Bike pump test: The best floor pump up to 60 euros

Electronic suspension, radio-controlled gears and a digital gadget constantly beeping on some handlebar: turn right here, beware of leaving the training zone, watch out for drivers behind. Cycling has become quite complicated - and, above all, quite electrified. It's almost grotesque that a simple mechanical principle still ensures that we can get around by bike at all.

Ever since John Boyd Dunlop applied for a patent for the pneumatic tyre in 1888, the pump has been an integral part of cycling life. It uses a piston rod to suck air into its cylinder and pushes it past the valve into the tube - or, in the case of a tubeless setup, directly into the tyre. But it doesn't matter, because the principle remains the same: pull, push, pull, push - wonderfully simple. And the best thing is that you don't even have to invest a fortune for a solid floor pump. We have tested twelve current all-round pumps - at prices between 11.99 and 69.95 euros. A little spoiler up front: the pump with the best price-performance ratio costs a mere 29.99 euros. A real bargain compared to what you usually have to invest in your favourite sport these days.

We tested these twelve bicycle pumps:

• Acid Race Floor Digital Clik >> e.g. available here
• Blackburn Airtower Comp >> e.g. available here
• Crivit XL floor pump >> e.g. available here
• Decathlon floor pump 900 >> e.g. available here
• Lezyne Sport Floor Drive 3.5 >> e.g. available here
• Merida Floor Pump Dual Gauge >> e.g. available here
• Pro Performance >> e.g. available here
• Procraft Thruster Essential >> e.g. available here
• Rose Druckmacher GF 56 >> e.g. available here
• SKS Germany Air compressor Clic Tec 10.0 >> e.g. available here
• Topeak Joeblow Sport Digital 2.0 >> e.g. available here
• Zéfal Profile Max FP20 >> e.g. available here

Although all the floor pumps in the test follow the same physical principle and are basically identical - cylinder, piston, hose, pump head, pressure gauge - there are surprisingly large differences. Haptics, handling and hand forces: not every pump was able to convince in the test. But what really matters?

Haptics: the round is better than the square

The first differences can already be seen in the workmanship: angular pump heads or square handles are difficult to hold. The clamping levers on the pump heads also sometimes prick your thumbs like pins. However, many manufacturers are now doing a good job here and avoiding sharp-edged plastics. Instead, Cube, Topeak or Lezyne, for example, rely on ergonomically shaped and often rubberised grips.

Secure footing and little effort required

Of course, nobody spends half the day in the garage pumping up bicycle tyres - if they do, a compressor might be a more sensible purchase. But even occasional pumpers will be happy if they don't feel like Arnie doing the bench press when pumping. The piston should therefore glide smoothly through the cylinder and not get jammed in the guide.

High manual forces are mainly generated when a pump with a large stroke is used to inflate a tyre with a low volume. As a rule of thumb: If you ride a lot on road or gravel tyres, you are better off with a pump with a low volume. Mountain bikers, on the other hand, can also opt for large-volume pumps such as Crivit, Merida or Pro.

The greater the force required for pumping, the more stable the pump should be. Narrow plastic feet that bend like reeds in the wind are unfortunately still common in the price range up to 60 euros. The models from Blackburn, Procraft, Rose and SKS in particular tilt like wobbly elves on the dashboard when pumping. The models whose cylinders end in a steel base are much more stable - ideally with a wide base that can also be stabilised with the foot.

Pressure gauge - not every one tells the truth

Your arms are burning, your pump is tapping like a miner on a vein of gold and the air is finally in the tyre. But is the pressure gauge telling the truth? Or is the displayed value more of an estimate than a measurement? In the test, only the pressure gauges from Acid, Decathlon, SKS and Topeak show the air pressure almost exactly. All others were off by between 0.1 and 0.45 bar - too much for the exact tyre pressure setting you want on a road bike or MTB.

There are also big differences in readability. The gold standard: the digital pressure gauges from Acid and Topeak. For anyone who wants to set the air pressure precisely and without an additional airchecker, we strongly recommend a model with a digital and illuminated pressure gauge. If you don't want to be faced with a display with an empty battery, you should at least consider the following points when buying: It should not be less than seven centimetres in diameter. The scale should be clearly structured and display the value in at least 0.2 bar increments. Otherwise: less is more. Light-coloured digits on a dark background are particularly easy to read. Coloured contrasting areas are more irritating than useful. Particularly clever: Crivit and SKS place the bar scale on the outside of the display - all other manufacturers follow the international standard and print the PSI value here, which makes little sense for our use.

The centrepiece - the pump head

Attention, this can be annoying, because once the air is in the tyre, it should stay there. The pump head must therefore be able to be quickly released from the valve without snagging. This does not work smoothly with all models. Crivit, Rose and Zéfal in particular have problems here - they sometimes hiss when they are removed. Pump heads with a slightly longer neck and a clamping lever that is folded down instead of up are particularly easy to operate. This also reduces the risk of bending the Presta core.

The ABS chuck from Lezyne clings particularly tightly and securely to the valve - it is screwed and not clamped. Like the Merida pump head, it also has a release button for fine-tuning the air pressure. Schwalbe has ushered in a new era in terms of handling with Clik Valve. The particularly compact pump head is simply attached and snaps securely onto the valve - without clamps or screws. However, the prerequisite for this is that the bike has valves with the special Clik Valve system - according to Cube, more and more bikes will be equipped with this innovation ex works in the future. So you can prepare yourself for the new standard.

How much should a good bicycle pump cost?

In the end, the question remains: How much do you really have to invest in a usable pump? The honest answer: At the end of the day, all pumps in the test reliably fill the tyre with air. Even the Lidl pump for just €11.99 works surprisingly well. If you mainly have fat tyres to inflate, Decathlon is a real value-for-money tip. Roadies and mountain bikers who value smooth running and an accurate display should go for the Acid - which is also available with a standard pump head instead of Clik Valve. With the Joeblow Sport, Topeak delivers the evergreen for all situations. If you can do without a digital pressure gauge, you can save a whole 25 euros with the identical Joeblow Sport III.

A comparison of the floor pumps tested

Acid Race Floor Digital Clik

• Price: 59,95 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.4 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 34
• Pressure gauge: digital
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: -0.04 bar
• Valves: Clik Valve
• Strengths: very precise, top pump head, good comfort
• Weaknesses: Volume per stroke only medium

Conclusion & evaluation Acid Race Floor Digital Clik

The Cube Racefloor Digital is a very successful floor pump that impresses in almost all disciplines. High-quality workmanship, ergonomic operation, an excellent valve head and a modern digital pressure gauge make it a clear recommendation. Minor weaknesses in measuring accuracy are of little consequence.

Blackburn Airtower Comp

• Price: 50 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.11 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 35
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 7.7 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: 0.15 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: very good pump head, clear pressure gauge
• Weaknesses: wobbly stand, high effort required

Conclusion & rating: Blackburn Airtower Comp

The Blackburn pump scores with an excellent pump head, but fails in basic areas such as stability, hose length and efficiency. It is sufficient for occasional use - those who pump regularly or need high pressures will find more stable and energy-saving alternatives.

Crivit XL floor pump

• Price: 11,99 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.2 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 26
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 7.4 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: 0.45 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: Metal base ensures good stability, large pump volume
• Weaknesses: high force required even at low pressures, wobbly piston and handle, valve head loses air easily when fitted, inaccurate pressure gauge

Conclusion & evaluation Lidl Crivit XL floor pump

The Crivit floor pump is a classic price-performance case: For a good ten euros, you get a functional, stable pump with large volume reserves - but also clear weaknesses in terms of precision, effort and workmanship. It's absolutely okay for occasional users, but we can't make a recommendation for ambitious riders.

Decathlon floor pump 900

• Price: 29,99 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.79 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 30
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 10.0 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: 0.05 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: very stable stand; large pump volume; huge, easy-to-read pressure gauge; high measuring accuracy
• Weaknesses: high force required; valve head does not always close tightly immediately

Conclusion & evaluation Decathlon floor pump 900

The Decathlon floor pump is a stable, fast and very precise pump that is particularly suitable for tall riders*.inside with high volume requirements. Small weaknesses in the valve head and the short hose spoil the overall impression somewhat, but do not change the fact that the pump is a highly recommended option in its price range.

Lezyne Sport Floor Drive 3.5

• Price: 54,95 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.44 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 38
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 9.0 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: 0.17 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader
• Strengths: ergonomic, pleasantly round handle; extremely airtight screw head; long, flexible hose; integrated pressure release button
• Weaknesses: coarsely scaled bar display (0.5 bar increments); wide pointer makes precise reading difficult; piston runs roughly; pump tilts slightly backwards

Conclusion & evaluation Lezyne Sport Floor Drive 3.5

The Lezyne floor pump impresses with its high-quality workmanship, an extremely secure screw head and a very long, flexible hose. However, weaknesses in stability, the rough-running piston and the coarse pressure gauge scale prevent it from achieving a top ranking. However, it remains an interesting option for fans of the brand and users looking for maximum tightness at the valve.

Merida Floor Pump Dual Gauge

• Price: 49,95 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.73 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 29
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 7.9 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: -0.09 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: extremely stable metal base; large pump volume, few strokes required; precise display in the MTB range (0-2 bar); pressure release valve for fine adjustment
• Weaknesses: very high force required; angular, less ergonomic handle; inaccurate pressure gauge above 2 bar

Conclusion & evaluation Merida floor pump Dual Gauge

The Merida floor pump is a solid, stable volume miracle that is particularly suitable for large-volume MTB tyres. The precise display in the lower pressure range and the secure stand are impressive. However, the high manual force, the angular handle and the inaccurate display in the higher pressure range prevent a top rating. Nevertheless, it is an interesting option for mountain bikers with strong hands.

Pro Performance

• Price: 59,95 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.51 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 28
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 7.8 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: -0.50 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: large stroke; large volume per pump stroke; long hose; practical pump head, spare parts available
• Weaknesses: very high effort required; wobbly stand despite large base; inaccurate, difficult to read pressure gauge

Conclusion & evaluation Pro Performance

In theory, the Pro floor pump offers good prerequisites: plenty of stroke, long hose, practical pump head. In practice, however, high manual force, lack of stability, poor workmanship and an inaccurate pressure gauge prevent a better rating. It is sufficient for occasional use - there are much better alternatives for ambitious riders.

Procraft Thruster Essential

• Price: 24,90 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.01 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 42
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 4.7 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: -0.10 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: very favourable price; compact design
• Weaknesses: extremely wobbly stand; very small, imprecise pressure gauge; high effort required; small pump volume, many strokes required; angular handle

Conclusion & rating Procraft Thruster Essential

The Procraft floor pump is a typical entry-level model: inexpensive, functional, but with clear weaknesses. High effort required, a wobbly stand, a less than usable pressure gauge and overall simple workmanship prevent a recommendation. OK for emergencies or infrequent use - there are much better alternatives for regular pumping.

Rose Druckmacher GF 56

• Price: 22,95 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.22 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 37
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 5.9 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: -0.29 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: pleasantly rounded handle; smooth pumping action, low manual force; valve head can be quickly screwed on; well-positioned pressure gauge
• Weaknesses: extremely wobbly base; short, angular valve head; air loss when pulling off; inaccurate pressure gauge

Conclusion & evaluation Rose Druckmacher GF 56

The Rose Druckmacher is a lightweight, easy-to-pump floor pump that scores points above all for the smooth running of the piston in the cylinder. However, the wobbly stand, the air loss at the valve head and the inaccurate pressure display prevent a better rating. OK for occasional use - there are more stable alternatives for precise or frequent use.

SKS Germany Air compressor Clic Tec 10.0

• Price: 44,99 Euro >> available here
• Weight: xx kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 33
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 7.2 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: -0.04 bar
• Valves: Schwalbe Clik Valve
• Strengths: large, easy-to-read pressure gauge; precise 0.1 bar scaling; very good click-valve valve
• Weaknesses: twistable plastic stand; cracking pressure gauge cover; inflexible hose; overall simple material appearance

Conclusion & rating SKS Airkompressor Clik Tec 10.0

The SKS floor pump is a solid mid-range model with clear strengths in the pressure gauge and valve head. Weaknesses in material appearance, torsional rigidity and hose flexibility prevent it from achieving a top ranking. Nevertheless, it is a good choice for precise pressure settings and uncomplicated valve handling.

Topeak Joeblow Sport Digital 2.0

• Price: 69,95 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.61 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 36
• Pressure gauge: digital
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: -0.05 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: very high-quality workmanship; ergonomic, rubberised handle; stable, torsion-resistant stand; TwinHead valve head: tight, reliable, no air loss; digital pressure gauge easy to read
• Weaknesses: somewhat short hose; pump volume per stroke rather low

Conclusion & rating Topeak Joeblow Sport Digital 2.0

The Topeak JoeBlow Sport remains a top all-rounder with hardly any weaknesses. High-quality workmanship, an excellent valve head and - in the digital version - one of the best pressure gauges in the test make it a clear recommendation. Small compromises in the hose and pump volume make little difference.

Zéfal Profile Max FP20

• Price: 34,95 Euro >> available here
• Weight: 1.16 kg
• Strokes 0.5 to 2.5 bar: 37
• Pressure gauge: analogue / 7.2 cm
• Deviation at 2.5 bar: -0.10 bar
• Valves: Presta/Schrader/Dunlop
• Strengths: pleasantly shaped handle; decent pumping power; moderate effort required; easy-to-read, sufficiently precise pressure gauge
• Weaknesses: short, angular valve head; slider adjusts when pumping; air loss possible when pulling off; short hose

Conclusion & evaluation Zéfal Profil Max FP20

The Zéfal floor pump is a compact, easy-to-use pump that scores highly with a good pressure gauge and decent pumping performance. However, weaknesses in the valve head and the short hose prevent a better rating. It is a solid choice for small people or as a second pump - there are more convenient alternatives for frequent pumping.

This is how we tested

Handling | 40 per cent

The pressure piston should slide up and down in the cylinder as smoothly as possible without jamming and be buffered by springs at the stops. Good ergonomics are characterised by the fact that the stroke length matches the overall height. In our experience, pumps between 1.75 and 1.80 metres tall with a height of 65 centimetres and a slightly shorter stroke length fit very well. Round handles with a light rubber coating work best. They have a good grip, are comfortable to hold and have no annoying ridges that could pinch. A foot based on the three-point principle offers the best stability, as with the Decathlon pump with the pressure gauge as an additional support. The feet from Procraft and SKS are narrow and tend to tip over.

The pressure gauge | 30 per cent

An easy-to-read display paired with precision is crucial. The best pressure gauges deviate by less than 0.1 bar. The LCD from Acid and Topeak is the easiest to read, but only works with a battery.

The pump head | 30 per cent

It must be easy to attach and detach from the valve and seal properly; a stable and flat clamping lever improves ergonomics. The Lezyne screw head seals very well and its drain valve is practical. In terms of handling, no pump head comes close to the new Clik-Valve system from Schwalbe.