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Vibrelli Mini Review

An affordable mini pump with poor pumping performance
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vibrelli mini frame pump review
Vibrelli Mini Pump
Credit: Vibrelli
Price:  $25 List
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Manufacturer:   Vibrelli
By Curtis Smith ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 18, 2016
36
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 14
  • Pumping Performance - 30% 4.0
  • Ease of Use - 30% 3.0
  • Portability - 20% 4.0
  • Looks and Design - 10% 3.0
  • Durability - 10% 4.0

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 did not win our Best Buy Award due to poor pumping performance in comparison to the Pro Bike Tool High Pressure Pump. 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.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor pumping performance
Poor quality

Compare to Similar Products

 
vibrelli mini frame pump review
This Product
Vibrelli Mini
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award  
Price $25 ListCheck Price at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$20.95 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
$40 List
$39.53 at Amazon
$30 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
36
78
73
73
66
Star Rating
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Bottom Line It doesn't cost much, but it doesn't pump that well eitherThe performance of a floor pump, but the size of a frame pumpA mountain bike pump that won't break the bank but performs exceptionally wellLight and effective, this is a great option to mount on your frame or stash in your jerseySnazzy looks, excellent functionality and a reasonable price point make this pump a solid purchase decision
Rating Categories Vibrelli Mini Topeak Road Morph G Topeak Peakini II Birzman Velocity Ap... Pro Bike Tool High...
Pumping Performance (30%)
4.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Ease of Use (30%)
3.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
Portability (20%)
4.0
5.0
6.0
8.0
7.0
Looks and Design (10%)
3.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
Durability (10%)
4.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
Specs Vibrelli Mini Topeak Road Morph G Topeak Peakini II Birzman Velocity Ap... Pro Bike Tool High...
Weight 150g 204g 134g 136g 129g
Length 20cm 35cm 27.5cm 17.78cm 23cm
25C Road Tire Pressure following 200 Pumps 36psi 125psi 85psi 44 psi at 100 pumps 68psi
Tire Pressure 27.5 x 2.3" Following 300 Pumps 28 psi in volume mode 50psi 55psi 22psi 30psi
Ability to reach 90psi in a road tire 25cc Yes Yes Yes N/A yes
Pump Head Type Standard Integrated with locking lever Hose with locking lever Standard with locking lever Non-thread hose, slip on Hose Thread On
Presta Compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Schrader Compatible Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Frame Mount Bracket Included Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Pressure Gauge No Yes No No Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


vibrelli mini frame pump review - inflating a tire with the mini in volume mode.
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. The Pro Bike Tool High Pressure Pump is also an affordable option with much better performance.

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.

vibrelli mini frame pump review - inflating a tire with the mini in pressure mode.
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.

vibrelli mini frame pump review - the mini has a standard integrated air chuck.  we had a difficult...
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.

vibrelli mini frame pump review - the mini has lots of plastic parts that are prone to breaking.
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.

vibrelli mini frame pump review - the vibrelli comes with a plastic frame mount and a glueless patch...
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