Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Lezyne Speed Drive CO2

5
£12.99

VERDICT:

5
10
Very minimal, but difficult to operate effectively
Weight: 
71g
Contact: 
www.upgradebikes.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.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

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.

In theory, operating instructions are pretty straightforward: screw cartridge all the way into head, pop on the valve, unscrew half a turn, tyre rock hard in seconds, off you go. I didn't find screwing the cartridge in that easy in the first place and when I did the CO2 came straight out. After trying this twice, once with a Lezyne cartridge and once with another brand cartridge, both time with the same results, I called it a day. I expected that I had a duff one and when the replacement duly arrived it did seal when the cartridge punctured, allowing you to inflate the tyre. Even then, though, it doesn't give a great deal of control and sealing is still a bit hit and miss. I wouldn't want to rely on it.

Another downside of a minimal design like this is that it will freeze to your hands if you're not careful, definitely make sure you're either wearing gloves or you stick your jersey or something in between your hands and the cartridge. Call me a wuss, but I don't trust things under pressure all that much. Above all else, I need two things from a CO2 pump: I need to feel in control, and I need to trust it's going to get my tyre inflated when I need it to. This pump fails on both counts for me. Lezyne's more substantial Alloy Drive is a much better bet.

Verdict

Very minimal, but difficult to operate effectively.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Lezyne Speed Drive CO2

Size tested: n/a

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
5/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
10/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
4/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Not really

Would you consider buying the product? No, I'd go for the Alloy Drive

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No

Overall rating: 5/10

About the tester

Age: 32  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: All of them!  My best bike is: Cervelo Dual

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

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, touring, club rides, fixed/singlespeed, Audax

Add new comment

1 comments

Avatar
jezzzer | 14 years ago
0 likes

2 1/2 stars seems quite generous then....!

Latest Comments