Topeak Mini Dual DXG Pump Review – 8 Years Of Use!

I've now been using the Topeak Mini Dual DXG mini pump for 8 years. Yes, 8 years! Here's my review of this awesome little bicycle pump.

A bicycle pump is one of those essential pieces of cycling equipment that no-one should cycle without, whether on a quick jaunt to the shops, or a cycling expedition around the world.

As I started to update this review in 2022, I suddenly realised that I've been using the Topeak Mini Dual DSG bike pump for 8 years! During that time, it's been on several bike tours across Europe with me, and also gets regular use when riding during more normal weeks.

So, as far as reviews go, this isn't an unboxing review. This is a review after the pump has been fully tried and tested for a number of years.

Choosing a bicycle pump for Bike Touring

Choosing a good pump for bicycle touring like the Topeak Mini Dual DXG Pump, is perhaps one of the smartest things you will do when preparing for a long distance cycling trip.

Even the best bike touring tires end up losing pressure after a few days ride, and keeping them inflated to a good pressure should be a daily task.

A suitable pump needs to be well made, durable, up to the job, lightweight, and not too bulky. Ideally, it should also have a pressure gauge, so that tyres can be inflated to the correct pressures.

Enter the Topeak Mini Dual DXG pump then. A compact and affordable bicycle pump that has been around for a few years, showing that if something is well designed from the outset, there is no need to keep altering it every 12 months.

Topeak Mini Dual DXG Pump Review

At first glance, the Topeak Mini Dual DXG Pump is a deceptively simple piece of gear. After all, a bicycle pump really only has to do one thing, and that's put air into an inner tube to keep your tire inflated!

However, on closer inspection, there are four design aspects which make this pump perfect for bicycle touring. And I imagine these qualities also make it a good choice of pump for day cyclists as well.

Weight and Size: The Mini Dual DXG weighs only 170g which is practically nothing in the grander scheme of things. It's also small enough that it fits inside my Ortlieb Ultimate handlebar bag for easy access

Presta and Schrader Valves: Secondly, the Mini Dual DX with gauge has an ‘all valve solution', which means it can inflate inner tubes with both Schrader and Presta valves without the need to change any adapters.

Dual Action Doubles Volume: The dual action pumping head inflates inner tubes both on the pull and the push actions, and finally, it has a pressure gauge.

In line Gauge: The DXG version as opposed to the basic Mini Dual DX model also has a gauge so you can see how much pressure the tire has so you can aim for perfect inflation.

Related: How to repair a leaking Schrader valve

Bike Pump With Pressure Gauge

In fact, the pressure gauge is one of the main reasons that I bought this pump in the first place.

For far too long (make that 25,000 kms of bicycle touring), I have never used a pump with pressure gauge. My theory when it came to inflating tyres, was that when the tyre was solid enough, I would stop pumping.

The pressure gauge on the Topeak Mini Dual DXG pump takes all the guess work out of it now. On my current bike, I am running Schwalbe Marathon tyres, which say that the minimum inflation level should be 3 bar, and the maximum 5 bar.

It's pretty apparent after using the pump a few times, that I have been under-inflating my tyres for years! Whoops! As a side note, inflating the tyres to 4 bar gives me the best results at the moment.

Other notable construction qualities

In addition to the key design features above, the pump also has a sturdy plastic handle with specifically designed areas for increased grip. It's also pretty easy to use, and while no one likes pumping a tire up from flat with a hand pump, it really takes only a minute.

 It also has a spare O-ring supplied should one need to be replaced, and a side mount bracket.

There's not a lot more to say about the Topeak Mini Dual DXG pump really. It's a simple design, with great dual pumping action, and the smarthead works with presta and schrader valves without swapping parts, so it's ideal for all cyclists.

Back in 2014, I bought this pump for just over £16.00. In 2022, I see the price is around £24.99 – that's inflation for you! Still, it offers great value for money – it's cost me only 2 pound a year!

It doesn't look like the newer models of this bike pump have undergone any major design modifications, and the Topeak brand is known for quality.

It's definitely a nine, if not a ten out of ten in my book, and if you would like to buy one yourself from Amazon, then please follow this link – Topeak Dual DXG Mini Pump with Smart Head and In-Line Gauge – Black/Silver

You might also want to read: Best bike pump for touring

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