The Mini Pump is always the last thing you pack in your bag and definitely last thing you want to end up using out on the trail. Who wants to spend half an hour struggling to re-inflate your tyre with a poor pump? Not us, that's for sure. There's tons of mini pumps out there on the market, so let MoreDirt be your guide to inform you on which one to spend your hard earned cash on.

We've narrowed it down to some of the best mini pumps available and have really gone the extra mile to test all aspects of them as shown in the videos. The times shown in the videos aren't scientifically accurate to the nearest 1000th of a second but it is a bit of fun that gives a reasonable insight into how each pump performs under pressure. Excuse the pun...

Topeak Mountain Morph Pump

First up we've got the Topeak Mountain Morph. This pump is blurring the boundaries between the track pump and the mini pump, with a party trick up its sleeve... A fold out footpad gives it a good grounding and a handle that folds out into a T-bar to give you a better grip.

A fairly tidy bracket allows the pump to be mounted onto your bike frame in a couple of different places with an additional velcro strap for that bit of extra security to hold it in place over rough terrain.

It is compatible with all the usual valve types including Schrader, Presta and Dunlop all be it pretty tricky to change between! The Morph has a handy head that can turn through 360 degrees and claims it can pump up to pressures of 160psi, which unless you have arms like a powerlifter you aren't going to be making the most of... The morph weighs in at 250g definitely not making this a lightweight option. However inflating a mountain bike tyre on the side of the trail from flat it was more than up to the job, but the weight and size penalties are great.

Inflating a mountain bike tyre from flat it's more than up to the job, but it wouldn't get anywhere near the advertised 160psi.

Topeak Mountain Morph
Max Pressure	160psi
Valve Types	Presta, Schrader, Dunlop
Weight	250g
Price	£27.99
Distributor	Extra UK

Buy Online here

Topeak RaceRocket MT

Next up we have the Topeak RaceRocket MT. It seems like a very well thought out compact and sleek looking pump with the valve concealed down inside the pump on a rubber flexible hose to keep it out of the mud. The innovation doesn't stop there! The pump is compatible with both presta and schrader valves by simply partially unscrewing the valve which takes seconds and could even be done with wet and cold hands which is a great perk over the other offering we had from Topeak on test.

Topeak makes claims this pump can cope with pressures up to 90psi, which I can confirm are correct with not too much stress.  The Race Rocket weighs in at a featherweight 114g compared to its bigger brother the Mountain Morph and would be a whole lot easier to mount to the frame with the sturdy bracket supplied with the pump.

A solid mini pump with a great hose and valve connector,
but it's on the pricey side.

Topeak RaceRocket MT
Max Pressure	90psi
Valve Types	Presta, Schrader
Weight	114g
Price	£32.99
Distributor	Extra UK

Buy Online here

Park Tool PMP-4 Half Pint

The PMP-4 Half Pint Mini Pump is park tools offering of the mini pump variety. Park tool are renowned for making some of the best tools in the game in their famous blue colouring!

The PMP-4 doesn't come with an extendable flexible hose to attach to your wheel like some of the other pumps on test so consequently things get a bit awkward during the attachment process. It also doesn't feature a screw on attachment onto the valve, so sometimes getting a good seal is a little harder but the flip out lever feels reassuringly stiff and the pump does seal well once in place. Changing this pump for use between schrader and presta valves is once again a pretty fiddly affair with half dismantling the head the order of the day.

The PMP-4 does feature a  fold out "T-bar" handle that is very comfortable to use and would still be effective even if you had cold wet hands out on the trail. It has a really good smooth action when pumping but it does experience a worrying ammount of play in the shaft when fully extended.

The mounting bracket really lets this pump down though. The only way it is held in place to the frame is with one thin rubber band that looks as if it would perish over a short amount of time and the mount will only fit on round tubes of a certain size on your frame. That said if you only intended for this pump to live in your bag it performs pretty well.

The PMP-4 certainly packs a punch in the inflation stakes but poor build quality and an innefective mount let it down.

Park Tool PMP-4 Half Pint
Max Pressure	90psi
Valve Types	Presta, Schrader
Weight	130g
Price	£22.99
Distributor	Madison

Buy Online here

Blackburn Mammoth 2-Stage

Next we have the Blackburn Mammoth 2 stage. This pump features "Dual mode internals" for "Maximum air volume with minimal effort." This pump is slightly heavier than the other non mini track pumps but its aluminium construction gives this pump a really sturdy feel with hardly any play in the shaft.

The idea behind the pump is that you push the large volume of air into the tyre when its at low pressures to fill the bulk of the tyre with the switch in the low position then flick it over to the high position and pump less air at a higher pressure when it gets too stiff in low pressure mode. In theory a pretty good idea, but you won't be using the low switch for much time at all unless your upper body resembles Hulk Hogan. It will be so stiff after 15 pumps you won't be able to move it.  You'll end up switching it over to the high setting then have to pump for what feels like hours to get it up to pressure.

The pump head is tricky to use, once again fiddly to change between schrader and presta valve types. The mammoth's valve head is pretty large so theres not a lot of room between the spokes of your wheel once its in place, meaning you have to use an adapted technique of pumping that is a little awkward to say the least. The pump is supplied with a sturdy bottle cage mount with 2 rubber bands to keep the pump in place on the frame that would certainly perform adaquetly.

Solid construction, but the dual internals are redundant with
it being so stiff to opperate.

Blackburn Mammoth 2-Stage
Max Pressure	120psi
Valve Types	Presta, Schrader
Weight	168g
Price	£24.99
Distributor	Madison

Buy Online here

Crank Brothers PowerPump Ultra

We tested the Crank Brothers PowerPump Ultra which was by far the smallest pump we had on test but it has some unique features that make it stand out. The double head means effortless switching from presta to schrader valves by simply flipping the pump around. It also features a high pressure/high volume function similar to the Blackburn Mammoth 2 Stage, but it proved to be a lot more friendly. I was actually able to make use of the high volume setting without causing myself a hernia.

Don't let the small size put you off, the shorter stroke is still effective and much less tiring on your arms when in use. This pump doesn't feature a flexible hose so experiences the same difficulties as other fixed head pumps of similar design with an awkward pumping position and occasionally a few air leaks caused by difficulty seating it properly on the valve. The pump doesn't come with any kind of mounting bracket which is a disappointment, but its so small and weighs so little, it wouldn't be any problems at all in a backpack or even a pocket.

Don't let the size put you off, this little pump packs a
punch and has some great features.

Crank Brothers PowerPump Ultra
Max Pressure	115psi
Valve Types	Presta, Schrader
Weight	118g
Price	£24.99
Distributor	2pure

Buy Online here

Lezyne Tech Drive HV

The Lezyne Tech Drive HV is one of the more sleek looking pumps we've had on test. The build quality feels absolutely second to none with a very smooth action and hardly any play in the shaft. It features an ABS flexible hose to attach the pump to the valve which really makes things easier when its actually in use and tucks away neatly when in storage.

The flex hose has schrader fitting on one end and presta on the other, which means seamless changing between valve types and a screw fitting onto the valve to give a really good seal with hardly any fuss.

It's a very simple and tidy design with no fancy high pressure switches or fold out handles, its just a pump. No more, No less. On test here we have the medium length version but a small version is available if you don't think you have the space for the larger model. During pumping I found that the pump can become warm and the screw attachments become hot to the touch due to the pressure, but this has absolutely no effect on the actual performance it was just an oddity. It claims to be able to pump up to 90psi which it could achieve without a great deal of struggling and it comes provided with a really good frame mount that uses the bottle cage screws to keep it securely attached.

Simplicity, incredible build quality and good attachment make this pump a winning combo... and it even doubles up as a hand warmer!

Lezyne Tech Drive HV
Max Pressure	90psi
Valve Types	Presta, Schrader
Weight	127g
Price	£24.99
Distributor	Upgrade Bikes

Buy Online here

Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HVG

The Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HVG was the only pump we had on test with the luxury of a pressure gauge. Admittedly not a necessity with a mini pump but definitely a welcome addition. It features the flexible ABS hose that the Lezyne Tech Drive shared, except it can't be disconnected from the pump. In the looks department this pump beats all others hands down, it is the ultimate bit of trail bling if your out with friends! The chrome finish and smooth curved handle combined with the hose neatly wrapping over the top, give it styling that resembles an old fuel station pump.

The Micro Floor Drive has a pressure release valve for extra accuracy and a cool flip over valve adapter that makes changing between schrader to presta a five second job even on the trail. The build quality is second to none, with the hose screwing into a holster for extra security and the wire flip out foot pad adding the minimalist look and feel.

The action of the pump was comfortable and is definitely easier to pump with it being on the ground, as it puts you in a far superior position to pump with your body weight doing the work opposed to your biceps. The Micro Floor Drive came with a frame mount but to be honest this would be better suited to living in your rucksack. Plus you'd probably want to protect it best you can to keep its good looks! It could also achieve its publicised 90psi maximum with relative ease but I was slightly surprised it wasn't capable of higher pressures.

The ultimate in mini pump bling that packs a punch, but it's certainly not a cheap option.

Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HVG
Max Pressure	90psi
Valve Types	Presta, Schrader
Weight	225g
Price	£41.99
Distributor	Upgrade Bikes

Buy Online here

So that concludes our in-depth look and thorough testing of all the pumps on show so I must pick a winner... For me it would have to be the Lezyne Tech Drive HV. It has all the features I would personally be looking for in a mini pump. A flexible screw on hose, serviceable and replaceable internals, a great frame mount and a simple design that feels like it would still be pumping as good as new 5 years down the line.