Pump or CO2 Inflator?

skyd0g

I'm just getting back into (road) cycling & currently ride solo, while trying to build-up my general fitness. As such, I'm worried about getting a flat while several miles away from home.

What kit would anyone advise to carry?
Patches + small hand pump?
Patches + CO2 inflator?
Patches + one of above + a spare tube? :?

Any recommendations specifically in the pump/CO2 area? I'd prefer something as small and light as possible, while still keeping an eye on the pennies.
Ta!

blu3cat

I tried the pump + patches, and got my first puncture - took ages to repair in the rain.

The pump was a very small and very light one, and took an age to get the tyre inflated enough to get home so I could use my track pump.

Since then I now carry a spare tube + inflator as well as a pump and patches, just in case.

I have seen, and am very tempted to buy a pump that has a co2 inflator adapter built in. It also has enough room in the barrel for a 16g cannister as well. THis plus a spare tube and patches in case of multiple punct**es is probably what I would recommend.

alfablue

I use a Planet-X combined pump and CO2 inflater - only used it once but it was fine. The pump is probably good for "get you home" pressures. I wouldn't take a CO2 inflater alone, and if it were one or the other I would take a pump, probably a Topeak Morph or a Lezyne (one with a tube for fitting on the valve), as these pumps are the most ergonomic, and the tube prevents breaking the valve (which I have done in the past due to clumsiness).

Interestingly, a CO2 cylinder fits neatly inside the axle of my FSA chainset, so I have the pump behind the bottle cage, CO2 in chainset, and a tiny Scicon Phantom seat pack for tube, patches and Lezyne multi-tool - probably as minimalist as it gets.

When touring I take a Topeak Turbo Morph - almost as good as a track pump, but too big for day rides.

The Planet-x combi pump

Monty Dog

Carry a spare tube(s) a sticky patch kit and get a decent frame-fit pump. CO2 is fine for when you need quick repairs - sportives / races but I wouldn't rely on them all the time. Most mini pumps are a waste of money IME, but if you insist the Lezyne ones with the conector hose are one of the few I'd recommend.

Dunedin397

When I'm commuting I take a mini pump, 2xCO2, a patch kit and a spare tube. I'll take the same on a local ride, but when I'm doing an event I'll take a 2nd tube. When I'm doing a time trial I'll leave the mini-pump at home.

I only use the mini pump to give the new tube some shape, I use the CO2 to inflate it when it's on the wheel.

CO2 cartridges can be had quite cheaply and they're worth the money for the convenience.

If I were to do longer rides I'd take a frame pump instead of the mini pump.

Dunedin397

kozzo

Spare tube and GIYO GM04S minipump

skyd0g

I like the look of the Lezyne, especially as it's "old-school" with a proper hose as I was worried about damaging the valve with the direct fit hand pumps. Or alternately, running out of air with the CO2 cartridge types.

...and as I'm pretty light, I don't need to get anywhere near 120psi to get me home.

...and I've got some patches and a spare tube, so I should be set! 8)

I'd also read somewhere about carrying a small piece of denim, for emergencies in case of a split in the tyre wall?

hitthewall

Tyre inflators plus cheap CO2 cylinders from these people:

http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/innovati ... cat_8.html

I have an Innovations SL Air Chuck. Does the job and the cheap Mosa 16gm screw-in cylinders fit and work fine. just ordered a box of 10 which I'm hoping will last a while...Dont forget some grips - the cylinder gets cold.

I also take a Lezyne pressure drive mini pump (medium) and Park self adhesive patches. Use the Lezyne to get up to a reasonable pressure and top off with a CO2 cylinder. From flat, one CO2 cylinder will fill a tyre more or less. If starting with air already in the tyre, be careful because if a whole cylinder is used it can over-pressurise the tyre. I speak from experience and ended one day patching up a hole in my tyre as the pressure broke through (unless it was a weak tyre).

rhann

pumps cheaper.