MTB mini-pump test: BBB SingleShot MTB - powerful little thing for the jersey pocket

BBB SingleShot MTB mini pump - Features

The BBB mini pump lives up to its name. It is barely bigger than a roll of Mentos and weighs just 87 grams. This means it fits into even the smallest rucksack or hip bag and the SingleShot is barely noticeable even in a jersey pocket. Inside there is a double chamber from which the BBB is said to draw 60 cubic centimetres of pumping volume. This is impressive, because in comparison, the significantly larger Syncros, for example - which we will also present later - only has 5 cc more volume.

Apart from a solid aluminium body, you can't expect much in the way of features here. There is neither a dust cap for the pump head nor a holder for the frame. In addition, the SingleShot mini pump is designed purely for Presta valves.

Handling / processing

The lightweight aluminium body of the BBB is impeccably finished. Its piston glides smoothly through the cylinder. There is little to consider when pumping - except that you should always have a Presta valve on the hose. The pump head is then simply slipped over the valve and a wide rubber ring seals the system. No locking or screwing onto the valve is necessary. So far so easy. When pumping, however, the disadvantage of the design becomes apparent: the less than 4 centimetre short head of the pump can only be clamped between the fingertips, because otherwise you would crush the ball of your hand when pumping - ouch! Filling the tyre quickly becomes tedious.

Pumping capacity / manual force

On average, it takes around 123 strokes to get one bar of air in the tyre with the small BBB. Due to the high manual force, you will work up a sweat. Holding the pump itself is also difficult. It is difficult to keep the head firmly on the valve, which means that a small puff of air escapes again and again, especially as the pressure increases - annoying. If you don't hold the pump exactly on the valve, the air flow into the tyre is partially blocked.

Are you looking for a floor pump for the workshop rather than a mini pump for travelling? Read our last detailed test of 10 floor pumps.

BBB SingleShot MTB mini pump: Details - Price

• Price: 25,95 Euro
• Weight: 87 g
• Length / diameter: 172 mm / 25 mm
• Valve type: Presta
• Equipment: Aluminium body; double chamber
• Pump strokes per bar / pressure max: 110 / 4 bar

Conclusion & evaluation

Extremely small emergency pump with a surprisingly large volume. The BBB is impeccably made, but only moderately equipped. It only fits Presta valves and there is no mount for the frame. The biggest weaknesses are to be found in the handling: the very short grip sleeve is difficult to hold and if you grasp it with your whole hand, you'll crush your fingers. The hand forces are also rather high. The pump must be positioned precisely on the valve.

Click here to go back to our overview article: 11 mini pumps in the test. There you will find all the important information on the subject as well as the remaining 10 models in the test field.

* Note: Weight, size and pump strokes per bar are BIKE measurements. We measured the pump strokes per bar with a precision manometer on the volume corresponding to a 29x2.35 inch tyre. The maximum pressure is a manufacturer's specification.