The CYCPLUS AS2 Ultra is the latest pump in CYCPLUS’s extensive AS2 electric pump lineup and focuses on size and weight. It’s the smallest and lightest pump they offer with a LED screen which makes it easy to stash in a pocket or saddle bag. The AS2 Ultra retails for a competitive $119 and features a light magnesium alloy body with a 400 mAh internal battery. A USB-C port on the top of the pump can be used to rapidly charge the pump in only 25 minutes and doubles as an air vent. Despite the smaller size, the AS2 Ultra shares the same LED screen with three button interface.
The CYCPLUS AS2 Ultra is an ultra-compact electric pump that weighs under 90 grams while still being fast and efficient.
| Rating | 8.8 / 10 |
| Retail Price | $119 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 88 (pump), 13 (extension) |
| Likes | + Lightweight and compact design is easy to travel with + Fast inflation with well sized battery despite smaller size + Compact form factor is perfect for carrying on rides |
| Dislikes | – Small buttons can be difficult to use with gloves – Metal body can be too hot to touch with extended use |
| Where to Buy (US) | CYCPLUS |
UNBOXING
The CYCPLUS AS2 Ultra comes in a compact black cardboard box with a large graphic of the pump on the front. Inside the box you’ll find:
- AS2 Ultra pump
- Plastic carrying bag
- Silicone case
- Schrader extension hose
- Ball needle adapter
- Presta adapter for hose
- Spare rubber spacer
- USB-C charging cable
As with other CYCPLUS pumps, the AS2 Ultra comes with a thin silicone case to reduce vibrations and provide insulation.
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the CYCPLUS AS2 Ultra looks nearly identical to the other CYCPLUS AS2 pumps with a similar rectangular profile and black metal body. It is slightly smaller in height and width at 68 x 47.5 x 28 mm compared to the AS2 Pro which is only 5mm taller and 1.4 mm wider. The main reason the Ultra is so much lighter is that it also uses a smaller 400mAh compared to the 420mAh of the AS2 Pro. That means you do get less runtime with the Ultra as it is limited to inflating two 700×28 tires up to 80 psi from empty, however, it still provides multiple inflations on the same charge. The outside of the pump is a magnesium alloy with rounded corners and a clean profile. Aside from the large CYCPLUS branding on the sides of the pumps it has a clean design with no exposed motors and only the USB-C port as the air vent.
There is a relatively small LED screen on the front of the pump that displays the pressure at the top, a three bar battery status and the units on the bottom. three small buttons arranged vertically with labels engraved in them. CYCPLUS has placed the nozzle at the top front with a slightly protruding cap and threaded interior for adding adapters. There is also a thin silicone case that helps reduce vibrations, provide some insulation from heat and protect the body from scratches. As far as the nozzle design, CYCPLUS has made the pump compatible with Schrader, Presta and ball needle valves. The nozzle on the body of the pump has a two piece design with a reversible rubber inner piece.
That allows the pump to be used with Schrader or Presta valves without additional parts by simply unthreading the cover and reversing both the metal and rubber piece inside. While this design does eliminate the need for carrying additional, easy to lose, we suspect most people won’t remember the right orientation of the small metal piece and rubber gasket without checking the manual. Otherwise, you have a standard Schrader extension hose for reaching between spokes. CYCPLUS includes a Presta adapter that can be threaded onto the hose as well as a ball needle adapter.
USER INTERFACE
The user interface of the CYCPLUS Ultra is straightforward with the same three button design that places a power, plus, and minus button vertically under the screen as the other AS2 pumps. A long press on the power button to turn it on and off while a single press starts and stops inflation while the pump is on. To adjust the target pressure, a short press on the plus and minus buttons increases or decreases the pressure while holding the buttons down separately rapidly adjusts them. Holding both the plus and minus button together toggles the display pressure between PSI and bar units. There are no additional features such as a flashlight for this pump which keeps everything simple and intuitive to use.
ON THE ROAD
We’ve been lucky enough to have reviewed the CYCPLUS pumps back to their original CYCPLUS Cube Kickstarter pump which had no gauge. Since then, CYCPLUS rebranded the pumps as the AS2 and introduced the Pro and Pro Max with digital screens. The AS2 Pro pump in particular has been one of the fastest we’ve tested with fast inflations and good runtimes. With the AS2 Ultra we were happy to see the smaller size and weight which makes it easy to pack and travel with. Despite the smaller size, we were able to inflate our 700×28 tire about four times with an average time of 52 seconds making it one of the faster pumps we’ve tested. The Ultra has a similar sound to the other AS2 pumps which are loud but comparable with other pumps on the market.
The simple design of the pump makes it easy to use and quick to change the inflation pressure. Compared to the Magicshine Airro or Trek Air Rush the pump is faster and smaller but doesn’t have the user interface polish those pumps have. The buttons are a bit small and the removable nozzle part design is convenient but confusing to remember with small pieces. With multiple inflations of the AS2 Ultra’s metal body we also found that the pump becomes quite hot. We suspect CYCPLUS removed some insulation to achieve the smaller size which means you need to use the silicone case if you use the pump for extended inflation. It’s a feature other pumps with plastic bodies don’t have and something we haven’t seen with the AS2 Pro.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the CYCPLUS AS2 Ultra is one of the lightest and smallest electric pumps on the market. The AS2 Ultra is slightly smaller and lighter than the AS2 Pro and almost identical in size to the AS2 pump which doesn’t even have a gauge. Despite the smaller size of the Ultra, the user interface is the same intuitive design with an easy to read digital display. The pump is also one of the fastest we’ve tested with a quick inflation time and enough battery for multiple inflations. Our only complaint with the Ultra is how hot the pump becomes with multiple inflations which makes the silicone case necessary. That said, the CYCPLUS AS2 Ultra is a fast and efficient electric tire inflator that should make weight weenies happy with its small size.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by CYCPLUS. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.