BBB Samurai Telescopic Mini Pump

Never leave home without a pump, and make sure it's a pump that won't let you down when you need it most: one of my few cycling rules. The BBB Samurai Telescopic Mini Pump does a good job of inflating a punctured tyre, it's nice to use and it looks good with a smart design.

• Pros: Lightweight, easy to use, hose makes life easier
• Cons: Inflation speed limited by the simple fact that it's a small pump

It's not a cheap and flimsy feeling pump this one, the 6061-T6 aluminium construction gives it a reassuringly solid feel. Every detail is nicely designed, making it a joy to use. Well, as joyous as a pump can be to use.

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Concealed inside the pump is a bendy hose (technical term) with a screw-on valve head called the TwistHead, which is compatible with Presta and Schrader valves. I much prefer this approach as it means you can securely fix the hose to the valve and then clasp the pump in both hands. It just makes inflating the tyre much easier, and you're far less likely to damage the delicate valve.

The telescopic design of the pump gives you more output for your input, and the stroke action is smooth and satisfying, with no flex at full extension. The company claims it'll go all the way to 130psi, but in real-world testing I got to 75/80psi, my typical tyre pressures, with no real trouble.

It's a dual function pump and can be switched between high volume (for big tyres and mountain bikes) or high pressure (skinny road tyres). That's ideal if you want a pump that you can use for both road and mountain bikes, and gravel bikes in the middle.

When you're not using the pump, the extractable hose slides into the pump's cavity and a thick plastic lid keeps it tucked away and protected from the elements. A lock system prevents the handle of the pop from sliding down so it maintains its small size all the time. That's a bonus, especially if you make use of the mounting bracket and attach it to the frame.

Measuring 210mm, it's not the shortest pump but it does sit in a jersey pocket well; there's no risk of it ejecting. It's also pretty light at 123g.

I've been testing this pump for several months now, and it has become my go-to. It's been in my jersey pocket, strapped to the underside of a saddle bag, and fitted to the down tube, and used for road rides in the rain, adventure rides where it's got a pasting from muddy trails, and even bounced around inside my backpack on mountain bike rides. Through it all it's been durable and reliable and hasn't let me down, whether I've punctured or just wanted to add a bit of pressure mid-ride.

It retails for £30 but I've seen it for closer to £25 and that's a bit more than the cheapest pumps you can buy, but the quality of the construction, smart details and ease of use do go a fair way to justifying the price tag in my view. It's worth spending an extra tenner on a pump like this if you've budgeted about £15 for a pump – the extra quality is worth it.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best pumps and CO2 inflators

It's a similar price to the equally nicely made Birzman Scope Apogee, but the flexible hose of the BBB gives the Samurai a clear advantage.

Verdict

Nicely designed, high-quality pump that gets tyres inflated with ease