Pumps & CO2 inflators

The Lezyne speed drive CO2 looks like a very nice package for the minimally minded. CO2 pumps don't get much smaller or much lighter. It accepts all threaded cartridges, but only works on Presta valves.

A pump that fits in the palm of your hand? Capable of 130psi? Excuse my cynicism but we've been here before, on many occasions, and the outcome is more often that not the same: pump doesn't deliver. That's the case here, sadly.

Zefal’s Lapize classic pump ticks all the boxes for an authentic finishing touch to a concours period classic/restoration. Designed to fit neatly on a pump peg it sports mirror polished chrome barrel, black alloy handle and old- fashioned connecter with Presta/Schrader ends. Efficiency is pretty good up to 75psi, a consistent rhythm, 257 strokes and six minutes reaps a 90psi reward but if our test model is anything to go by you’d need hydraulic arms and plenty of patience to reach the magic tonne, much less the claimed 116psi.

The Lezyne alloy drive looks very smart indeed. It's CNC machined from 7075 aluminium which makes for a high quality feel, and has some really nice design touches; it works on both Schrader and Presta valves, you can keep your cartridge in the body without risk of accidental puncturing and airflow can be controlled. At 100grams is not as light as some but certainly no heavyweight either. It takes any 16g threaded cartridge.

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.

Zefal’s HPX light is a scaled down version of their legendary HPX and bridges the gap perfectly between frame-fit power and mini pump convenience. The polished alloy barrel not only looks great alongside a classic road/touring bike but also enjoys an edge in terms of rigidity over composite models and so long as you slipped a redundant inner tube “boot” over the exposed valve head it seems equally at home on the trail.

The claimed 100psi in eight strokes might be gilding the lily a touch - it took me 10 to get a 700x18 to that pressure - but Zefal’s Alaskan Graph floor pump is a pint sized powerhouse boasting excellent build quality, super steady base, tactile composite handle and accurate gauge. However, the design requires a more taxing push/pull rhythm and its compact size can leave taller riders feeling uncomfortably stooped during prolonged use – say pumping the tyres on multiple bikes. That though is a trade-off against what for many might be its usefully small size.