5 pumps for tubeless tyres in the test

Stefan Frey

 · 07.10.2017

5 pumps for tubeless tyres in the testPhoto: Georg Grieshaber
5 pumps for tubeless tyres in the test
Air pumps with an integrated compressed air tank should enable tubeless tyres to be fitted without an air compressor. We tested five MTB pumps on two tyre/wheel combinations each.

Specialised Air Tool Blast Tubeless Tire Setter

The heavy Specialized tank stands securely and is easy to dose using the tilt lever. The clever valve head is also impressive and closes airtight at the valve. The surround of the filler valve is a little tight. Not every pump will fit here. The inexpensive Specialized can only handle a pressure of 9.5 bar and cannot inflate the difficult combination* airtight.


Price 59,90 Euro
Weight 2296 grammes
Maximum pressure 9.5 bar
Filling 55 strokes

27.5 x 3.0: 1.1 bar
29 x 2.35: not filled


Handling ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Power ● ● ●

  Specialised Air Tool Blast Tubeless Tire SetterPhoto: Georg Grieshaber Specialised Air Tool Blast Tubeless Tire Setter

Pro Compressor Team

The Pro Kompressor is almost identical in construction to the Specialised tank. It can take a little more pressure, but is also unable to fit the difficult combination*. On the other hand, there is a little more pressure in the Plus tyre at the end. Here too, the valve closes tightly and is easy to fit. There is a little more space around the filling valve so that larger pump heads also fit.


Price 79,95 Euro
Weight 2321 grammes
Maximum pressure 12 bar
Filling 67 strokes

27.5 x 3.0: 1.3 bar
29 x 2.35: not filled

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Handling ● ● ● ● ●
Power ● ● ● ●

  Pro Compressor TeamPhoto: Georg Grieshaber Pro Compressor Team

Schwalbe Tire Booster

Lightweight and compact, the Tire Booster is ideal for travelling. Both valves are solidly made and do not allow air to escape when inflating. The small lever is easy to operate, but the stand is quite wobbly. In comparison, the Schwalbe cartridge holds the smallest volume of air, but still reliably inflates the Plus tyre to 1.1 bar. However, Schwalbe also fails with the 29er combination*.


Price 59,90 Euro
Weight 436 grammes
Maximum pressure 11 bar
Filling 35 strokes

27.5 x 3.0: 1.1 bar
29 x 2.35: not filled


Handling ● ● ● ●
Power ● ● ●

  Schwalbe Tire BoosterPhoto: Georg Grieshaber Schwalbe Tire Booster

Zéfal Tubeless Tank

The chubby plastic tank from Zéfal doesn't look like it's worth much and initially earned mocking glances - until it confidently pressed the 29er tyre* into the rim bed with its 16 bar maximum pressure. The foot pedal is also practical because it leaves both hands free. One small drawback: the inflation valve is somewhat unfavourably positioned and has no non-return valve. This means that the floor pump always has to remain connected.


Price 89,95 Euro
Weight 1670 grammes
Maximum pressure 16 bar
Filling 54 strokes

27.5 x 3.0: 1.5 bar
29 x 2.35: 1.5 bar


Handling ● ● ● ●
Power ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

  Zéfal Tubeless TankPhoto: Georg Grieshaber Zéfal Tubeless Tank

Lezyne Pressure Overdrive Dig.

The Lezyne is a pump and reservoir in one. With a digital pressure gauge, long hose and 2-in-1 valve with drain button, it is superbly equipped. Lezyne fails on 29er tyres*, despite the huge tank, because its valve doesn't let enough air through. In contrast, it fills the Plus tyre to a full 2.1 bar. The piston of the pump runs very smoothly, but the thin foot lever is difficult to operate and bends quickly.


Price 169,95 Euro
Weight 2434 grammes
Maximum pressure 13.5 bar
Filling 69 strokes

27.5 x 3.0: 2.1 bar
29 x 2.35: not filled


Handling ● ● ● ●
Power ● ● ● ● ● ●

  Lezyne Pressure Overdrive Dig.Photo: Georg Grieshaber Lezyne Pressure Overdrive Dig.


*The combination of 29er wheels and 2.35-inch tyres was significantly more difficult to inflate than the Plus tyres in the practical test.


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Stefan Frey is from Lower Bavaria and loves the mossy, loamy trails of the Bavarian Forest as much as the rugged rock of the Dolomites. For technical descents, he is prepared to tackle almost any ascent - under his own steam. As an accessories specialist, he is the first port of call for questions about equipment and add-on parts, while as head of copywriting he sweeps the language crumbs from the pages of the BIKE print editions.

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