Will Specialized come out with a mini electric pump like Trek?

[mogulman]

Now that Trek has embraced the mini electric battery powered tired pump trend with their Air Rush, will Specialized follow?

Seems like everyone is split 50/50 with some people loving it and others complaining about it. The ebike vs non-ebike debated, or disc brakes vs rim brakes, etc...

I bought a cheapo one from Amazon last week. I am already tubeless. I decided to use the change to lighten up my Turbo Vado SL package. Got rid of my CO2, a small lock that I used 1x and a spare tube that I never used. Just have the electric pump plus Dynaplug pill and a tool. I mostly ride from my house on paved/gravel roads with my SL, so worse case I could call someone to give me a lift.


I tried the mini pump to top off a few tires. I also let the air out of my MTB tire and pumped it from flat and still had about 50% charge. So seems ok. I'll just have to make sure its charged. Still not 100% convinced but trying it out. Bonus is that I can use it easily to top off the bikes before I ride.

 

[Allan47.7339]

I use Cycplus and also the Silca version. I have not carried CO2 for quite a while. The advantage of an e-pump is if the puncture is not quite sealed or some other error, you haven't blasted one of the precious cartridges to find out. The Silca pump works a bit better than the standard Cycplus but it's incremental. They work really well.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

(Sigh)

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Personally I really dislike CO2 and don't often use them.

While I have a Fumpa that I rather like, it is not an everyday (or even many days) carry item for me. The only (borderline) use case for carrying an electric pump would be that you *might* be able to seat a tubeless tire with it. But most of the time you probably can't.

It is hard to beat a good mini-pump that is appropriate for the target tire pressure and volume of your tires for day-in, day-out riding. And even if you carry CO2 or a mini compressor you still need to carry that pump.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The reason a racing gravel cyclist carries a CO2 cartridge is the fact they can reinflate the wheel in seconds just after they had replaced the inner tyre (it takes 2 minutes to an experienced rider). Or, it is a tubeless tyre that has lost pressure and needs to be re-inflated fast.

Nothing beats a two-stroke pump with a pressure gauge if you can spare a minute or two.

Besides, who even believes TREK has designed and makes the electric mini pump? It must be a re-branded Chinese product. Why should Spec do the same?

 

[mogulman]

I've had some of those pumps in the past. Last time I used one was 20 years ago. Too much of a hassle and too much space. I'm definitely anti-manual pump.

CO2 was ok, but always had to carry a few carts, because if you messed up inflating it, you were stuck. The e-pump is very small, weighs less than CO2. I already have to make sure all my other junk is charged up anyway.

Because Spec and Trek copy each other most of the time

 

[jabberwocky]

I've had some of those pumps in the past. Last time I used one was 20 years ago. Too much of a hassle and too much space. I'm definitely anti-manual pump.

Topeak Morphs are great. Not as compact as some options, but they have short hoses and footpegs and can get a tire up to pressure reasonably quickly. They also sell spare parts and rebuild kits so you can keep them going. My oldest Mountain Morph is almost 25 years old. I also have a few Road Morphs and several Mini Morphs.

Portable pumps should really be emergency only though. My main issue with battery powered pumps is it leaves you open to your emergency kit not actually working when you need it because the battery died or it got wet or something. But everyone has to decide how reliable they really need their emergency kit to actually be.

Because Spec and Trek copy each other most of the time

They both operate many dealers like factory stores (devoted almost entirely to their products) which means they want to have something in house to serve every popular part category and accessory niche. Accessories in particular tend to be hugely profitable. No reason to let customers walk out the door with a Topeak pump when you can sell them something Specialized/Trek branded.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Because Spec and Trek copy each other most of the time

TREK copies Spec If we are talking something essential