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review

Zefal Pulse Carbon bottle cage

8
£34.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Good looking lightweight carbon cage that is durable and easy to use.
Weight: 
25g
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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At just 25g the Zefal Pulse Carbon Cage is extremely light, but more important than its lack of bulk is its excellent ability to keep water bottles securely in place, even over rough roads.

The opening of the cage has smooth rounded surfaces so it is a cinch to roughly locate the water bottle in the rear zone and push it smoothly into the cage. The top of the cage has a split design, which allows it to expand a little to accommodate the tiny differences between some water bottle brands.

Despite its lack of weight and minimalist design, it's proved to be adequately durable despite some hamfisted bottle stowing. It's a smart looking bottle cage and is brand neutral too.

Verdict

Good looking lightweight carbon cage that is durable and easy to use.

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Zefal Carbon Cage

Size tested: n/a

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?

Innovative & stylish carbon cage which is designed with a stronger tip for a better hold of the bottle.

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

Pulse Full Carbon Bottle Cage

Including bolts

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

The opening makes it a doddle to slide a bottle in even when you don't have time to look down, ideal for racing.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Despite its lightweight design, it is a tough and reasonably sturdy cage. Better suited to racing than commuting or touring.

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

At 25g carbon cages don't get that much lighter.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

Performed as intended. The split/open design ensures it accommodates bottles of different sizes easily.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Looks good on any bike.

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: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 31  Height: 180  Weight: 67

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

 

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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