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Birzman Feextube 10-speed kit

7
£8.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Convenient inner tube patch and chain connector in a packable case
Weight: 
25g
Contact: 
www.i-ride.co.uk

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Birzman are making inroads into the tools and accessory market and the Birzman Feextube 10-speed kit is another excellent product, combining smart design and practicality for roadside repairs.

The Feextube contains patches and a 9/10 speed chain pin and connector to get you back on the road if you suffer a puncture or broken chain. It's small and light enough to slip into a jersey pocket or inside a saddle bag so as you won't notice it's there, until that unfortunate mechanical when you'll be glad of it.

You get three glueless patches and a stainless steel scuffer to rough up the inner tube to give the patch better purchase when applying it. Three patches isn't that generous, but to keep the overall package small there's only space for three. I always carry one or two inner tubes, depending on the ride length, so three patches allows for five flats. Any more than that and I will have long since lost my sense of humour and be looking for an alternative method of getting home. The patches are easily applied and the couple I've used are still going strong.

Inside too is a chain connector (essentially a SRAM Powerlink) and pin that works with 9 and 10 speed chains, the pin is for Shimano chains and the link for SRAM chains. The chain connector works with SRAM and Shimano chains (I don't have a Campagnolo bike to test on) and is by far the easiest option. Clearly you're also going to need a chain tool, but you've got one on your multi tool, right?

And that's about it really. It's a nice way of carrying a couple of patches and chain connector. Of course there's nothing to stop you from stashing a couple of patches and a chain link separately in your pocket or saddle bag, and that's undoubtedly the cheaper option. The Feextube is a nicer way of carrying those small items though and ensures you won't lose them. It'll also keep them dry - I dropped it in a glass of water and the contents remained dry.

Verdict

Convenient inner tube patch and chain connector in a packable case.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Birzman Feextube 10-speed kit

Size tested: 10-speed

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?

Feextube 9 & 10 Spd Kit FEEXTUBE is another innovative design of FEEX series.

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

A patch kit with modern cosmetic appearance and friendly usage.

*Eraser-like stainless steel scuffer providing comfort grip

*Three glue less patches one tire boots

*Combination of Misty Black and Silver finish

*with 9 or 10 speed chain connector and pin

BM09-PO-AFT-06-K: one set

BM09-PO-AFT-04-K: 30 sets per box

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Nicely put together, feels solid and durable to use, which is a must for a product that could see a lot of use.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

One of those products you hope never to use, but when you do, it's a convenient method of storing essential patches and chain links.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

IT could live a long time in a saddle bag and be punished in all weathers, and this one has so far stood up to that test.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10

Weighs very little, but is heavier than transporting the contents on their own.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

£9 is pretty good, you could pay that much for the chain connector and pin alone.

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

Yes very well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Nice solid container and easily store patches and chain connector.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing to dislike really.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Overall rating: 7/10

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,

 

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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1 comments

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TheHatter | 11 years ago
0 likes

seems like Birzman are to Lezyne as Torm are to Rapha?

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