Twice in the past few months my weekly bike ride with a local cycling club was interrupted by a flat tire, thankfully not one of mine. In one case the inner tube was beyond salvation. In the other I was able to provide the air that got the group back on the road. That’s why I carry a portable air compressor in my bike bag.The Powools portable air pump is built for a variety of inflating jobs. It will air up everything from a soccer ball to a pool float to a car tire. The kit comes with nozzles for different tasks, including a needle for balls and an adapter for those skinny Presta valves found on many high-end bikes.
The feature that I most appreciate is option to set the PSI level before you begin inflating. The device keeps pumping until it reaches the desired level when it automatically shuts off. That’s far more convenient that using a gas station hose (if you can find one) and a separate pressure gauge like the ones I used to stash in my glove compartment.
While use the Powools pump to check my bike tired before leaving the house, I don’t take it with me. The one in my bike bag is considerably smaller and lighter. I keep the Powools inflator in the trunk of my car where it’s ready for anything that needs a burst of air.
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Written by Ric Manning
Follow me on Twitter @ricmanning and read my technology columns at My Well Being.
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