Few things irritate cyclists as much as a flat tire in the middle of a beautiful day on the trail, much less during their commute to work.
For riders always looking for ways to address that problem as quickly as possible, Fanttik has released a new portable tire inflator with an impressive range of utility. The X8 Apex Air Inflator arrived recently to some fanfare, and the company has also partnered with Aventon for broader distribution.
Lovers of e-bikes will likely know Aventon. The California-based company made a name for itself designing accessible and easy-to-use electric bikes.
Less known is Fanttik, but the company made its presence felt with the X8 Apex. The design quickly won both a Red Dot Design Award and an IF Design Award earlier this year.
Wide application range leads the way
The recognition of the X8 Apex’s innovative design isn’t too surprising, given its ability to quickly reinflate not only bicycle tires, but flats for motorcycles, cars, and even miscellaneous products like sports balls.
For that reason, the X8 Apex has already become a favorite among owners of Teslas, who repeatedly endorsed it on social media.
Fanttik’s collaboration with Aventon means that its flagship product will be available on Aventon’s website, Aventon-approved dealers, and even Best Buy stores. The big box outlets will begin carrying some of the company’s e-bikes, as well as X8 Apex inflators, later this year.
“Bicycle sales have skyrocketed since the pandemic, and this presents an opportunity for related accessories,” Du Bo, CEO of Fanttik, said of the new partnership. “We share a similar commitment with Aventon, both are user-friendly with cutting-edge design. We are thrilled to launch the co-branded X8 Apex Tire Inflator with Aventon. [It] can inflate nearly everything one might need during a trip or ride.”
Bo added that the inflator comes with a built-in battery and lightweight frame to support portability.
X8 Apex user utility
When it comes to inflating tires — or even a basketball — the X8 Apex offers both functionality and speed. It can handle pressures up to 150 PSI, and its powerful motor inflates 50 percent faster than competitors while maintaining accuracy within 1 PSI, according to the company’s specs.
It takes 20 seconds to pump up a single road bike tire and 5 minutes for an average car tire with zero air pressure. When fully charged, the X8’s battery can inflate six car tires, 13 bicycle tires, or 80 basketballs. For those worried about ease of use, the device comes with five presets for inflating cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and balls. And a custom mode allows users to tailor the X8 to more specific needs.
Discount available now
Commenting on the partnership’s benefit for Aventon, founder JW Zhang said aligning with Fanttik supports its intent to the riding experience for its customers.
“Aventon is focused on providing e-bikes and e-bike equipment with elegant designs and reliable performance with the end goal of bringing as many people into the e-bike community as possible. The Fanttik X8 Apex Air Inflator has a beautiful design and makes it easy to tackle a flat tire, especially for fat tires,” Zhang said.
The X8 is currently selling on Amazon for a significantly discounted price of $89. MSRP checks in at $130.
