Especially when you're in a bind, they can be very effective. You need a lot more energy to inflate your tire with these, as they are designed to be carried on your bike. Because hand pumps have smaller canisters than floor pumps, they take longer to inflate tires. A mountain bike or fat bike tire is best suited for high volume, while a road bike tire is best suited for high pressure. Hand pumps are usually used only as an extra or emergency backup. They are not usually relied upon as the primary pump.