Product reviews
Words by: Nat Bromhead
Not much is new in cycling. Sure, there are the incessant year-round product releases, but these days the vast majority of new gear is typically refined, re-imagined, or re-coloured. That said, over the past couple of years, one completely new product has gradually eased into the mainstream – an electronic device that has the potential to replace the pump. We’re talking pocket-sized electric pumps, and various brands, including Fumpa, Topeak, Bosch, and MucOff, have released their versions in recent years. Magicshine, the Chinese company better known for its wide range of bike lights, has now also joined the party. It is continuing to expand into other areas of the parts and accessories sector. The pocket pump is called the Airro. It’s a small, slick, high-pressure electric pump that eliminates the need for CO2 canisters and maybe even the aforementioned pump. The Unboxing Upon unboxing, there’s a lot to like about the Airro. It’s professionally packaged, looks and feels very well made, and is solid and reassuring in the hand. Measuring around 3x5x7cm, it weighs 145 g. At the base is a USB-C charge point, on one end is the air outlet, and on each side, you’ll see the tiny compressor through a small window. Three buttons – power, plus, and minus – plus an LED screen complete the package. Operation is simple: power on, adjust the output to the desired pressure, and place the outlet nozzle over the valve. Eager to see it in action, I deflated the wheels on a gravel bike and then proceeded to pump them up with the Airro. First impressions: It’s surprisingly loud but also remarkably fast and effective. For a small pump, it packs quite a punch. In around 40 seconds, I had the desired 45 PSI in the rear tyre. Compared to the two most commonly used roadside inflation options, the Airro is quicker than a mini pump but still a lot slower than a Co2 cartridge. Better Than A Hand Pump? The Airro offers several advantages to the traditional pump, one of them being – particularly for a klutz like me – less chance of valve damage. The number of times I’ve bent a valve pin when using a compact hand pump, especially one with a short hose. The shape of the Airro, and most portable other electric pumps for that matter, allows for far more direct contact with the valve. Simply push it on, hold it in place, and remove it when finished, as opposed to the vigorous close-range movements when using a mini pump. Power-wise, the pump features a 7.4V 500mAh battery that is claimed to be good for up to four inflations to 80psi on a charge. Putting this to the test, the claimed figures seemed accurate, with three 50 PSI tests (and a fair bit of playing and general faffing around) dropping the charge indicator to 50%. I then put the pump on charge, and in around 20 minutes, it was complete and ready for the next ride. Extra Features More than just a bike pump, the AIRRO comes equipped with a full set of adapters, including Presta and Schrader valves, a ball needle, and an extension hose. This makes it useful for inflating balls, and other inflatables. Summing Up Encased in its silicone cover, fully charged, and raring to go, the pump is a very impressive piece of kit. Can it replace the hand pump? That will always be a personal choice. For those on longer missions, such as multi-day bike packing trips or AUDAX rides, a traditional pump will always be an essential. But for commuting, single-day rides or local bunchies, I’d happily rely on a fully charged Airro and highly recommend it. Key Features Enjoy reading our reviews? See more of our latest gear content in Ride On, the BN quarterly member magazine – Subscribe Here
Electric Pump Tested: The AIRRO From Magicshine
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