TUBELESS INFLATORS

Which of these six blows away the competition?

LifeLine AirBlast £69.99

SO GOOD… LifeLine’s AirBlast is the cheapest combined pump and inflator here. The tubeless chamber inflates to the highest pressure on test, 240psi, and releases a blast of air that seats thin-sidewalled XC/trail tyres easily.

NO GOOD… The volume of air released is small compared to some of its rivals, so the initial blast doesn’t last long. This means it struggles to seat stiffer tyres, especially on rims with tight bead seats. The crowded gauge makes it harder to accurately inflate tyres to normal pressures. You can buy a separate inflator and track pump for not much more. www.wiggle.co.uk

Beto JetAir £49.99

SO GOOD… Another standalone inflator, the JetAir can be used with both Schrader and Presta valves, and forms a good seal even without the valve core present. The release valve is easily actuated and there’s a pressure-relief valve too, just in case you over-inflate the canister with your track pump.

NO GOOD… Airflow is restricted after the initial blast, so it can struggle to seat tyre/rim combos that require a high flow rate to be maintained for a long time. It’s bulky (twice the size of the Airshot), perhaps because it’s rated up to pressures of 700psi, even though Beto only recommend 160psi. www.bob-elliot.co.uk

Topeak JoeBlow Booster £139.99

SO GOOD… This unit’s large air chamber can be inflated to 160psi and worked seamlessly with the thinner-walled trail tyre/rim combinations we tried. The pump also works well, with a good-sized piston making it quick to inflate tyres.

NO GOOD… It doesn’t work with Presta valves that have had the valve core removed, restricting potential airflow. The valve system also slows down the flow of air compared to standalone inflators. This meant it struggled to seat dual-ply tyres and stubborn tyre/rim combos. It’s almost twice the price of a standalone pump and inflator. www.extrauk.co.uk

Lezyne Pressure Over Drive £120

SO GOOD… Rated up to 220psi, the Pressure Over Drive can be charged to one of the highest pressures on test. The pump is of high quality, with an easy action and a user-friendly chuck, which features an integrated valve core remover. Because the Lezyne unit can connect to Presta valves without the valve core in place, it’s better than the Topeak at seating stubborn tyre/rim combos. The same pump is available with a digital gauge for an extra £20.

NO GOOD… It’s expensive as a one-off cost, though you are getting a high-quality track pump and inflator in a single space-saving unit. www.upgradebikes.co.uk

Birzman Pump Up £49.99

SO GOOD… Birzman’s inflator has one of the highest volumes on test and can be inflated to one of the higher pressures (220psi) with a track pump. This makes it the best of the units here which require the valve core to be left in place. The plastic-ended metal canister feels robust. NO GOOD… The valve that switches the Pump Up from inflate to discharge mode restricts the airflow from the canister, so it’s not as good at seating tight tyre/rim combos as the Airshot. It won’t attach to Presta valves with the valve core removed, which would increase the rate of air release. www.i-ride.co.uk

Airshot £49.99

SO GOOD… The Airshot inflator was one of the first to hit the market and, three years on, it still has two big advantages

– a valve core adapter, which allows the hose to be screwed directly into Presta valves, and a simple design, with no excess valves to restrict airflow. This means the relatively high volume of pressurised air (up to 160psi) can be dumped quickly into your tyre, making it the most effective inflator on test. An extra £5.99 buys you a neoprene case to protect the canister’s glossy finish.

NO GOOD… A higher pressure rating (the Lezyne can be inflated to 220psi) would help it seat stubborn DH tyres. www.airshotltd.com