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review
Pumps & CO2 inflators
Birzman Zacoo CO2 Bottle Set PU GripBirzman Zacoo CO2 Bottle Set PU Grip

Birzman Zacoo CO2 Bottle Set PU Grip

6
by David Arthur @davearthur
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Feb 23, 2014

3
£19.99

VERDICT:

6
10
Effortless and quick inflation plus an ergonomic insulated grip
Weight: 
93g
Contact: 
www.i-ride.co.uk
How we test

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The Birzman Zacoo CO2 Bottle Set includes a couple of CO2 cartridges and an ergonomic polyurethane wrapping case to insulate your hands against the coldness of the canister.

When gas is released from a CO2 canister the temperature drops rapidly, and if you're clutching the canister in your bare hand without gloves it can be very unpleasant. The polyurethane slips over the canister before you use it, and protects your hand.

The grip is compatible with any regular threaded cartridge. To get you started, this kit, which retails for £20, includes three cartridges. The chuck screws onto the top of the canister and you simply push it onto a presta valve and hey presto your tyre quickly inflates. A single canister is good enough to get you back up to about 90 psi; enough to continue with your ride.

If you don't like puncturing, and who does, and don't want to waste time with a pump, then CO2 canisters offer an extremely quick method of inflation that will have you back on your bike in very short time. Some people really like the quickness of using CO2 canisters and their speed is hard to beat even with a decent frame pump. You might still want to carry a pump with you just in case though.

It's a simpler CO2 canister wrap then than the SKS Airchamp Pro, but equally priced the SKS looks a smarter design. Or for the same money there's the beautifully CNC-machined Lezyne Alloy Drive which, if you're a serial CO2 user, might be a better long-term investment.

Verdict

Effortless and quick inflation with the benefit of an ergonomic insulated grip to protect your hands from the sudden temperature drop when using CO2 canisters, but doesn't quite justify its high price

road.cc test report

Make and model: Birzman Zacoo CO2 Bottle Set PU Grip

Size tested: Black handle 25g cartridges

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?

2. CNC finished body

3. Coldness insulation function

4. Compatible with all treaded CO2 cartridges

5. Comes with a green color PU coldness insulation grip3 pcs CO2 cartridges and a CO2 joint.

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

To activate effortless inflation, press down on the head of the inflator to release the CO2.

The system allows for accurate controlled inflation.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

There are better CO2 canister cases for the same money.

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

Works well, protects your hand from the sudden temperature drop when activating a CO2 canister.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Ergonomic and easy to use, rapid tyre inflation.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

A bit pricey for what it is.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? No.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Probably not.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A good product, but needs to be cheaper to justify its place in the market.

Overall rating: 6/10

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,

 

Birzman Zacoo CO2 Bottle Set PU Grip
Birzman
David Arthur @davearthur

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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3 comments

Avatar
Some Fella | 10 years ago
0 likes

I have used them on several occasions.
With bare hands and everything.
They were a bit cold.
I got over it.

Avatar
Some Fella | 10 years ago
0 likes

'Protect against the coldness of the canister'

I think Rule #5 needs to be invoked here and anyone troubled by a cold CO2 canister needs to HTFU

Avatar
ajmarshal1 replied to Some Fella | 10 years ago
1 like
Some Fella wrote:

'Protect against the coldness of the canister'

I think Rule #5 needs to be invoked here and anyone troubled by a cold CO2 canister needs to HTFU

Go and use one with your bare hands and come back to me to use that statement again. The specialized ones I use would cause serious freeze injury with bare hands, much like the metal parts of a fire extinguisher. They freeze in the blink of an eye.

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