Birzman Scope Apogee

The Scope Apogee is one of eight mini-pumps in Birzman's Road Pump range. It's a well-designed, light pump that gives sufficient roadside pressure that anyone in not too much of a hurry would be happy with; a seasoned or impatient roadie may not be so content.

• Pros: Great Apogee head, comfortable to hold, secure mount included
• Cons: The effort to get to 120psi, no flexible hose, no gauge

The last Birzman mini-pump we reviewed on road.cc was the Velocity Apogee, in 2015. Back then the Snap-it Apogee valve adapter head was new; it was effectively an add-on to the already existing Snap-it head. It's still a feature on the vast majority of Birzman's road, mountain bike and mini-road pumps. Clearly it's a seller. It fits both Presta and Schrader valves, and is basically idiot proof: one simple shift of the collar flicks between the two. Engagement is instant and there is absolutely no air loss when you disengage the head. It's effective and durable.

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Birzman divides its hand pumps into two broad categories according to their valve heads – with hose, or L-shaped with no hose. Birzman told me the Scope Apogee was designed as an upgrade to the Mini Apogee, a pocket-sized pump with an L-shaped head. The Scope is 25g heavier than the Mini at 100g, but the longer 22cm body provides greater leverage while inflating. The Mini's aluminium handle is replaced with a more user-friendly version – a grippier hard neoprene with a lip that sits against the thumb tip or groove of the index finger. This handle modification certainly makes things effortless at lower pressures.

Birzman has added a dust cap too, but it's a real fiddle to get it seated plush into the head and I'm not entirely convinced it will stand the test of time. 

The Scope Apogee is rated at a maximum of 120psi, but after 350 strokes I was at 80psi and decided that was enough. It didn't actually take too long to reach 80psi, and I wasn't really fighting too much resistance, it's more that, since the head is a direct mount there is no flexibility in the pump's position while you work to inflate the tyre, which makes things tiresome after a while.

I'm generally happy with 80psi to get me home after a flat anyway. And it doesn't happen often with a decent set of tyres...

The Scope Apogee is a solid unit whose CNC'd aluminium body withstands being dropped onto concrete – though it's unlikely to hit the tarmac with speed or force thanks to the mountable holder it comes with. This is attached to the frame at the bottle cage threads; the screws provided aren't long enough if you want a cage on top of the mount, but that's easily overcome.

> Buyer's Guide: 14 of the best bicycle pumps and CO2 inflators

The mount has three 'clamping points' for holding the pump. Two sit close together, one round the aluminium body and the other round the handle to keep the pump in its most compact state. The third clamp sits further down the barrel and features a silicone band for extra security. It's unlikely to be put to the test as the clamp really is solid. Good job too, as the silicone band only sits in a groove rather than being attached to the bracket.

For a short-distance commuter the Scope is a decent option – it can permanently sit securely on the frame and will give you enough pressure to get you to your destination. For faster outings and training rides, roadies in favour of mini-pumps (let's be honest, they are like Marmite) will love how light the Scope is and how smooth inflation is, but it's outshone by the Velocity Apogee for pumping power (80psi took Mike "220-ish" strokes) and the Velocity has a flexible hose and a gauge, all for just a few quid more. It also doesn't stand out when pitched against similar models by other manufacturers, such as Unich's High Pressure Long mini-pump, now £21.99, or the GT Attack at £16.99.

Verdict

Solid yet light mini-pump, with a decent mounting bracket, but pack a gel or two if you want to reach 120psi