151 grams and up to 8.3 bar: the SKS EMP mini electric pump drops in price

Have you ever had to pump by hand on the hard shoulder, with the group waiting and never quite reaching the pressure you wanted? A mini electric pump saves you that hassle, and the SKS EMP has just dropped in price on Amazon, according to Todo Mountain Bike. It weighs 151 grams and is designed to go everywhere with you, in your jersey or your saddle bag.

What the SKS EMP offers

German brand SKS, well known for its mudguards and classic pumps, packs into a pocket-sized format what until recently you'd only find in a workshop. These are the figures that matter:

• 151 grams: it fits in any back pocket without you noticing.
• Up to 8.3 bar: enough headroom for road tyres, and more than enough for gravel and mountain biking.
• Auto-stop: set the pressure and the pump stops by itself when it gets there.
• Digital display: you see the actual pressure as you inflate, with no separate gauge.
• Fast charging: less waiting between rides.

The source doesn't give the final discounted price, so check it when you buy, because these deals change quickly.

A mini electric pump for the way you ride

Auto-stop is the feature you'll appreciate most. On the road it lets you hit your usual pressure every time; on gravel and in the mountains, where a few tenths of a bar make a big difference to grip, it lets you fine-tune precisely instead of guessing by squeezing the tyre with your thumb.

It's handy at home before a ride too: checking and adjusting your pressure every day is much easier with a display that shows the exact figure. If you share a bike or own several, the advantage multiplies.

What to check before you buy it

A pocket electric pump is very practical, but keep a couple of things in mind:

• Valves: check the product page for which types it takes (Presta, Schrader) and whether it includes adapters for your wheels.
• Battery: charge it before you head out. An electric pump with no charge is as useful as a puncture with no fix.
• Tubeless: seating or reseating a tubeless tyre usually needs a burst of air that small pumps don't always deliver. For plugging a hole and topping up, though, it works really well.
• Plan B: on long rides or far from anywhere, a CO2 cartridge or a mini hand pump takes up almost no space and has you covered if something fails.

If you're refreshing your tools and spares kit, the second-hand cycling accessories section has pumps, saddle bags and other basics at good prices, and under components you'll find tyres and wheels to complete the upgrade.

Is it worth it?

If you ride often and struggle to reach the right pressure by hand, yes: 151 grams is a weight you'll barely notice, and it takes one of the most tiresome jobs out of any roadside repair. If you ride rarely or always close to home, a good hand pump might be all you need.

And if the upgrade leaves you with a spare old pump, a bag or even a bike, you can post your listing for free on bicis.net and let it keep rolling with someone else. With your tyres sorted, all that's left is picking this weekend's route.