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Zefal Air Profil Micro pump

6
£19.99

VERDICT:

6
10
Light and cheap, but slightly worrying durability
Weight: 
94g
Contact: 
www.zyro.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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In terms of size and weight (165mm long and 94g respectively), the Zefal Air Profil Micro is about as 'mini' as they come, disappearing easily into a rear pocket.

Attached to the bike via the provided water bottle mount, the Air Profil is unobtrusive.

The light overall weight belies the fact that the Air Profil is made from aluminium throughout, with the sole exception of a plastic flip-lock lever. The all metal construction promises good reliability and in the hands, feels reassuringly sturdy and well made.

The plastic lever is stiff and locks the pump onto the valve with a positive action, creating a seal that easily withstands road tyre pressures and the inevitable tug-of-war of a roadside puncture.

The pump includes an o-ring between the handle and the main pump body to prevent water ingress when not in use. Rather niftily, the body features a second o-ring groove so you can slide the o-ring out of the way when pumping.

In lab conditions (my front room), approximately 200 strokes were needed to reach a pressure of 80-90psi, or enough to get home on. For a rated maximum pressure of only 100psi, the Air Profil works well and still feels remarkably comfortable at higher pressure.

The handle never feels like it's digging a hole in your hand, nor do you need super human strength to eke out those last few psi. That 100psi maximum is quite limiting though, in that most people will normally be riding pressures above that. As such, a puncture will always have to be inflated to full pressure back at home using a more appropriate track-style pump.

Really, the Air Profil works best as an emergency tool, used occasionally to get you home. You wouldn't want to rely on it if you had to use it regularly. For many road cyclists, that will do just fine.

What isn't fine though, is how the Air Profil has lasted in the longer term.

Despite its all-metal construction, the pump is now showing an alarming amount of play given that it has only been called into action a handful of times.

The handle in particular is very wobbly and is threatening to come off.

Admittedly, the pump hasn't been treated with the greatest respect, being thrown into the back of a car boot every weekend can take its toll, but a mini pump should be able to handle this abuse and still be functional at the end of it.

Verdict

Light and cheap, but slightly worrying durability.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Zefal Air Pro Micro pump

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?

The Zefal Air Profil Micro is a mini pump for those who want something as minimalist as possible without having to spend a fortune on fancy carbon items.

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

Barrel : Aluminium

Colours : Silver, blue, red, yellow, mat black

Connection : Reversible Presta / Schrader

Handle : Aluminium

Length : 165 mm / 6.5''

Mounting : Bottle cage mount

Pressure : 7 bar / 100 psi

Stem : Aluminium

Thumblock : Aluminium

Weight : 94 g (88g claimed)

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
5/10

Whilethe Air Profil felt solid and well made at first, it has developed a significant amount of play after only minimal use.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

It seals well on the valve and gets tyres up to workable pressures easily for a mini pump. The 100psi maximum pressure is a little low, but it's attainable and should be enough to get you home.

Rate the product for durability:
 
4/10

It hasn't stood up to minimal use, developing a lot of play in the handle.

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

Very light and compact package given the metal construction and relatively inexpensive price.

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

The pump sits well in the hand when pumping. The force required to reach max pressure isn't prohibitive like on some other pumps.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

Just under 20 pounds for an all metal pump is good value in these days of £40+ carbon competitors.

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

In lab conditions the pump performed well, but has not held up well to typical mini pump abuse.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The light weight and compact form factor. The bombproof seal on the valve.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Despite the metallic construction, the Air Profil really hasn't held up well at all.

Did you enjoy using the product? So-so.

Would you consider buying the product? No.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

Age: 20  Height: 190cm  Weight: 70kg

I usually ride: Giant TCR Advanced 2  My best bike is: Canyon Ultimate CF7

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, sportives, mtb,

 

For 5 years, racing was my life and I went all the way from a newbie bonking after 40 miles, to a full-timer plying my trade on the Belgian kermesse scene. Unfortunately, the pro dream wasn't meant to be and these days, you're more likely to find me bimbling about country lanes and sleeping in a bush on the side of the road.

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