REVIEW: Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor, 150PSI Mini Air Pump for Car Tires, Cordless Electric Tire Inflator with Pressure LCD Display, Faster Portable Air Pump for Cars, Bikes & Motorcycle Tires, Balls
At the end of 2022, I bought a different rechargeable inflator to put in my wife's car. She has never had a flat or even very low tire pressure where she had to use it. I keep her tires full and check them often. The previous one I used is about three times the size as this one, it felt like a cheap plastic unit that would break down by just looking at it. Well, after four months of not being used, I needed it to inflate her spare tire. It wasn't empty but is was low. It only had 15 pounds of pressure. I hooked it up, after making sure it was fully charged. I turned it on and nothing happened. It failed just sitting in her trunk.
When I saw this very small and rechargeable unit, I wanted to give it a try. When it arrives, I was impressed in how small and compact it really is. It is shorter than my phone and about three times its thickness. The compressor is under 5-inches long compared to my phone that is about 6.5-inches long.
It has a 2000 mAh set of batteries and can share its power with other USB-A devices. There won't be much to share after pumping up tires, but certainly enough to charge a phone so it can be usable. 2000 mAh is really not that much, particularly for the size of the compressor. Feigo could easily have put a stronger battery in the compressor without compromising its size.
I like that it has a flashlight. At night, it is so hard to see, at times, and this will be helpful.
The compressor also comes with a few accessories that are useful. A couple inflators for balls and bikes. I was surprised to see extra tire pressure plastic caps. That's a good bonus.
I was able to easily add the the pressure to reach 33 pounds with a lot of battery life left.
This compressor can show pressure in four different measurements. The only one I understand is PSI. The other three are KPA, BAR, KG/CM. They are important to some people but I really don't understand those measurements.
So far this compressor has worked flawlessly. After more intense use, if it fails, or doesn't work as intended, I will update this review. As for now, they deserve a nice 5 Star Review.
The answer, in short is: Can you? In some cases, yes. Should you? In most cases, no.
The long answer: The reason you can sometimes use an automotive air-pump on a bicycle tire/tube is because they share an identical valve. (See: Schrader valve/Schrader tube in the Terminology Index). If you have this type, you will definitely be able to get air into your tubes in a pinch. However, air hoses from gas stations are usually unregulated, high-pressure & high-volume, and lack a pressure gauge. Therefore, it is much easier to over-inflate and even blow out your bicycle tire, if you were to use one.
An investment in a bicycle pump is one of the best you can make as a cyclist. Not only will it get you out of situations like this, but it will make it easier to keep your tires at the recommended pressure rating, which in turn will make it easier for you to be a more efficient (read: faster) bicyclist.