Discussion
HI All
I'm thinking of getting myself a CO2 inflator as I chuffing hate pumping up tyres after a puncture with my little pump.
From those with experience of one or more different CO2 sytems what do I want to be looking out for?
I presume 1 cartridge would be enough to infalate a 2.2 MTB tyre?
The Lezyne system with the flexible hose looks like the ideal solution, but don't want to go splashing my cash only to find there is some fundamental thing I've overlooked.
TIA
I'm thinking of getting myself a CO2 inflator as I chuffing hate pumping up tyres after a puncture with my little pump.
From those with experience of one or more different CO2 sytems what do I want to be looking out for?
I presume 1 cartridge would be enough to infalate a 2.2 MTB tyre?
The Lezyne system with the flexible hose looks like the ideal solution, but don't want to go splashing my cash only to find there is some fundamental thing I've overlooked.
TIA
Have one of these and absolutely love it.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/genuine-innovations-ultraf...
Would never consider a regular pump again to carry on the bike. One canister (16g) has enough puff to get the tube on (I usually slightly inflate to get on the rim/in the tyre) and then inflate to about 120-130psi road or 40psi for a 26" MTB tyre.
People not familiar with them are always amazed whenever they see it in use.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/genuine-innovations-ultraf...
Would never consider a regular pump again to carry on the bike. One canister (16g) has enough puff to get the tube on (I usually slightly inflate to get on the rim/in the tyre) and then inflate to about 120-130psi road or 40psi for a 26" MTB tyre.
People not familiar with them are always amazed whenever they see it in use.
Get one that fits both Shraeder (car type) and Presta valves. Will have a look and post a link. Don't buy repalcement cartridges from Halfords or normal bike shops, they are expensive.
ETA: Have a look on this site a few examples and the replacement CO2 cartridges are considerably cheaper than most cycle shops:
http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/
ETA: Have a look on this site a few examples and the replacement CO2 cartridges are considerably cheaper than most cycle shops:
http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/
Edited by zasker on Tuesday 3rd April 13:01
I have seen these used a few times on club runs.
One time the pump didn't seat and half of it was lost and another the tyre wasn't seated 100% and it had a bulge like a snakes belly on the side wall...we let it down and used a manual pump! They are also variable on the pressure they put in, but this may be down to the quality of the kit, I dont know?
I can see the appeal for racing but it only takes 30s with a decent mini pump so I can't be assed paying out for C02.
One time the pump didn't seat and half of it was lost and another the tyre wasn't seated 100% and it had a bulge like a snakes belly on the side wall...we let it down and used a manual pump! They are also variable on the pressure they put in, but this may be down to the quality of the kit, I dont know?
I can see the appeal for racing but it only takes 30s with a decent mini pump so I can't be assed paying out for C02.
The other thing is that sometimes when you have a slow puncture you're better off just topping it up a couple of times till you get home. I did this one day last winter when it was far too cold to fanny around changing the tube. ISTR you can get a combined pump/CO2 inflator to get round this problem?
zasker said:
What a great site Thanks zasker. Uriel, the inflator you have linked to in Wiggle has a little trigger, I presume you screw in the cartridge and then press the trigger to inflate?
I realise a decent mini pump will do a tyre in a minute or so (not 30 secs
) but my mini pump is crap, so for the price of a decent one I can get a full kit with plent of spare cartridges from the link zasker provided. Saves a bit of elbow effort 
Yeah, it has a trigger that allows you to release it as you like. It takes threaded and none threaded cartridges (for threaded you don't really need the body of the pump, though it's handy to hold an unused cart. For non-threaded you sit the cart in it and screw the body tight and that pushes and holds the cart onto the head of the pump).
Once the cart is 'mounted' in the head by either method, it's air tight and you can control the flow with the trigger. Like I say, I use it to do the slightly-inflate-before-fitting thing with tubes without a problem.
It means you can also do the pump, ride, pump, ride that Rouleur mentions above. The other advantage is that you can partially inflate the tube and then check it's seated properly with no pinches etc before blasting it with the full whack.
The little thing at the back is a safety to lock out the trigger. With the cart in, it's sealed, but I assume it would leak CO2 slowly so you would never leave a full cart attached to the head with the seal broken, but the safety is nice to have anyway.
I get my carts from Ebay. There are always sellers doing them in packs of 7-12 or so and they usually work out at £1 or less each. So, so worth it. Under a second to blow a tyre to 130psi or 10 minutes sweating like a pig with your arm about to fall off jackhammering away at a minipump that's glowing red hot? Easy choice
Once the cart is 'mounted' in the head by either method, it's air tight and you can control the flow with the trigger. Like I say, I use it to do the slightly-inflate-before-fitting thing with tubes without a problem.
It means you can also do the pump, ride, pump, ride that Rouleur mentions above. The other advantage is that you can partially inflate the tube and then check it's seated properly with no pinches etc before blasting it with the full whack.
The little thing at the back is a safety to lock out the trigger. With the cart in, it's sealed, but I assume it would leak CO2 slowly so you would never leave a full cart attached to the head with the seal broken, but the safety is nice to have anyway.
I get my carts from Ebay. There are always sellers doing them in packs of 7-12 or so and they usually work out at £1 or less each. So, so worth it. Under a second to blow a tyre to 130psi or 10 minutes sweating like a pig with your arm about to fall off jackhammering away at a minipump that's glowing red hot? Easy choice
Edited by Uriel on Tuesday 3rd April 13:49
Uriel said:
Have one of these and absolutely love it.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/genuine-innovations-ultraf...
Would never consider a regular pump again to carry on the bike. One canister (16g) has enough puff to get the tube on (I usually slightly inflate to get on the rim/in the tyre) and then inflate to about 120-130psi road or 40psi for a 26" MTB tyre.
People not familiar with them are always amazed whenever they see it in use.
+1http://www.wiggle.co.uk/genuine-innovations-ultraf...
Would never consider a regular pump again to carry on the bike. One canister (16g) has enough puff to get the tube on (I usually slightly inflate to get on the rim/in the tyre) and then inflate to about 120-130psi road or 40psi for a 26" MTB tyre.
People not familiar with them are always amazed whenever they see it in use.
I was really impressed when I first had to use mine. I wouldn't go
out on the road without it now.
Essential bit of kit in my opinion. I always carry one.
I find the Co" leaks out of the tyre quicker than air, so when I get home, I let the tyre right down and blow back up with the track pump.
I carry a mini-pump too, but just to get the wheel and tyre sighted and ready. Then hit it with the CO2. After seeing someone give it the full CO2 with a slightly trapped tube, and hearing the bang, I always check before I give it the beans.
I find the Co" leaks out of the tyre quicker than air, so when I get home, I let the tyre right down and blow back up with the track pump.
I carry a mini-pump too, but just to get the wheel and tyre sighted and ready. Then hit it with the CO2. After seeing someone give it the full CO2 with a slightly trapped tube, and hearing the bang, I always check before I give it the beans.
louiebaby said:
Essential bit of kit in my opinion. I always carry one.
I find the Co" leaks out of the tyre quicker than air, so when I get home, I let the tyre right down and blow back up with the track pump.
I carry a mini-pump too, but just to get the wheel and tyre sighted and ready. Then hit it with the CO2. After seeing someone give it the full CO2 with a slightly trapped tube, and hearing the bang, I always check before I give it the beans.
You can partially inflate the tube with a short pull of the triggerI find the Co" leaks out of the tyre quicker than air, so when I get home, I let the tyre right down and blow back up with the track pump.
I carry a mini-pump too, but just to get the wheel and tyre sighted and ready. Then hit it with the CO2. After seeing someone give it the full CO2 with a slightly trapped tube, and hearing the bang, I always check before I give it the beans.
on the Innovations Ultraflate, to get it seated. There's no need to
discharge the cartridge in one go. I don't carry a mini-pump with me,
as it's just not necessary in my experience.
zasker said:
CoolC said:
Rouleur said:
You've sold me on it Uriel, I've just ordered one!
Yep, me too. Going to see if a few mates want any and save some postage (always got one eye on the purse strings )http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.php?act=viewP...Long Drax said:
You can partially inflate the tube with a short pull of the trigger on the innovations Ultraflate, to get it seated. There's no need to discharge the cartridge in one go. I don't carry a mini-pump with me, as it's just not necessary in my experience.
Maybe I'm being a nervous ninny, but I like the idea of having the inflator and a spare tube, and some small patches and a pump as plan B.Plus, I'm a bit of a clutz.
Sorry to drag this back up, but I've been browsing this thread as it looks like I'll be getting a bike on the cycle to work scheme.
Back on topic, are the capsules for these like these? If yes, you might find your local gun shop a cheaper source.
http://airgunbuyer.com/Showproducts.asp?cat=CO2&am...
Back on topic, are the capsules for these like these? If yes, you might find your local gun shop a cheaper source.
http://airgunbuyer.com/Showproducts.asp?cat=CO2&am...
I have a Genuine Innovations inflater and find occasionally the cheap cartridges dont fit into it - they are just a fraction too big where it pierces the top so I have a collection of useless cartridges at home.
Having emptied the canister into the air instead of the tyre on more than one occasion having an inflater that screws onto the valve can be better for control - or a second cartridge.
I also have a Vittoria Pit Stop for racing which injects sealant with the CO2 which I havent had an opportunity to use in anger yet which may mean I dont even need to change the tubular.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-componen...
I probably wouldnt bother with CO2 for commuting where a minute or two pumping isnt vital.
Having emptied the canister into the air instead of the tyre on more than one occasion having an inflater that screws onto the valve can be better for control - or a second cartridge.
I also have a Vittoria Pit Stop for racing which injects sealant with the CO2 which I havent had an opportunity to use in anger yet which may mean I dont even need to change the tubular.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/product-componen...
I probably wouldnt bother with CO2 for commuting where a minute or two pumping isnt vital.
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