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Zefal Z Box L

9
£6.99

VERDICT:

9
10
A handy and adjustable tool holder that does what it claims – thumbs up
Weight: 
116g
Contact: 

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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.

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

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Zefal Z Box L

Size tested: Large, Black, 250mm, 26oz

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Zéfal say: "Large capacity tool holder, the Z Box L responds to your needs thanks to the two available compartments. It is waterproof to keep your belongings dry."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Material: Polypropylene

Height: 250mm

Weight: 130g

Capacity: 0.8L / 26oz

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Solid construction, with secure screw tops that seal well.

Rate the product for performance:
 
10/10

Holds all the spare repair kit you'll ever need out on a ride.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Stands up to the foulest of weather conditions, no reason to suspect it won't last well.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The Zefal Z Box L does everything it claims to do very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Fitted snugly in the bottle cage, with no annoying rattling.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 25  Height: 188cm  Weight: 83kg

I usually ride: Specialized Allez Sport  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding

 

Add new comment

3 comments

Avatar
southseabythesea | 8 years ago
1 like

Spare tablets in your kit are very useful.

Avatar
kev-s | 8 years ago
1 like

Not necessarily

I use a Pro tools 750ml tool bottle in one cage and a 1000ml water bottle in the other cage for rides up to 75 miles

Anything over that then i also carry a 500ml Oasis,Coke,Pepsi (whatever is to hand) bottle in my jersey

Once ive drunk 500ml out of the 1000ml bottle i top it up from the 500ml bottle and throw it in the nearest bin

If anymore fluid is required then i have two high 5 tablets in the tool bottle so its just a case of finding a friendly pub/shop/person to fill my bottle up

Avatar
ashfanman | 8 years ago
1 like
Quote:

The Zéfal Z Box L is a tool holder for longer rides

If you're out on a longer ride, wouldn't you need the second bottle cage for water?

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