Anyone use Co2 inflators?

mudcow007

ive got money to spend on Specialized swag so was thinking of getting the "dual pump" thingy

normal pump with a Co2 cartridge aswell. i had a p******e on Friday an now have a really muscley arm from where i had to inflate my rear tyre....even then i only got it to about 60Psi

so Co2...is it a winner?

asprilla

It's a winner until you completely balls it up by either screwing the cannister in whilst the pump valve is pen, or you fail to get the pump off the tube valve quickly and your tyre just deflates whilst you struggle.

I've done both in succession leaving me to walk home.

Chad_c_Mulligan

I only use CO2 when out on the road, but I carry two canisters.

Clever Pun

I've got a mini pump that takes co2 cannisters, I've not mucked it up like Asprilla, but if I had, I could use the pump.

CO2 is a great way to make the whole miserable process much quicker

asprilla

Clever Pun wrote:

I've not mucked it up like Asprilla

If you want it mucking up then I'm the man.

I carry a road morph mini in my rucksack as well, but it's easier to use CO2.

meanredspider

CO2 is fab - fast and reliable with my Nano inflator. I've once had a misfire but I carry two cartridges and a micro pump for a bit of tyre fitting reinflation and hole-finding. Personally I wouldn't get a combined pump - the Nano is so small anyway.

gilesjuk

They're only really useful for skinny road tyres. They don't have the volume for bigger tyres.

lostboysaint

gilesjuk wrote:

They're only really useful for skinny road tyres. They don't have the volume for bigger tyres.

Unless you don't just take one............

Jehannum

I use a Barbieri VisionAir. It's a mini pump / CO2 inflator, but usefully, has a gauge, so you have a clue how much gas you're adding to the tube. It also seems to masquerade as the "Axiom Fuse Air LX gauge". I've had to use it twice in the last couple of weeks: I love it. It uses 16g threaded cartridges, costing around £1 a pop via eBay. It'll take a 700c x 23 up to about 120 psi easily enough. I paid about £10 for mine. Advice for use: open the valve very slowly indeed, as the gas comes out very, very quickly, once the valve starts to open.

HTH,

J.

TuckerUK

lostboysaint wrote:

gilesjuk wrote:

They're only really useful for skinny road tyres. They don't have the volume for bigger tyres.

Unless you don't just take one............

Or you use a bigger cartridge (they come in a least three sizes).

Or you only ride with low tyre pressures.

meanredspider

gilesjuk wrote:

They're only really useful for skinny road tyres. They don't have the volume for bigger tyres.

Actually I find the 16g ones spot-on for both Road tyres at around 110+psi and MTBs at around 40psi - which kinda makes sense.

MaxwellBygraves

Mini pump all the way for me.

mudcow007

tyres i will probably be using are marathons (28's) will a 16g cartridge do that to about 100psi?

fanks!

il_principe

Jehannum wrote:

It uses 16g threaded cartridges, costing around £1 a pop via eBay. It'll take a 700c x 23 up to about 120 psi easily enough.

Significantly cheaper here: http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/co2-cartridges/cat_22.html

meanredspider

mudcow007 wrote:

tyres i will probably be using are marathons (28's) will a 16g cartridge do that to about 100psi?

fanks!

Don't know for sure but I doubt it will quite manage 100psi. But then I guess 28s don't really need 100psi as that's what a lot of folk run 23s at

joelsim

Or take the bike to the LBS and let them do it

essex-commuter

I carry both CO2 (SKS) and a Pocket Rocket mini-pump. Always use the CO2 (100psi easy), pump is for back-up (will also deliver 100psi quite easy...but takes longer). CO2 refills from tyreinflator in bulk, then dish out amongst friends at cost.

Mr Plum

Picked up a Topeak One Timer in TK Max over the weekend for £7 on the clearance shelf. Couldn't leave it there for £7. Bargain. Wouldn't bother with it on the commute though, just means I've got a smaller 'pump' for the jersey pocket.

Jehannum

Il Principe wrote:

Jehannum wrote:

It uses 16g threaded cartridges, costing around £1 a pop via eBay. It'll take a 700c x 23 up to about 120 psi easily enough.

Significantly cheaper here: http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/co2-cartridges/cat_22.html

Ah, nice one - thanks!

Anonymous

jehannum - where did you get yours? Only found 2 places which stock your pump (one under each name) but the UK dealer is out of stock and the euro dealer wants £20 for it

mudcow007

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... ir_LX_Pump

?

Anonymous

https://www.bike24.net/1.php?content=8; ... 123c65d3dc

is the one I found. The Axiom doesn't have a pressure gauge.

Ive used this one: and it worked a treat.
http://www.genuineinnovations.com/secon ... -mini.html

think you can get them for about £20 in the uk.

Bloz

Went out for a ride on my MTB yesterday afternoon and stayed out longer than I expected - on way home it was getting dark and I had no lights, no pump - like to travel as light as poss. Got a puncture about 2 miles from home - reinflated with CO2 kept in a small saddlepack and was on my way within about 60 seconds and made it home without having to walk.

cyberknight

How long does the gas stay in a cannister?

Normally it is months before i would need one and i was just wondering ...........

Mr Plum

cyberknight wrote:

How long does the gas stay in a cannister?

Normally it is months before i would need one and i was just wondering ...........

You don't break the top of the cannister until you need it, and then you get 1 shot to full inflation per cannister. If you don't break the top of the cannister then the CO2 will stay pressurised inside it indefinitely.

desweller

Get a proper frame pump. You'll get 100psi in ~60 or 70 strokes, easy, without needing Arnie Schwarzeneggar's arms. You'll not have to spend money every time you use it. It will never run out of air. And you'll look like a proper cyclist instead of a lycra-wearing dentist.