SPECIALIZED AIR TOOL MTB

£85

SPECIFICATION Height: 110cm • Hose length: 120cm • Contact: specialized.com

Even though there are several mtb specific pumps in this test, the Specialized Air Tool MTB is the only one to come with a low-pressure gauge. This is rated up to 40psi, but other than needing a bit more air to pop a stubborn bead in place, the amount of volume and pressure this pump produces is more than enough to seat most tubeless tyres.

The steel construction is solid and it gets some nice details like grip tape on the base, sensible hose management and a wing-shaped handle. The Air Tool MTB comes with a Switchhitter II head that adjusts automatically for Schrader and Presta valves. During testing it did stick, causing us to lose air when we first attached it, but it loosened up the more we used it. The best thing about the Air Tool MTB is the low-pressure gauge – it’s easy to read, accurate and you could easily do half psi adjustments. It was about 3psi out, but once you’ve worked in your optimum pressure you can pre-set the tiny bezel on the dial. There’s also a bleed button on the head.

The Air Tool MTB has a butter smooth action and gets air into the tyre really quickly. It’s only medium height but has a good length hose and felt stable.

It was a really close call between this and the Bontrager Dual Charger; both are excellent pumps but the Air Tool MTB gets the runner up spot because it’s not quite as versatile and is the next level up in terms of cost.