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Birzman Zacoo Mini Pump

7
£24.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Well made mini pump genuinely capable of road realistic pressures for minimalists those who flat infrequently
Weight: 
90g
Contact: 
www.birzman.com

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It might be tempting to dismiss the Birzman Zacoo mini pump on the strenght of its perhaps laughable moniker alone. Don't it pulled the rug from beneath this doubting thomas, delivering a very commendable 110psi into a 700x25 within five minutes. Okay, in the heat of competition, you'll still want the Co2 cartridges close at hand and big volume mtb slicks were a morale sapping slog. However, convincing build quality means the Birzman delivers genuinely realistic road pressures, stealing a march on other pocket-sized competition.

Reputedly inspired by the Kandelia candle-a tropical plant native to Taiwan, it measures a mere twelve centimetres and tops the scales at a best-bike favourable 99g-including nylon mounting bracket and screws, although ours seemed to be for display purposes only and were replaced by stainless steel aftermarket models. Solid CNC machined construction is employed throughout down to the shaft and slightly unique presta connector that cadges a lift on a threaded section of the nylon mount. Riders shunning mudguards, especially on winter trainers, cross and mountain bikes should fashion a boot from redundant inner tube to protect the adaptor against contamination from dirt and water ingress thrown up by the wheels... It's also very easily lost, so be vigilant.

Come the dreaded hiss, repair or replace the tube as per normal and contrary to instinct, breeze the adaptor aboard the valve before coupling with the pump and assuming a smooth, regular rhythm. Common to this to this type of pump inflation is slow but I nudged 77psi into a 700x38 in a commendable seven minutes. Using the Schrader end saw a slight drop in efficiency but with the lactic acid hanging painfully in by biceps and Popeye signature tune resonating in my ears I filled a 26x1.5 slick to sixty-five psi a few seconds shy of eight. Taking a different tack and the claims of 130psi at their word, I repeated the exercise with some 700x23 race rubber. Once again, it was a relatively slow process but I got (painfully) near the jackpot, achieving 123psi in seven minutes and forty-nine seconds-not something I'd relish on a cold, wet and windy night.

Verdict

Well made mini pump genuinely capable of road realistic pressures for minimalists those who flat infrequently.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Birzman Zacoo Mini Pump - Presta/Schrader

Size tested: Black

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?

" Zacoo mini was inspired by Kandelia candle

2. Super mini size makes it easy to carry.

3. 130psi / 9 Bar

4. Reversible for Presta and Schrade, and complete with adapter.

5. Length: 12cm"

Well made mini pump for those who puncture infrequently and carry a CO2 cartridge...quite easily lost too.

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

Aluminium construction, svelte 99g including nylon mounting bracket, claimed 9bar/130psi maximum,Compatible with Presta and Schrader heads.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
6/10

Performance is a relative term with this breed but I'm pleased to report realistic road pressures are genuinely possible...with patience.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10

99g

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
5/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

Overall the Birzman is well made and delivers road realistic pressures under sustained effort. If you punctured infrequently and carried CO2 catridges, the Zacoo mini makes a viable option for bikes on calorie controlled diets.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Solid construction and low weight.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Dimensions make things awkward.

Did you enjoy using the product? More than expected.

Would you consider buying the product? Not for my needs

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, If they were in the market for a super minimalist model and flatted infrequently

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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