Bike tyre inflation has changed. Why I now carry a CYCPLUS electric pump

Cycplus AS2 sähköpumput vertailussa

Almost every part of the bicycle has evolved. Tyres have become wider. Tubeless systems are more common and tyre pressures are adjusted more precisely according to rider weight, tyre size and terrain.

Yet at the roadside, tyres are still often inflated with the same small hand pump that cyclists used decades ago. The other familiar option is a CO2 cartridge. It delivers air quickly but offers limited control over the final pressure.

CYCPLUS changes this in a simple way.

Set the desired tyre pressure and start the pump. The display shows the pressure in real time and the pump stops automatically when the target pressure is reached.

There is no need for manual pumping or a separate pressure gauge. There is also no need to guess whether the tyre is at 1.5 or 1.9 bar.

The pump, digital pressure gauge and automatic pressure control all fit into one pocket-sized device.

The electric motor is not the most important feature

The first thing you notice is that the tyre no longer needs to be inflated by hand. The real difference, however, is precise pressure control.

On mountain bikes and gravel bikes, a few tenths of a bar is not a small difference. If the target pressure is 1.5 bar but the tyre ends up at 1.7 bar, the pressure is more than 13% higher than intended.

You can feel the difference in the shape of the tyre, the available grip and the way the tyre conforms to uneven ground. Excessive pressure reduces the tyre's ability to follow the terrain. Too little pressure increases the risk of rim strikes and tyre damage.

On the road, the ideal pressure is increasingly based on measured tyre width, rider weight and tyre construction. Squeezing a tyre with your fingers no longer offers the level of precision used to optimise the rest of the bike.

The CYCPLUS AS2 Pro, AS2 Ultra and AS2 Pro Max display the pressure in real time. The target can be set in either bar or PSI and the pump stops automatically at the selected value.

Far more than an emergency pump for punctures

It is easy to think of an electric pump as something that is only needed after a puncture. In reality, it has a much wider range of uses.

CYCPLUS can be used to check tyre pressure before a ride and add exactly the amount of air needed. The same device can be used to adjust pressure for different surfaces, after transporting the bike or before a race.

There is no need to carry a large floor pump when travelling. CYCPLUS fits into a saddle bag, jersey pocket or small tool pouch.

The same pump handles routine pressure checks and helps you get moving again after a puncture.

Mini pump, CO2 cartridge or CYCPLUS?

All three can put air into a tyre. The experience of using them is very different.

Feature Hand-operated mini pump CO2 cartridge CYCPLUS electric pump
Reusable Yes No Yes
Manual pumping required Yes No No
Real-time pressure display Usually not No Yes
Automatic stop No No Yes
Fine pressure adjustment Slow Difficult Easy
Number of uses Unlimited One inflation per cartridge Several, depending on tyre size and pressure
Power Not required Not required Rechargeable USB-C battery
Use before a ride Possible Impractical Quick and precise

The strength of a hand pump is its simplicity. You can keep pumping for as long as your arms keep going.

CO2 is fast but every cartridge is single-use. Precise pressure control is difficult and a failed inflation means another cartridge is needed.

CYCPLUS combines the convenience of CO2 with the reusability of a pump. It also shows the actual pressure and stops the inflation automatically.

What should you look for in a good electric bike pump?

When comparing electric pumps, maximum pressure should not be the only consideration. Almost every powerful model promises enough pressure for normal bicycle tyres. The more meaningful differences are found in weight, size, battery capacity and pressure control.

A good electric pump displays tyre pressure in real time. An even better one allows you to set the target pressure beforehand and stops automatically when that value is reached. Without these features, the pump moves air but the final pressure still needs to be checked with a separate gauge.

Weight should also be considered in relation to the intended use. The lightest possible pump is ideal for racing and carrying in a jersey pocket. A larger battery and higher airflow are more useful with high-volume tyres.

When choosing an electric bike pump, check at least the following:

  • Real-time digital pressure display

  • Preset target pressure

  • Automatic stop

  • Sufficient battery capacity for the intended tyre size

  • Compatibility with Presta and Schrader valves

  • Extension hose for valves on TPU inner tubes

  • USB-C charging

  • Weight and size

  • Performance demonstrated in independent testing

  • Availability of spare parts, accessories and retailer support

The strength of the CYCPLUS AS2 range is that all these features fit into an extremely compact package. AS2 Ultra, AS2 Pro and AS2 Pro Max display pressure in real time, stop automatically and reach a maximum pressure of 120 PSI. The right model depends on whether the priority is the lowest possible weight, balanced all-round performance or greater airflow and battery capacity.

Three models for different needs

I selected three CYCPLUS models for Tonis Online Store. Each one has a clear purpose.

CYCPLUS AS2 Ultra, when every gram matters

My favourite, the AS2 Ultra, weighs only 87 grams. According to CYCPLUS, it is the world's lightest electric bicycle pump with a digital pressure display.

Despite its small size, the maximum pressure is 120 PSI, or approximately 8.3 bar. The pump has a real-time pressure display, automatic stop and USB-C charging.

The AS2 Ultra is designed for riders who want the lightest possible solution without giving up essential functionality. It is especially well suited to road cycling, gravel riding and race equipment where every item needs to earn its place.

For racing, the AS2 Ultra is my choice. It is so small and light that there is very little reason to leave it at home.

CYCPLUS AS2 Pro, the best all-round model for most cyclists

The AS2 Pro weighs 120 grams and offers slightly more battery capacity than the Ultra. The maximum pressure remains the same at 120 PSI.

This is the most balanced option for road cycling, gravel and general use. It is light enough for a jersey pocket while offering enough battery capacity for several typical inflations.

The AS2 Pro charges via USB-C in approximately 30 minutes. The digital display shows the pressure and remaining battery level. The desired pressure is selected before inflation and the pump stops automatically.

It has also performed strongly in independent testing. In 2026, Cycling Weekly compared twelve portable electric pumps and named the CYCPLUS AS2 Pro the best overall. In the test, the AS2 Pro inflated a 30 mm tyre to 50 PSI in 37 seconds. It was praised particularly for its speed, precise pressure control and programmable automatic inflation.

Read Cycling Weekly's electric bike pump comparison

For anyone looking for one electric pump for almost every type of cycling, the AS2 Pro is the best all-round choice.

CYCPLUS AS2 Pro Max, more air for high-volume tyres

The AS2 Pro Max is designed for higher-volume tyres and a greater number of inflations. It weighs 205 grams and delivers up to 30 litres of air per minute.

The larger battery makes it a strong choice for mountain bikes, wide gravel tyres, bikepacking and longer trips. It is also suitable when one pump needs to provide puncture backup for more than one bike.

The maximum pressure is 120 PSI. It has the same precise pressure display and automatic stop as the smaller models.

The AS2 Pro Max is not the lightest model in the range. It has a different job. It moves more air and provides greater battery capacity for tyres with considerably more volume.

A small pump can be a real performance tool

Tyre pressure directly affects the way a bike behaves.

The correct pressure supports grip, rolling efficiency, comfort and the tyre's ability to conform to the surface. The wrong pressure can make even an excellent tyre feel slow or unsettled.

This is why CYCPLUS is more than a convenience product. It offers a more precise way to control one of the most important adjustments on the bike.

The idea is similar to using a power meter. Without measurement, riding is based on feel. Measurement connects that feeling to an exact number and allows a successful setup to be repeated later.

CYCPLUS applies the same principle to tyre pressure. The actual pressure is visible, the target can be selected and the same result can be repeated.

Used at WorldTour level

CYCPLUS is no longer an unknown electric pump manufacturer or a random online product.

In 2026, CYCPLUS is the official electric pump supplier to Bahrain Victorious. The WorldTour team's riders use the AS2 Ultra on training rides when a mechanic is not following in a support vehicle.

The choice is easy to understand. A professional rider needs the lightest possible solution that can return a tyre to the exact riding pressure quickly.

Read more about the partnership between CYCPLUS and Bahrain Victorious

How to use CYCPLUS

Using the pump is straightforward:

  1. Make sure the pump has enough charge.

  2. Attach the pump or extension hose to the valve.

  3. Select bar or PSI on the display.

  4. Set the desired target pressure.

  5. Start the inflation.

  6. The pump stops automatically at the target pressure.

All three models work with Presta and Schrader valves. An extension hose and the required valve adapters are included.

Can CYCPLUS replace a conventional pump?

In my own use, it effectively already has.

Since I started using CYCPLUS, I have not reached for a conventional floor pump before rides. I now check the tyre pressure on the CYCPLUS display, set the exact pressure I want and let the pump stop automatically at the selected value. Once the pressures are set, I am ready to ride.

CYCPLUS is not just an emergency pump that I carry in case of a puncture. It is a device I use before almost every ride. The same small pump handles pressure checks, routine top-ups and complete tyre inflation out on the road or trail. There is no need for a separate pressure gauge or to bring out a large floor pump.

Which CYCPLUS is right for you?

Choose the AS2 Ultra for the lightest possible pump for racing, road cycling or gravel.

Choose the AS2 Pro for the best all-round model for training, road cycling, gravel and touring.

Choose the AS2 Pro Max for mountain biking, high-volume tyres or the greatest possible battery capacity.

All three models have a maximum pressure of 120 PSI, a digital pressure display, automatic stop, USB-C charging and compatibility with Presta and Schrader valves.

The differences are found in weight, inflation speed and battery capacity.

Inflating a bike tyre does not need to be difficult

Good cycling equipment solves a real problem without constantly demanding attention.

CYCPLUS does exactly that.

The pump almost disappears into a jersey pocket. When needed, it quickly brings the tyre back to the exact riding pressure. Then it goes back into the pocket and the ride continues.

Explore CYCPLUS electric bike pumps at Toni's Online Store

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