REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor pumping performance
Poor quality
Vibrelli Mini Review
An affordable mini pump with poor pumping performance
Vibrelli Mini Pump
Credit: Vibrelli
RELATED: Best Frame Pump of 2024
Our Verdict
The Vibrelli Mini Pump is an affordable pump, with a traditional integrated pump head and locking lever. It features a dual mode that allows for pressure or volume pumping. It also lacks features such as a flex fill hose. For a reasonably priced pump with better pumping performance, we suggest the Pro Bike Tool.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Inflating a tire with the Mini in volume mode.
Credit: Curtis Smith
We were curious to see how a pump at this price would compete with the pricier mini pumps in our review. Our testers were excited about the dual stage pump with a pressure/volume selector on a pump in this price range. But after testing, we were left a bit underwhelmed by the performance of the Vibrelli.
Ease of Use
The Mini Pump secures to either a Presta or Schrader valve by pressing the integrated pump head onto the valve and flipping the locking lever into the up position. Our testers had a difficult time getting a good seal on both Presta and Schrader valves, and we often had to make multiple attempts to get the pump head to seal, losing tire pressure with each attempt.
Once attached to the valve, the user can select either pressure or volume, using the quarter turn locking ring on the bottom of the pump chamber. When used in volume mode, the piston length doubles in size as compared to compression mode. Pumping in pressure mode is difficult due to the incredibly short stroke length, with a rapid increase in difficulty as pressure increases.
In comparison, the Lezyne Road Drive and Lezyne Pressure Drive are incredibly easy to pump.
Inflating a tire with the Mini in pressure mode.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Pumping Performance
The Vibrelli has a pressure and volume mode for inflating different types of tires. Pumping in pressure mode, we were only able to reach 36 psi in a 25c road tire, compared to the 66 psi achieved using the Pro Bike Tool. In addition to the poor efficiency, the pumping effort ramps up quickly, making it difficult to reach a safe riding pressure. We were able to get up to 90 psi, but this was after over 400 pump strokes and a significant effort. Mountain bike tire inflation was marginally better, reaching a pressure of 28 psi when using volume mode, at 300 pump strokes.
Other pumps were worse for mountain bike tires, such as the Portland Design Works Little Silver that only achieved nine psi. The Lezyne Gauge Drive HV offered excellent pumping performance, blowing all other contenders out of the water and requiring the least effort of all contenders. The Vibrelli will work for mountain bike use, but be prepared to work for it.
The Mini has a standard integrated air chuck. We had a difficult time getting it to seal effectively and prevent loss of air.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Looks/Design
This contender is our lowest scoring product here. The pump head is made of plastic, as is the pump handle. It just looks cheap compared to other pumps in this price range. The pump head has trouble creating a seal on any valve type. For $25 more, you can take home the Editors' Choice for Road Pump Lezyne Road Drive. For a total of $50, the Lezyne Gauge Drive, Editors' Choice for Best Mountain Bike Pump, can be yours.
The Mini has lots of plastic parts that are prone to breaking.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Portability
The Vibrelli is easy to carry around in a jersey pocket due to its small size. The frame mount bracket is functional and features a small plastic nub that prevents the pump handle from extending. We give it a lower score than other mini pumps primarily due to weight. At 150g it is not terribly heavy, but compared to other pumps of similar size, such as the Topeak Race Rocket HP, which only weighs 87g, it's on the heavy end of the spectrum.
The Vibrelli comes with a plastic frame mount and a glueless patch kit.
Credit: Curtis Smith
Durability
We had issues with the pump head seal on the Mini the first time we used it. Unfortunately, those issues got worse with continued use. Following several rounds of pump testing, we were unable to get a seal that would facilitate inflation. If durability is what you're after, check out the Lezyne Road Drive the Topeak Race Rocket, Silca Impero, or the Lezyne Pressure Drive.
Value
Despite being the cheapest pump we tested, we do not feel the Mini is a good value. For an extra $10, you can purchase the Pro Bike Tool, our Best Bang for the Buck winner, which is a much better pump.
Conclusion
The Vibrelli did not fare well during testing. It is affordable, but it lacks pumping performance and durability. We cannot recommend it to our readers and would instead suggest you visit the full review to find a contender for your needs.
—
Curtis Smith
You Might Also Like
