BBB DoubleShot: the mini bike pump claiming to be the smartest in the world
5.2.2024
Translation: Katherine Martin
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
It’s small, weighs just 83 grammes and, at 120 millimetres long, fits in almost any saddle bag or back pocket. BBB’s portable DoubleShot bike pump breathes new life into flat tyres.
Dutch manufacturer BBB doesn’t hold back in praising the DoubleShot on its website, calling it «the world’s smartest mini pump». Weighing in at less than 100 grammes, the pump is 12 centimetres long when packed away. Screwed together, it measures 35.5 centimetres – still very compact. So, the «mini» part checks out. But how «smart» is it really? Well, the gadget won a reddot Design Award for its clever construction last year.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Mini pump vs. floor pump
The hand pump (or mini pump) is the floor pump’s younger sibling. In theory, you can use it to inflate any bicycle tyre, but it tends to be used for emergencies. Compared to a floor pump, it’s much more difficult for a mini pump to get enough air into a tyre. Not only that, but they don’t usually have a pressure gauge to allow you to read the current tyre pressure. The DoubleShot doesn’t have one of these displays either. Still, taking a small bike pump on the road sure has saved one or two cycling trips from being cut short. With this in mind, you should always take one with you on a bike ride.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
According to the manufacturer’s specs, the maximum air pressure is 8 bar (116 PSI). BBB describes the DoubleShot as a high-pressure pump, its narrow air chamber enabling it to generate high pressure. High-pressure pumps are ideal for thin tyres, which need to be inflated more. Although you can use them on wider tyres, you’ll have to pump a little longer to get the pressure you want, as they provide slightly less air volume.
High-volume pumps, by contrast, have wider air chambers, meaning you don’t have to work as long to get lots of air into the tyre. Basically, high volume pumps are more suitable for wider tyres, such as ones you’d find on a mountain- or city bike. They’re perfectly fine for racing bike tyres too, but you’ll need to use more force to achieve a high tyre pressure. This means the DoubleShot is most suitable for racing bikes, but also good for gravel- or mountain bikes if you’re willing to put in a little more effort.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
I need about 150 strokes with the pump to get 0.5 bar into my 28-inch, 45-millimetre-wide tubeless tyres. For comparison, my Bontrager floor pump can achieve 1 bar in about 12 strokes. The pump head fits tyres with and without inner tubes on a Presta/French valve (article in German).
BBB Doubleshot’s additional specs
- Material: aluminium
- Length (packed away): 120 mm
- Length: 355 mm
- Width: 38 mm
- Pressure: up to 8 bar/116 psi
- Compatible valves: Presta/French
- Pump head type: push-on
- Pressure gauge: n/a
Unlike when using a pump head with a tube, the DoubleShot’s valve is installed directly on the pump. As a result, it connects directly to the valve on the bike, making the area susceptible to force exerted on the valve when pumping. You’ll need a little nimbleness in the fingers to attach it.
Source: Patrick Bardelli
Verdict: a truly smart concept
Although the BBB DoubleShot is better suited to thin road bike tyres needing lots of air, it also works on my gravel bike. However, I do have to work a little harder to get the tyres to about 2 bar (the tyre pressure I cycle with).
Naturally, I use my trusty floor pump before setting off and take the mini pump on bike rides in case I get a puncture. The little pump is really wieldy, light and fits perfectly into my Topeak Toploader. What I’m missing is an integrated pressure gauge that’d allow me to read the tyre pressure. Though if I’m ever in a pinch, I can use Schwalbe’s Airmax Pro air pressure gauge. Otherwise, I don’t have any criticisms of the BBB mini pump. It really is a smart product – even if it falls a little short of being the «smartest».
Bike pump accessories
Quantity discount
CHF12.10 per piece for 2 units
Schwalbe Air pressure gauge Airmax Pro
Manometer
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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