Using CO2

musto_skiff
musto_skiff Posts: 394
edited April 2008 in Workshop
I have brought a CO2 gadget and have a couple of questions ...

I am almost tempted to have a go with one just to experiment but it seems a bit wasteful.

I have the 16oz ones as the bloke in the shop said best to have a bit spare ...

How do you avoid over inflation?

It says not to disconnect a part used one; how do you empty it?

Any other top tips?

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Just use a whole 16g to fill the tyre.
    I like bikes...

    Twitter
    Flickr
  • mick_cornick
    mick_cornick Posts: 175
    I have just got the same and I did have a quick go because I didn't want to find out I couldn't work it out on the trail!
    I don't think over inflation would be a problem probably the reverse is true. By the way I got 6 spare cartridges for a tenner.
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    Mick Cornick wrote:
    By the way I got 6 spare cartridges for a tenner.

    Where from?
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    musto_skiff wrote:
    I
    It says not to disconnect a part used one; how do you empty it?

    Any other top tips?

    If you disconnect(uscrew the cartridge) all the remaining air will run out because of the
    hole in the top or are you talking about unscrewing one before it's empty so you can install a new one?? Which is not a problem, just a waste of air. I guess I'm not real
    sharp today as I not sure what you're saying, or for that matter what I'm saying.
    I do know that a trial run or two to learn how to use it is a good idea before going
    out on a ride. Carry two cartridges with you on rides. You never know.

    Dennis Noward
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    musto_skiff wrote:
    It says not to disconnect a part used one; how do you empty it?
    I just leave the part-used one on and use it to part-inflate the tube before fitting it into the tyre - hard to do with a full cylinder as the stuff comes out so fast! The cylinders are small enough I don't find it a problem to carry a full spare.
    The reason for not disconnecting a part used one is the cryogenic effect of the expanding gas* - you could easily give yourself a "cold burn" or stick yourself to the metal! If you do want to do it for any reason, stop unscrewing and put it down as soon as you hear gas start to escape then be aware it may be extremely cold afterwards.

    *This is also the reason for the little sleeve that fits over the canister.
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • juggler
    juggler Posts: 262
    i use them and they are great for getting rideable pressure if you have still a way to go. But a 16oz on a 700 x 23c says it inflates to 130psi, so i am also a bit concerned that this is over the recommended pressure for my tyres (120).
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    juggler wrote:
    i use them and they are great for getting rideable pressure if you have still a way to go. But a 16oz on a 700 x 23c says it inflates to 130psi, so i am also a bit concerned that this is over the recommended pressure for my tyres (120).

    It'll be fine....they rate the tyres slightly lower that what they can actually take. You can always let a bit of gas out after the canister is empty
    I like bikes...

    Twitter
    Flickr
  • turkeytickler
    turkeytickler Posts: 640
    top tip - dont buy your carts from the bike shops - they are silly money

    try this....

    http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=256

    No im not an airgun or paintballing fanatic before you ask!
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    turkeytickler wrote:
    top tip - dont buy your carts from the bike shops - they are silly money

    try this....

    http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=256

    No im not an airgun or paintballing fanatic before you ask!

    Great price but 30!! I hope never to use the 3 I have. .... any other places that do go deals on lower numbers?

    Edit - I see now they also have smaller packs ... bloody good deal,,,
  • andrewgturnbull
    andrewgturnbull Posts: 3,861
    turkeytickler wrote:
    top tip - dont buy your carts from the bike shops - they are silly money

    try this....

    http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=256

    No im not an airgun or paintballing fanatic before you ask!

    Hi there.

    Have you used these cartridges?

    I have and they're cr4p. The unbranded ones are designed for the catering industry and are at a _much_ lower pressure than the genuine ones. It took me two cartridges to get about 70psi into a 23c tyre, which just about got me home. The genuine ones do about 120psi and let you get back into a race.

    Cheers, Andy
    http://www.andyturnbull.co.uk
    http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk
  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    My Co2 pump allows you to regulate the amount you put into the tube, though you have to be quick as the stuff comes out very fast. I would not be without one, I always carry a mini pump as well to get the tyre round and make sure the tube isn't trapped first though.

    I can also recommend tyre inflators for cartridges, they often have good deals on pumps too.
  • turkeytickler
    turkeytickler Posts: 640
    andrewgturnbull wrote:
    turkeytickler wrote:
    top tip - dont buy your carts from the bike shops - they are silly money

    try this....

    http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=256

    No im not an airgun or paintballing fanatic before you ask!

    Hi there.

    Have you used these cartridges?

    I have and they're cr4p. The unbranded ones are designed for the catering industry and are at a _much_ lower pressure than the genuine ones. It took me two cartridges to get about 70psi into a 23c tyre, which just about got me home. The genuine ones do about 120psi and let you get back into a race.

    Cheers, Andy

    I havent used tyre inflators specifically - but if you google on CO2 cartirdges you will find loads of sites - mainly for paintballing and airguns which i have used....which are the same price or thereabouts.

    No difference between those and the "genuine" ones as far as I have seen - although the ones I have used have always been from paintballing/airgun suppliers rather than catering which may explain it?
  • robbie the roadie
    robbie the roadie Posts: 423
    could someone recomend me a CO2 pump. cheers.
    Cycling - The pastime of spending large sums of money you don't really have on something you don't really need.
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    robbie the roadie wrote:
    could someone recomend me a CO2 pump. cheers.
    The ones that are effectively a mini pump with a CO2 cartridge in the handle are good, you can use the pump for partial inflation during fitting (or to fully inflate if you have multiple flats) and they usually have a valve and gauge to control the release of the pressure. The one I had came from Decathlon but it packed in so I can't really recommend it - that style is good, though.

    I'm currently using a tiny cheap thing from Halfords which is basically just an adaptor that screws onto the cartridge and allows it to be connected to the tyre valve. Very basic but it's small, light and does the job (just about). If I used it a lot I'd probably get a better one.
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • MegaCycle
    MegaCycle Posts: 236
    Frankly I have never seen the point in those things. I just carry a compact pump in my jersey and find it perfectly adequate when I get a puncture.
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    andrewgturnbull wrote:
    turkeytickler wrote:
    top tip - dont buy your carts from the bike shops - they are silly money

    try this....

    http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=256

    No im not an airgun or paintballing fanatic before you ask!

    Hi there.

    Have you used these cartridges?

    I have and they're cr4p. The unbranded ones are designed for the catering industry and are at a _much_ lower pressure than the genuine ones. It took me two cartridges to get about 70psi into a 23c tyre, which just about got me home. The genuine ones do about 120psi and let you get back into a race.

    Cheers, Andy

    Bugger!!!!, I've just ordered some 30 for £20 inc postage seemed like a good deal.
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    I've tyreinflators cartridges on several occasions and they've been fine. Saved my bacon and they're far better than a minpump especially if you have impatient riding buddies or you're riding in a sportive etc and don't want to loose time.
  • everogere
    everogere Posts: 68
    Just a silly question but how do you know if the cartridge is full ??
    I have few left in my shed for a while, how do I know if they are good ones with sufficent air to inflate my tyres if I do need to?
  • cacbyname
    cacbyname Posts: 285
    You can't observe without affecting the results in this case. If you really want to know how good they are, just let all the air out of a tire, attach the cannister, inflate and then measure the tire pressure :)
  • turkeytickler
    turkeytickler Posts: 640
    schlepcycling wrote:
    andrewgturnbull wrote:
    turkeytickler wrote:
    top tip - dont buy your carts from the bike shops - they are silly money

    try this....

    http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=256

    No im not an airgun or paintballing fanatic before you ask!

    Hi there.

    Have you used these cartridges?

    I have and they're cr4p. The unbranded ones are designed for the catering industry and are at a _much_ lower pressure than the genuine ones. It took me two cartridges to get about 70psi into a 23c tyre, which just about got me home. The genuine ones do about 120psi and let you get back into a race.

    Cheers, Andy

    Bugger!!!!, I've just ordered some 30 for £20 inc postage seemed like a good deal.
    I wouldnt worry - im farily sure they are all just generics with a little branding printed on them. They are sold by these sites (including tyre inflators) with figures that show the pressures vs different tyre configs you can expect from them so if they fail you can send them straight back under the sale of goods act. Not that you will need to IME.

    tt
  • Shadowduck
    Shadowduck Posts: 845
    everogere wrote:
    Just a silly question but how do you know if the cartridge is full ??
    I have few left in my shed for a while, how do I know if they are good ones with sufficent air to inflate my tyres if I do need to?
    If it hasn't got a hole in the end, it's full. :?
    Even if the voices aren't real, they have some very good ideas.
  • andrewgturnbull
    andrewgturnbull Posts: 3,861
    turkeytickler wrote:
    schlepcycling wrote:
    andrewgturnbull wrote:
    turkeytickler wrote:
    top tip - dont buy your carts from the bike shops - they are silly money

    try this....

    http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=256

    No im not an airgun or paintballing fanatic before you ask!

    Hi there.

    Have you used these cartridges?

    I have and they're cr4p. The unbranded ones are designed for the catering industry and are at a _much_ lower pressure than the genuine ones. It took me two cartridges to get about 70psi into a 23c tyre, which just about got me home. The genuine ones do about 120psi and let you get back into a race.

    Cheers, Andy

    Bugger!!!!, I've just ordered some 30 for £20 inc postage seemed like a good deal.
    I wouldnt worry - im farily sure they are all just generics with a little branding printed on them. They are sold by these sites (including tyre inflators) with figures that show the pressures vs different tyre configs you can expect from them so if they fail you can send them straight back under the sale of goods act. Not that you will need to IME.

    tt

    Let me know how you get on - you might have more luck than me...
    http://www.andyturnbull.co.uk
    http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk

Categories