CO2 pumps- where am I going wrong?

[T1berious]

Hi,

I'm after a little help, I thought I knew how to use a CO2 inflator and was taking the Mrs through it as she hadn't repaired a flat on her road bike.

So I take her through the process of tube removal and safe tube replacement.

I was using a threaded chuck with had a screw release valve ( I think it was a Leyzne?) either way, it seemed to lose most of the air via the chuck release valve rather than down the inflation nozzle.

so the tire was only part inflated, I'm glad we were only in the kitchen as it took a few canisters to get anything close to riding pressure.

I'm guessing the chuck was the issue. just after a recommendation. Just ordered a load of 16g cartridges.

Any info \ advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

T1b

[Greenish]

My screw on adaptor I have used around 4 times, and last time I used it part of it fell out so I think it's broken now. I am not sure they are designed to last personally.

[scubadude]

You need to screw the inflator/chuck thing onto the valve till it seals (depends on the type of course) then as your screw in the CO2 cartridge it will release gas into the tyre, one cylinder will fill a road tyre to 100-130PSI depending on size. If you didn't get it full then your inflator wasn't on properly or broken :-(

FWIW- CO2 cylinders- http://www.co2cartridges.co.uk/index.php?act=viewC...

[scubadude]

You need to screw the inflator/chuck thing onto the valve till it seals (depends on the type of course) then as your screw in the CO2 cartridge it will release gas into the tyre, one cylinder will fill a road tyre to 100-130PSI depending on size. If you didn't get it full then your inflator wasn't on properly or broken :-(

FWIW- CO2 cylinders- http://www.co2cartridges.co.uk/index.php?act=viewC...

[JEA1K]

scubadude said:

You need to screw the inflator/chuck thing onto the valve till it seals (depends on the type of course) then as your screw in the CO2 cartridge it will release gas into the tyre, one cylinder will fill a road tyre to 100-130PSI depending on size. If you didn't get it full then your inflator wasn't on properly or broken :-(

FWIW- CO2 cylinders- http://www.co2cartridges.co.uk/index.php?act=viewC...

I think I fluffed it up on my first two attempts too ... was out but luckily had a back up pump.

I have the small Lazyne twin speed drive which at first, doesn't feel like it actually fits the valve too well ... you just need to be patient and screw it on to the valve. Once on, just screw your cannister into the adapter and you'll have a full tyre pressure in a few seconds.

Have a watch of this video if you're unsure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf1EbnFGBh4

[E38]

Can anyone recommend the best C02 pump?

So light, cheap, reliable and simple

anyone?

[evosticks]

I've got a couple of these (one for each bike, yeah, I know I can only ride one at a time but I'm disorganised)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Innovations-Tyre...

...and they work a treat.

Have purchased that exact item from that seller so can definitely recommend them, and I'm not affiliated or related btw!

[nammynake]

I can see the main advantage of being able to get decent pressure without breaking a sweat, but I'd be nervous going out for a long ride only for these to fail. Good job you checked it in your house first!

I stick to a mini pump (Lezyne) which is fits in a jersey pocket. It takes a few minutes to pump up a road tyre to decent pressure but I shouldn't really be concerned about a bit of bicep burn when I'm out for an 80 mile ride!

[CooperS]

nammynake said:

I can see the main advantage of being able to get decent pressure without breaking a sweat, but I'd be nervous going out for a long ride only for these to fail. Good job you checked it in your house first!

I stick to a mini pump (Lezyne) which is fits in a jersey pocket. It takes a few minutes to pump up a road tyre to decent pressure but I shouldn't really be concerned about a bit of bicep burn when I'm out for an 80 mile ride!

Same here what happens if you get unlucky over a 60 miler and puncture twice.... (its happened to me )

[Nuggety]

I've made the same mistake. If you have a screw and valve type tube. You'd be best not to screw the inflator on to the thread on the tube. I've got 2 different types of CO2 inflators, one is a Zeffel, one is a gas pump from bike hut. I found (through trial and error) that if you just push the inflator over the (presta) valve. It doesn't happen with a Schrader valve. You will get an acceptable amount of inflation, and not then lose it all when you try and unscrew the inflator (at least with a 2 piece screw and valve type tube)I've now got myself a compact foot pump (from Decathlon) with a presta adaptor, and a gauge, which fits in my backpack comfortably. I still have the gas inflators as well.

[agentnomad]

I have one of these http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bontrager/air-... and the first time I used it in anger was on a club run just a couple of miles from the cafe, so being a little suspisious I changed the tube and used only the pump as a mini pump, rode on to the cafe at which point had a play with the gas can part, made sure the valve was screwed in and closed, screwed the co2 in and a small leak of gas until it was in and home sealed placed i over the valve as normal held it firmly in place and opened the valve slowly (already had about 4 bar in it) until the tyre was hard closed valve, the co2 can was now very cold (don't hold the can when opening the valve as it will weld sweaty hand to the can) the part used can connected to the pump fitted in my back pocket and on we all rode home.

This seams the best option as you can use it as a pump to get a little air in to make sure the tyre and inner tube are where they should be then top it up with gas.

[T1berious]

In the end I got a Genuine innovations Elite Air Chuck. Tested it last night and it worked like a charm.

No escaped air and a very quickly inflated tyre.

Most impressed!

[donfisher]

T1berious said:

In the end I got a Genuine innovations Elite Air Chuck. Tested it last night and it worked like a charm.

No escaped air and a very quickly inflated tyre.

Most impressed!

I've got one of those and had to use it for the first time last week. It's great. The only thing I noticed was that after filling the tube I ended up letting a bit of air back out by accident as the chuck had got super cold and was breifly stuck to the valve making my removal of it a bit cack-handed. Next time I'll let it warm back up a bit first before trying to separate it from the valve.

[Matt London]

I have a Genuine Innovations Ultraflate Plus. You screw the CO2 cartridge in and then have to pull the trigger to inflate. I only use the head and discarded the bit that holds the cannister before use as its bulky and seems unnecessary.

Apart from the part I find unnecessary I cannot fault it.

[donfisher]

Matt London said:

I only use the head and discarded the bit that holds the cannister before use as its bulky and seems unnecessary.

It's probably good for stopping your hand getting frozen to the cannister.

[Matt London]

donfisher said:

It's probably good for stopping your hand getting frozen to the cannister.

Good point. Unfortunately it adds bulk to the saddle bag so as long as you are careful...

[donfisher]

The Air Chuck came with a couple of cannisters and one had a kind of prophylactic on it. It does the same job.

Like this:

[T1berious]

donfisher said:

The Air Chuck came with a couple of cannisters and one had a kind of prophylactic on it. It does the same job.

Like this:

Yup I've got a couple of these, don't add much bulk and stops your hand freezing. simples.