Air hand pump or CO2?

Anyone have an opinion on which is better and why?
My new bike arrives in a few weeks and I'm buying bits for it, want to balance cost and effectiveness
Xom
My new bike arrives in a few weeks and I'm buying bits for it, want to balance cost and effectiveness
Xom
MTB Trek 4300 Disc 1999
Road Rose Carbon Pro RS Custom
Canyon Spectral AL 7.9 29er
Road Rose Carbon Pro RS Custom
Canyon Spectral AL 7.9 29er
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CO2 isn't 100% reliable, so what happens when it doesn't work? Fine in a group if someone's carry a pump - if not, you're $crewed.
Simple solutions are:
carry 2 or 3 cannisters with you
carry CO2 and handpump
buy a combo pump such as http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bicyc ... arbon.html
P.S If you are going to buy a CO2 pump get a cupped one as it stops frost bite when the air is rushing out. e.g. http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bicyc ... one-2.html
I have given up on CO2 and rely solely on a Lezyne mini pump. It weighs next to nothing and is more than capable of providing 100psi on the very rare occasions when it is required.
Peter
you can't go wrong at £9.50
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/genuine-innovations-second-wind-co2-carbon-road-pump/
I find it easier to fit tubes and get tyres re-installed if the new tube has just a little bit of air in it, enough for it to sort of hold shape without creasing. I put a few puffs in with a pump to get started, fit tube and tyre, a few more puffs to get the tyre bead seated correctly, stop and check, then pump up to full pressure.
Can't do that with CO2 canister.
It seems some people prefer 110 or 120. Is this down to tyres recommended settings or can you vary it on personal choice?
Road Rose Carbon Pro RS Custom
Canyon Spectral AL 7.9 29er
Of course you can, Co2 pumps come with a trigger release or a screw head valve to release the contents as quickly or slowly as you need to. It's not a case of releasing it all at once!!!
2008 Specialized FSR XC Comp
2008 Scott Speedster S30 FB
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Sorry, but that's toss.
I use CO2 and just release a tiny touch, then fit, release a tiny touch, and seat, then inflate in sub 20 seconds.
I use the same technique as you so maybe you're being a little heavy handed or have used an inferior model?
I bought one recently and it works great. After much frustration using useless mini pumps this is my current pump of choice. No broken valves and gets you up to 100 psi without any sweat.
Make your mind up about CO2 later after you've been riding a while.
There are other good pumps out there but cost much more than £10. This will do the job for now easy.
Edit - forgot the link
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/axiom-enforce-a ... road-pump/
You may well be right. I bought one from LBS, which was the recommended one at the time. It wasn't cheap, but at least small and light. It works fine inflating a tyre, but not for start and stop inflation at all, so it's been consigned to the drawer...
I have now gone back to using a mini pump, it's not perfect but it's the best solution in my opinion and can get enough pressure to finish the ride and get home. I would suggest testing it every so often at home as you don't want to find out in a layby 30 miles from home that it's broken.
Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2