By Lars Hundley
Hot
- Effortless inflation compared to mini hand pumps – no more arm fatigue
- Compact and lightweight at just 120g
- Digital pressure gauge with accurate readings
- Automatic shutoff at preset pressure
- Fast USB-C charging (30 minutes)
- Works with both Presta and Schrader valves
- Fits easily in a saddle bag or jersey pocket
- Maximum 120 PSI capability handles road tire needs
- Not very loud
Not
- Extension hose can be fiddly to get a good seal with Presta, but it threads on and seals perfectly with Schrader.
- Battery needs monitoring if you’re an infrequent user
- More expensive than traditional mini pumps at $109
As roadies, we’ve all been there – stranded on the roadside, frantically pumping a tiny hand pump that seems to move less air with each stroke, our arms burning as we struggle to reach even 60 PSI. The CYCPLUS AS2 Pro aims to eliminate this particular cycling misery, and after a week of testing this manufacturer-provided sample, I’m impressed with what this tiny electronic device brings to the table.
Tiny Package, Big Performance
The AS2 Pro represents the middle option in CYCPLUS’s lineup of miniature electric tire inflators. At 70×49×28mm and weighing just 120g, it’s only slightly larger than its little brother (the standard AS2) but offers crucial upgrades including a digital pressure display and higher maximum pressure capability (120 PSI vs. 100 PSI).
What truly sets this device apart is how it transforms the roadside flat repair experience. No more physical exertion – just attach it to your valve, set your desired pressure, press a button, and let technology handle the rest.
Real-World Testing
I’ve tested the AS2 Pro across my stable of bikes: my road bike with 700x32mm tires, an all-road bike running 700x35mm tires, a gravel bike with wider 650x48mm tires and even my Jones bike with humongous 29×2.8 tires with Schrader valves. The pump handled each scenario confidently, though inflation times naturally varied with tire volume.
According to manufacturer specs, the pump can inflate to 120 psi in about 2 minutes. For lower-pressure applications like gravel tires, inflation is even quicker. It took me about 90 seconds to bring my 650x48mm tires up to 37 psi, and it similarly took about 90 seconds to pump up my enormous Jones bike 29er 2.8 tires from zero to 19 psi, which is a LOT of air volume.
The digital pressure gauge proved to be accurate in my testing – a welcome feature for those of us who obsess over precise tire pressure. The ability to preset your desired pressure and have the pump automatically shut off when it reaches that threshold eliminates any risk of overinflation.
Battery Life and Convenience
The 420mAh 7.4V battery is rated to handle about two full inflations to 110 PSI before requiring a recharge. I imagine you’re probably keeping your tires at a lower psi than that, with today’s wider tire and lower pressure trends. A full recharge of the battery takes only about 30 minutes via the included USB-C cable – significantly faster than many portable electronic devices.
This quick charging is important for those of us who, like me, might go months between flats. The last thing you want is to pull out your e-pump during a roadside emergency only to find the battery dead. I’m considering carrying it in my jersey pocket rather than leaving it in my saddle bag to ensure I regularly check the charge level.
Practical Considerations
The AS2 Pro comes with a silicone protective case, Presta valve converter, extension hose, ball inflation needle, and a waterproof storage bag. This complete package ensures you’re ready for various inflation needs.
One minor issue I encountered was with the extension hose. While useful for reaching awkwardly positioned valves, I found it somewhat fiddly to achieve a good seal compared to connecting the pump directly to the valve with Presta. Some practice might be required to master this. But with the Schrader valve, it threads onto the valve to attach and works very easily.
If you are using a TPU tube that has a plastic Presta valve, you’ll want to use the hose so that the inflator doesn’t heat up the plastic valve too much. Some TPU tubes come with metal valves, so it wouldn’t apply to those.
For storage, the pump fits easily in my rear bike bag with room to spare. Its compact size means it could also ride in a jersey pocket without becoming a burden on longer rides.
Comparative Advantage
Where the AS2 Pro truly shines is in comparison to traditional mini pumps. Anyone who has tried to inflate a road tire to proper pressure with a mini pump knows the frustration – the pumping becomes increasingly difficult as the pressure rises, especially beyond 40 PSI, turning what should be a quick roadside stop into an unwelcome upper-body workout.
It also eliminates the anxiety that comes with CO2 inflators. No more worrying about wasting your only cartridge or carrying extras “just in case.” For infrequent flatters like myself who may be out of practice with CO2 operation, the foolproof nature of the electric pump provides welcome peace of mind.
Value Proposition
At $109, the AS2 Pro is of course more expensive than traditional mini pumps. However, the convenience factor cannot be overstated. For riders who prioritize efficiency, reliability, and minimal disruption to their ride when dealing with flats, the price may be easily justified. The elimination of ongoing CO2 cartridge purchases should also be factored into the value equation.
Conclusion
The CYCPLUS AS2 Pro effectively solves one of cycling’s persistent annoyances – the roadside tire inflation struggle. Its combination of compact size, adequate power, and user-friendly features makes it a compelling option for road and gravel cyclists alike.
While long-term durability remains to be seen, the quality construction and thoughtful design suggest this is built to last. If you’ve ever finished a ride with aching arms from using a mini pump or wasted precious CO2 cartridges, this tiny electronic wonder offers a better alternative.
For riders like me who value efficient solutions to mechanical problems and want to minimize disruption when flats occur, the AS2 Pro earns its place in my essential kit.
The CYCPLUS AS2 Pro is indeed an interesting product.
However, the article omits the answer to an important question.
Does the pump’s hose/valve fitting allow detachment (and attachment) to the tire’s valve without losing air from the tire?
Thank you for your review.
It’s hard to say, because how well any given pump, mini pump, CO2 inflator or hose attaches to any given Presta valve also depends a lot on the person attaching it as well as the design of the Presta valve itself. I tried it on two different brands of plastic TPU valves and it comes off clean but was kind of difficult to keep in place so that it inflated to the full correct PSI. It worked much cleaner on metal valves with the hose, but you don’t even need the hose with a metal valve. My preference is using this pump without the hose.
If the pump attaches and releases cleanly to a Presta valve without the hose, that’s good enough.
On further consideration, perhaps a hose would be unnecessary or even undesirable with a device such as this.
Thank you for your answer.
At the frequency that I flat I can get a lifetime supply of CO2 cartridges for much less than the cost of this pump. No batteries required.
Nice review Lars. Thought I should point out that I reviewed the lower priced Cycplus and rated it highly too. Here’s that review, which includes my video review where you can hear and see my model in use: https://www.roadbikerider.com/product-review-cycplus-cube-mini-bicycle-tire-inflator/
I’m still using the pump and it’s the one I prefer to carry as it’s so small and easily carried in a pocket. And as you say Lars, it makes inflating effortless. The drawbacks in my opinion are that it’s loud when inflating; you have to keep it charged; it’s more expensive than manual pumps; and it does not inflate to riding pressures quickly. Yet, I still prefer to carry it over my other pumps simply because it’s super easy to use.
Jim Langley
Yes, that’s a great point that you have reviewed a different model a couple of years back. Thank you for the link.
One thing I’d say is that they must have solved the noise issue, because I was able to use mine both outdoors and inside the very small room where I keep all my bike stuff and it was not noticeably loud to me. As a comparison, I have a full sized compressor and that thing is too loud to use in the room, and very loud even with an open garage door in the garage. I wouldn’t describe it as quiet exactly, but I wouldn’t think twice about using it anywhere and would not worry about it disturbing anyone even on my early morning bike rides.