Fabric R150 mini pump review
Exceptionally compact inflation with a quality construction and a powerful smooth stroke
Having a small compact pump tucked away in your jersey pocket can be a real lifesaver when you get a flat. No fiddling around with CO2 canisters that may or may not get you to the required tire pressure to roll home. With the Fabric R150 mini-pump, you’ll have a reliable compact pump in a powerful and quality built package.
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The Fabric R150, like the others in the Fabric pump line-up, is built with a sandblasted aluminum body with a retractable hose to make it easier to inflate the tire. At 180 mm, it is impressively compact sitting fully hidden in most jerseys pockets. The head of the pump converts between Presta and Schrader valves with a couple of twists of the back end of the nozzle. The handle is secured in place by the use of a magnet. The pump is also light and has a comfortably satisfying feel in the hand.
The pump is also efficient despite its size. In a test after 100 reps on a 700x28c tire, it was inflated to 15.8 psi. Though this may not seem impressive, thanks to its compact size each stroke was short so required less effort. The action is also very nice and smooth meaning that after four minutes of pumping a tire pressure of 74 psi was reached. At no point did the screw on valve begin to loose integrity so with persistence you could reach higher pressures if necessary, the pump has a claimed max of 120 psi. With 10 mm of extension, the pump encourages quick reps and because the chamber isn’t huge the effort stays even as you reach higher pressures.
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The Fabric R150 is an exceptionally compact pump that is smooth and powerful. Though the chamber isn’t high volume, the mini pump is effective at inflating your tire to and above required pressure to get you home after a flat. The retractable hose means that the jarring from pumping does not transfer to the valve making changing a flat a little less tedious. Since they are bound to happen you might as well be prepared with this stylish, exceptionally compact and efficient pump. The pump packets good punch for its US$40 price tag.
