Zefal Z-Shock MTB Shock Pump
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Product reviews
If you have a bike with air suspension, then at some point, you'll end up needing a shock pump. Whether this is setting up a new bike, adjusting the pressure to suit the changeable trails you will encounter, or topping up the air that may seep put over time. The Zefal Z-Shock MTB shock pump is a very user-friendly, ergonomic, and versatile option for the task. Its ease of use and accuracy makes it a good shock pump for both newbies and experienced shock users alike.
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Zefal Z-Shock MTB shock pump - Technical details
The Zefal Z-Shock's handle has an ergonomic shape for a comfortable hold. To help regulate pressure, there is a pressure regulator designed for more accuracy. The hose is long to avoid any potential damage to the valve stem. Made out of aluminium, Zefal claims that it weighs 235g, and when I weighed it myself, it came out at 244g.
The pump's gauge is big and shows the pressure in PSI and bars in easy-to-read numbers.
The length of the whole pump is 270mm, and the circumference of the gauge is 40mm. The maximum pressure the pump can inflate is 360PSI, so plenty of pressure can be pushed into the shock if needed. The website features seven steps of how to use the Zefal MTB Shock correctly to achieve the desired results.
Zefal Z-Shock MTB shock pump - Performance
Attaching the shock pump looked daunting at first use but after a few practice rounds, it was really simple and worked well. There are a few different parts in play when using this pump. There is a red screw sitting on top that activates the valve separately, after attaching the head using the silver screw, meaning that it'll release as little pressure as possible when attaching and taking the head off. To attach, screw the silver part onto the valve first, followed by the red. All of this was simple and smooth to operate.
To test the shock, I let out air from the shock, and when I started pumping air back in. It took a lot of effort, which is understandable, as there was high pressure already in the shock.
If you need to let air out on purpose, the red air regulator is easy to press and lets air out accurately. It is easy to use with a thumb while reading the gauge but feels quite delicate, so tiny gentle presses onto this.
Something I liked about the pump is that the gauge is large and easy to read. The information shown on it features the PSI and Bar measurement. The dial moves smoothly up and down, and there's no second-guessing what the correct reading is.
The handle is ergonomic, with a soft, comfortable rubber grip that allows for plenty of grip while operating. The grip is great for holding with either hand or both at the same time, which I found I needed to get to high pressure. What separates this pump from others is how useful it is that the dial, valve hose, and valve end all move independently from the body. This eliminates uncomfortable positions and angles you need to get into to attach the pump to the valve. All the parts that can rotate don’t impact the restriction of any other parts.
The hose has a nice channel for it to sit in so when not in use it can be stored as compact as possible with no flailing parts. The overall design is good and possibly slightly longer than other brands.
Zefal Z-Shock MTB shock pump - Value and verdict
Compared to others of a similar calibre, the Z-Shock pushes a big 360PSI max into the shock, which is more than most out there. Looking a the Fox High-Pressure Shock Pump which has a max output of 350PSI minus the ergonomic grip comes out at £42. Something that trumps the Zefal is the Lezyne Shock Drive Pump at £47 that pushes a whopping 400PSI of air into a shock plus has a neat handle and a zero-loss chuck design means air doesn't sneak out before the thread is off the valve.
For the price, you get a whole lot of pump with the Z-Shock . Full of useful, easy-to-use features and with an ergonomic handle, it is super comfortable to use. The big plus with the Z-Shock is the independently rotating parts for use in small and awkward spaces, although the valve can be a little fiddly with its two parts.