CO2 or Normal hand pump?

Nick_105
Nick_105 Posts: 38
edited June 2012 in Road buying advice
Hi guys just wondering what your opinions on CO2 and normal hand pumps are and whether you think either of the above would be better.

Thanks

Nick :)

Comments

  • lucasf09
    lucasf09 Posts: 160

    I have also read good things about the Lenzyne and Topeak one (esp the cobra), but no personal experience.
    I also tend to carry a crappy hand pump (blackburn I believe, but not sure), but use that as ultra emergency (as in no CO2 carts left), or to pump up punctured inner to see where puncture is on the road (though only take it if I am cycling to work with a back pack, cycling with no luggage just take the CO2 one).
    I also recommend that if you do get a CO2 one you buy your cartridges from Ebay, there are some Chinese suppliers that sell them for £1ish each (in packs of 10-20), rather than £2-£3 of the branded ones
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,413
    handpump, lezyne road drive, medium size, with the add on gauge, i can get over 120psi with this

    the sole advantage of co2 is speed, it'll save about 2-3 minutes, but if you aren't racing that's no big deal

    when you run out of co2 on the road, you may face a long walk or an expensive ride back, whereas a pump will keep on inflating as long and as often as you've got the energy - plus if you got chilled fixing the puncture it gives you a free warm up :-)
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    If you are sane and carry CO2, you'll still carry a pump anyway. So you might as well not bother carrying the CO2!
    Faster than a tent.......
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Co2 would be fine if you know you'll just get a max of one puncture and that you won't mess up inflating it first time.
    If you can't - go with a hand pump. Lezyne is good.
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    As others have said, carry both if you can manage it. If you can only carry one, it has to be a decent pump. I have a Lezyne which is extremely effective. First time I used CO2 I nearly froze my hand due to ham fisted connection with valve. Make sure you know how to use CO2 effectively before relying on it!
    Peter
  • huuregeil
    huuregeil Posts: 780
    A guy I ride with has one of these:

    http://www.ridepdw.com/goods/inflation/ ... e%E2%84%A2

    Best of both worlds! This is on my shopping list, seen it in action once and I'm sold.
  • kevin69
    kevin69 Posts: 87
    i take co2, a spare inner tube, and a mobile phone.
    i can't be bothered with fixing a puncture on a ride, and
    the mobile phone got me home last time i had two punctures on a ride.

    +1 for ebay co2 cartridges
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    I carry both - a GI Micoflate Nano and a tiny Topeak micro rocket - the micro rocket gets the tube flush/prevents it from twisting and gets the pump-up started - and the CO2 gives me a quick extra 90-100psi - a good combo.
  • wishitwasallflat
    wishitwasallflat Posts: 2,927
    I take 2 co2 canisters and spare inner last time I used a hand pump I gave myself blisters on my hand (that pump was a cheapo Halfords though so ...).

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