By Mike Szostech Last updated
If you do much riding, it’s only a matter of time until you have a flat tire. Check out this roundup of the best bike pumps in Canada to get you rolling again.
We bought our pick for the budget best bike pump back in 2020, and it’s still going strong into 2023 – all for around $40!
These are the best bike floor pumps as they are the first and most-used pumps that people buy. In the future, we hope to add some compilations of the best compact and mini bike pumps to help with trail fixes.
How did we choose the best bike pump?
We started by scouring the internet and reading hands on tests from companies we view as experts – these are huge USA review sites like Wirecutter, and then websites with specific knowledge of bikes like Cycle.com and MTBR.
After compiling their top picks for the best bike pumps, we set to work figuring out which of these best bike pumps are available in Canada.
We found that some of the bike pumps that were highly rated are not available in Canada, or they had a ridiculously high price and an import charge. We decided to leave those out of our list.
Instead, we focused on the most commonly rated bike pumps that were still a good buy for us Canadians. Three always came out on top – the BV pump for it’s low price, the JoeBlow Sport III for it’s quality and history, and the Lezyne for it’s almost-full-metal-build reliability.
If an air release is a feature you really need, probably because you change tire pressure based on ride conditions, then you’ll have to look at the AerGun or one of the more expensive options.
Best Budget Bike Pump - BV Ergonomic Bike Pump
This inexpensive bike pump is more expensive than the cheapest version at your local store (Canadian Tire I'm looking at you with your cheaper CCM models that have terrible reviews), and yet with it's low price and steel barrel you'll still be a happy pumper.
In fact, 3 years later, and this pump is still working great even with constant unsupervised use by children. It's turned out to be durable and easy to use, and it's still only around $40!
The valve head on this bike pump can switch between presta and schrader simply by inserting the bike tube valve into the correct end of the valve head and switching the lever to the lock position.
The pressure it takes to move the lever to the lock position makes this bike pump difficult for young children to use. I'm hoping that it loosens up a little bit over time, but obviously the pressure needs to be strong enough to keep the air from leaking around the valve stem when it's inserted into the bike pump.
Some reviewers found this feature annoying, and others praised it - you'll have to judge for yourself if it's too much of a hassle. If so, check out the AerGun X-1000 which has a single hole in the valve head that works for both types of valves.
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Best Budget Bike Pump - BV Ergonomic Bike Pump review details:
BV Ergonomic Floor Pump Reviews
Best Reviews ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Bang for the Buck' in their product review. [October 2020]
Has no problem reaching high pressures and has a large accurate gauge.
The Strategist ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Bike Floor Pump' in their product review. [April 2019]
Sturdy floor pump with easy to read gauge.
Your Best Digs - Others Tested [September 2020]
Tiring to pump compared to the more expensive floor pumps
Best Bike Pump - JoeBlow Sport III Bike Pump
The JoeBlow Sport pump has been one of the best bike pumps for years! It does cost twice as much as the BV pump above, but it has a larger air gauge, and moves more air per stroke.
Now in it's 3rd version, the JoeBlow Sport bike pump continues to improve. The bike pump has a huge 3" gauge that's accurate, and it's been moved part way up the tube to get it closer to your eyes and make reading it easier.
The twin head valve design has a nice large lever for locking onto the valve stem, which makes it a little more user friendly than the BV pump. The large aluminum pump barrel means it will take less pumps than the competitors to get your bike up to pressure.
It's also one of the few floor pumps that has a metal base, making it likely to last longer. However, the metal base makes it a heavier bike pump overall, and it could also damage a floor if you use it inside.
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Best Bike Pump - JoeBlow Sport III Bike Pump review details:
JoeBlow Sport III Reviews
Outdoor Gear Lab ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Editor's Choice' in their product review. [November 2020]
This popular bike pump brings lots of performance per dollar.
Best Reviews ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best of the Best' in their product review. [October 2020]
Large, but sturdy steel construction makes this the best bike pump. Just watch the steel base doesn't scratch floros.
Cycling Weekly [October 2016]
A solidly built bike pump with a stable base and good ergonomics which should last for ever
Bike Radar ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Best for leaving at home or in the car' in their product review. [September 2023]
A cheap bike pump that has been in Topeak's lineup for years and is now on its third iteration,.
Road.cc ranked it as the #3 on their list claiming it was the 'Simple to use' in their product review. [September 2020]
Great performance and build quality from a home workshop favourite.
Your Best Digs ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Floor Pump' in their product review. [February 2020]
The Joe Blow III has almost no plastic components, and the 3-inch gauge is considerably larger and much easier to read than it was in the previous model.
Upgrade Pick - LEZYNE Classic Floor Bicycle Pump
If you don't like the press on and lock rubber valve connections, then this is the best bike pump for you. The Lezyne bike pump has an aluminum screw on valve connection system.
In fact, almost all of this pump is made of aluminum which gives it more sturdiness than the others.
This is a high quality bike pump. Built from machined aluminum, it can reach a maximum of 220 PSI! The extra long hose has a twist on attachment at the end for securely and correctly attaching to your bike's valve stem - every time.
Available in metallic black or metallic red.
Get the best price LEZYNE Classic Floor Bicycle Pump in Canada from:
Upgrade Pick - LEZYNE Classic Floor Bicycle Pump review details:
LEZYNE Classic Floor Bicycle Pump Reviews
Wirecutter ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Our Pick' in their product review. [May 2020]
Mostly metal bicycle pump is rated as the best floor pump for bikes by Wirecutter.
Bike Radar ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Track Pump' in their product review. [August 2023]
Great performance balance with a smooth feel and low stroke counts along with a long hose.
Best for tubeless tires - JoeBlow Booster Bike Floor Pump
The JoeBlow Booster is the best bike pump for tubeless tires. With all the features of our favorite bike pump, the JoeBlow Sport, the Booster has a chamber you can pressurize to help seat tubeless tires.
Topeak calls this pump 'Half air compressor - Half pump'. Once you've pumped up the integrated aluminum air chamber, you can quickly fill your tubeless tire to mount them on a tubeless rim - just like a shop compressor. Then, you can flick the selector from 'charge' to 'inflate' mode and air bypasses the chamber and goes directly into your tire.
This bike pump has an easy to read pressure gauge, an air release button, large comfortable handle, and a 'SmartHead' that works on both valve stem types.
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Best for tubeless tires - JoeBlow Booster Bike Floor Pump review details:
JoeBlow Booster Floor Pump Reviews
Outdoor Gear Lab ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Top Pick' in their product review. [November 2020]
An excellent choice bike pump for tubeless tire fans
Cycling weekly ranked it as the #3 on their list [March 2017]
Heavy and pricey, so not that great for a normal pump - but for the dedicated tubeless fan, it's hard to fault
Bike Radar ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the '1 of 6 of the Best Bike Pumps for Tubeless Tires' in their product review. [August 2017]
Not cheap, but the best combined system, with huge reach, a simple head and great operation.
Road.cc ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best unit' in their product review. [September 2020]
It's expensive but it's the best all-in-one unit we've used, by some way.
AerGun X-1000 Bike Pump with Air release
With many of the same features as our top pick the BV bike pump but at twice the price (it does come with an air release button that the BV doesn't have), we just couldn't make the AerGun our choice for the best bike pump. But that doesn't mean that it isn't a great bike pump!
The AerGun has been around since 2014, and it came to be out of frustrations the inventor had with bicycle pumps they had purchased. From a USA company, and with a "No Questions Asked, Iron Clad, 2 Year Limited Guarantee" the AerGun is a great choice for a bike pump.
It has a single pump head that works on both Presta and Schrader valves, and doesn't require adapters, adjustments, or fiddling of any kind.
Get the best price AerGun X-1000 Bicycle Floor Pump in Canada from:
AerGun X-1000 Bike Pump with Air release review details:
AerGun X-1000 Bicycle Floor Pump Reviews
Outdoor Gear Lab ranked it as the #3 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Buy' in their product review. [November 2020]
The best bike pump combination of cost and performance
The Strategist ranked it as the #3 on their list claiming it was the 'Best bike pump for dummies' in their product review. [April 2019]
A simple and good pump that works for both Presta and Schrader valves.
Your Best Digs - Others Tested [September 2020]
Plastic base and handle affect long-term durability, and pressure gauge markings are small. They did love the single, universal fit valve with pressure release button.
Planet Bike ALX Rebuildable Floor Pump
Made with a special lightweight anodized aluminum barrel and a classic wood handle, this floor pump is more expensive than the others.
However, the mostly-metal consctrucion of the pump is rebuildable should any of the interior parts or seals fail.
It's pressure rated to 200 PSI, and has a gauge that monitors pressure up to 160 PSI.
Get the best price Planet Bike ALX Floor Pump in Canada from:
Planet Bike ALX Rebuildable Floor Pump review details:
Planet Bike ALX Floor Pump Reviews
Wirecutter ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Budget Pick' in their product review. [May 2020]
All metal bike pump, except the plastic pump head, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Crankbrothers Gem Bike Pump
This bike floor pump from Crankbrothers has a unique high pressure/high volume switch that allows you to quickly pump up an air mattress or sports ball, or to fill your bike tire at high pressure.
The wide stamped steel base with 3 legs create a stable platform for aggressive pumping, but there's no grips to holds your feet in place if you sometimes use the bike pump in socks.
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Crankbrothers Gem Bike Pump review details:
Crankbrothers Gem Bike Pump Reviews
Outdoor Gear Lab ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Top Pick' in their product review. [November 2020]
This is a high value bike floor pump, thoughtfully designed and well crafted
Road.cc ranked it as the #5 on their list [September 2020]
Offers high volume for mountainbike tires and high pressure for road bike tires. Good value, too.
What tire pressure should I use?
When buying a bike pump, you need to know what pressure you want your tires to be. For a general guide on tire pressures, check out this article on Bike Radar.
Typically, any bike pump will do unless you’re a high speed track racer – and this guide isn’t geared towards you. If you want to run very high pressures, then make sure the bike pump supports that pressure.
On the other hand, if you want to run very low pressure, if your pump has a pressure gauge that goes up to 220 PSI, it will be very hard to tell if your pressure is 30 PSI, or 35 PSI on the pressure gauge while you are inflating your tire.
A standard maximum pressure in our list of the best bike pumps seems to be 160 PSI. At that range, you can fill most road bike tires and you can also still see the gauge clearly for lower pressures. But, if you think you can accurately pump a basketball to 7.5 PSI, you’re mistaken. You won’t be able to use the best bike pump’s built in gauge as most start displaying around 20 PSI.
What type of bike pump should I get?
Think about where you will do most of your pumping – if you want something for pumping up your bike tire in the garage before you head off on a local ride, then a floor pump will give you the easiest pumping method.
If you want a small bike pump to put in your backpack for a ride up in the mountains, then you’ll want to look for a compact bike pump.
If you’re a racer, and you want to tuck a pump in your jersey pocket, then you’ll need a mini-pump, or even a CO2 recharge pump.
For a tubeless bike tire, check out the ‘booster’ style floor pump in the best bike pump list above – it contains a canister that you pump up, and then blast it out rapidly to help seat a tubeless bike tire.
Are bike pumps and ball pumps the same?
Ball pumps require a different attachment method. However, all you need to make your bike pump into a ball pump is a needle valve. Most of the bike pumps in the list of the best bike pumps Canada above come with the needle valve adapter.
Can I use a bike pump to pump up a car tire?
Yes! I’ve used a bicycle hand pump to fill up a flat golf-cart tire – it was a lot of work, but it worked.
The only thing you have to make sure is that your bike pump has the schrader style attachment and not just the presta (which, actually, every one of the best bike pumps in this review has both) – which is the type of valve stem that vehicle tires use.
This guy pumps up his 15″ car tire with 120 strokes of his bicycle floor pump:
Our old bike pump is hard to use, it’s hard for kids to pump up their balls and bikes. Your recommendation of the best bike pump mentions difficulty attaching to the tire valves for small kids. Do you think it would be ok for an 8 yr old?
It’s hard for our 5 year old to use – and he actually bent off a needle valve in a soccer ball trying to pump it up (not sure what happened but he was in the garage being a big boy). For our 7 and 10 year old, however, they have no troubles with the bike pump at all. And after a year of use, we still think it’s great!