Audew mini bicycle tire pump
Technical analysis and test for this medium-small sized aluminum pump, with great inflation capacity. It is suitable for Schraeder and Presta valves. The metal bracket at the base allows it to be put on the ground, inflating the tires more easily. Supplied with a kit of adapters and self-adhesive patches.
Audew is an international brand allegedly not much known in the cycling market, but very well known in the automotive sector. The brand is owned by two Chinese companies, one specialized in electronic components, located in Guangzhou, and the other in hardware manufacturing, located in Hong Kong. The Audew catalogue includes 11 product categories, even sneaking into domestic environment (home and kitchen accessories). There are also some bizarre proposals such as a portable infrared sauna.
As for the “inflation equipment” sector, Audew produces compressors, pumps, pressure gauges and various accessories, adaptable to both motorized vehicles and bicycles. In our editorial office came in this mini bicycle tire pump, called simply “bike floor pump”. As a matter of fact it is an almost pocket-sized pump, with medium-small dimensions, easily transportable in a backpack or in a sport pouch, but if necessary it can be fixed to the bottle cage of the frame through the supplied plastic support with Velcro retention band.
Technical Sheet
Detections summary we made out for this bike pump.
• Pump weight: 171 grams
• Frame support weight: 19 grams
• Dimensions: 315x27x45 mm
• Connection tube length: 260 mm
• Support base: 32 mm
• Handle width: 77 mm
• Metal bracket size: 65×45 mm
• Inflating piston extension: 160 mm
• Single pumping inflation volume: about 72 cm3
• Maximum declared reachable pressure: 160 psi (11 bar)
• Supplied kit: needle valve for balloon inflation, mattress inflation valve, 6 self-adhesive patches and sandpaper to repair air chambers, two caps for Schraeder valves, two screws for fixing the pump to the bottle cage
• List price: 9.93€ on official web site Audew, 13.99€ on Amazon web site.
This pump has an aluminum body, so it results quite light, handle and base in plastic material, steel bracket at the base to facilitate inflation when resting on the ground. Unlike most pumps, the inflation piston doesn’t have the stem integrated with the handle, but rather at the base, a technical solution evidently oriented to the use of the pump on the ground. However, inflation can be carried out by holding the pump with the hands, even if the convenience of the gesture is not the best. Leaning on the ground, opening the metal bracket, this pump is very effective, even if its limited height forces to bend a bit (better to inflate while sitting, if possible).
The connection nozzle is compatible with both Schraeder-type valves (used for cars and motorcycles) and Presta-type valves. It is sufficient to unscrew the nozzle head and invert the plastic piston and the rubber gasket to switch from one valve type to the other one. The metal lever determines the correct fixing of the nozzle to the valve (with the lever at the bottom, the nozzle is inserted on the valve, then the lever is raised to fix the nozzle and start inflation). The pump handle is wide and enough comfortable to be managed with a single hand.
The inflation capacity is very good, each pumping releases just a bit more than 72 cm 3, a value that allows you to quickly reach the desired pressures. During our test we couldn’t achieve the limit of 11 bars declared by the manufacturer, we just barely stopped at 9 bar (with a 700x23c tire), but it has to say that higher pressures are rarely necessary. The nozzle has an excellent seal and doesn’t disperse air during inflation.
The finishes of this pump are not impeccable (the example in our possession had the metal bracket at the base fixed with a slightly asymmetrical hole) but don’t affect its functional performance. Audew pump is a tool that allows faster inflation than smaller pumps, thus reducing the effort. A good accessory for those who ride with road, trekking and touring bikes, as well as for mountain bikes with inner tubes. The efficiency of this Audew pump is also very good for inflating “plus” MTB tires with a section of 2.6 “or wider, thus satisfying the needs of the Trail bikers.
– Web site Audew
Article and pictures by Roberto Chiappa
