Zefal HPX Review
A durable frame pump at a competitive price
Photo: Zefal
Price: $40 List | $40.07 at Amazon
Pros: Inexpensive, easy to use, durable
Cons: Hard plastic frame bumpers, heavy
Manufacturer: Zefal
Cons: Hard plastic frame bumpers, heavy
Manufacturer: Zefal
By Curtis Smith ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Dec 17, 2016
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Our Verdict
The Zefal HPX is a high-quality frame pump. It offers great pumping performance and a reasonable price compared to competitors. It operates on the same spring-loaded handle concept as other frame pumps we have tested. It is not as aesthetically pleasing as the Silca Impero Ultimate, but it is a reliable workhorse of a pump.
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 This Product
Zefal HPX | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $40.07 at Amazon | $36.19 at Amazon | $84.99 at Competitive Cyclist Compare at 2 sellers | $49.99 at Competitive Cyclist Compare at 2 sellers | $40 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Inexpensive, easy to use, durable | Great pumping performance, easy to use, affordable | Excellent pumping power, highly portable, digital readout | Durable, user friendly, pumping performance | Easy to use, threadless valve head, retractable hose, doubles as a front shock pump |
| Cons | Hard plastic frame bumpers, heavy | Heavy, Too big to fit in a jersey or a hip pack | Too large for a frame mount or to fit in a hip pack | Lack of versatility | Hose is short, not as powerful as larger pumps, not for road bikes |
| Bottom Line | A reasonably priced and highly-functional frame pump for road or cyclocross bikes | The performance of a floor pump, but the size of a frame pump | This is our recommended mini-pump if you carry a backpack | If you need a high pressure pump for low pressure tires, this is a great option | Light and effective, this is a great option to mount on your frame or stash in your jersey |
| Rating Categories | Zefal HPX | Topeak Road Morph G | Micro Floor Digital Drive HVG | Lezyne Pressure Drive | Birzman Velocity Apogee MTB |
| Pumping Performance (30%) | |||||
| Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
| Portability (20%) | |||||
| Looks And Design (10%) | |||||
| Durability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Zefal HPX | Topeak Road Morph G | Micro Floor... | Lezyne Pressure... | Birzman Velocity... |
| Weight | 247g | 204g | 242g | 90g | 136g |
| Length | 52cm Max, Min 46cm | 35cm | 30.48cm | 19cm | 17.78cm |
| 25C Road Tire Pressure following 200 Pumps | 95psi | 125psi | 76 psi at 100 pumps | 60psi | 44 psi at 100 pumps |
| Tire Pressure 27.5 x 2.3" Following 300 Pumps | 34psi | 50psi | 40 psi at 200 pumps | 17psi | 22psi |
| Ability to reach 90psi in a road tire 25cc | Yes | Yes | N/A | Yes | N/A |
| Pump Head Type | Standard Integrated with locking lever | Hose with locking lever | Threaded hose w/pressure relief valve | Hose Thread On | Non-thread hose, slip on |
| Presta Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Schrader Compatible | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Frame Mount Bracket Included? | Spring Loaded for Frame Mount | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pressure Gauge? | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
The HPX mounted under the top tube of a Trek Emonda.
Photo: Curtis Smith
Zefal pumps have been around since the 1970s and are known for their reliability and secure mounting. Looking at the current HPX model compared to photos of the old HP model from the 70s, it appears that not much has changed. The HPX is a direct competitor to the Silca Impero. While the HPX does not look as polished as the Impero, it pumps well and has some nice features, such as a spring lockout on the handle.
Ease of Use
The HPX is relatively easy to use. The pump is stored on a bicycle frame by outward pressure from a spring-loaded handle. Mounting the pump to a frame is essentially the same process for all the frame pumps we tested. The Zefal has hard plastic bumpers on each end, making it slightly more difficult to mount than the Impero, which has flexible silicone bumpers. If you have a curvy or odd shaped frame or tubing, the Impero provides a more secure mount and is less likely to damage paint.
The HPX has a standard integrated pump head with locking lever. The lever is easy to use, but it is one more step as compared to the Impero with its press-on dual seal system. Pumping effort is comparable to the Impero.
The pump discharge end of the HPX has a nylon grip for better pump control during inflation.
Photo: Curtis Smith
Pumping Performance
The HPX is a solid performer when it comes to pumping. It achieved 95psi at 200 pump strokes in our road tire test, a respectable performance. But the Impero blows it out of the water, reaching 103 psi at only 112 strokes. The Impero is the clear winner when it comes to efficiency at high pressure, but the HPX will get the job done.
The HPX also did well on the higher volume mountain bike tire test, reaching 34psi at 300 strokes, compared to 37psi with the Impero Ultimate.
Looks/Design
We would be lying through our teeth if we told you that the HPX is a great looking pump. It does not have the clean lines and level of craftsmanship seen on the Impero. It has a much more rough-and-tumble feel with a nylon handgrip near the pumping head. The pump head and bumpers are far less elegant than what you will find on the Impero.
The HPX is rebuildable, but sourcing parts may be an issue. We had a hard time finding a retailer that stocks them. We like the option to lock out the spring so that you are not pushing against it at the end of the pump stroke, a feature you will not find on the Impero. We also appreciate the all-metal construction.
The end of the pump handle rotates on the HPX. In the X position, the spring is engaged for mounting to the frame. In the HP position, the spring is locked out so that you are not pushing against it while pumping.
Photo: Curtis Smith
Portability
This is a very portable pump — when used on the right bike. It works on carbon frames, but the points of contact are not nearly as reassuring as those found on the Impero. We also experienced some rattling from the pump on rough roads that we did not have with the Impero. If you have a steel, aluminum or Titanium frame with traditional round tubing, then the HPX will work great. If you have a carbon frame, you will be better off with the Impero Ultimate or Pocket.
The HPX out for testing, attached under the top tube.
Photo: Curtis Smith
Durability
The HPX proved to be very durable during testing. The pump head did not develop any slop or play following pump testing, and we did not detect any noticeable loss of efficiency following testing. The pump is made almost entirely of aluminum with some internal steel components. The black finish showed no signs of corrosion chipping or wear.
The Impero scores higher due to its high-end internal components and readily available replacement parts, while the Lezyne Road and Pressure Drive pumps and theTopeak RaceRocket also score similarly to the Impero.
Value
This pump is a bargain at a low retail pice, as it's a solid pump. Comparably priced (or cheaper) pumps are the Topeak RaceRocket and the Pro Bike Tool High Pressure Gauge.
Conclusion
The Zefal is the working man's answer to the pricy Silca Impero. It does not pump as well as the Impero, nor look as nice, but it will get the job done.
The plastic bumpers on the HPX are designed with the top tube/down tube junction in mind.
Photo: Curtis Smith
— Curtis Smith