?
Not like a mini-pump, the Topeak E-Booster does have a restricted pumping skill, and it’ll ultimately run out of battery. In the event you’re actually getting on the market on lengthy rides or in distant locations, you’ll in all probability be higher served by a mini-pump that gained’t run out of juice. And, like another battery-powered system, you will want to cost it after use. Fortunately, it fees in a short time, and I’d say the claimed 45-minute charging time is comparatively correct.
It additionally generates some warmth whereas pumping, and there are even some warnings on the pump physique about utilizing it with TPU tubes with resin valves. Simply use the extension hose, and you need to be okay. I observed the pump was fairly heat after 3+ consecutive inflations of the gravel tire talked about above, nevertheless it wasn’t burning scorching, plus the silicone cowl insulates it barely.
The E-Booster is My New Go-To
Regardless of these issues, I actually, actually like this gadget.
Utilizing it’s so a lot simpler and faster than utilizing a mini-pump that I’m blissful to commerce the slight weight penalty for the comfort it gives. And since I burn via CO2 cartridges as rapidly as I usually do, it’ll ultimately save me some cash AND cut back the used cartridge waste I produce.
Is the E-Booster or another electrical mini-pump mandatory? Completely not.
But it surely provides to the rising variety of moveable inflation choices on the market. Mini-pumps and CO2 are each nice and proceed to work simply in addition to they ever have. Nonetheless, the Topeak E-Booster Digital has earned itself a spot in my equipment as a result of it’s extra handy and simpler to make use of in most conditions.
In the event you hate utilizing mini-pumps or burning via CO2, then the E-Booster, or one thing prefer it, is price testing.
Topeak E-Booster Digital: Pricing and Availability
The E-Booster Digital mini electrical inflator retails for $130. That’s no drop within the bucket, however it’s according to related choices in the marketplace, such because the Muc-Off AirMach Professional ($140) or the Viair Recon Mini-Rider ($130).
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Manner quicker than pumping by hand -
No CO2 cartridge waste -
Tremendous straightforward to make use of -
Preset strain, auto shutoff -
Fees rapidly -
Matches in a pocket or pack
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Louder than hand pumps or CO2 -
Pretty costly -
Weight of all of the elements provides up – nonetheless not that heavy
The E-Booster Digital is at the moment obtainable at varied on-line retailers, via Topeak sellers, and might doubtlessly even be discovered at a motorbike store close to you.
