The CyclePump Expedition inflator line with the EZAir gauge. Quality components ensure accurate and fast tire inflations. Photo also shows the new 90-degree air chuck.I’m an old fan of the original BestRest CyclePump Adventure. It came along at a time when it seemed that every other brand broke just when I needed it. My CyclePump is now a few years old, I’ve carried it on every ride, used it well over 100 times (I lost count), and it just keeps on ticking.

But there was an Achilles’ heel: The original air chucks were problematic and, depending upon the amount of valve stem wear, sometimes it was a real hassle to form a leak-free connection. This problem also affected BestRest’s (accurate) EZAir Gauge, which utilized the same chuck system.

David Petersen, the company’s owner, is an expert on, and has carved a niche around, tire changing and repair. These are subjects he takes VERY seriously, resulting in products that are uncommonly durable and innovative. His new CyclePump Expedition addresses the above air chuck issue along with a few other important upgrades, including a new rubber bumper around the unit’s casing. The improvements in the design are substantial, and so rugged that they allow BestRest to offer an unheard-of “Lifetime Warranty” on their inflator. That’s music to my ears, especially when I’m out in the middle of nowhere (inevitable) in 110°F temps, staring at a flat.

The Expedition comes with four powering adapters: A BMW plug that converts to a cigarette lighter plug; a two-prong SAE connector; and small alligator clips that attach to any 12V battery. The air chucks are brass and have a solid, quality feel. They’re available in either straight-through or 90-degree versions depending on your bike’s valve stem accessibility.

The convenient thing about using the Expedition with the EZAir Gauge is that they can be coupled to work inline as a single unit. So, as you’re inflating or deflating the tire/tube, there’s a quality gauge giving a live and accurate read-out of the moment-to-moment pressure changes. Many other brands have built-in gauges, but in my experience almost all are cheapo gauges and only give you an approximate measurement—varying as much as 5 psi—that’s ridiculous!

The Expedition’s rubber bumpers replace the fold-out metal legs of the Adventure that never worked well for me. The rubber bumper absorbs vibrations the pump makes when powered and helps to keep it from jumping around, too. That’s especially important if you’re in dirt, where the pump could suck in the stuff and shorten its life.

Do I like the new unit? Absolutely. It’s the best and most reliable tire/tube inflator I’ve ever tested. If I have a complaint, it’s that the unit is still a little large and heavy. But for the peace of mind it provides, that’s a small price to pay. As a bonus, the CyclePump Expedition is made right here in the U.S. MSRP: CyclePump Expedition $115–$130 | EZAir Gauge $25–$40 | Combo $140–$155 BestRestProducts.com 

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