Unich Mini Floor Pump

Unich describes its Mini Floor Pump as being “like a floor pump but minimized so you can carry it when you ride”. Made from silver anodised, CNC machined aluminium, at 166g it's a fair bit lighter than Lezyne's Micro Floor Drive (arguably its closest rival) while losing little in terms of refinement/efficiency.

In keeping with this established and long-term favourite, there are two versions, one supposedly capable of delivering sky-high pressures (140psi) and this one, a more moderate 110psi.

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The Lezyne has a wider range of adaptors/accessories for inflating beach balls, air beds and other oddments you might haul on a beach-bound weekend tour. But the Unich's uncluttered looks and sound engineering mean it's delightfully simple to use, with no fiddly bits to lose.

Simply unscrew the appropriate end, thread snugly to the Presta/Schrader valve, and inflate. The CNC machined end tucks inside the handle, which not only looks neat but prevents it being caked in mucky spatter.

This pump also features a flick-out stabiliser foot, designed to rest against terra firma while you ram in the pressure. In reality, this has only been necessary when delivering those final 30psi into a more typical 25mm section training tyre.

I've found ours comfortable to hold in the palm, and despite diminutive dimensions that rounded handle offers efficient, blister-free purchase.

Getting even bigger section 35mm commuter/touring tyres up to speed is remarkably easy – I had them up to 30psi in 30 strokes and 35 seconds, 70psi in 70. Beyond this and resistance becomes very apparent, although the pump's action remains smooth and refined, with no hint of flex when placed on the ground and used trackpump style. After 145 strokes and almost three minutes I pumped a 700x35 tyre to 85psi, 150 strokes (2mins 45secs) took a 700x28 from pancake flat to 100, and 121 strokes took a 700x25 tyre to 110psi.

Beyond 80 and my arm was stinging with lactic acid, and by 110psi, the pump was locked out. Thankfully the screw fit head doesn't rob you of any when uncoupling.

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

Integral gauges divide opinion. I prefer to cross reference my track pumps with a standalone digital model, but by the roadside, things need to be approximately accurate rather than pin-point precise. This one is easy to read from a glance and seemingly accurate to within 5psi when checked against my digital unit. There's also a handy bleed button should you get carried away and over-inflate a Schrader tyre, though you'll need to engage this before disconnecting from Presta valves.

Our first sample's gauge failed after six tyres, which was disappointing but covered under warranty, and the piston's action remained silky smooth and efficient. It's pretty good with really big sections too – 26x1.75 hit 80psi in 280 strokes, 20 fewer than the Lezyne.

Pumps this size require sturdy brackets. The OEM unit supplied is minimalist and, generally speaking, up to the job, with no obvious signs of slippage or allowing the pump head to chatter woodpecker-fashion against the down tube, which can even leave tiny dents in very thin wall tubing over time. I'm pleased to report rock steady tenure in other brands' resin brackets too – my Univega's host was sturdy enough to permit worry-free rough riding.

Push comes to shove, even though 110psi is more than adequate for roadside repatriation, especially since an increasing number of us reach for our CO2 inflators first and use pumps as fail-safes, I would probably opt for its 140psi counterpart, since it covers pretty much all the bases road-wise.

Verdict

Decent pump that marries form and function, but look to its HP sibling if you need more than 110psi