At 1775g, there's a distinctly old school flavour to Zéfal's FP50 Profil Max that runs much deeper than the tough red/black livery. Its a steel barrel and base don't make it light, but they help it stand up to accidentally being kicked across the workshop floor — any mechanic who says they've never done that is telling porkies.
The dual-compound composite handle and super smooth piston make it a joy to use. The hose is a useful 110cm long. The patented Z-Switch head is a welcome innovation that overcomes the questionable durability of one-head-fits-all designs heads and the dismantle-and-swap faff factor associated with reversible heads. That said, ours seemed susceptible to air locks when toggling between valve types.
The FP50 also features a gargantuan gauge, accurate to within 2psi (verified by a standalone, digital unit) complete with integral magnifying lens and red bezel that void any excuses for under/over inflation. It got a 700x23 tubular to 160psi in 50 strokes, and a 700x24mm wire on reached 120psi in 28. To get a 700x35 to 100psi required 30 while a 26x1.75 was pushed to 80psi in 50 strokes.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Zéfal FP50 Trackpump
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?
"FP50 floorpump with heavy duty steel barrel and base. The FP50 includes a 1100mm extra long hose which includes the patented Z-Switch system for either Presta or Schrader valves. Pressure capacity is 180 psi." A delight to use and I can attest to a genuine 160psi.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Steel barrel & base, composite handle, pressure gauge with integral magnifying lens, 110cm hose.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Reassuringly hefty. 1775g by my scales.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Solid materials, construction and innovative features mean the FP50 is a delight to use. Genuinely accurate to within 2psi, its 68cm stature and composite handle are comfortable for prolonged periods, while the smooth action races even the most demanding tubulars to optimum pressure.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Pretty much everything.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Tendency for air locks when swapping between valve patterns.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Age: 38 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
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