I grew weary of my friend taking forever to inflate his tyres – so I got him a Cycplus AS2 Pro electric pump – it's at its lowest price of the year in this Amazon Prime Day deal
The AS2 Pro blew away the competition in our group test, saved a friendship, and at this price, now might be the time to switch to electric inflation yourself
Having to pause your ride to fix a puncture is annoying enough as it is. Far worse is pausing for a friend's flat tyre, especially if you have to wait and watch your ride buddy thrashing away on a traditional pump.
Having witnessed this one too many times, I decided the best electric pump our Cycling Weekly experts have ever tested was a gift my regular ride companion needed. The Cycplus AS2 Pro provides rapid inflation in a compact and lightweight package (120g), and although it's a fairly significant investment (at full price), in a time of smart tech it just makes sense.
For Amazon Prime Day, the Cycplus AS2 Pro is discounted to just $83.59, from its usual $109.99, and for Amazon Prime Day UK shoppers the AS2 Pro is down to £69.43, from its usual £83.33, which means it's hit its best price of the year. Both prices also beat the Black Friday price from last year too. So if you fancy trying it out for yourself, now might be the time to pull the trigger.
Amazon Prime Day runs for four days from 23-26 June, and there are plenty of reductions to be grabbed on cycling essentials like chain lube and tubeless sealant, as well as cycling tech, including the best bike computers. Our Prime Day Live Blog is the place to check out all the cycling deals, and we'll update it as we find the best discounts.
Today's best tubeless tyres and rims generally mean punctures are less frequent, but they still occur, especially if your name is Bart, my regular cycling pal, who punctures almost every single ride.
In our group test of the best electric pumps, we put 13 of the leading brands' electric inflators through their paces. Our expert testers scored the Cycplus AS2 Pro a flawless 5 out of 5 stars, and picked it as the best overall, saying, "The Cycplus AS2 Pro stands out as the best of the bunch. Its speed, precision, and programmability make it the top choice in performance and convenience."
Having used it myself, I wholeheartedly agree with the above points and would recommend it to anyone, especially at this price. The highlight is the large LED screen, which allows you to dial in precise pressure settings. It also automatically stops when the target pressure is reached, increasing battery life.
Cycplus says the AS2 Pro battery will have you covered for at least two full inflations from 0 to 120 PSI on a 700x25mm tyre, but I've found it to last a lot more. My only gripe is that it can discharge when not in use, so checking the battery status before heading out is advised (the LED screen shows this too).
It's also worth noting that this, like the majority of electric pumps, can get quite hot when using, so you need to be aware when using inner tubes with plastic valves, because they can melt. If you still use inner tubes (I don't), most models come with an additional valve to alleviate this.
In my opinion, and my friends', is that the convenience of use, precise pressure levels (especially with this model and its LED screen), and the lack of effort when it's required are all box-tickers and the traditional pump is resigned to taking up residence in our sheds.
Although these deals are for Amazon, our handy price checker below shows the best Cycplus deals from other retailers and also in your location and currency.
