When it comes to trendy cycling accessories, electric mini-pumps might be one of the trendiest. These helpful little gadgets have exploded in popularity in the past year or so, and there are lots of options to choose from. From Silca and Muc-Off to Trek and Topeak, it seems like just about everyone is trying to cash in on the e-mini-pump gold rush. Cycplus is among the brands offering these pocket-sized inflation devices, and with four portable options to choose from, it may have the largest lineup on the market.
These include the AS2, the AS2 Pro, the AS2 Pro Max, and the AS2 Ultra — confusing, I know. The smallest of the bunch is the AS2 Ultra, a very compelling option that is one of the lightest, if not the lightest, electric mini-pumps on the market. And while its size and weight are impressive, it boasts solid performance specs, including a maximum pressure of 120 psi, the ability to inflate multiple tires on a single charge, and a quick 25-minute charging time.
I’ve got the entire fleet of Cycplus electric mini-pumps, and I’ve been testing them for the past few weeks. Each pump works very well and stands out for a different reason, but it’s the AS2 Ultra that is the most interesting option to me. Its smaller size makes it easier to fit in bags or jersey pockets, its lighter weight undercuts the competition, and it still manages to perform where it matters most — inflating your tires.
- MSRP: $119
- Weight (measured): 88 g (105 g w/cover, 128 g w/cover and hose)
- Dimensions: 65 mm L x 47.5 mm W x 28 mm D
- Max pressure: 120 psi
- Claimed accuracy: 1 psi
- Battery size: 400 mAh
- Charge time: 25 min
Pros
- Lightweight
- Smaller size is easier to carry
- Solid gauge accuracy
- Surprisingly good pumping performance
- Reasonably priced for the category
Cons
- Not as much pumping capacity as heavier options
- A soft storage bag would be nice to keep everything together
Like many people, when I first heard about electric mini-pumps, I initially thought of them as an unnecessary extravagance. Manual mini-pumps and C02 cartridges have been getting the job done for decades, and they still work just fine. Then, I tested the ToPeak E-Booster Digital, and I completely changed my tune. Not only did it work really well, but it weighed less and occupied less space in my pack/jersey pockets than my usual C02 and/or mini-pump setups.
So, I’ve just been riding with that for the whole summer, and I haven’t spent a dime on C02 cartridges, nor have I had to get angry while frantically pumping with a mini-pump. Sure, given that both of those methods still work for on-trail/road tire inflation, it may qualify as a bit of an extravagance. Still, I’ve been loving it regardless, and I know plenty of other people who’ve made the leap recently as well.
But, for as convenient as the ToPeak E-Booster is, it’s not the lightest, and its blocky shape doesn’t offer the most flexibility for packing into tight spaces. So, when I heard about the AS2 Ultra, I figured I should give it a shot.
What’s in the Box?
The Cycplus AS2 Ultra comes in a small box that contains the mini-pump wrapped inside its silicone cover. The cover is removable, but it is recommended as a heat barrier between the pump body and your hands. These pumps produce a bit of heat when the compressor is running, but the cover also makes it a tiny bit more comfortable if you’re carrying it right against your back in a jersey pocket.
Otherwise, the AS2 Ultra comes with a short extension hose — for use with tubes with TPU valve stems — a thread-on Presta valve head, a ball needle, an extra o-ring, a USB-C charging cord, and a “splash-proof pouch.” It also comes with printed instructions. The one thing this pump lacks (and all of the Cycplus pumps), in my opinion, is a soft storage bag to keep everything together and add a touch of cushioning.
Specs and Features
The size and weight of the AS2 Ultra are its standout features. According to the brand, it has a claimed weight of 87 grams and dimensions of 65 mm L x 47.5 mm W x 28 mm D. The weight increases slightly when other components, such as the cover, extension hose, and Presta head, are added, but it remains lighter than the competition.
This compact little unit houses a 400 mAh rechargeable battery, which can be charged via USB-C, and takes only 25 minutes to fully charge. I confirmed this in testing; it’s really quick. Cycplus claims that it is capable of inflating to a maximum pressure of 120 psi, which is significantly higher than the recommended pressure for most tires in this day and age.
It has a digital screen where you can set the desired pressure between 0 and 120. When pumping, the unit automatically shuts off when the preset pressure is reached. Even with its diminutive size, Cycplus says it can handle multiple inflations on a single charge. See the chart further down in the article for the brand’s inflation performance claims.
Tiny and Lightweight
With a measured weight of just 88 grams for the AS2 Ultra, it is the lightest electric mini-pump currently on the market that I’m aware of. Of course, that is the barebones weight, just for the pump body, and doesn’t include the silicone cover, the extension hose, or the Presta head. For Presta valves, I think the minimum anyone would realistically carry is the pump with the silicone cover, which weighs 105 grams on my scale. In this configuration, you can inflate tires, but you need to hold the pump in place on the valve. For comparison, here are the weights of some of the other pumps we’ve tested, in their lightest usable configurations (not counting extension hoses).
- ToPeak E-Booster Digital: 181 g
- Trek Air Rush: 138 g
- Muc-Off AirMach: 142 g
Personally, I prefer using the AS2 Ultra and other e-mini pumps that I’ve tried with the extension hose. Not only do I carry TPU tubes for flat repairs, but I also appreciate the flexibility of the hose, and I prefer the thread-on capability of the heads. This makes it easy to attach, and you can even let go and walk away from the compressor noise while it pumps. This adds weight to the equation, of course, bringing the total system weight of the AS2 Ultra up to 128 grams, including the silicone cover, extension hose, and Presta head. That’s pretty dang light compared to the ToPeak, which weighed 206 grams with all the same components.
It’s also significantly smaller than the Topeak E-Booster. The ToPeak pump measures 86 mm x 59 mm x 38 mm, while the AS2 Ultra is 67 x 41 x 31 mm, both including the silicone covers. This makes it much easier to squeeze this pump into a cramped saddle bag or any other pack or jersey pocket where you might keep your gear. It’s really a huge difference in terms of packability. However, this smaller size is a result of a smaller battery — 600 mAh vs. 400 mAh — and 30% less pumping capacity.
Pumping Performance
With such a small size and low weight, I honestly didn’t expect much from the AS2 Ultra. I was surprised to find that it pumps just as quickly as the larger ToPeak model I have. I haven’t performed every pumping test imaginable with it, but I’ve run it through a series of inflation tests relevant to my needs and the tires I have on hand. I don’t own a road bike, so I apologize in advance for not having any applicable data.
My first test involved pumping a 29” x 2.5” mountain bike tire from 0 to 30 psi. The AS2 managed to do that twice, and on the third attempt, filled the tire to 13 psi. This outperforms the brand’s claimed performance of inflating a 29” x 2.2” tire from 0 to 30 psi two times.
A few days later, I pulled out the AS2 Ultra again and inflated some gravel bike tires. I inflated a 700 x 45 tire from 0 to 30 psi, and then a 700 x 37 tire from 0 to 60 psi two times. There was still a little battery left. This was perhaps not the most logical progression of inflation tests, but I wanted to see how it performed at the upper end of pressures that I might use on gravel tires. My takeaway is that it meets the claims on the brand’s inflation chart and then some.
In terms of accuracy, I was also pleasantly surprised. Cycplus claims all of its electric min-pumps are accurate to 1 psi, and that seems about right. I checked all of my inflation tests with two different floor pumps that I trust, and they were darn close to the reading on the AS2 Ultra’s digital gauge. Using the analog gauges on my floor pumps isn’t the most accurate, but it was close enough that I was impressed.
What’s Not to Like?
So, when you decide to get the lightest electric inflator you can find, you’re also making a conscious decision to have less battery life and pumping capacity than larger, heavier alternatives. Compared to the ToPeak E-Booster that I have, the AS2 Ultra trades ~80 grams of weight for about 30% less battery capacity. That ends up being another full MTB or gravel tire inflation. That’s a tradeoff you’ll want to consider: less weight versus more inflation.
Like other electric mini-pumps, this is a palm-sized air compressor, and it’s somewhat loud when in operation. When tested side by side, the volume was nearly identical to that of the ToPeak. It seems there isn’t really any way around that, which is why I like to connect mine to the extension hose and walk away until it automatically stops at the preset pressure. But the noise is not unique to the AS2 Ultra; it’s just the nature of the beast.
Value
At a retail price of $119, the AS2 Ultra falls toward the lower end of the price spectrum compared to models from name brands. Yes, you can find less expensive pumps from Rockbros and other no-name Amazon brands, but if you’re comparing it to Silca ($129 to $159), Muc-Off ($155), and ToPeak ($145), it beats them all on price. Trek’s Air Rush comes in a little lower at $100.
Regardless, given its class-leading weight and solid pumping performance, I’d consider it to be a good value. For comparison, here are the prices of all the Cycplus AS2 models, along with a quick rundown of their specs.
- AS2 Ultra: $119
- AS2: $69 (no digital gauge)
- AS2 Pro: $109
- AS2 Pro Max: $129
Cycplus AS2 Ultra: My Takeaway
Despite my initial reluctance to get on board the electric mini-pump train, I’ve pretty much gone all in. These little gadgets work well, and there’s no shortage of models to choose from. For those seeking the lightest and smallest option, it seems like the Cycplus AS2 Ultra is currently your best bet. This pump is lighter than anything else that I or the Bikerumor crew have tested, and its comparatively smaller size should make it much easier to fit in your on-bike or on-body storage.
The main drawback is that you’re giving up a little inflation for that reduction in weight and size, so that’ll be something you’ll want to take into consideration. Otherwise, if you’re looking for the lightest electric mini-pump, check out the Cycplus AS2 Ultra.
