Topeak Mini Morph G Pump

Topeak's Mini Morph G is designed to let you take all of the benefits of a track pump out on the road with you. The 'G' stands for gauge, so with this model you can put a pressure value to the point where your biceps start to scream (there's a non-G model for £24.99).

It's not a new idea, but the big difference compared with other more traditional mini pumps is the fold-out handle and foot peg, which certainly makes getting higher pressures of air into your inner tubes or tyres.

> Find your nearest dealer here

As you are effectively pushing the pump down onto the ground rather than holding it in mid-air, you can really get your bodyweight behind it, something you need to do when you're sticking 120psi into a 28mm tyre to test the Morph's capacity. That took about 300 strokes and I wouldn't say the pump would handle a whole lot more, not efficiently anyway.

The first 150 strokes achieved around 70psi on the gauge; I say around as it's not the clearest of gauges to read, so it's best to just use it as a rough guide. Attaching my track pump to the inner tube straight after saw that both gauges were in the same ball park at least.

The head itself is a push fit with a locking lever, very similar to a lot of others, and provided a snug fit the majority of the time. On some valves it needed a bit of a tweak to become airtight.

This one came set up for Presta valves as default, so I'm guessing that's the standard. Should you need to use the Morph on Schrader valves you need to unscrew the knurled end of the head, remove the rubber bung and then the plastic part which pushes the valve head down. Both the plastic part and rubber bung need to then be spun round to face the other way before tightening the screw head back on. The reason I'm telling you all this is because it is a faff, not something you want to do too often on the side of the road – the rubber bung is tight to get out and I had to poke a screwdriver head in to drag out the plastic part.

There are some other issues too, that plastic handle for starters. In theory it's all good: you twist it to unlock and then once in the extended position it snaps into place ready for you to push down on.

The problem is the cut-out on the bottom – which allows the handle to fold away – has sharp edges, making it uncomfortable to use without gloves, as does the twist-lock locator at the end. When pressures are getting high and your hands are starting to sweat, it's not a nice combination.

> Check out our guide to the best pumps and CO2 inflators here

The fitting kit can be mounted to the frame using your cage bolts, but unlike others it sits centreline so there is no option to fit a cage over the top – if you like to carry two bottles, this'll be an issue. It can be fitted to the top tube but for this it uses cable ties – not the prettiest of solutions.

Don't bother trying to stick it in your rear pocket, either. I tried that and the Morph got crushed by a following taxi as it bounced off down the road. A couple of the plastic clips and things broke, but it still works – which is a good nod to the pump's durability if nothing else.

As for price, it's at the upper end of the mini pump scale, though similar to other 'mini track pump' models from Zefal and BBB, but it needs quite a bit of refinement to be considered good value.

Conclusion

A well-thought-out design, but the Mini Morph G just lacks a little in every aspect, meaning that I'd happily keep using my small handheld mini pump and put up with about 20psi less in my tyres until I get home.

Verdict

Can achieve decent roadside pressures but needs refining all round to make it a good pump