Cycplus AS2 Ultra - A quick review
I've always thought that these new-fangled handheld compressors for pumping up bike tyres were a gimmick or just a gadget. Why I had that idea ?, I don't really know, because I admit I was wrong.
The other day, I came across a well-written, better than what I can do or write critique, and at the same time, a 30% discount on Amazon for the CycPlus AS2 pro.
So I said to myself, what the hell, let's buy one and see.
So I ordered it, the CycPlus AS2 Pro. Being ordered from Amazon, it arrived the next day.
I must admit, after opening the box, it looks pretty dammed smart. You don't really need to read the instructions. Just set the PSI or Bar settings to what you want to have for your tyre, and it's ready to run or rather, inflate.
I fixed the hose to my Presta valve (It can also be fitted directly to the valve without the hose, but it's far easier to use it with it). And I pressed start. Fuck, it makes quite a loud noise, and made me jump like a right wally. It's a compressor after all, and so it makes a compressor noise ... and it works. (For info, it can be used with Schrader valves as well, but who uses those these days ?)
As my bike tyre was only a little deflated, it only took about 10/15 seconds to arrive at the 67 psi that I had set for my front road bike tyre, and then it switched itself off. Hey, that's really neat, I thought. I then changed the psi settings for my back tyre and did it again.
Sold, I was sold after the first test, or as we say in French, c'est bluffant. It's a dam cool gadget.
As I already said, I'd ordered the AS2 Pro. Which weighs in at 120 g and measures only 79*49*28mm, which in itself is pretty small, BUT I said to myself, let's go for the smaller AS2 Ultra version, 87 g 65*47.5*28 mm, even smaller and lighter. Why?
Well, to be honest, I never or very rarely have a puncture, running Tubeless on my MTB and Gravel bikes and soon on my Girs road bike, even the smallest Cycplus should still pump up two tyres (two with Ultra, three with the Pro version), and who has two punctures in one bike ride? 'Cause I never do. Also, MTB or Gravel tyres need less pressure than a road bike. So I reckoned that the AS2 Ultra version was good enough for me.
Conclusion:
This is a very smart-looking, well-made tool, I said it was a gadget, but it's more of a tool, to be honest.
It's as it states, it's tiny, fits in a Jersey pocket, easy peasy, though it's not waterproof, if ever it rains. It comes with a small silicone case (see it in my hand below), as it does run hot, but if you're wearing gloves, and I always wear long fingered gloves, so this could be left at home, though at the same time keeps it protected from dirt, grime, etc. It also comes with a zipped splash-proof pouch to keep it really dry or protected if in a Camelbak, for instance.
I'm definitely going to keep this.
Tip: Short memory like me? Print your pressure settings 😊, as I can never remember what PSI is needed, especially when I'm out and about. Slip it under the silicone case :
Update: On my ride today, my new tubeless was deflating. I don't think I put enough sealant in it, anyway, I stopped, set the PSI settings to 65, and as Bowie sang, "Wham bam, thank you ma'am". My tyre was inflated, with no effort, in about 45 seconds, what more can you ask for.
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