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review
Pumps & CO2 inflators
Truflo Evolution mini pumpTruflo Evolution maxi pump

Truflo Evolution mini pump

8
by Jon Burrage
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published May 22, 2009

0
£19.99

VERDICT:

8
10
A high quality, reliable and effective mini pump at a great price.
Weight: 
243g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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What are the usual problems with frame mountable mini pumps? The ability to inflate your tyres to a worth while pressure without suffering a hernia in the process? The frequently poor construction and materials used? Being able to work with the pump in a controlled manner? All of these things are minor but noticable annoyances found with a wide number of mini pumps but not with the Truflo Evolution.

This is basically a mini version of a track/floor pump. It works in the same way and has a fold-out foot for stability. Using this on test at the side of a hilly road in the mendips I was amazed at how quickly and easily I was able to re-inflate my tyres to 120psi. It took no effort, the normal pump wrestling was nowhere to be seen. The extended chamber that truflo have built into this unit will, they claim, pump tyres to over 140psi which should comfortably be enough for the primary target markets of tourers, commuters and road enthusiasts.

The Evolution mini is made from a tough and lightweight aluminium body coupled with durable plastics for a robust finish. The head is a well made standard reversible Presta/Schraeder offering, switching is the usual case of unscrewing the pump cap and reversing the 2 internal parts. It took me 9 seconds with cold hands.

Finally to the mounting of the pump. Truflo have designed it to sit adjacent to a tube in order to use a set of bottle cage bolts to secure the mounting bracket to your frame. Two heavy duty cable ties also feed through the bracket to eliminate movement and velcro straps work to hold the extended, flexible hose in place when riding. My only concerns about this was that on my bike the size of the pump itself meant that it interfered with the second bottle cage. This isn't the end of the world though and it certainly doesn't detract from the high performance on offer. The only other thing it lacks is a gauge, but if you need one there's a version of the pump with an inline pressure gauge on the hose for an extra fiver.

Verdict

The Truflo Evolution mini floor pump is a superb piece of kit that I will use for a long time to come. A little bulky perhaps but its performance easily outweighs this.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Truflo Evolution mini pump

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Truflo focus on the ability of the pump to 'evolve' into a mini floor pump and the benefits of the high quality, hard wearing aluminium construction.

As I cycle primarily on the road the ability to fix a puncture and re-inflate a tyre to a high pressure is invaluable, the Evolution by Truflo handles this comfortably.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

This pump has an extruded aluminium chamber, this larger chamber allows more air do be delivered to the tyre per pump. Coupled with the folding alloy foot, flexible hose and soft touch handle this pump does feel comfortable and easy to use. The very simple reversible valve end provides for both presta and schraeder needs within seconds.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

I didnt have a problem with it, I managed to inflate my tyres to 120psi without any fuss at all. At the end of the day this product needs to inflate tyres quickly and easily. It does that.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

The only small issue I found in the month or so of testing was on the handle of the pump. The soft touch dual tone rubber on the handle came away at the edges a touch. Nothing major for the functionality of the pump but it did happen.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

Weight and size are on the high side for a bike mounted pump. In fitting this pump to my frame using one of the bottle mounts (as reccommended by truflo) the pump interfered with the second bottle mount leading to my drinks bottle being a little unsteady. This doesnt do down the quality and effectiveness of the truflo evolution and on larger frames this is unlikely to be an issue. It is a fairly bulky unit but well worth it for the product that you get.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10

Very comfortable to use, very easy to use especially compared to other compact/travel pumps. Not fighting with the pump to inflate tyres is a good feeling. The only problem was the rubber coming away on the handles, I dont think this would render the pump useless by any means but it did impact on the comfort factor.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

Cheaper frame mounted pumps are available but not with this quality of finish or attention to detail. Clips to hold the extension hose in place, velcro straps to secure the pump to the mount, the alloy foot for stability and the reliable floor pump movement.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It worked very well, I was pleased with the little amount of effort required to inflate my tyres while out on the road.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The ability to switch between presta and schrader so quickly is a big plus. The main benefit, however, is the ease at which it allows tyres to be inflated, this sounds an obvious requirement for a pump but so many struggle to get a reasonable pressure into tyres, the truflo evolution can handle up to 140psi!

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The only drawback was the size of the pump but this comes with the territory. A mini floor pump can only be so mini before it loses the benefits of the design.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Truflo do another pump, the Evolution+. This is the same unit with the added benefit of a pressure guage. Useful if you need to know what the tyres are running but perhaps not vital if its simply a get you home backup. For an extra £5 its worth considering but not a deciding factor.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 5ft 10  Weight: 66kg

I usually ride: at the moment my Orbea Ora tri/tt bike  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb, triathlon

Truflo
pump
Evolution

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