Why I'll never use a CO2 inflator again.
07-27-09, 06:31 PM
#1
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Why I'll never use a CO2 inflator again.
I was 8 miles out when my bike hits a pothole while cruising 25mph on a downhill. After about another mile, I notice that my bike feels a bit soft, so I pull over and sure enough I have a flat.
Although I felt a bit sheepish changing my tire on the side of the road, I was confident because I was prepared with the requisite goods: I had a new tube on hand, a tire lever, and, lo' and behold, my trusty CO2 inflator which has never let me down. Ok... on the one time I had used it before, it hadn't let me down.
I get everything set up without trouble, put the wheel on the bike, and begin to carefully screw the top onto the inflator when -- WHOOSH--- In a 10th of a second, my gloves are covered with ice, and any opportunity to get home by bike evaporated. The CO2 inflator exploded prematurely when I had screwed on the top.
It's been a debate at my local bike shop what's best: CO2 versus traditional pump. Now I know that sometimes --- sometimes -- being a Luddite has its benefits.
Figure 1: The CO2 inflator I'll never use again.
Although I felt a bit sheepish changing my tire on the side of the road, I was confident because I was prepared with the requisite goods: I had a new tube on hand, a tire lever, and, lo' and behold, my trusty CO2 inflator which has never let me down. Ok... on the one time I had used it before, it hadn't let me down.
I get everything set up without trouble, put the wheel on the bike, and begin to carefully screw the top onto the inflator when -- WHOOSH--- In a 10th of a second, my gloves are covered with ice, and any opportunity to get home by bike evaporated. The CO2 inflator exploded prematurely when I had screwed on the top.
It's been a debate at my local bike shop what's best: CO2 versus traditional pump. Now I know that sometimes --- sometimes -- being a Luddite has its benefits.
Figure 1: The CO2 inflator I'll never use again.
07-27-09, 06:33 PM
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That's why you carry more than one CO2 cartridge--and practice using the inflator when you're not on the side of the road far from home.
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07-27-09, 06:33 PM
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User error. And user stupidity for only taking one CO2.
Live and learn, but to blame CO2 is a bit ridiculous. That's like blaming Dura Ace because you dropped your chain from shifting the front under load.
Live and learn, but to blame CO2 is a bit ridiculous. That's like blaming Dura Ace because you dropped your chain from shifting the front under load.
07-27-09, 06:35 PM
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I was 8 miles out when my bike hits a pothole while cruising 25mph on a downhill. After about another mile, I notice that my bike feels a bit soft, so I pull over and sure enough I have a flat.
Although I felt a bit sheepish changing my tire on the side of the road, I was confident because I was prepared with the requisite goods: I had a new tube on hand, a tire lever, and, lo' and behold, my trusty CO2 inflator which has never let me down. Ok... on the one time I had used it before, it hadn't let me down.
I get everything set up without trouble, put the wheel on the bike, and begin to carefully screw the top onto the inflator when -- WHOOSH--- In a 10th of a second, my gloves are covered with ice, and any opportunity to get home by bike evaporated. The CO2 inflator exploded prematurely when I had screwed on the top.
It's been a debate at my local bike shop what's best: CO2 versus traditional pump. Now I know that sometimes --- sometimes -- being a Luddite has its benefits.
Figure 1: The CO2 inflator I'll never use again.
Although I felt a bit sheepish changing my tire on the side of the road, I was confident because I was prepared with the requisite goods: I had a new tube on hand, a tire lever, and, lo' and behold, my trusty CO2 inflator which has never let me down. Ok... on the one time I had used it before, it hadn't let me down.
I get everything set up without trouble, put the wheel on the bike, and begin to carefully screw the top onto the inflator when -- WHOOSH--- In a 10th of a second, my gloves are covered with ice, and any opportunity to get home by bike evaporated. The CO2 inflator exploded prematurely when I had screwed on the top.
It's been a debate at my local bike shop what's best: CO2 versus traditional pump. Now I know that sometimes --- sometimes -- being a Luddite has its benefits.
Figure 1: The CO2 inflator I'll never use again.
07-27-09, 06:39 PM
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So you used a CO2 inflator twice, with a 50% positive experience rating and you're now disavowing it because of this one bad experience?
Imagine if DaVinci, Edison, Bell and others had had this attitude. We would still be in the dark and riding in horse driven carriages.
It took Norm Larsen 40 tries to get his formula correct. Aren't we glad he never gave up?
Imagine if DaVinci, Edison, Bell and others had had this attitude. We would still be in the dark and riding in horse driven carriages.
It took Norm Larsen 40 tries to get his formula correct. Aren't we glad he never gave up?
07-27-09, 06:41 PM
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You guys are still faithful to CO2 when a pump has a lower chance of failure?
07-27-09, 06:41 PM
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I was 8 miles out when my bike hits a pothole while cruising 25mph on a downhill. After about another mile, I notice that my bike feels a bit soft, so I pull over and sure enough I have a flat.
Although I felt a bit sheepish changing my tire on the side of the road, I was confident because I was prepared with the requisite goods: I had a new tube on hand, a tire lever, and, lo' and behold, my trusty CO2 inflator which has never let me down. Ok... on the one time I had used it before, it hadn't let me down.
I get everything set up without trouble, put the wheel on the bike, and begin to carefully screw the top onto the inflator when -- WHOOSH--- In a 10th of a second, my gloves are covered with ice, and any opportunity to get home by bike evaporated. The CO2 inflator exploded prematurely when I had screwed on the top.
It's been a debate at my local bike shop what's best: CO2 versus traditional pump. Now I know that sometimes --- sometimes -- being a Luddite has its benefits.
Although I felt a bit sheepish changing my tire on the side of the road, I was confident because I was prepared with the requisite goods: I had a new tube on hand, a tire lever, and, lo' and behold, my trusty CO2 inflator which has never let me down. Ok... on the one time I had used it before, it hadn't let me down.
I get everything set up without trouble, put the wheel on the bike, and begin to carefully screw the top onto the inflator when -- WHOOSH--- In a 10th of a second, my gloves are covered with ice, and any opportunity to get home by bike evaporated. The CO2 inflator exploded prematurely when I had screwed on the top.
It's been a debate at my local bike shop what's best: CO2 versus traditional pump. Now I know that sometimes --- sometimes -- being a Luddite has its benefits.
Bad move. Gotta screw quick like a bunny.
07-27-09, 06:44 PM
#8
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you can carry both a pump and CO2 just in case. Just get a frame holder for the pump or is that too ugly for some of you? I've got a frame holder that can be bolted onto the frame under a bottle cage so I don't have to sacrifice carrying a bottle for a pump.
07-27-09, 06:45 PM
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Whatever.
07-27-09, 06:46 PM
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Personally my tally has been 1 CO2 botch job versus tearing 2 stems off of the tube using a frame pump.
That being said I carry a CO2 pump along with a mini pump.
That being said I carry a CO2 pump along with a mini pump.
07-27-09, 06:46 PM
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07-27-09, 06:55 PM
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Thanks for the flames/good tips guys.
07-27-09, 07:00 PM
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I have had both a CO2 inflator (not just the cartridge) and a mini pump fail completely on me before. That cured any weight weenie-ism and I now carry both.
I have also snapped 2 stems off with frame pumps.
I have also snapped 2 stems off with frame pumps.
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07-27-09, 07:01 PM
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You're right though, the old adage of the poor workman blaming his tools applies here. Personally I just stick a pump in my jersey pocket and forget about it because I know I can use it on the road as many times as I have flats.
07-27-09, 07:05 PM
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I used to use threadless cartridges and would get occasional failures. I switched to threaded and have never had a miss since.
07-27-09, 07:06 PM
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07-27-09, 07:17 PM
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07-27-09, 07:21 PM
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Same here...I have a Innovation Ultraflate Plus, much like the OPs Blackburn...I use threadless, never had a WHOOSH! But another poster was right...screw quickly. And, like I said in another thread, when you can bail out a guy who can't get enough pressure with the frame pump because you carry 3 or 4 carts...you make friends. 
07-27-09, 07:25 PM
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2 CO2 containers and one mini pump for the just in case scenario....Never has this setup failed me...
Oh yea and carry a quick patch kit! That saved my butt in Ireland after I goofed and brought along a tube with the wrong size valve...
07-27-09, 07:32 PM
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I always carry both on group or benefit rides. It makes it easier (and less expensive) to help those less prepared...as long as they're hot.
07-27-09, 07:34 PM
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Ok, here's what I now have in my hypothetical back up kit:
(2) CO2 canisters
(1) CO2 inflator
(1) Tire lever (maybe 2)
(1) Tube of appropriate size and valve
(1) Patch kit
(1) $20 bill
(1) Cell phone
(1) Laptop
(1) Electric generator
(1) Wireless internet card
Missing anything? Condoms?
(2) CO2 canisters
(1) CO2 inflator
(1) Tire lever (maybe 2)
(1) Tube of appropriate size and valve
(1) Patch kit
(1) $20 bill
(1) Cell phone
(1) Laptop
(1) Electric generator
(1) Wireless internet card
Missing anything? Condoms?
