While on a large MTB group ride last month, a roofing nail got stuck in my friend Craig’s tire. We pulled off to the side, yanked the nail out, inserted a plug, and topped off the air pressure with the Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS. Total stop time: about two minutes. The riders around us were suitably impressed, and I’m similarly impressed with how well the Flextail works, despite some initial reservations.
Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS key specs
- Rechargeable 3.7Wh battery via USB-C
- Weight: 163.2g with mount and extension
- Price:
$99$79.99 sale - Buy from Flextail and Amazon
It works fast and saves your arms
I didn’t think I would use the Flextail electric pump a lot; after all, flat tires are pretty rare for me. However, in just about a month of testing, I used the pump multiple times to top off tubeless tires, inflate replacement tubes, and to (unsuccessfully) mount a brand-new tire. In a group setting, given the option of a mini-pump, CO2 inflator, or an electric inflator, everyone wants to use the electric.
And I don’t blame them. It’s way easier on your arms, and the built-in pressure gauge lets you know exactly how much air you’ve added.
On a full charge, there’s plenty of power to re-inflate a couple of 29er tires, or to pump up a tube from zero. I’ve been recharging the battery after every use just to make sure it’s fully topped off for my next ride. Officially the Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS features a 3.7Wh battery, which is the largest battery among Flextail bike tire pump models.
The pump delivers air in small, steady bursts — not a quick shot like an air compressor — so don’t expect to use it to re-seat a burped or completely flat tubeless tire. Desperate to mount a new tire before a ride in Pisgah, I tried the Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS and the results were laughable, though not surprising.
How to operate
The Flextail features a power button that turns the unit on, and is used to select modes. A short single press activates an LED screen that displays the battery life and a max automatic shutoff pressure. Tap the button again, and the pump starts pumping, until it reaches the max pressure setting. It’s loud and buzzy, and can get hot to the touch, especially around the valve connection.
I didn’t use the automatic shutoff function; the display tells you the current pressure as the tire inflates, and I simply turn the pump off when it reaches the amount I need.
The package includes screw-on adapters for presta and schraeder valves, plus a screw-on extension for use with presta valves. It takes a little extra time to install the extension hose, but I found it forms the best connection.
A long press of the power button actives the red light, and a single short tap toggles between solid, pulse, and blink modes.
I found the small, recessed power button difficult to press, especially when wearing gloves. This is probably to ensure the pump isn’t accidentally activated, say inside of your pack.
The included frame mount uses a stretchy strap and a quarter-turn style quick attach system. If you’re only carrying the pump in a bag, you can remove the quarter-turn mount from the pump.
The form factor is a big sell for me
The Flextail electric bike pump is about 3″ wide, 2″ tall, and 1″ thick. It’s basically the size of a GoPro camera. It’s much more compact than a typical mini pump, which can be hard to fit inside a hip pack or flat repair kit mounted to your bike frame. It’s pretty close to the size of a CO2 inflator and two cartridges, so if that’s your go-to, you won’t be saving much if anything in terms of size or weight. But compared to a pump, the Flextail is much more compact and easy to carry, either in a pack or mounted to the frame.
A bike pump plus a light seems like a weird combo, but actually…
… it’s sorta practical, especially if you ride at night or on the road. The Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS isn’t the first Flextail to integrate a flashing light for rear visibility, but it is the first to include a way to mount the pump to your frame. You’ve got to carry the inflator somehow, and attaching it to the frame ensures it’s easily accessible.
The mount feels a little flimsy, and so I was worried I would lose the pump on the trail. I gave it about a 40% chance of staying on my bike for a typical, 20-mile Tuesday night ride. With that in mind, I made sure to snap all my photos and make the necessary measurements for my review under the assumption that the Flextail might not survive the night.
Much to my surprise, the pump held on tight over rough trails while mounted to my seat post. At one point, I got knocked off the bike hard enough to twist my seatpost 15° to the side, and the Flextail endured.
For road and gravel riding, mounting the pump to a seatpost or frame seems like the way to go. For mountain biking, I’ll generally throw mine in a pack, unless I’m riding on the road and need a rear blinkie.
One concern I have is that using the light sucks up precious battery juice, leaving little if any for emergency inflation. A quick check, however, shows the 3.7Wh battery capacity is about three times a normal blinkie light, which sounds like a nice buffer. Getting a flat early in a night ride should be no problem; it’s on a flat at the end of the night that slightly concerns me.
How does it compare?
Singletracks has tested a few electric inflators over the years, including the original Flextail Tiny Bike Pump. That pump has a light, but doesn’t feature an easy way to mount to a frame. It’s smaller and lighter weight, with a battery capacity that’s about 40% lower for fewer inflations. Though it lacks an LED tire pressure gauge, it’s the least expensive Flextail electric pump, currently priced at $59.99 on sale.
The Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS is about the same size as the Cycplus AS2 Pro electric pump Sam tested last year. That pump doesn’t have quite as much battery capacity, nor does it include a light or a mount. It also costs a bit more.
If you’re looking for a pump that can inflate several tires on a single charge, Fantik has several models to choose from like this one, which we’ve found can, given the right circumstances, seat a brand-new gravity tire. Many of the Fantiks are heavy, making them better suited to leaving in a vehicle or for use at home.
As we predicted last year, mainstream bike brands are now introducing their own mini electric inflators. Models with similar form factors to the Flextail from Muc Off, Topeak, and Silca are all priced at about $120 and up.
Share your Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS review
Pros and cons of Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS
Pros
- Compact and lightweight compared to mini pump
- Works quickly and easily to inflate a tube, or top off a tubeless tire
- Good value
Cons
- The mount is secure enough, but feels a little flimsy for MTB
- Single power/mode button is hard to press
Bottom line
I really like the Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS electric inflator. Though the integrated light feels a little gimmicky, it’s a nice option for mountain biking, and makes even more sense for road riding. This little electric pump has definitely earned a spot in my flat repair kit.
- Price:
$99$79.99 sale - Buy from Flextail and Amazon
0 Comments