The Zefal Z-Console Universal Smart Phone Holder is a handy method of carrying a smartphone on your handlebar, especially if your phone is an odd size (or a different size from your previous one). It lets you access the full functionality of your phone, as well as holding it securely in place.

There are two products in the box: the bar mount and the console mount/support – the bit that keeps your smartphone/device safe.

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The bar mount will fit bars or stems of 20-45mm in diameter, and comes with a thin rubber strap to avoid marking your bar/stem as well as providing a bit of extra grip when clamping. A hex key is supplied to tighten the mount.

Zefal Z-Console Universal Smart Phone Holder - clamp.jpg

The console mount/support should fit most medium-sized phones up to 74mm wide by 122-156mm long, and 13mm deep. I used it with an iPhone 5c and there was plenty of adjustability to get the phone securely mounted.

Cutouts along the top and bottom give you access to all ports and buttons.

A number of pads come with the console mount to adjust the fit around your phone. Once you've got your phone mounted as you want, there's a switch on the back that locks the dimensions and keeps your phone/device exactly where you want it, without fear of it rattling about.

Zefal Z-Console Universal Smart Phone Holder - landscape.jpg

The instruction sheet explains how to attach and lock the bar mount to your bike, and they're quite clear, describing each function with a series of diagrams.

As with the Zefal Z Universal Mount I tested at the same time, the console mount attaches to the bar mount with an eighth of a turn, in portrait or landscape mode. Two buttons release it from the bar mount; you just press these two side buttons together.

Having tested the almost identical Tigra phone-specific console mount last year, I'm pretty impressed with the Zefal. It allows you to put your smartphone into a holder, even if it has its own case. It holds secure, both on the mount and the console holder itself, and the console locking mechanism gives additional peace of mind.

Rainproofing

The Z Console Universal M comes with a rain cover. It's a wobbly/slightly stretchy silicone cover that stretches over the entire console mount. It's actually pretty good at keeping splashes and light rain off the phone, though I wasn't keen on trying it in serious downpours, for obvious reasons.

Zefal Z-Console Universal Smart Phone Holder - with cover.jpg

Instead, I wrapped a rectangle of cardboard in some paper and put it into the console then fitted the cover, set level or on a slight slant (as it would be mounted on the bike), then tested its waterproofness.

In the first test I splashed some water on the cover by hand; I also splashed some from beneath to mimic the effects of road-spray from wheels/mudguards. All was good, and there was no ingress.

For the second test I used the shower on a low setting to simulate rain, again from above and below. There were no issues with water ingress into the cover or through the unit from below.

Finally, I put the shower on a high setting, but still kept the unit at a distance as I didn't want any pressure from the shower forcing the cover off, as this wouldn't really happen in a real life situation. The top cover was fine after a few minutes, though there was some beading of water around the edge of the cover/console interface. In reality, this drips away as there's a bevel around the edge of the console unit to keep the waterproof cover in place. The carefully wrapped paper/card inside remained dry.

> Read more road.cc reviews of phone mounts here

The cover is also nicely transparent, and lets you use your touchscreen, though not without some fairly careful prodding. It becomes pretty hard to use once you have gloves on though.

Generally, though, it's a useful universal mount with a good waterproof cover. If you have an odd-sized phone, or you change your phone with any regularity, it's definitely worth considering.

Verdict

A good option for use with multiple devices, or you like to upgrade your phone regularly

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.

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.

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.

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.

> Find your nearest dealer here

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Zefal Z-Console Universal Smart Phone Holder is a handy method of carrying a smartphone on your handlebar, especially if your phone is an odd size (or a different size from your previous one). It lets you access the full functionality of your phone, as well as holding it securely in place.

There are two products in the box: the bar mount and the console mount/support – the bit that keeps your smartphone/device safe.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The bar mount will fit bars or stems of 20-45mm in diameter, and comes with a thin rubber strap to avoid marking your bar/stem as well as providing a bit of extra grip when clamping. A hex key is supplied to tighten the mount.

Zefal Z-Console Universal Smart Phone Holder - clamp.jpg

The console mount/support should fit most medium-sized phones up to 74mm wide by 122-156mm long, and 13mm deep. I used it with an iPhone 5c and there was plenty of adjustability to get the phone securely mounted.

Cutouts along the top and bottom give you access to all ports and buttons.

A number of pads come with the console mount to adjust the fit around your phone. Once you've got your phone mounted as you want, there's a switch on the back that locks the dimensions and keeps your phone/device exactly where you want it, without fear of it rattling about.

Zefal Z-Console Universal Smart Phone Holder - landscape.jpg

The instruction sheet explains how to attach and lock the bar mount to your bike, and they're quite clear, describing each function with a series of diagrams.

As with the Zefal Z Universal Mount I tested at the same time, the console mount attaches to the bar mount with an eighth of a turn, in portrait or landscape mode. Two buttons release it from the bar mount; you just press these two side buttons together.

Having tested the almost identical Tigra phone-specific console mount last year, I'm pretty impressed with the Zefal. It allows you to put your smartphone into a holder, even if it has its own case. It holds secure, both on the mount and the console holder itself, and the console locking mechanism gives additional peace of mind.

Rainproofing

The Z Console Universal M comes with a rain cover. It's a wobbly/slightly stretchy silicone cover that stretches over the entire console mount. It's actually pretty good at keeping splashes and light rain off the phone, though I wasn't keen on trying it in serious downpours, for obvious reasons.

Zefal Z-Console Universal Smart Phone Holder - with cover.jpg

Instead, I wrapped a rectangle of cardboard in some paper and put it into the console then fitted the cover, set level or on a slight slant (as it would be mounted on the bike), then tested its waterproofness.

In the first test I splashed some water on the cover by hand; I also splashed some from beneath to mimic the effects of road-spray from wheels/mudguards. All was good, and there was no ingress.

For the second test I used the shower on a low setting to simulate rain, again from above and below. There were no issues with water ingress into the cover or through the unit from below.

Finally, I put the shower on a high setting, but still kept the unit at a distance as I didn't want any pressure from the shower forcing the cover off, as this wouldn't really happen in a real life situation. The top cover was fine after a few minutes, though there was some beading of water around the edge of the cover/console interface. In reality, this drips away as there's a bevel around the edge of the console unit to keep the waterproof cover in place. The carefully wrapped paper/card inside remained dry.

> Read more road.cc reviews of phone mounts here

The cover is also nicely transparent, and lets you use your touchscreen, though not without some fairly careful prodding. It becomes pretty hard to use once you have gloves on though.

Generally, though, it's a useful universal mount with a good waterproof cover. If you have an odd-sized phone, or you change your phone with any regularity, it's definitely worth considering.

Verdict

A good option for use with multiple devices, or you like to upgrade your phone regularly

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 it's 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 known 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 Push and Twist II — £67.45

Birzman Maha Push and Twist II Floor pump.jpg

Birzman's Maha Push and Twist II Floor pump is a really high quality unit, and the new head is simple to use and effective for both Presta and Schrader valves. It's expensive, but a very nice thing and definitely worth a look if you're after a good-looking pump with performance to match.

Read our review of the Birzman Maha Push and Twist II
Find a Birzman dealer

Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator — £37.99

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
​Find a Beto dealer

Cannondale Airport Carry On Floor Pump — £40.49

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
Find a Cannondale dealer

Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive — £53.95

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.

Find a Lezyne dealer
Read our review of the Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive pump

SKS Rennkompressor — £43.99

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 III —  £35.00

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.

Find a Topeak dealer

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.

Lezyne Road Drive L Alloy — £22.99

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
Find a Lezyne dealer

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 — £16.99

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

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.

Find a Zefal dealer

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 — £19.99

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
​Find a Bontrager dealer

Genuine Innovations Proflate 16 — £18.00

Genuine Innovations Proflate

The Genuine Innovations Proflate 16 may not look the smartest, but it's a very cleverly designed CO₂ pump that instils 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
Find a Genuine Innovations dealer

Lezyne Control Drive — £20

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
Find a Lezyne dealer

Birzman Infinite — £24.99

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
Find a Birzman dealer

B’Twin CO₂ Inflator and 16g Cartridge — £7.99

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
Find a B’Twin dealer

Zefal's Z Race is a sleek and discreet bag with a Tardis-like capacity, a transparent window and handy magnetic opening rather than a zip. It fits neatly on your top tube and, mostly, keeps out of the way of your knees.

• Pros: Holds plenty, easy to access, sits securely on the top tube
• Cons: Pricey, and can open accidentally

It's not the most robust feeling bag and I'd be wary of carrying anything weighty and valuable – a phone or camera for example – in it. But for a stash of jelly sweets and chunks of banana loaf it does the job just fine.

> Find your nearest dealer here

It has three Velcro straps, or screws if your bike has the fittings, that keep the Z Race snug and straight on your top tube. It can slump out of true if you bash it, but otherwise it's a fairly secure fit.

zefal_z_race_frame_bag_-_straps_2.jpg

The magnetic opening seems at first flimsy and perhaps not to be trusted, but it locks securely yet lightly enough to allow you to get your fingers inside for some well-earned grub on the go.

zefal_z_race_frame_bag_-_open.jpg

Movable dividers allow you to arrange the internal space to your liking.

zefal_z_race_frame_bag_-_dividers.jpg

One disadvantage of the magnetic opening against a zip-up bag is that, should your carelessly unattended bike take a tumble, it will amuse, for example, a waiting queue of daytrippers at Longleat safari park by spilling its contents across the road.

> What should you carry on your rides?

Zefal doesn't make any claims about its waterproof qualities. However the interior has remained completely dry during numerous showers and one sustained exposure to Scottish wind, rain and road spray.

zefal_z_race_frame_bag_-_top_view.jpg

On a long day ride it's important to keep fuelled between pitstops and this is where the Z Race earns its keep. Its 0.5L capacity means you can pack in enough of whatever helps to keep your legs moving without having to perform contortions through layers of inner and outer clothing, or even get off your bike, to reach your back pockets.

zefal_z_race_frame_bag_-_no_dividers.jpg

Now winter's on its way and we're layering up, that makes the Z Race, and the top tube bag in general, a really useful accessory on your bike. Extra carrying capacity right where and whenever you need it.

> Beginner's guide to carrying luggage on your bike

The only real negative is that it's a bit pricey, though it's well made and a good size. Apidura's Expedition bag is more expensive at £47, but it is bigger – although that means it can get in the way of your knees. Restrap's Top Tube Bag is cheaper at £29.99 and was highly rated, but you can pay a lot less for similar products: Deuter's Energy bag is just £15 or less online.

Verdict

Really useful extra storage for longer rides that fits nicely and is easy to access, but it is a bit expensive

The Zefal Shield S10 is a minimalist rear mudguard that offers a decent amount of coverage to the rider and has a sturdy fixing system. For a cheap and cheerful fix, what's not to like?

• Pros: Secure fitment, decent coverage
• Cons: Restricts the use of a saddle bag

Sometimes you're going to find yourself having to ride in the rain, and if your bike isn't equipped with full mudguards or doesn't have the mounting points then something like this S10 model is a worthwhile workaround.

> Find your nearest dealer here

For starters, it literally takes a few seconds to fit. The clamping area is grooved to accept most standard saddle rails and you just clip the mudguard on.

For added security the Zefal comes with a Velcro strap, just to make sure that everything stays in place. Once fitted, I got no movement from it even when riding on gravel tracks and rough byways.

With a length of 280mm, the S10 offers pretty decent protection from rear wheel spray to your lower back. It's never going to do as good a job as a full guard for yourself or riders behind, but to keep the worst of the water off it does a good job.

It kept my lower back dry and it reduced the effects of ending up riding with a wet chamois.

The S10 is designed for road use and has a width of 85mm at the saddle end, narrowing to 62mm at the other, which Zefal reckons will work with tyres up to 38mm in width. There is a wider S20 mountain bike version if you need it.

Riding a cyclo-cross bike with 35mm tyres things were fine, and I didn't get much spray around the sides, although I found it worked best with tyres around the 30mm mark.

The only downsides with saddle-mounted guards is that you can't fit a saddlebag plus things like lights on your seatpost aren't protected.

When it comes to value, splashing out £9.99 on something that performs as well as this makes a lot of sense.

It offers more coverage than the Syncros Coast Fender (£8.99) for instance and won't require you to have a specific saddle either.

> Essential wet weather cycle clothing and gear

It's reasonably priced against the similarly designed Tacx Mudguard Race T7000 at £14.99, too.

On the whole, the Zefal is a cheap and effective solution for those days when you just can't avoid the rain on your race bike.

Verdict

Simple and effective mini mudguard that is sturdy and easy to fit

The Zefal Pro Wet Lube Biodegradable is a middleweight formula, designed to stay put during more changeable weathers. Price is favourable and it seems reasonably clean. It's also very convenient to apply, which is a definite draw for commuting, touring and general riding.

• Pros: Simple, reasonably durable and relatively clean
• Cons: Temperamental 'child proof' cap

Science bit

Looking at the packaging's all-weather theme, I wasn't surprised to discover it's a blend of oils. Now, biodegradable isn't the first word I'd associate with this kind of lubricant. However, modern synthetic esters are manufactured from carbolic acids and alcohols, components that can be tuned to provide almost unlimited structural and performance possibilities. So, you can have oils that work at low temperatures, with excellent lubrication and staying prowess, while still being biodegradable.

> Find your nearest dealer here

Zefal told me, "This lubricant is not soluble in water and remains to a large extent in the upper layers of soil, where there is biodegradation. With the term synthetic ester, we indicate the lubricating bases produced through a synthesis process starting from vegetable oil with particular characteristics and selected alcohols/polyalcohols."

Application

Application is as straightforward as it gets, really. Use your favourite lube stripper on recipient chains, ensuring they're super-sterile and dry. Give the Zefal Pro Wet Lube a quick shake, undo the top and deliver a drop into every link. I say straightforward, but there's a definite knack to releasing the child-resistant cap. These are found on other Zefal lubes and are very secure, safeguarding against curious fingers and accidental spillages.

The thin spout ensures a very controllable flow rate. It emerges completely clear, yet easily visible. Though definitely wet, in the classic sense, it's not particularly sticky. That combination of viscosity and spout design avoids all but the most cursory wipes afterward.

I spun the cranks a couple of times, to ensure even penetration, but otherwise you're ready to scoot off. Perfect for those Monday mornings when you've slept through the alarm.

The lower (runnier) viscosity means it's a better bet than some stockier wet lubes, when tending to sticky cleat/locking mechanisms, sealing cable inners, or silencing noisy freewheels, though there are better grease substitutes for mudguard/carrier/cleat fasteners.

Lubrication/staying prowess

From the first few pedal strokes, there's that familiar, cushioned 'swoosh' but without that slightly syrupy feel, synonymous with some.

Given the relatively dry season (before the June deluge!), I wasn't surprised to get 300 miles from a single, sparing application on my fixed gear winter/trainer. However, salty coastal causeways and intense downpours had more impact compared with Weldtite TF2 Extreme Wet and Finish Line Cross Country Wet lubes.

I'd been running its wax sibling on my tubby tourer for several weeks previously. Switching to the Wet, and tackling overgrown bridlepaths/disused railway lines, long damp grass, the wet clung on, attracting less grime than the other brands discussed.

However, after 125 miles off-road, I needed to top up the Zefal, whereas the Finish Line was still going strong (albeit requiring more frequent wiping of the side plates).

Cleanliness

Exposed to dry and dusty stuff, following extensive road resurfacing, I was surprised by how little contaminant it attracted. Sure, I gave the outer plates a cursory cat-lick every 10 days, or so. Nonetheless, to date, it hasn't cultivated that familiar gungy beard, in changeable conditions.

Similarly, gritty transmission-chewing contaminant was conspicuous by its absence. Off-road, with a mix of mud, damp and dust, there was some obvious build up, but nothing alarming. Sticking to asphalt, we're talking a thin, freckly patina.

Value

To some extent, the sky's the limit when it comes to lube. Leaving chainsaw and motor oils out of the equation, you can pick up decent store branded wet lubes for around three quid, but we also have Muc-Off Wet Lube with an rrp of £7.99 for 120ml, and Finish Line Cross Country Wet Lubricant for £7.49.

At £4.99, the Zefal nestles somewhere around the mid-point. Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather Lubricant with Teflon is around £3.99 for 100ml and, in my experience, offers very similar standards of performance.

Conclusion

Overall, I've been pleasantly surprised by the Zefal lube. It's a cleaner-running middleweight formula, which performs well in most contexts. It offers more bite than generic mineral oil/PTFE types, but despite the name, durability doesn't match that of some heavy-duty favourites.

Weldtite TF2 Performance All Weather Lubricant just pips it for me, while those looking towards hell 'n' high water durability are better served by TF2 Extreme Wet or Finish Line Cross Country Wet.

Verdict

Well-balanced wet lube for general riding

The Zefal Pulse B2 bottle cage is light, easy to use and offers excellent drink retention for not a lot of cash. It comes in a range of colours too, so you can tie it in with your bike's paintjob.

• Pros: Works with a range of bottle sizes, easy to add and remove bottles
• Cons: None really... you can buy cheaper bottle cages

The Pulse B2 is manufactured using two different materials: a reinforced composite structure for the main body, which brings strength and rigidity to the mix, and a technopolymer resin for the 'wings' to offer some flexibility to allow for different bottle sizes.

> Find your nearest dealer here

For most of the test period I used the Zefal on a Pinarello Grevil gravel test bike, and smashing it over the local trails saw no issues with bottles flying out, even on the fast sections.

There is a lot of flex at the extremities of the cage to clamp the bottle in place, which means you can use bottles of different diameters. I've got quite a collection of brands in the cupboard that vary in diameter and they all stayed put.

The spring in the outer body means that inserting and removing the bottle is easily defined, with just a firm grasp to withdraw it and a bit of force to relocate it.

With a circular hole for the top bolt and a slot for the bottom one, there is some adjustment for fitment to your frame in case the bolts are slightly out, although most bikes don't really need it.

On the whole, it is a quality bit of kit. It seems well made and durable plus I like the shape. It comes in a range of 10 colours, too: blue, green, yellow, orange, red, dark blue, black, grey, white and pink, all with black inserts and graphics.

At 31g it's also pretty light.

As for value, you can get this style of bottle cage for around six quid in various places over the internet, but when you compare the rrp to others we've tested it isn't bad value for money and they always make more sense than carbon fibre when it comes to pounds per gram.

> Read more road.cc reviews of bottle cages here

The Tacx Ciro is a similar cage with plenty of colour options and comes in at £15.99, while something like the Vel Race Cage weighs the same and does a decent job too for £11.99.

Overall, the Zefal is the right ball park when it comes to price and weight, plus it does a very good job of keeping your bottle in check.

Verdict

A decently priced, lightweight cage that'll hold your bottle snug

The shiny plastic looks of the Zefal Pulse A2 cage may not be everyone's cup of electrolyte, but it holds on tight and weighs very little.

• Pros: Good performance for very little money
• Cons: Erm... it ain't carbon

What a stroke of luck I have a blue bicycle with an orange flash on the down tube, because that's the colour scheme of the Pulse A2 I was sent to try out. For a modern cage it looked surprisingly at home on my vintage steel bike. You can also choose from six other combinations including all-black, so there should be something there for you.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

The product arrived mounted simply on a piece of card – add a half-star for good recycling consideration. Fitting is straightforward because the cage is designed so it's easy to reach the mount nuts with an Allen tool. The mounting bolts aren't included.

The 'Technopolymer' construction might not be as trendy as carbon and you may or may not like the shiny finish. On the other hand, it is very tough, lightweight and flexible enough to take any standard bottle. It's a one-piece moulding so there's very little to go wrong. The elastomer gripper is securely fixed. So far, the cage has resisted scratching and it doesn't have the habit of marking the bottle.

In use, I found the cage gripped securely on both large and small bottles. Getting them in and out proved easy, though the tenacious hold of the gripper might take you by surprise the first time you try to lift the bottle out.

> Read more road.cc reviews of bottle cages here

As for value, it's £4 less than the B2, a slightly higher-tech version which we gave four stars, while the GT Carbon cage costs more than four times the price and still weighs more. The Supacaz Fly is 4g lighter, but costs £16.99. Zefal make the Pulse at home in France, which makes the low price even more admirable.

Verdict

A secure drink holder that's tough and lightweight, but costs very little

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 it's 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 known 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 Push and Twist II — £62.49

Birzman's Maha Push and Twist II Floor pump is a really high quality unit, and the new head is simple to use and effective for both Presta and Schrader valves. It's expensive, but a very nice thing and definitely worth a look if you're after a good-looking pump with performance to match.

Read our review of the Birzman Maha Push and Twist II
Find a Birzman dealer

Beto CJA-001S Tubeless Air Tank Inflator — £42.58

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
​Find a Beto dealer

Cannondale Airport Carry On Floor Pump — £38

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
Find a Cannondale dealer

Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive — £46.99

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.

Find a Lezyne dealer
Read our review of the Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive pump

SKS Rennkompressor — £37.49-£41.99

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.

Find an SKS dealer

Topeak Joe Blow Sport III —  £26.00

You don't have to spend the thick end of fifty quid to get a decent floor pump. Topeak's Joe Blow Sport III 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.

Read our review of the Joe Blow Sport III
Find a Topeak dealer

SKS Airchecker II — £14.99

If you've got a track pump, and you're meticulous about your tyre pressures, a standalone pressure gauge is a good investment, giving greater precision and consistency than the typical gauge that's built in to a pump.

The SKS Airchecker is a well-made digital gauge for tyre pressures that's quick to use once you have the knack of getting it firmly seated on the valve. SKS is well known for its mudguards. The Airchecker is a solid digital pressure gauge that comes with the same rugged build quality and carries a five-year warranty.

Operation is mostly self-evident: press the On/BAR/PSI button to wake the gadget up and toggle between scales. The Mode button allows you to change from the default 'snapshot' pressure reading to a real-time gauge that you'll need when you want to let some air out. That's achieved by pressing the little orange 'deflate' button on the valve head.

Read our review of the SKS Airchecker

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.

Lezyne Road Drive L Alloy — £40

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 — £16.99

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

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 — £24.99

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 — £15

The Genuine Innovations Proflate 16 may not look the smartest, but it's a very cleverly designed CO₂ pump that instils 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 — £18

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 — ~£34

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

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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Zefal's Skin Armor S is a straightforward set of clear protective stickers made from reasonably thick polyurethane. They are easy to apply and do their job well to offer very impressive protection. Although with this small set the selection you receive is limited, you can get medium (£11.99) and large (£17.99) sets.

• Pros: Excellent protection against scratches, easy to place, almost invisible, waterproof, and UV and rip-resistant
• Cons: Most of the stickers in this set are quite small

Back in the mists of time, when I was a young man and dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I took possession of a brand new Dawes Galaxy touring bike. One of the novel features about this particular bike's fantastic British Racing Green frame was that Dawes had started employing a scratch-proof finish, so there was no way it could suffer a surface wound. Needless to say, on my first ride out, I leant it against a lamppost outside a corner shop, the bike slid slightly, and it suffered a scrape that is still visible to this day.

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Twenty-five years later, we have arguably a better weapon in the war against scuffs and scratches. Zefal's Skin Armor is a sheet of 'invisible scratch-resistance frame protection' polyurethane stickers that can be placed at likely rubbing or scuff points.

On the single sheet you are provided with seven stickers: one long clear protective sticker for the chainstay, two small-to-medium sized stickers, and four even smaller stickers.

To use, you simply unpeel a sticker and place it where you fancy onto a clean bike – it really is that easy.

Performance

On the front of the packaging you will see Zefal has handily included a diagram of suggested sticker placement points. Obviously, the head tube is a prime spot for cable rubbing while the chainstays are another old favourite (although new bikes tend to come with some protection already fitted). If you regularly carry your bike on a car cycle carrier or lock it up at a municipal rack, you may already have an idea of other damage areas. Once you've identified your preferred placement points, the stickers stick well and are effectively invisible. At 250 microns thick, they should put up a fight, too.

To put the Skin Armor to its ultimate test, I used a slightly tired bike that had already been in a few wars. Once I had fitted a Skin Armor sticker, I then made a concerted attempt to damage the frame finish by repeatedly introducing it to the sharp end of a brick wall.

Despite this approach being rather more extreme than you would suffer in typical daily rubbing situations – and it even ended up with brick dust left on the Skin Armor…

…a quick wipe of the sticker had it back to new with hardly any sign of battle.

As for the frame underneath – on this part of the bike at least – that's as good as new, too.

Value and conclusion

There are a fair few alternatives out there, with Evans having a similar sticker set for £7.99, Lifeline's Frame Protection Patch Kit costing just £5.49 for a wider selection of stickers, and Bike Shield having a range of options, albeit at higher prices. But I think in overall value for money and performance terms, this Skin Armor choice is pretty decent. You could argue a few more bigger stickers wouldn't go amiss, although for this you could buy the more expansive Skin Armor M or Skin Armor L packs.

> How to winterproof your bike

Of course, sod's law is that the one section you don't place a Skin Armor sticker is the area where you'll have an unexpected extreme rubbing episode. But, as mother always said, you can only try your best. And Zefal's Skin Armor, for the money, is very good. Pick the right spots to protect on your pride and joy and you will have stacked the odds at least a little more in your favour.

Verdict

Very effective frame protection stickers that are easy to apply and do the job well

Zefal's Sense Pro water bottle is easy to drink from, doesn't affect the taste of your drink, and has a clever pull seal that has resisted our attempts to make it leak.

• Pros: Good seal, available in large-volume option, excellent value
• Cons: Not quite as 'squishy' as the competition

The Sense Pro bottle's key feature is the push/pull mouthpiece which both delivers plenty of water and seals the bottle very effectively when you push it into the cap. How effectively? I tested it by standing on it and it took most of my 100+kg to pop the valve. The same test on a Camelbak Podium bottle produced a leak from the cap thread. I've been throwing full Podium bottles in bags for years without problems, and I'll happily do the same with a Sense Pro.

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The rest of the Sense Pro is nicely executed. The neck is wide for ice cubes or drink mix and the cap screws firmly into place. Water flows freely when you give the polypropylene body a squeeze and even after a couple of days your water doesn't taste plasticky.

It's also made in France, which is good. Buying a water bottle that was moulded in, say, China means you're paying for three-quarters of a litre of air to be shipped round the planet in a hulking gert polluting container ship. That's an admittedly small but entirely bonkers addition to global warming.

The Camelbak Podium is the obvious rival when it comes to premium water bottles. The seal is more or less equally effective, and the Sense Pro scores on being a bit cheaper and a bit larger. This one is 650ml vs the 610ml of a small Podium and the bigger versions are 800ml vs 710ml. A pair of the bigger bottles therefore gives you an extra 180ml of water, and that's got to be worth having on a hot summer day.

However, the Podium is slightly easier to squeeze, so if glugging down your water very quickly is vitally important to you, that might be the way to go.

> How to eat – and drink – right for long rides

A major feature of the latest Podium is that the valve is straightforward to dismantle for cleaning. To take apart the Sense Pro you simply prise the mouthpiece out of the cap, then you can pop the parts in the dishwasher.

Overall, then, the Zefal Sense Pro is a worthy rival to the Podium, and cheaper too.

Verdict

Good size, well-priced bottle with a very nice mouthpiece