The Zéfal Z Box L is a tool holder for longer rides, and it does exactly as it claims with aplomb.

Made from hard-wearing and durable polypropelene, the Z Box L is designed to keep all your spares and tools in one waterproof place, and provides a generous 0.8L in which to do it. On our test rides it didn't rain, so we tested its waterproofness by submerging it under water for a few minutes with various bits and pieces inside. There was no noticeable leakage whatsoever.

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For a storage device the Z Box L is also surprisingly flexible, coming with two compartments: a larger base and a screw-on appendage that either provides a smaller secondary compartment with the separator left in, or greater capacity up to the full 0.8L with the separater taken out. This means you don't have to lug the full 0.8L of space around with you on your rides if you're struggling to fill it, but also provides handy extra space for food and cash (or rubbish!), should you find your jersey pockets too small to carry all you need.

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The only potential criticism at this point is that it doesn't come with vertical compartments within the two sections, something that might appeal if you like to keep your tools, spares and anything else more organised.

Naturally, the Z Box L fits into a standard size bottle cage, and does so very snugly thanks to a dimple in the large compartment that helps it sit flush in most cages – so annoying rattling isn't a concern so long as you haven't left lots of space inside for your equipment to move around.

As a looker, it's never going to set the world alight, but it does resemble a bottle when in place – and if we're honest that's all we're looking for from it. You'll also find Zéfal logos and branding embossed in black, but handily they don't conflict obviously with other branded kit you might be carrying on the bike because of the black-on-black colourway.

Thanks to its ability to keep the elements out and sit largely unnoticed in your spare bottle cage, the Z Box L is £6.99 well spent if what you need is extra-solid and dependable storage.

Verdict

A handy and adjustable tool holder that does what it claims – thumbs up

The Zefal Bike Bio Degreaser packs a punch with a decent level of grease stripping. It cut through the grease and dirt on my drivetrain well and allowed me to wipe clean after only one or two sprays regardless of drivetrain condition.

As far as degreasers go, it works in exactly the same way as every other I have used: spray on, wait, wipe, spray and wipe again until your are satisfied. In fact it doesn't even include instructions on the bottle, it's assumed you know how to point and spray.

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It comes in a nice squirty bottle that's easy to aim and hold. The nozzle has two settings, stop and start, meaning you can leave it without worrying about the trigger accidentally going off.

If it does go off mistakenly, though, it is a bio product, meaning that it is safer on the skin and is better for the environment. I couldn't test this precisely in road.cc's extensive sampling lab, as we are currently using it to test the marginal gains from using original Jelly Babies compared with supermarket own brand varieties. It certainly doesn't have the deep chemical smell that most non-bio variants have, though I still wouldn't spray it at my face.

In terms of stripping dirt, it's very impressive, despite my initial thoughts that the solution was perhaps a bit too thin. It drips off the components easily, but despite this it stripped everything well. I used it with brushes and a chain cleaner and found it equally effective with both.

The main drawback at present is that it's a hard product to find. According to distributor Bob Elliot it has an RRP of £8.50 for a 500ml bottle, which is a great price for a high performing product.

I liked using the Bio Degreaser. It could probably be a bit thicker, just to stop excessive dripping, but this is a minor point for what is an effective and affordable degreaser.

Verdict

Strips dirt but not your wallet - well worth a try once it's more readily available in the UK

If you baulk at paying for a Garmin when a modern smartphone can do the same job, albeit generally with less resistance to the weather, then you'll probably want the means of fixing one to your handlebar. There are lots of options out there, from the hyper-minimal to military-spec ruggedness, and Zéfal's Z Console Lite does the job reasonably well, firmly holding your phone where you can see it and offering some optional rain protection.

The Lite is a simpler, lighter system than the previous Z-Console for iPhone 4/5, which gave full water-resistance and some shock protection from a well-sealed case. What we have here, by contrast, is a tray that clips to the back of your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus and fixes to a simple plastic bar-mounted bracket. There are versions available for Samsung Galaxy S4/S5, and iPhone 4/5 phones as well, but that's as far as the range extends at the present time.

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‘How can it be used with both an iPhone 6 and an iPhone 6 Plus?’ you’re probably wondering. The answer is simple – in an apparent bid to keep the product range as small as possible, Zéfal puts two trays in the box, one for each version of the latest iPhone. You get the same with the Samsung Galaxy model – two clips in the box – which is handy if you liked your GS4 as you'd be all set should you choose to upgrade. But it's more an either/or with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

The mount fixes to the bike with a plastic worm-screw mechanism, tightened with a 6mm Allen key. The strap is amply long enough to fit any bar or stem; you'll probably want to trim it once fitted. It works better on a handlebar than it does the stem, though, as the mounting boss isn't central. On the bar, the phone sits a little further from your knees, but on the stem it sits off to one side, looking a bit odd and putting it more at risk from a stray knee.

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The plastic tray holds the phone firmly – I tested it on a bumpy canal path with inappropriate tyre pressures and a brand new iPhone so that you wouldn't need to, dear reader. The tray fixes to the mount via an eighth-turn mechanism, meaning you can fit it landscape or portrait. It's reminiscent of the Quad Lock, in fact.

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Whereas the Quad Lock uses a sliding collar to prevent unintentional phone release, Zéfal opts instead for a couple of buttons that you have to squeeze together before twisting the phone off. If that's not enough security for you, there's a further sliding button that you can use for an additional lock. This seems pretty unnecessary to me – I can't conceive of when the two buttons wouldn't suffice.

One-handed operation may be just about possible for those with large hands, but it's not as easy as a Quad Lock. If you're used to the ease of removal of a Garmin, you might find the two-stage release here irritating and fiddly, but iPhones are a bit more fragile than Garmins so it's probably no bad thing that it can't be knocked off.

The tray is fairly unobtrusive and allows unobstructed access to the buttons, connectors and camera. The plastic used is strong but doesn't have the more appealing rubberised finish of the Quad Lock tray, and the looks and feel are in direct contrast with the high-end iPhone. I certainly wasn't tempted to leave it on the phone when it wasn't attached to the bike.

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As with the Quad Lock kit we reviewed, there's a rain cover that fits over the phone and mounting clip. Operation of the touchscreen and buttons is pretty straightforward even with the cover fitted. There are sealable openings at the bottom for the headphone and Lightning power connector, although you'd only want to use them somewhere dry, for obvious reasons.

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With the phone mounted on the bar and at relatively low speeds, the rain cover does its job, but the mounting tray has a hole around the camera lens, and at speed water will get onto your phone through here. There are also holes in the mounting recess on the back, so plenty of ways for water to get in if it's not just gently falling on the front of the phone. Following a wheel at speed on a wet day, your phone will get a soaking that it might not survive.

I found it annoying not to be able to chuck it in a back pocket safe in the knowledge that my phone was properly protected from the elements. Put simply, the rain cover is better than no rain cover, but I'd be much happier on a wet day with either a fully sealed cover or – my preference – a waterproof phone like a Sony Xperia or Samsung Galaxy S5 and the patented road.cc Garmin hack.

All in all, the Zéfal Z-Console Lite can be summarised as a half-price Quad Lock alternative. It's inelegant, but it holds onto the phone well. The rain cover offers some limited protection from the elements, but you won't want to go too far or fast on a wet day.

Verdict

Holds your iPhone firmly but doesn't match it for looks and feel, and rain cover offers only basic protection from the elements

The Zefal Z Console Pack L is a 1.2-litre, two-tier bag designed to nestle against the stem and top tube, keeping smartphones/GPS units and other essentials within easy reach. It's waterproof, holds its contents securely, and adds a bit of reflective matter on your top tube.

The upper tier is well padded and designed to cater for phones measuring 130x80mm, though to my surprise, compact designs showed no tendency to slide around. The clear window permits proper communication between full-finger glove and touchscreen devices, and beefy zipper tags are another welcome feature.

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It's pretty roomy below deck too. I'm not the most orderly of packers and managed energy bar, massive multi-tool, tyre levers, spare tube, patch kit, keys, CO2 inflator and spare cartridges with breathing space for the retro-reflective storm cover. There's also the obligatory headphone port for those who like music, or to take calls hands-free on their rides.

Even when belting along unmade roads at 20-odd mph, that infuriating tool kit percussion has been conspicuous by its absence. Three substantial Velcro straps are more than mighty enough – even when fully laden and riding atop oversized diameters. Despite the rubberised base, though, the overall girth means the straps need pulling ultra-tight to prevent movement when tethered to thin steel tubes.

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Speaking of storms, weather-proofing is reassuringly good in torrential downpours thanks to the 420 denier rip-stop nylon's welded construction, which probably explains why the elasticated cover is only stitched.

>> Prefer to carry a bag? Check out our guide to the 10 best cycling rucksacks here

Nonetheless, with the rain cover in situ, my precious tech and tooling remained bone dry despite getting drenched by a passing articulated truck. (The driver had presumably followed their sat nav up a very tight and winding lane marked unsuitable for 7.5 tonners!). Some might prefer DayGlo for overcast conditions but I've been pleasantly surprised by how effective the raincover and Scotchlite logos are – especially along unlit roads and when paired with retro-reflective tyres/other accessories.

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Minor gripes? Well, It's a little slab sided and I'd opt for the medium on frames with shorter top tubes – I felt conscious of straddling it when climbing out of the saddle.

Verdict

Well-made and reasonably priced phone/kit tote best suited to frames with longer top tubes

If cycling was simply about feeling great, loads of us would be out of a job. Fortunately for us, and for you, human beings like to look good while we're doing what we're doing.

If you're one of those who likes to look the part when you're sailing through city streets, or slogging your way over the top of mountains, this is the DealCatcher for you.

We start the day's bargains with something new for the DealCatcher; a designer shirt.

The Ted Baker cycling shirt that features in today's DealCatcher has seen a massive 55% reduction in price. We've reviewed one of these before, and you'll be able to read that review further down the page. Without spoiling it for you, we liked it. And you might like this one.

After that Evans have cut the price of their Jamis Ventura Comp range, and Decathlon are offering the highly rated Zefal Profil for a third off of their original asking price.

Wiggle

55% off Ted Baker Linkgee Long Sleeved Shirt
WAS £95.90 | NOW £42.75

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You're not always preparing for a winter ride, the heavens aren't always open, and the roads aren't always muddy.

Sometimes you're just popping into the office, or to a friends house, or into town for a bite to eat, and your usual cycling attire simply isn't appropriate.

The Linkgee cycling shirt is just the thing to fill that gap in your wardrobe. Not only does it feature specialised cycling design features like stretchy fabric, under arm fabric vents, and extra long sleeves, it's got loads of great cycling-specific touches - like a chain pattern across the shirt, and spoke patterns on the buttons - that make the shirt extra cycley (yep, that's a word). 

If you doubt Ted Baker's cycling credentials, don't. We reviewed another of their cycling shirts last year, and our man Oli Pendrey rated it very highly.

- Read more: road.cc's Ted Baker BikeGeo Cycling Shirt review

Evans Cycles

30% off Jamis Ventura Comp 2015 Road Bike
WAS £700.00 | NOW £490.00

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Jamis have had a stellar year. They wrung a rare 10/10 from the road.cc review team with their Renegade Elite adventure bike.

- Read more: road.cc's Jamis Renegade Elite review 10/10

Another of their 2015 models, albeit a road bike, has seen an equally stellar price cut over at Evans Cycles.

Dipping below the £500 mark following its 30% discount, the Jamis Ventura Comp offers fantastic value for that excellent price tag.

The aluminium double-butted frame has a compact sloping geometry to help you stay comfortable while you're riding. The shifters are Shimano Sora, and the Wheels are Alex AT 470 rims, which are tubeless compatible, if that's how you like to roll.

Decathlon

35% off Zéfal Profil Max FP 30 Floor Pump
WAS £19.99 | NOW £12.99

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Finally, stop using your travel pump at home. Really stop it. There's a much easier way, and right now it's much cheaper than usual.

Zefal make great pumps. We know that, we've reviewed enough of them.

Take the Profil Max FP 50 which is the model up from this one. We gave it a very respectible 8/10 when we reviewed it.

- Read more: road.cc's Zefal Profil Max FP 50

So if that pumps younger brother has anything to say for itself, you'll be getting an incredible deal for the small price of £12.99.

A saddle pack is a useful means of carrying the things you need with you on a ride – you can just leave it in place, knowing that you've got a puncture kit, spare tube and multi-tool with you. If you're going to leave it there, it's a good idea to have one that'll keep the water out, or you might find that some things start to go rusty. The Dry Pack from Zefal does a good job of keeping its contents dry and is both lightweight and fairly inexpensive.

The material used for the body of the Dry Pack is a thermoplastic polyurethane, here in the form of a relatively lightweight plastic fabric which is waterproof. It isn't stitched – the seams are joined using ultrasonic welding, meaning they too are waterproof, and the zip is a water-resistant one too.

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It fixes to your bike via the simple means of Velcro straps – one around the seatpost and a couple that thread through the saddle rails.

Some saddle packs have more sophisticated mounting systems, with brackets that clamp to the saddle and a quick clip to fit and remove the pack. In my experience this can work well, as long as your saddle position lets it fit. That's not going to be an issue here – the straps worked on all my bikes and those I've tested this year, including a Ritchey saddle with the Vector Evo rail system. The strap that goes around the seatpost is long enough for a 31mm diameter post, but won't fit anything larger, such as an aero post.

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If your bike has a posh carbon-railed saddle then don't worry – the straps and the bag itself don't have any hard bits to damage either the saddle or the seatpost. If the bag isn't full, then by tightening the Velcro straps on the side you can cinch the bag up so it isn't too rattly. Unfortunately, if you do that then the ends of the Velcro straps finish up right inside the saddle, making it quite fiddly to get to them for removal.

In terms of sizing, Zefal calls this an L, and it's a decent size, if not the largest on the market. I had no difficulty getting a couple of tubes, puncture kit, CO2 inflator and multi-tool in there, with room for some emergency sweets too. The bag also tapers in width towards the front, and even when full to capacity it never interfered with my thighs while I was pedalling.

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A welcome touch is the consideration given to night-time visibility. On the sides and up the rear of the bag are decent-sized reflective patches, and there's a loop on the rear to which you can attach a light. The fabric isn't that stiff, though, so the pack needs to be well-filled to prevent the light hanging downwards and directing its beam at your rear tyre. To be honest, I didn't really use the loop because it's pretty easy to fit a light to the seatpost below the saddle pack, but it could be useful if you had a clip-mounted light.

At 117g, the Dry Pack is impressively light for its size. This may not be your prime consideration – weight weenies are probably less likely to want to fit anything but a tiny saddle pack to their best bikes – but it's lighter than some similarly-sized packs by the equivalent of an inner tube.

Unfortunately, the first Dry Pack I was testing suffered a problem with one of the welded seams, which started to peel apart after I'd only used it a dozen times or so, making it suddenly very water-permeable. Panel shaping is fairly simple, with the edges of the rear panel looking a little bit vulnerable. A replacement was sent out, which I loaded up to the max, with my heaviest multi-tool and as many inner tubes as I could fit in there. That's been going strong for a few thousand km, suggesting it was an isolated problem rather than a more serious design flaw.

> Not sure what pack you need? Check out our guide to carrying luggage on your bike here

There are various other water-resistant saddle packs on the market, from the likes of Ortlieb, Topeak, Giant and Altura. All use welded seams and most of them have a roll-top closure rather than a zip. I didn't really have any problem with the zipped closure here, in terms of water ingress, and there's not a lot between the two styles in terms of ease of access. The price of this pack from Zefal is competitive with similar packs, and less than an Ortlieb, whose bike bags are pretty much bombproof but priced accordingly.

Verdict

Light and pretty water-resistant saddle pack at a decent price

If you're looking for great protection from road spray from your rear wheel and don't have mudguard mounts (or much technical knowhow), the £8.99 Zefal Swan Road is a great option – for both permanent and temporary use.

Mudguards have always been a product I've been hesitant to attach to my bike. Not being the most practical person, I always feel an attempt to fit them properly – to the seatstays – will only ever result in annoying rubbing and/or mud clogging up what little wheel clearance I have. I'll never get it fitted cleanly and running smoothly, so I never bother.

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That's now changed with the Zefal Swan. Because it only fits via a sturdy yet simple bracket to the seatpost, there's no faffing around with fiddly support struts, and it eliminates the issue of clearance altogether. The bracket fits by a screw-on mechanism, which when fully unscrewed releases and unclips from the seatpost for removal. It really is super simple – and coming from me that's quite a statement.

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This is all well and good, but does it actually perform? Absolutely. I've ridden with the Swan attached throughout our very wet and windy Christmas, and it's done a brilliant job of keeping road muck away from my back. Adjusting the mudguard is as simple as loosening the bracket and twisting it side to side or sliding it up and down the seatpost, and the 45mm width compensates with a little extra coverage because, inevitably, it doesn't sit quite as tight as your 'traditional' mudguards.

Additional adjustment comes from an angle adjuster, which means you can ensure the Swan sits closely to your wheel. I had mine lowered to within 2cm of the tyre, which provided coverage aplenty in tandem with its well-considered length.

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Another factor I was worried about was the potential for flapping, seeing as the Swan is fitted only by the seatpost bracket with no extra support. That worry was quickly dispelled – the mudguard remains remarkably static even when riding over rough roads and potholes, which means coverage is maintained. Occasionally, I found the bracket had loosened over the course of a few rides – but just checking it before you go out or once at a coffee stop or brief pause sorts this small downside out.

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The Swan weighs in at 150g, which, frankly, I didn't notice. This means your bike's responsiveness is uncompromised, and makes it suitable for both summer use when the weather isn't so good as well as full time winter employment too.

> For other wet weather gear and clothing, check out our guide here

Additional features? Just one: the bracket has a reflective circle integrated within the screw-cap. It means you get a little extra visibility from behind, although because the bracket never sits quite straight on the seatpost (by curious design), its appeal and effectiveness is slightly limited. That said, it's nice that it's there and makes the most of the design such as it is.

So, we have here a light, surprisingly sturdy, well-made and very effective rear mudguard that's easy to fit (and because of the extra clearance, easy to clean). At its rrp of £8.99, it's a real steal – and if you're not keen on fitting a full-length 'traditional' rear mudguard, it's a no-brainer.

Verdict

A great value and great performing rear mudguard, pure and simple

The Zefal Z2O Pro 80 bottle has a capacity of 800ml and is supposedly designed with professional riders in mind. Personally, I would still like to see a few further refinements, but it's certainly well conceived and generally pleasant to use.

Available in three shades – black, white or translucent (best for gauging reserves at a glance, albeit allowing competitors to do the same), it's made from polypropylene, a type 5 plastic commonly used in the food industry that doesn't leach potentially nasty chemicals into foodstuffs and, ultimately, us.

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Polypropylene is also very rugged and solvent resistant, so another obvious choice for bottles. Talking of which, ours has a satin texture that is tactile and, moreover, easier to grip than glossy types without recourse to dimpling or gel bands.

The long, subtle taper is relatively unusual but I'm pleased to report it seems a genuinely universal fit across my eclectic range of cages: perfect tenure, yet effortless intentional release, irrespective of pattern and material.

The leak-proof locking cap system ensures it can also be carried horizontally, say in a large rear 'poacher's' pocket, without the contents pooling out. (There's also a smaller (600ml) version, which fits better in traditional jersey pockets.)

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The cap opens and shuts with a simple twist. Being picky, the icons were difficult to spot, though it became intuitive after a few dry runs. There's no spring, or similarly small parts to fail or lose, and it also prevents that sticky bottle, cage and frame tube combo when filled with carbonated/energy drinks.

> Check out road.cc reviews of other bottles here

The soft valve spout is much nicer to use (not to mention gentler on the veneers) than traditional pop-up designs, and the flow is regulated by gently squeezing the bottle. Although not as ergonomic as the Relaj Shape bottle that I tested last year, the flow rate is pretty seamless held at a 25/30-degree angle, which is less obstructive to your eyeline when riding compared with bog standard types.

A flip-up dome would extend the appeal to cyclo-cross and mountain bike use, as it would defend the valve tip against contamination. It's a moot point on audax and winter trainers with full length mudguards perhaps, but even braving the lanes without guards didn't engulf the top or spout in anything unsavoury. Talking of hygiene, the broad top and spout ensure effortless brushing if you didn't want to pop it in the dishwasher.

Verdict

Well-designed, high-quality bottle but a protective dome cap seems a missed opportunity

The pneumatic tyre is one of mankind's greatest inventions, smoothing the ride and making bikes faster compared to the solid tyres that came before it. But it's also a pain in the neck, because its vulnerable to punctures and gradually loses air while your bike is stored. At home and on the road, you need a a way to replace the lost air.

There are three broad tyres of tyre inflator: portable hand pumps that you take along on your rides; portable carbon dioxide canister devices; and floor pumps for workshop and trackside use. Hand pumps in turn divide into full-size frame pumps and minipumps that are small enough to fit in your jersey pocket. Let's take a look at all the options and variations.

Floor pumps

Also know as track pumps because they're the most common way to get the very high pressures used in track cycling, floor pumps make it easy to get air into your tyres. A floor pump has a handle to help you get your weight behind the job, feet that are big enough to stand on to hold it in place, and a gauge so you can get the pressure spot on.

The narrower the barrel of a floor pump, the easier it is to get high pressures, but it will take more strokes.

All track pumps have some sort of chuck to attach to the valve, but there are many different designs. Some use a universal mechanism that will fit Presta and Schrader valves, while others have a separate attachment for each type. Almost all have a lever to clamp the chuck round the valve.

There's some debate about where the pressure gauge should be. Some manufacturers put it at the top of the barrel, which makes it easier to read, others put it at the bottom because it's less likely to get damaged there if the pump falls over. If you go for pump with a high gauge, make sure it has some sort of protection against falls.

Some pumps are definitely more robust than others, which is why you'll see a fairly small selection of models being used in bike shop workshops. Very few can stand being accidentally kicked around, an inevitable part of workshop life for a floor pump.

Birzman Maha Apogee III — £54.99

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This Rolls Royce grade floor pump is certainly not cheap — though it isn't the most you could pay for a floor pump — but it performs really well.

The Maha Apogee III has a very stable three-pronged base, with a large, easily-read gauge and comfortable wooden handle. The ingenious Snap-It Apogee head fits Presta and Schrader valves and is now attached at a 90-degree angle to the hose, which makes it easier to fit.

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Read our review of the Birzman Maha Apogee III

Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive — £53.99

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Thanks to its clever Flip-Thread chuck the Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive works with every type of valve and valve extender we've tried and without any of that fuss of wiggling the connector or refitting to get it started. Quite frankly it's brilliant.

The Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive is robust and well built with the barrel and base being CNC machined from aluminium. With the base measuring 220mm in width it's stable in use thanks especially to the large diameter pressure gauge bezel creating a kind of tripod effect.

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Read our review of the Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive pump

SKS Rennkompressor — £48.49

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There's nothing terribly fancy about the Rennkompressor, though the latest version has a choice of chucks. What sets it apart and makes it a very common shop choice, is the durability that comes from its beefy cast aluminium base, fold-out steel feet, steel barrel and wooden handle. If you want a track pump you can leave in your will, this is the one to buy.

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Topeak Joe Blow Sport II — £29.49

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You don't have to spend the thick end of fifty quid to get a decent floor pump. Topeak's Joe Blow Sport II is deservedly popular for its sturdy construction, double-sided chuck and comfy elastomer-covered handle.

Topeak has put the gauge halfway up the barrel so it's easy to see but not so high that a trivial topple will smash it. Good thinking.

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Mini pumps

A scaled down version of a frame pump, a mini-pump is small enough to fit in a bag or pocket, or clips into a mount that fits under a bottle cage. Mini-pumps are popular because they're light and tidy. They don't get a tyre up to pressure very quickly, but their fans see this as worth putting up with given how rarely they need them.

Mini pumps vary widely in how well they work. Some just won't get your tyres up to recommended pressure, so you'll have to ride carefully after using one to avoid a pinch flat, but there are a few gems out there that work almost as well as frame pumps.

GT Attack Mini Pump — £16.99

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Getting high pressures out of a pump small enough to fit in a jersey pocket is always a challenge, but GT have nailed it with their Attack Mini Pump. Maximum tyre pressures are achievable and you don't have to have arms like Popeye to make it happen.

Read our review of the GT Attack Mini Pump
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Hoy Hi Pressure Mini Pump — £24.99

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The Hoy Hi Pressure mini pump gets tyres up to pressure surprisingly easy and its metal construction means it should keep on pumping for a long time.

The pump has both presta and Schrader options that are easily interchanged through simply rotating the cuff beneath the valve itself. It is also simple to inflate the tyres to 120 psi with considerably less effort than other mini pumps.

Read our review of the Hoy Hi Pressure Mini Pump

Lezyne Road Drive L Alloy — £29.50

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At 297mm, the L-for-Long version of this mini-pump isn't terribly mini, but it works well. It comes with its own bracket and it's very shiny and beautifully made with some well thought out little details. Both ends of the CNC-ed aluminium pump are protected by rubber caps to stop road gunk getting inside and the connecting hose screws securely inside the handle.

For pocket-stowage, try the 216mm-long M version

Read our review of the Lezyne Road Drive Alloy
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Frame pumps

Your classic frame pump is intended to fit along the seat tube, between the top tube and down tube. Problem is, almost all bikes have two water bottles these days and one of them is on the seat tube. That means you may need to get imaginative to carry a frame pump, fitting it along the top tube, perhaps with the help of straps or a clamp-on pump peg.

The length of a frame pump means it's a fairly quick way to inflate a tyre out on the road, and it doesn't cost you the price of a carbon dioxide cartridge every time. Some riders feel a frame pump spoils the look of their bikes though.

Frame pumps usually come set up for Presta valves, but can be switched to Schrader by swapping round some parts in the chuck.

Topeak Road Master Blaster — £18.68

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Topeak's Road Master Blaster is a well-thought-out frame pump that's a reliable companion for longer excursions. Well built and capable of high pressures, it's a great touring or Audax pump.

The Aluminium-barrelled, plastic-ended Master Blaster has a sprung handle and comes with a strap to keep it snugly attached to your bike; there's four sizes to fit pretty much any frame. Once removed you can lock the handle and pump either Presta or Schraeder tubes (via interchangeable internals) to a claimed 160psi. As usual this is a wildly optimistic maximum, but I stuffed 100psi into a 700x23c tyre in just over 100 strokes without any problems at all.

Read our review of the Topeak Road Master Blaster
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Zefal HPX — £19.99

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Legendary US bike shop Rivendell Cycles calls the HPX "the biggest commercial mainstream normal zero-snobbeury bicycle success that has ever come out of France" and we can't argue with that. The narrow barrel makes high pressures easy, the thumblock grabs the valve firmly and the switchable sprung handle means no wasted effort.

The design's been around since the early 1970s. HPXes are tough and durable enough that we wouldn't be surprised if there are still a few of the first batch in use.

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Carbon dioxide inflators

With the work done by a small bottle of compressed gas, carbon dioxide (CO₂) inflators are the fastest way of getting back on the road. They're perfect for sportives or fast training rides where you don't want to be holding up the rest of the group.

As a gas expands it cools, so look out for CO₂ inflators that protect your fingers from the canister, either with a rubber cover for the canister or by enclosing it in a plastic shell.

Some inflators only pop open the canister when you use it, and don't allow you to use only part of the available gas, others have a trigger so you can use just part of the contents.

A 16g cartridge will get a 23mm tyre up to 90-100psi, which should be plenty to get you home. Threaded cartridges are usually slightly more expensive than unthreaded. Buy in bulk if you're relying on CO₂ as your main way of fixing flats on the road.

Genuine Innovations Proflate 16 — £24.29

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The Genuine Innovations Proflate 16 may not look the smartest, but it's a very cleverly designed CO₂ pump that instills trust and makes you feel in control. It uses 16g non threaded cartridges (which are slightly cheaper than their threaded equivalents) and works on both Schrader and Presta valves.

The Proflate 16 has a host of really well designed features: it auto-detects Schrader or Presta valve; it's got a little indicator that tells you if the cartridge is punctured and the pump is therefore charged; it's got a trigger, protected by a security catch; you can store cartridges upside down in the body avoiding the risk of accidental puncturing; you can't accidentally unscrew the body with a charged/punctured cartridge; and it's got an automatic dirt/water shield.

Read our review of the Genuine Innovations Proflate 16
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Lezyne Control Drive — £19.79

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Lezyne's Control Drive CO₂ Inflator makes it really easy to get any Presta or Schrader inner tube fully inflated. It provides easy control of the flow of gas and has a jacket to protect your hands from freezing to the canister during use.

The Control Drive is as simple as they come, is very nicely designed and works effectively. The dual head screws onto any standard threaded CO₂ canister and provides Presta and Schrader compatibility. You simply push the Control Drive onto the valve, and turn the inflator head to release air.

Read our review of the Lezyne Control Drive
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Birzman Infinite — £17.50

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The Birzman Infinite Road + CO₂ pump is a 2-in-1 pump and C02 inflator that's a good-looking efficient machine to get you back on the road in the minimum of time. You can either inflate your tyres manually, use a CO₂ cartridge or if you're determined to get to 120psi, start with the hand-pump and top off with CO₂.

Read our review of the Birzman Infinite
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B’Twin CO₂ Inflator and 16g Cartridge — £7.99

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The B'Twin CO₂ Inflator & 16g Cartridge Set is probably the best-value inflator on the market. At £8, fitting 16 or 25g canisters with precisely-controllable one-handed inflation, it's a great buy.

With the head threaded most of the way onto the cartridge it's 12cm long, and easily slips into a pocket. Removed from the cartridge it's as small as these things get, so easily put into a tool roll.

It's hard to imagine a simpler process: screw on the canister fully, press onto valve, done. Pressing down on the valve will push it through the rim if you've removed the lockring from your valve stem, or are running unthreaded valves. Either way, applying pressure opposite onto the tyre to keep the valve in place is dead easy, and as the tube starts to inflate, the valve very quickly resumes its natural position and pushes back against the inflator head.

Read our review of the B’Twin CO₂ Inflator and 16g Cartridge
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For some, mudguards aren't cool – but neither is that mud stripe up your bibs and back. So what should you do? Chuck a few quid over the counter for Zefal's discreet clip-on Shield Lite M Under Saddle Guard, that's what, and enjoy a dry derrière.

There have been a few of these on the market for a while now, and you'll even see the pros using them on the TV, but as far as I'm aware the Zefal is the best fitting.

> Find your nearest dealer here

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Being stamped out of a sheet of polypropylene, the Shield is simplicity itself, shaped to bend into and out of position in a matter of seconds.

As long as you have a standard-railed saddle (a rail either side), the Zefal will fit no problem. I've tried it on round tubed and even square section carbon with no issue. The rear two round cutouts slot neatly into position.

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What differentiates the Shield from others like the Ass Saver or Velox is that the front section, which bends down to meet the rails, has more cutouts for location. This means it is more stable in use; maybe not by much, but enough to make a noticeable difference.

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On a wet day you simply unfold it to provide coverage, and while it's not going to offer the rain-saving ability of a full mudguard, it does a good job of keeping the worst of the muck and soggy chamois syndrome at bay.

> Check out our guide to the best mudguards

So far it's been swapped between various bikes and the bend lines aren't showing any signs of weakening after being constantly folded and unfolded, so it should last a while too.

The price matches that of the Ass Saver and Velox, but obviously you can shop around for better deals. I personally think the Zefal is worth paying the full whack for anyway, so any discount is a bonus.

The only downside I can see is that it is only available in black. Otherwise, it's a great little rain shield that works really well for keeping your shorts dry and clean.

Verdict

Secure fitting spray guard – in any colour you want as long as it's black

Zefal's ZB Clean Brush is a three-in-one model supposedly designed in partnership with its race mechanics to tackle grimy transmissions in record time and with minimal effort. In many respects, performance has been pretty good by genre standards, although a more durable bristle plot is needed before I'd part with my hard-earned.

At 21cm long, the tactile polypropylene handle with silicone centre-strip is reminiscent of kitchen sink staples, and aside from providing excellent leverage, keeps hands at a safe distance during spirited sprucing.

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The bristles are made from relatively stiff nylon. The longest plot is designed for rings, cassettes and chains whereas its counterpart tackles pivot points and bearing surfaces. A slightly willowy cassette claw for combing out embedded crud beforehand tucks neatly away inside the handle.

Things started off very favourably. Having combed three weeks' worth of matted lube and ingrained gunk from my Univega's cassette, I basted the rings, cassette and chain in neat degreaser and left it 30 seconds before unleashing the longest plot and tickling the rings clean.

> How to clean and lube your chain

Decent degreasers certainly help but two minutes of moderate effort restored their original lustre – a recurrent theme throughout the fleet. My hands were also hygienic enough to avoid leaving oily calling cards on handles and light switches when nipping in for a brew.

It's similarly proficient at teasing accumulated grot from jockey wheels and derailleur cages. That said, unless we're talking quick post-race once-overs, chains are more effectively stripped when passed through clip-on baths (or two old nail brushes).

The smallest brush weaves neatly around the pivot points and also impressed when tackling pedal and derailleur threads, headset cups and so on.

> Find more reviews of cleaning products here

My biggest gripe with plastic bike-specific brushes is the speed at which the bristles become gummed up, leading to cross-contamination, especially as lubes get ever more tenacious. The ZB's responded very positively to being given a 10-minute soak in Fenwick's FS1, flushed through with clean, hot water and rubbed in an old towel/rag. However, despite being a marked improvement over those found in most kits, several weeks of fairly constant use and repeated exposure to lubes and solvents of varying compositions/harshness have taken their toll, resulting in the longer bristle plot splaying and turning soft.

This is disappointing given the pro credentials. By contrast, and while a more generic design, the Green Oil Bike Brush is still going strong several years on with very little moulting or cross-contamination.

Verdict

Promising design let down by so-so bristle quality

Zefal's Iron Pack XL-DS is a large, semi-rigid, expandable wedge bag with a 2 litre internal capacity, a seatpost-hugging profile and some nice detailing. It makes easy transition between road and trail duties thanks to heavily cushioned internal compartments and an easy-wipe 820 denier outer shell.

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Zefal Iron Pack L-DS.jpg

Quick release resin brackets have widely superseded Velcro on account of their neat, rigid nature, but these can have compatibility hassles with suspension seatposts, such as my notoriously tricky Cane Creek Thud Buster.

Entry to the main compartment is via a chunky, rubberised tag, which is easily opened and closed in gloved hands. Which is more than can be said of the woven LED tab... This provides a super-reliable mounting point – no risk of expensive lights being ejected at the first hint of a bump – but prising them on and off proved unexpectedly difficult until the strap assumed a loop two weeks in.

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Zefal Iron Pack L-DS - mount detail.jpg

Inside the pack there's a cavernous main compartment with two additional stash points. A zippered mesh pocket lines the interior wall and seems best reserved for keys, cash or similar small valuables. A much larger cargo net with elastic cuff is integral to the inner flap and gobbles three composite tyre levers, patch kit, cable ties and two sets of spare AA or AAA cells.

Zefal suggests the dense EVA foam padding is perfect for carrying sensitive technology. Mini CSC and big super-zoom compact cameras will certainly fit and seem very well insulated against low-level vibration, so the Iron Pack is a good choice if you wanted these separate from panniers but didn't fancy the encumbrance of a bar bag. I still wouldn't risk this off-road, so I padded them with additional foam strips or wedged them between micro-jackets, overshoes and the like.

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Zefal Iron Pack L-DS - reflective detail.jpg

Otherwise, it will swallow pretty much everything you'd want on a day ride; I've managed two 700x28-35mm inner tubes, a CO2 cartridge and two pocket workshop multi tools (one with Allen keys, the other an adjustable wrench for track nuts/other fasteners) and a micro pump.

> How to carry luggage on your bike – a beginner's guide

This sort of cargo is notorious for annoying percussion over washboard surfaces, but with the bag's Velcro straps pulled tight, there's been no hint of annoying sway or chatter, even when thundering along several miles of bridlepath on my cyclo-cross and mountain bikes.

Talking of mucky stuff, the subtle black shell complements pretty much any genre of machine and is highly water resistant – more than most of us will ever need in the everyday sense. Spatter and road grime are easily dismissed with a damp cloth, although the glossy types with sonically welded seams remain the best options if you're partial to river crossings or riding in the foulest weathers without mudguards.

Verdict

Rugged and well-designed wedge pack at a very good price

Zefal Bike Wash is one of those labour saving bike shampoos reckoned to transform bikes from scuzzy to sparkling with minimal effort and without damaging delicate surfaces. The French marque has gone for a rather distinctive blue, but otherwise it does much the same job and to a similar standard as competitor formulas.

Zefal refers to the Bike Wash as an alkaline liquid containing nonionic surfactants and sequestering agents. Put simply, these burrow beneath the grot, dissolving it on a molecular level, so it flushes away without trace during the rinsing phase. Apparently, this blend also leaves a dirt-repelling, protective glossy film behind afterwards. More about that in a minute...

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Pop bike(s) in your designated washing spot, flick the nozzle open and cover them in that sudsy blanket. Leave for 30 seconds or so, then get busy with your bucket, brush and sponge.

Visually it's a comparatively lively brew, so I was surprised to discover impacted horse manure and other organic gloop requiring second and sometimes third helpings. Swapping the OEM trigger for one with a foaming function delivered a richer, seemingly more potent lather.

Strangely enough, it worked much faster on simple petrochemicals – mineral oil chain lube spatter and home brewed internal frame preserves that had reverted to liquid state in summer's heat. That grimy patina that quickly accumulates in pale bar wraps (especially when the odd roadside mechanical is thrown into the equation) was dismissed with similar panache.

More generous helpings and extending waiting times by a minute or so hasn't dulled or left unsightly streaks in enamel/two-pack paints. Overall results on polished, gloss or satin finishes are pretty sharp.

Several weeks in, I'm prepared to accept something has been lost in translation from French to English, because I'm not convinced by the corrosion-inhibiting prowess of the film it supposedly imparts. It might offer some defence against UV/similar oxidisation, but cheap electroplated fasteners still turned orange at the first hint of a puddle.

Some boutique brands I've used long-term (12 months or more) genuinely impart a rich glossy barrier that seems to offer decent protection from the salt monster, but cheap as chips car wash 'n' wax formulas often achieve better results.

> How to clean and lube your bike chain

Using the same techniques and standing times on matt finishes, which have become increasingly mainstream, the Zefal has done a reasonable job, but in common with other bike washes it leaves behind some glossy residual splodges. These were easily dismissed with a quick shot of matt protectant, then buffed with a soft cloth.

Overall performance seems on par with several household names, but some store-branded formulas represent much better value. True, they're a bit more aggressive to skin and finishes, but this isn't a problem as long as you wear gloves and don't extend waiting times.

Verdict

Reasonably effective but otherwise unremarkable bike shampoo

Zefal's Air Profil FC03 mini pump is a small yet mighty model for riders who puncture infrequently or go the CO2 rescue route but still want a user-friendly contingency option. Genuinely capable of raising road rubber beyond 100psi, it has some nice touches and is certainly competitive with others at this price point.

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As you might expect from this end of the market, CNC machined aluminium rules the roost and it parks unobtrusively on bottle mounts or wedge packs. A small point perhaps, but the composite bracket is a better fit than most, which pretty much eliminates chatter, let alone ejection over washboard tarmac/dirt roads. That said, the nylon straps are advisable along really poorly surfaced sections. Jersey pockets aren't the most practical hosts, because of its size, which may be a turn-off for some.

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Zefal Air Profil FC03 - frame clamp.jpg

The silver anodised handle features a knurled ring for improved purchase, while the shapely barrel comes in either this fetching red or black. The reversible threaded Presta/Schrader valve head and hose is secreted behind a snug-fitting rubberised end cap, which does a decent job of keeping slimy road spray and debris from getting channelled inside. Traditionally, one of the major gripes with mini/micro pumps was the risk of shearing willowy Presta valves clean off when furiously ramming home the pressure; hence the widespread introduction of hose-type systems.

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Zefal Air Profil FC03 - hose.jpg

Zefal calls its reversible head the Z-Turn, and swapping between the two types is genuinely intuitive, with no fiddly bits to lose. There is some nominal pressure loss during the uncoupling phase, though we're talking 2-3psi from a 700x23/25, 6 or so from a big section 38/42mm slick.

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Zefal Air Profil FC03 - valve head.jpg

Obviously, this system only works with threaded valves, so check your spare tube(s) before heading out on a big ride, where several punctures could deplete your CO2 cartridge stash.

Despite its diminutive dimensions, the Air Profil is surprisingly smooth, although like most of this breed, it's not particularly efficient. A swift push-pull action is crucial; 700x25/6mm road rubber was raised from flat to 108psi in 440 strokes – around 4 minutes. Bigger 700x32s took 510 to hit 85psi. Lactic acid burning my biceps, the piston came close to locking out as the final 15psi loomed, but even by this stage the barrel never became uncomfortably warm.

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Zefal Air Profil FC03 - extended.jpg

A tube wall rupture while testing some 42mm Maxxis Roamer tyres proved the ideal opportunity to assess its prowess with bigger section tyres. Despite the tyre's large volume, I managed 30psi in 75 strokes (90 seconds), though beyond 45psi and my right bicep was screaming; 530 strokes and 6 minutes later, I had them to 70psi – within 5 of their maximum.

> Check out our guide to the best pumps and CO2 inflators

By mini pump standards, the Air Profil packs a mighty punch and could be just the ticket if you puncture infrequently but want something that will do the business when required. Admittedly, I've never hit the heady 116psi, but performance is better than some I've used costing a tenner or so more. Personally, I'd buy the Zefal and buy a batch of butyl with the change.

Verdict

Well made mini pump with realistic clout for road tyres, but a little large for jersey pockets

Zefal's Profil Max FP60 is a decent floor pump and doesn't cost the earth. It's pretty well-made and is a pleasure to use. It looks like it'll go the distance and if the head wears out then replacement is available.

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Zefal Profil Max FP60 - valve head 2.jpg

The FP60 is made from quality ingredients: an anodised aluminium barrel, a wooden handle (beech, forest product fans) and a reinforced composite base. While the base is plenty strong, the position of the barrel on the base makes it possible to rock the pump back even with both feet on the base. This gives the impression the base is flexible, which it's not. This combination of materials makes the pump feel pretty light at 1.1kg.

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Zefal Profil Max FP60 - handle.jpg

At 110cm, it has a pretty long hose, which makes pumping up tyres on bikes in a workstand easily doable. The Z-switch head handles Presta, Schrader and Dunlop valves. In use, the pumping action is really smooth and is a pleasure to use.

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Zefal Profil Max FP60 - dial.jpg

A 700x23 tyre takes 29 strokes to get up to 120 psi. The dial tops out around 170 psi; I didn't have anything to hand that would take that pressure, but 120 psi felt easy-peasy anyway.

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Zefal Profil Max FP60 - shaft.jpg

I own a Topeak Joe Blow Sport and have been happy with it for many years. It costs the same as the Zefal at an RRP of £36.99, which I think is about the price to pay for a decent, durable workshop tool. In comparison, I think the Joe Blow has the better construction; I prefer the design and material choice of its base. In terms of usability though, the Zefal has the upper hand. The long hose, Z-switch head, big dial and smooth pumping action make it a pleasure to use.

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Zefal Profil Max FP60 - footplate.jpg

Verdict

Decent pump at a decent price that is a pleasure to use

When it comes to bicycle adverts we've grown accustomed to seeing sexy shots of sexy people on sexy bikes. It seems that those messages have become a little mixed in the minds of some marketers though, as you're about to see.

Back in September Zéfal decided to bring a different kind of sexuality to its advertising manifesto. The French cycling accessories brand launched the advert you're about to watch below.

The chap in this advert is using a non-Zéfal pump to reinflate his tyre, and as Zéfal make very clear, that's his biggest mistake.

Inflating your tyres while certain body parts are obscured by things like bushes can give people all sorts of ideas as to what you're actually up to.

In this particular scenario eyebrows were raised, passers-by were distracted and a policeman got the wrong end of the, er, stick as the fella puts in far more effort to blow up his tyres than he would if he was using a Zéfal.

The French accessory brand isn't alone in getting involved in the park-based nudity advertising fun, whether it's implied or not.

Australian bike brand Malvern Star released the following advert where a cyclist bizarrely uses a man's bum cheeks as a bike stand.

The fun isn't always nudity based.

The following advert came from Cycle Scotland and was criticised not for its demeaning representation of cyclists, rather for the helmetless cyclist seen riding at the end.

Prudes.

>ASA bans safety video over helmetless cyclist

Top Gear thought they were being funny when they produced a 'cycling safety' advert that mocked the cycling community's inability to tell the difference between red and green. It was met with some criticism from cyclists.

>Top Gear on cycling *facepalm*

And finally the 'advert' that was met with most anger from the cycling community was Transport for London's "desperately misguided" cycling safety advert warning riders of the dangers of getting caught between HGVs and the curb.

The community's uproar, which you can read about in the article below, resulted in the advert being pulled and TfL rethinking its direction.

>Fury over Government HGV warning video

Remember any particularly bizarre cycling adverts? Share them with us below!

The Zefal EZ Max FC CO₂ Inflator is a decent pump that gets air into the tyre quickly, although I have to question the choice of a metal barrel when using it for CO₂.

Unfortunately one of the biggest pains of the winter, aside from the cold and the rain, is the increase in the number of punctures. To reinflate your tyres at this you have two basic pump types: CO₂ dispensers or hand pumps. There are merits and drawbacks to both, CO₂ is instantaneous inflation, but you can run out of CO₂ canisters, hand pumps can't run out but take time to inflate.

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Zefal EZ Max FC CO2 Inflator - pump.jpg

Zefal have attempted to get the best of both worlds with the Zefal EZ Max FC CO₂ Inflator which incorporates both a CO₂ and hand pump in one unit.

First place to start is with hand inflation, which is pretty good. It is only a small pump so it take about five minutes and some struggle once you get above around 80psi, but the motion is good and smooth and there is enough room on the mini pump to get a good grip. This sounds like a silly comment, but some of the smaller pumps are a real pain in the hand when you are trying to get into the higher pressures.

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Zefal EZ Max FC CO2 Inflator - pump extended.jpg

This ease of inflation is helped by the flexible hose that extends from one end of the pump and allows you to hold the pump in a number of positions. That both saves the valve and makes for ease of use. The barrel at the end of the hose can be used as either Schrader or Presta and is simple enough to switch by just twisting it off and putting it on the other way around. All of this is held under a stiff cap that stays in place well during riding. It also stays together nicely thanks to the magnetic locking system. It also means that it doesn't rattle when going over bumpy roads.

At the other end of the pump is a similar looking flap, although this is twisted off. This is where a CO₂ cartridge fits. You simply screw it in and wait for the tyre to instantly inflate through the same hose. This is easy enough to do and the actual inflation part was both quick and easy.

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Zefal EZ Max FC CO2 Inflator - hose.jpg

However, there is one drawback in that Zefal have used aluminium for the barrel. As the compressed CO₂ in a cartridge expands it gets cold, and so does everything in contact with it. It is sometimes difficult to unscrew the valve when it's white with cold. However, I managed it relatively easily wearing a pair of gloves.

It would also be better to have some kind of activation mechanism rather than instant inflation. I sometimes found that the canister would begin to discharge (and therefore freeze) before it was fully screwed in, so inflation would be slower and the pump/barrel would get frozen.

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Zefal EZ Max FC CO2 Inflator - CO2 velve.jpg

The EZ Max FC comes with a mount that sits either underneath or in place of a bottle cage. This works nicely on the few rides I tried it, it doesn't tend to get in the way of pedal strokes and sits relatively nicely on the down tube or seat tube.

The RRP is 36.99, which is expensive for a mini pump. It does have some nice features that go some way to justifying this price though, such as the smooth pumping motion and use of a CO₂ canister.

Overall, the Zefal EZ Max FC CO₂ Inflator is a well made and innovative pump that works really nicely as a hand pump alone and being able to use CO₂ cartridges as well is a big plus. However, the CO₂ element could do with a little rethink given the metal barrel and lack of control of inflation beyond screwing it in.

Verdict

CO₂ element could be improved, but this is a really strong hand pump by itself

The Zefal Air Profil Switch mini pump is easy to change between valve types – pity it's very hard to achieve useful pressures.

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Zefal Air Profil Switch Mini Pump in Silver - valve head.jpg

As the name implies the Zefal Air Profil Switch features a switch that swaps between Presta and Schrader valves in a fraction of a second. Personally I've never had an issue swapping any pump between the two, especially modern ones with advanced head designs. The Zefal Switch works, but I'd probably prefer the Presta version to be a bit deeper to get a more secure hold on the valve. The thumb lock lever has a tendency to rattle when unlocked, not likely to be an issue in a pocket, but on a frame with the supplied clip it could be infuriating. The handle is retained by an O-ring that slips down the pump with use, no doubt soon to be lost.

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Assuming you can securely connect the valve, the conundrum of mini-pump designers is how to get enough air in, at sufficient pressure, without requiring the user to have the arms of an Olympic rower. This will mean either a thin barrel, not shifting much air with each stroke, or a long thin barrel, to get enough air in but then protruding out of a jersey pocket, or a more expensive, heavier two-stage barrel that extends and collapses with each stroke. In the case of the Zefal Air Profil Switch they have gone for a short, fat air chamber that is compact, but is also doomed from the outset to be hard to inflate.

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Zefal Air Profil Switch Mini Pump in Silver - extended.jpg

From zero PSI pumping feels harder than it should. After 60 strokes it really begins to kick in, and after 140 you need a break, but with only 60PSI in a 28mm tyre at that point, there's more work to be done (measured with the natty SKS Air Checker digital gauge). At 170 strokes (70PSI) the pump is getting hard to hold, both at the head and the handle. At 200 strokes (a paltry 80PSI) this normal, functioning human male was reduced to arms of wet spaghetti.

There's no point trying to go beyond 80PSI because the whole package becomes fundamentally dangerous to the survival of your valve, the risk of slipping increasing with the extra force needed for each stroke.

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Zefal Air Profil Switch Mini Pump in Silver - detail.jpg

A while back I gave the similarly-sized Birzman Apogee mini pump four stars, being able to get to 80PSI relatively easily and quickly at 220 strokes, then on to 105PSI with more effort. This shows the importance of a longer, thinner barrel over a shorter, fatter one. The difference in internal diameter between the Birzman and Zefal is only 3.8mm, but this translates into a cross-section of three square cm for the Zefal vs. two for the Birzman. The Birzman then has a stroke of 16.8cm vs. 11.8 for the Zefal. All this adds up to a total volume more or less the same at around 35 cubic cm; the Zefal's slightly larger, meaning it gets to 80PSI a few strokes quicker than the Birzman.

But the two are night and day in terms of ease of getting there. I'd not want to put the Zefal in the hands of someone of slight stature, lest they fail to achieve the brute force needed to get a decent pressure into a road tyre. To recap: the Zefal is only 14mm shorter than the Birzman, but comes nowhere near it in terms of ability to comfortably fill a road tyre.

Yes, the Birzman has an RRP nearly twice the Zefal. Many other highly-rated mini pumps are of similar prices, but the GT Attack costs just £14.99 and actually works. In this case, you definitely get what you (don't) pay for. Caveat emptor.

Verdict

Hard-to-use pump that fails to reach its headline pressure, with some poor design choices

Road tubeless is becoming more and more popular, with a significant percentage of the wheels we've had through lately being tubeless compatible. Some combinations of wheels and tyres inflate quite easily with just a track pump, others are much less willing, hence the fact that you can now buy a bunch of devices like this Zefal Tubeless Tank to help with the process. Unfortunately, this one isn't among the best out there.

We recently did a video group test which pitted this against some rival devices, and Liam found that it got a 25mm road tyre to seat easily but struggled with larger tyres. I've mostly been using 30mm Schwalbe S-One tyres and my experience matched Liam's – the pressure wasn't delivered as fast as it would be with a compressor, and the tyre was consequently often more reluctant to seal against the Hunt wheels I was using.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The Zefal Tubeless tank is a simple device, really – it's an aluminium cylinder concealed in a plastic housing. There's a port on one end to which you connect your track pump to pressurise it. You'll want to make sure that you've securely fitted the pump to the tank inlet because – bizarrely – Zefal hasn't opted to fit a valve here. So if your pump head pops off the tank inlet, it will dump all its pressure out and you'll have to start pumping again.

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Zefal Tubeless Tank - valve.jpg

On the underside is a hose coiled up, which you connect to the tyre valve. It uses a simple push-fit with a rubber seal onto the valve stem. The most notable detail on the device is probably the large pedal that is used to open the output and inflate the tyre. Other tubeless tanks use screw valves or levers, but this system leaves both hands free as it is easily operated by foot. Is that a significant advantage? I'm not convinced.

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Zefal Tubeless Tank - hose.jpg

Zefal recommends inflating to 10 bar (145psi) although the tank can cope with as much as 16 bar (230psi); 10 bar was no problem for my track pumps, but I'm not sure they would have managed 16. With 10-12 bar in the tank, I found that, more often than not, the tyre wouldn't seal and the air would just blow out around the rim. Certainly compared with using an air compressor, it requires a bit more care. If the tyre hasn't sealed within a fairly short time frame, you've lost most of your air and you need to start over.

Zefal includes a tool for removing the valve core, opening the airway into the tyre and allowing faster inflation. This made a significant difference – with the valve core removed, the tyre would typically seal and inflate more than 50% of the time. Is that good enough? Well, no, not really, when other devices seem to work more consistently. The Beto tank we tested recently is a good example, managing to seal tyres reliably even with the valve core in place. The Beto is also a little cheaper than the Zefal, and impressed with its shop-standard ruggedness.

> Video: How to change tubeless tyres

By contrast, the Zefal's plastic casing doesn't feel quite as robust. I tested it by deliberating knocking it off the workbench onto a concrete floor a few times, and it emerged largely unscathed. One time the top half of the casing unclipped and came loose, but none of the fixings were broken, and it was simple to reassemble.

By most measures, then, you can probably buy better, and in some cases for less. The point of a device like this is to make tubeless tyres less of a faff, but if you're not guaranteed a seal then it doesn't really achieve its aim.

Verdict

Underwhelming performance and less robust than some similarly priced units – not among the best available

The pneumatic tyre is one of mankind's greatest inventions, smoothing the ride and making bikes faster compared to the solid tyres that came before it. But it's also a pain in the neck, because its vulnerable to punctures and gradually loses air while your bike is stored. At home and on the road, you need a a way to replace the lost air.

There are three broad tyres of tyre inflator: portable hand pumps that you take along on your rides; portable carbon dioxide canister devices; and floor pumps for workshop and trackside use. Hand pumps in turn divide into full-size frame pumps and minipumps that are small enough to fit in your jersey pocket. Let's take a look at all the options and variations.

Floor pumps

Also know as track pumps because they're the most common way to get the very high pressures used in track cycling, floor pumps make it easy to get air into your tyres. A floor pump has a handle to help you get your weight behind the job, feet that are big enough to stand on to hold it in place, and a gauge so you can get the pressure spot on.

The narrower the barrel of a floor pump, the easier it is to get high pressures, but it will take more strokes.

All track pumps have some sort of chuck to attach to the valve, but there are many different designs. Some use a universal mechanism that will fit Presta and Schrader valves, while others have a separate attachment for each type. Almost all have a lever to clamp the chuck round the valve.

There's some debate about where the pressure gauge should be. Some manufacturers put it at the top of the barrel, which makes it easier to read, others put it at the bottom because it's less likely to get damaged there if the pump falls over. If you go for pump with a high gauge, make sure it has some sort of protection against falls.

Some pumps are definitely more robust than others, which is why you'll see a fairly small selection of models being used in bike shop workshops. Very few can stand being accidentally kicked around, an inevitable part of workshop life for a floor pump.

Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator — £42.50

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Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator.jpg

The Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator is a workshop-quality tubeless air tank with well-thought-out features and excellent performance. It should last you a lifetime of tubeless setup, road or mountain.

Read our review of the Beto CJA-001S
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Cannondale Airport Carry On Floor Pump — £32.99

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Cannondale Airport Carry on Floor Pump.jpg

Most cyclists have a couple of pumps: a mini pump for road-side rescue and a track pump for home inflation. The cycling industry is nothing if not adept at creating niches, however, and the travelling track pump might be just such a niche - for when you're on a biking holiday or just need to cram a lot of stuff in a small car for an event. Cannondale's Airport Carry On floor pump is just such a pump, with a capacity equal to many a full-sized track pump and a clever folding design to make it more packable.

Read our review of the Cannondale Airport
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Birzman Maha Apogee III — £54.99

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Birzman Maha Apogee Ⅲ floor pump

This Rolls Royce grade floor pump is certainly not cheap — though it isn't the most you could pay for a floor pump — but it performs really well.

The Maha Apogee III has a very stable three-pronged base, with a large, easily-read gauge and comfortable wooden handle. The ingenious Snap-It Apogee head fits Presta and Schrader valves and is now attached at a 90-degree angle to the hose, which makes it easier to fit.

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Read our review of the Birzman Maha Apogee III

Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive — £53.99

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Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive

Thanks to its clever Flip-Thread chuck the Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive works with every type of valve and valve extender we've tried and without any of that fuss of wiggling the connector or refitting to get it started. Quite frankly it's brilliant.

The Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive is robust and well built with the barrel and base being CNC machined from aluminium. With the base measuring 220mm in width it's stable in use thanks especially to the large diameter pressure gauge bezel creating a kind of tripod effect.

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Read our review of the Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive pump

SKS Rennkompressor — £48.49

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SKS Rennkompressor

There's nothing terribly fancy about the Rennkompressor, though the latest version has a choice of chucks. What sets it apart and makes it a very common shop choice, is the durability that comes from its beefy cast aluminium base, fold-out steel feet, steel barrel and wooden handle. If you want a track pump you can leave in your will, this is the one to buy.

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Topeak Joe Blow Sport II — £29.49

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Topeak Joe Blow Sport II

You don't have to spend the thick end of fifty quid to get a decent floor pump. Topeak's Joe Blow Sport II is deservedly popular for its sturdy construction, double-sided chuck and comfy elastomer-covered handle.

Topeak has put the gauge halfway up the barrel so it's easy to see but not so high that a trivial topple will smash it. Good thinking.

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Mini pumps

A scaled down version of a frame pump, a mini-pump is small enough to fit in a bag or pocket, or clips into a mount that fits under a bottle cage. Mini-pumps are popular because they're light and tidy. They don't get a tyre up to pressure very quickly, but their fans see this as worth putting up with given how rarely they need them.

Mini pumps vary widely in how well they work. Some just won't get your tyres up to recommended pressure, so you'll have to ride carefully after using one to avoid a pinch flat, but there are a few gems out there that work almost as well as frame pumps.

GT Attack Mini Pump — £16.99

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GT Attack Mini Pump

Getting high pressures out of a pump small enough to fit in a jersey pocket is always a challenge, but GT have nailed it with their Attack Mini Pump. Maximum tyre pressures are achievable and you don't have to have arms like Popeye to make it happen.

Read our review of the GT Attack Mini Pump
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Hoy Hi Pressure Mini Pump — £24.99

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Hoy Hi Pressure Mini Pump

The Hoy Hi Pressure mini pump gets tyres up to pressure surprisingly easy and its metal construction means it should keep on pumping for a long time.

The pump has both presta and Schrader options that are easily interchanged through simply rotating the cuff beneath the valve itself. It is also simple to inflate the tyres to 120 psi with considerably less effort than other mini pumps.

Read our review of the Hoy Hi Pressure Mini Pump

Lezyne Road Drive L Alloy — £29.50

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Lezyne Road Drive Large

At 297mm, the L-for-Long version of this mini-pump isn't terribly mini, but it works well. It comes with its own bracket and it's very shiny and beautifully made with some well thought out little details. Both ends of the CNC-ed aluminium pump are protected by rubber caps to stop road gunk getting inside and the connecting hose screws securely inside the handle.

For pocket-stowage, try the 216mm-long M version

Read our review of the Lezyne Road Drive Alloy
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Frame pumps

Your classic frame pump is intended to fit along the seat tube, between the top tube and down tube. Problem is, almost all bikes have two water bottles these days and one of them is on the seat tube. That means you may need to get imaginative to carry a frame pump, fitting it along the top tube, perhaps with the help of straps or a clamp-on pump peg.

The length of a frame pump means it's a fairly quick way to inflate a tyre out on the road, and it doesn't cost you the price of a carbon dioxide cartridge every time. Some riders feel a frame pump spoils the look of their bikes though.

Frame pumps usually come set up for Presta valves, but can be switched to Schrader by swapping round some parts in the chuck.

Topeak Road Master Blaster — £18.68

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Topeak Road Master Blaster frame pump

Topeak's Road Master Blaster is a well-thought-out frame pump that's a reliable companion for longer excursions. Well built and capable of high pressures, it's a great touring or Audax pump.

The Aluminium-barrelled, plastic-ended Master Blaster has a sprung handle and comes with a strap to keep it snugly attached to your bike; there's four sizes to fit pretty much any frame. Once removed you can lock the handle and pump either Presta or Schraeder tubes (via interchangeable internals) to a claimed 160psi. As usual this is a wildly optimistic maximum, but I stuffed 100psi into a 700x23c tyre in just over 100 strokes without any problems at all.

Read our review of the Topeak Road Master Blaster
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Zefal HPX — £19.99

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zefal-hpx-vintage-frame-pump

Legendary US bike shop Rivendell Cycles calls the HPX "the biggest commercial mainstream normal zero-snobbeury bicycle success that has ever come out of France" and we can't argue with that. The narrow barrel makes high pressures easy, the thumblock grabs the valve firmly and the switchable sprung handle means no wasted effort.

The design's been around since the early 1970s. HPXes are tough and durable enough that we wouldn't be surprised if there are still a few of the first batch in use.

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Carbon dioxide inflators

With the work done by a small bottle of compressed gas, carbon dioxide (CO₂) inflators are the fastest way of getting back on the road. They're perfect for sportives or fast training rides where you don't want to be holding up the rest of the group.

As a gas expands it cools, so look out for CO₂ inflators that protect your fingers from the canister, either with a rubber cover for the canister or by enclosing it in a plastic shell.

Some inflators only pop open the canister when you use it, and don't allow you to use only part of the available gas, others have a trigger so you can use just part of the contents.

A 16g cartridge will get a 23mm tyre up to 90-100psi, which should be plenty to get you home. Threaded cartridges are usually slightly more expensive than unthreaded. Buy in bulk if you're relying on CO₂ as your main way of fixing flats on the road.

Bontrager Air Rush Road CO2 Pump — £25

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Bontrager Air Rush Road CO2 Pump.jpg

The Bontrager Air Rush Road CO2 Pump is a nifty little dual design that won't leave you deflated on the roadside.

The problem with a mini pump is that they are slow, and also an unnecessary upper-body workout for the weedy cyclist. The problem with CO2 canisters is that they are a one hit wonder. Combine the two and you might just have the ultimate solution.

Read our review of the Bontrager Air Rush
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Genuine Innovations Proflate 16 — £24.29

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Genuine Innovations Proflate

The Genuine Innovations Proflate 16 may not look the smartest, but it's a very cleverly designed CO₂ pump that instills trust and makes you feel in control. It uses 16g non threaded cartridges (which are slightly cheaper than their threaded equivalents) and works on both Schrader and Presta valves.

The Proflate 16 has a host of really well designed features: it auto-detects Schrader or Presta valve; it's got a little indicator that tells you if the cartridge is punctured and the pump is therefore charged; it's got a trigger, protected by a security catch; you can store cartridges upside down in the body avoiding the risk of accidental puncturing; you can't accidentally unscrew the body with a charged/punctured cartridge; and it's got an automatic dirt/water shield.

Read our review of the Genuine Innovations Proflate 16
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Lezyne Control Drive — £19.79

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Lezyne Control Drive CO2 Inflator

Lezyne's Control Drive CO₂ Inflator makes it really easy to get any Presta or Schrader inner tube fully inflated. It provides easy control of the flow of gas and has a jacket to protect your hands from freezing to the canister during use.

The Control Drive is as simple as they come, is very nicely designed and works effectively. The dual head screws onto any standard threaded CO₂ canister and provides Presta and Schrader compatibility. You simply push the Control Drive onto the valve, and turn the inflator head to release air.

Read our review of the Lezyne Control Drive
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Birzman Infinite — £17.50

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Birzman Infinite Road and CO2 pump

The Birzman Infinite Road + CO₂ pump is a 2-in-1 pump and C02 inflator that's a good-looking efficient machine to get you back on the road in the minimum of time. You can either inflate your tyres manually, use a CO₂ cartridge or if you're determined to get to 120psi, start with the hand-pump and top off with CO₂.

Read our review of the Birzman Infinite
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B’Twin CO₂ Inflator and 16g Cartridge — £7.99

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BTwin CO2 Inflator and 16g Cartridge.jpg

The B'Twin CO₂ Inflator & 16g Cartridge Set is probably the best-value inflator on the market. At £8, fitting 16 or 25g canisters with precisely-controllable one-handed inflation, it's a great buy.

With the head threaded most of the way onto the cartridge it's 12cm long, and easily slips into a pocket. Removed from the cartridge it's as small as these things get, so easily put into a tool roll.

It's hard to imagine a simpler process: screw on the canister fully, press onto valve, done. Pressing down on the valve will push it through the rim if you've removed the lockring from your valve stem, or are running unthreaded valves. Either way, applying pressure opposite onto the tyre to keep the valve in place is dead easy, and as the tube starts to inflate, the valve very quickly resumes its natural position and pushes back against the inflator head.

Read our review of the B’Twin CO₂ Inflator and 16g Cartridge
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