CO2 Q

EssexSuffolk
EssexSuffolk Posts: 112
edited April 2009 in Road beginners
Hi,
I've just bought a CO2 inflator to accompany me on long bike rides - question I have is, is it safe to load the cartirdge in the inflator and leave it there in readiness for using it, or should I only load it in just before using it?

The instructions give no clue....

Thanks

Comments

  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    I wait till I need mine.

    I would worry about a gradual seepage over time leaving me with an empty cartridge when I needed it.
  • Mount Pleasant
    Mount Pleasant Posts: 34
    Probably depends on the type you have. Inflators with a trigger might be less leaky than the basic ones, but I would expect the best thing to do is carry them as separates until you need them. That said it is a good idea to practice with this at least once at home/ in the garage before you rely on the system when you're miles away!
  • pdstsp
    pdstsp Posts: 1,264
    I was looking at one of these at the weekend as I'm fed up with using crap mini-pumps, but the guy in my lbs reckoned they only give enough pressure to get home, not a full wack - is this everybody's experience? What sort of pressure do they give?
  • Shezzer
    Shezzer Posts: 229
    I can get a lot more pressure in the tyre using a CO2 pump rather than a hand pump.
  • gkerr4
    gkerr4 Posts: 3,408
    pdstsp wrote:
    I was looking at one of these at the weekend as I'm fed up with using crap mini-pumps, but the guy in my lbs reckoned they only give enough pressure to get home, not a full wack - is this everybody's experience? What sort of pressure do they give?

    I used mine for the first time on Sunday - a roadside repair on my rear vittoria open corsa evo.

    I was amazed!

    Get the new tube in, tyre back on, screw co2 cartridge into the valve-thing - push valve thing onto inner tube valve, crack pressure valve open and "whoosh" - instant rock hard rear tyre! - must have been an easy 120psi - literaly in the blink of an eye! - no messing, no fuss,no sweating - just instand 120psi!

    fantastic - i was well impressed with it (it's been in my saddlebag for over two years unused - superb thing!)
  • Diogenes
    Diogenes Posts: 1,628
    pdstsp wrote:
    I was looking at one of these at the weekend as I'm fed up with using crap mini-pumps, but the guy in my lbs reckoned they only give enough pressure to get home, not a full wack - is this everybody's experience? What sort of pressure do they give?

    On a 23mm tyre the cartridge will easily get to 120psi, not sure about fat MTB tyres where more volume but lower pressure is required.

    The cartridges are good, just don't keep your fingers on the inflator whilst releasing the CO2, it is damn cold! I also keep mine separate from the inflator until I need the thing, it takes no putting in and avoids seepage of gas over time.

    D :D
  • pdstsp
    pdstsp Posts: 1,264
    Thanks guys - I think I'll invest in one.
  • k-dog
    k-dog Posts: 1,652
    In some models you can put the cartridge in upside down - so it takes up the same space as being loaded - but won't leak any more than if it was stored separately.

    Their main disadvantage is that C02 leaks out of tyres - but that will take a while so you can use your track pump the next morning.
    I'm left handed, if that matters.
  • mattsccm
    mattsccm Posts: 409
    a 16gm cartridge fills the 32mm tyres on my cross bike nicely. CO2 will disappear. we found this out years ago with motorcycles. Don't pierce the cartridge before you have to just in case. In the past I have used a pump to stuff some psi into a tyre then used the CO2 to push the pressures well up beyond what was easy with a cheap pump.
  • Rev\'d Gatlin
    Rev\'d Gatlin Posts: 190
    pdstsp wrote:
    Thanks guys - I think I'll invest in one.

    Word of warning. My Co2 inflator is now consigned to the dog house after letting me down on the road. It's an Innovations Dual CO2 and pump. About 18 months old. Used about 10 times. The problem came when the nipple wouldn't pierce the canister. Either it had sunk in the housing or had somehow become blunt. I had 2 canisters with me and neither worked. I used the handpump which was pretty asthmatic. Not very impressed. When the CO2 did work it was excellent. Don't know if I was just fielding a rogue.

    I'm not thinking of going back anytime soon.
    If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers.
  • hitthewall
    hitthewall Posts: 114
    some more info here plus where to buy

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12616839
  • Mister W
    Mister W Posts: 791
    If you're using a CO2 pump that screws onto the valve check the threads on the valves. If the thread is damaged then the pump won't make a good seal and you won't be able to get enough pressure in the tyre........ as I found out half way round a 100miler.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    I love my Co2 widget, 120psi in 1 second, bloody marvellous. I use an airchuck sl:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Innovations_Air_Chuck_SL_Pump/5360018215/

    and buy cartridges from tyreinflators:


    http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/co2-cartridges-16gm/mosa-16gm-threaded-co2-box-of-05/prod_235.html

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