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Getting your fat bike tires pumped up to the right pressure can be a real chore, particularly if you don’t have the right tool for the job. I have often been left wanting when it comes to sorting out a flat tire when all I have is a wobbly foot pump and an old hand pump that will take forever to inflate the tire (the pump really is that old!).
As I decided to invest in a new pump, I thought it would round up the best pumps for fat bike tires that I could find. I will also cover some of the things to look out for when buying a fat bike tire pump and some other bike pump-related FAQs. Enjoy!
Recommended Bike Pumps
What To Look For In A Fat Bike Pump
When choosing the right pump for your fat tire bike, there are a few things you will need to consider.
Pressure Gauge
Whilst you can often get away with giving the tires a kick (or squeeze when it comes to a bike), this isn’t a good strategy if you want to make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure for the terrain you will be tackling.
In order to get the right PSI on your bike, you should try and buy a bike pump with a pressure gauge on it. When pumping your tire up, the pressure gauge will allow you to inflate your tire the right amount, without having to worry about over/underinflation.
Floor Pump vs. Hand Pump
Knowing the difference between a floor pump and a hand pump before you jump in and make a purchase will significantly help you in buying the right pump for you.
A floor pump refers to any type of pump that you place on the floor in order to inflate your tires. Typically these pumps will have areas on either side for you to place your feet in order to keep the pump stable. You then simply raise and lower the handle to pump air into the tire.
A hand pump on the other hand is not placed on the floor when being used. Instead, after attaching it to your valve, you use one hand to hold the pump steady whilst the other hand pushed the handle in and out of the tube.
Each of these pumps has its pros and cons, but generally, I like to think of them as follows:
- Foot pumps are great for inflating your tires BEFORE you head out for a ride
- Hand pumps are easier to carry and therefore great for using DURING your ride or in case of a mid-ride puncture
How Often Should I Pump Up My Tires?
This varies depending on the type of bike you are using and the size of the tires. As a rough guide, you should pump up your fat bike tires once every couple of weeks to ensure they have the right amount of pressure in them.
For road bikes, you will need to pump them up much more regularly, perhaps once a week. A hybrid bike will need inflating at a rate somewhere in the middle, so once every 1 to 2 weeks.
Of course, you should also give your tires a quick check before heading out on any ride to ensure they are not running flat. If you can’t tell by a visual inspection, you can often pinch either side of the tire and see how much give there is. If the tire feels soft, then check it with a pressure gauge and pump it up as required.
Best Pump For Fat Bike Tires
Now you know how to choose a pump for your fat bike tires, let’s get into the list of the best pumps on the market today.
Lezyne Floor Pump Micro Floor Drive XL – Our Top Pick
The Lezyne Floor Pump Micro Floor Drive XL is what you call a “small and mighty” floor pump.
Unlike most floor pumps, this one is so small that you can take it with you on your rides so that if you do need to add some more air to your tires, you can do it using a floor pump, which is ultimately easier to inflate with.
This pump is specifically designed for use at lower pressures, with a max PSI of 35. This is plenty for your fat bike, mountain bike or even hybrid.
It also comes with a pressure gauge, meaning you can keep an eye on just how much pressure there is in your tire, without worrying about overinflation.
If you want a pump that you can use on your ride and at home, then this is definitely the right one for you.
Topeak Joe Blow Sport 3 Floor Pump – Our Favourate Floor Pump
If you’re after a floor pump that can be used pre-ride for all types of bike tires, the Topeak Joe Blow Sport 3 Floor Pump is a versatile option.
Whilst this pump isn’t packable for your rides, it can certainly be kept in the garage or car for inflating just before you ride.
With a max PSI of 160, this pump can easily be used for your fat tire bike, as well as any other bike you might need to inflate the tires for.
A great choice for those who like to ride different types of bikes and want just one pump (TO RULE THEM ALL!).
VeloChampion Alloy 9″ Mountain Bike Pump with Pressure Gauge – Our Favourite Hand Pump
You can’t take your floor pump with you when you are out on a ride, therefore having a handy little hand pump that attaches to your frame or can be tossed in your bag is a great little investment in case of a puncture.
This VeloChampion Alloy 9″ Pump is a great purchase for those who are worried about being caught out mid-ride and needing to add some air to your tires.
This pump is both Schrader and Presta compatible, to can be used on pretty much any bike innertube you are likely to need to inflate.
With a 120 PSI pressure capacity, you know that you will be able to inflate your fat bike tires with ease, and without the worry of it becoming too difficult as you get near to maximum inflation.
In spite of its small size, it also contains a pressure gauge, meaning you can make sure you inflate your tire to just the right PSI.
A great choice for those after a handy little pump to use if they need to fix a flat tire mid-ride.
More Of The Best Floor Pumps
TOOLITIN Floor Bike Pump with Gauge
The Toolitin Floor Bike Pump With Gauge is another great floor pump for those looking to pump up any type of bike tire.
This pump is made from one metal tube, which is seamless in design. This means that there is no chance of any air escaping whilst using this pump and provides a more durable product compared to pumps made from plastic.
With a maximum PSI of 160, this pump can be used for pumping up pretty much any bike tire, including fat bike tires.
The footplate at the bottom of the pump help to provide stability when in use and the wide, ergonomic handle will make pumping up your tires less of a strain and annoyance.
It also comes with a handy storage box for adaptors, such as ball inserts, which is integrated into the back of the pump.
A good choice for those who want a floor pump that is versatile and durable.
VeloChampion Premium Bike Track Floor Pump
One of the annoying things about most pumps is the need to switch the adapter at the end each time you need to pump up a different type of valve. This VeloChampion Premium Bike Track Floor Pump has a handy little feature that will make that a thing of the past.
This floor pump features a dual head for connecting to your tire valve, meaning that you can quickly switch between inflating Schrader and Presta tires. This is particularly useful when you need to inflate tires for several bikes before a ride.
This floor pump also comes with a maximum PSI of 200, which is more than enough for your fat tire bike and pretty much any other bike you may need to inflate. There is also a built-in pressure gauge, which provides you with more control when inflating your tires.
The flat foot-plate at the bottom of this pump will help stabilise it when in use and the handle is wide enough for you to grip easily. This makes pumping up your tires easy and less of a chore.
A great choice for those who want a pump that is easy to use, durable and can be used to quickly pump up lots of tires.
FAHZON Mini Portable Bicycle Foot Pump with Pressure Gauge
If you prefer to use your feet to pump up your tires rather than use a hand pump, the FAHZON Mini Portable Bicycle Foot Pump is a strong option.
Unlike most bike pumps, in which you use your arms or hands to inflate your tires, with this pump you pump of your tire by standing on the pump. This can be a real lifesaver for your arms.
This foot pump also comes with a pressure gauge meaning you can accurately measure how much air you are putting into your fat bike tires.
This pump can inflate up to a pressure of 80 PSI with ease and can inflate to 160 PSI maximum. This is more than enough for your fat bike tires.
The real selling point of this pump is how small it is. It is a similar size to a glass of water, meaning it will easily fit inside of your backpack if you are heading out on a bike packing tour.
A great choice for those who want a packable pump and would prefer a foot pump over a hand pump.
More Of The Best Hand Pumps
ANVAVA Mini Bike Pump
If you’re after a small hand pump that is built to last, then the ANVAVA Mini Bike Pump might be a great choice.
This mini pump is made from a machines aluminium alloy, designed to make this pump rust-proof and extremely durable.
With a 160 psi capacity, the mini bike pump can be used to solve sudden issues that come up as you ride. With the ability to inflate bike tires as well as maintain good tire pressure over the course of a season, it’s the only device you need to take with you.
It comes with a reversible Presta and Schrader valve attachment that makes it perfect for pumping up road, mountain and fat tire bike tires with no air leakages whatsoever.
A great choice for those wanting a sturdy pump in case of mid-ride emergencies.
SPORTOUT Mini Bike Pump
This SPORTOUT Mini Bike Pump is a great little pump for those who want a portable pump for their fat tire bike.
This pump includes a pressure gauge so that you can check the air pressure in your tire as you go and ensure you don’t overinflate it.
This small hand pump has a maximum PSI of 120, which is plenty for your fat tire bike, as well as mountain bikes and hybrids.
It also comes with tire levers and sticky patches for your inner tube. Everything you would need if you get a flat tire whilst out on a ride.
A good choice for those after a compact pump that still allows them to get the right tire pressure.
Fit Bike Pump FAQs
Do You Need A Special Pump For Fat Tires?
Some people think you need a different pump for fat tires, but the answer is that you don’t. You can use any type of pump that has the correct PSI (pounds per square inch) and right nozzle size to inflate your tires.
It does not matter if your tire is a car tire, a motorcycle tire, ATV tire, bicycle tire, or anything else. All you need to do is make sure that the PSI (pounds per square inch) gauge on the pump matches what is written on the side of your fat bike tire. The nozzle also needs to be able to fit into the valve stem hole on your bike’s tire.
How Much Pressure Can A Bicycle Pump Produce?
The maximum pressure that a bike pump varies between hand pumps and floor pumps.
Floor pumps can provide in excess of 200 PSI, which is significantly more than you will need for your fat bike tires.
Hand pumps produce less PSI than foot pumps, but can still provide up to 160 PSI, which is more than you will need for your fat bike tires.
Can You Inflate A Bike Tire With A Car Pump?
If you are looking to use an electric car tire pump for your bike then the answer is no, you shouldn’t use one.
This is because you need to put a lot more air in a car tire than a bike tire and electric car pumps produce more air per second than a bike pump. This means you will not be able to control the PSI in your bike tire as easily and risk rupturing your bike inner tube
Summary
I hope that from this guide you now know how to choose a pump for fat bike tires and have found the right one for you.
In my opinion, the best pump that you can buy is the Lezyne Floor Pump Micro Floor Drive XL as I believe it offers great versatility, is durable and packs down very small, so can be chucked in a backpack or attached to your bike in case of emergency.
The main thing to remember is that floor pumps and hand pumps are better suited to different circumstances. Whilst a hand pump makes a great cycling companion in case you get a flat tire whilst out on your ride, they are not as good as floor pumps when it comes to getting the pressure accurate and they can also take a lot longer to fill up a fat tire bike due to the amount of air needed.
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Happy Cycling!
