IRVINE, Calif. (BRAIN) — ViAir, a 25-year-old company that makes portable air compressors for the automobile, RV and overlanding markets, has a new line designed specifically for bike use.
Some of the company’s new bike-specific compressors run from vehicle auxiliary power plugs (AKA, the cigarette lighter) and all models offer the ability to produce at least a 105psi blast to seat a tubeless tire, something that most small inflators can’t do.
ViAir’s most compact and affordable model, the TLC Lite, retails for $150, making it price-competitive with floor pumps with booster chambers. The TLC Lite runs off a 15-amp auxiliary power port and comes with a repairable Presta inflator with a 120 psi gauge. It produces a 105 psi blast by inflating its air hose to that pressure. The inflator has close-ended coupler to hold the pressure back until the trigger is squeezed.
ViAir also is making its inflator head available separately. All models come with a 30-foot hose.
Larger models for bike use can be clipped to auto battery terminals or hardwired into the vehicle’s DC electrical system. With an AC/DC adapter, they can be plugged into household or shop outlets.
ViAir is seeking retail distribution in the bike market. It sponsors several well-known gravel racers and expects its products to be used in some team technical support vehicles this season.
“At Belgium Waffle Ride California, we had a tubeless-tire mounting contest,” said Rafael DaSilva, an avid gravel racer and ViAir’s program manager for the bike product line. “Of course the Canyon team mechanic won; he has a ViAir installed in his Subaru Outback.
Mike’s Bikes is already using the ViAir TLC Boost models in its mobile service vans. That model has a 1.5-gallon tank that can be charged to 120 psi; it retails for $460.
More information: viaircorp.com/tlc-bike-series.
