Might Drink the CO2 Koolaid
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Far, Far Northern California
Posts: 2,873
Bikes: 1997 Specialized M2Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Might Drink the CO2 Koolaid
My stance has always been:
1. I must carry a pump in case I have multiple flats,
2. So if I'm carrying a pump anyway, why carry a CO2 inflator?
But I'm starting to think this:
1. I could a CO2 inflator, and also a super-small pump that is slow and hard to use, but use it only if I have multiple flats.
The two advantages of this new world view are (1) faster flat repair for most flats and (2) the pump and inflator stuff all fits in the seat pack, so the frame is neater.
I'm thinking of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Portland-Desig...9O9KTIAC&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Micro-R...I1SDZKUMSODL5R
1. I must carry a pump in case I have multiple flats,
2. So if I'm carrying a pump anyway, why carry a CO2 inflator?
But I'm starting to think this:
1. I could a CO2 inflator, and also a super-small pump that is slow and hard to use, but use it only if I have multiple flats.
The two advantages of this new world view are (1) faster flat repair for most flats and (2) the pump and inflator stuff all fits in the seat pack, so the frame is neater.
I'm thinking of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Portland-Desig...9O9KTIAC&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Micro-R...I1SDZKUMSODL5R
#2
gone ride'n
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 4,050
Bikes: Simoncini, Gary Fisher, Specialized Tarmac
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a CO2 inflator on my race bike and a pump which will really inflate to high pressure on my go-to road bike. I was in a race once where I had 2 flats and 1 CO2 shot, I did not finish that race. The big advantage to CO2 for the average roadie is that you can get good pressure in the tire quickly but a road morph pump will also do the job over and over again.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,489
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
I carry both, in large part because I commute. There are days when the least amount of time spent repairing a flat the better. When I have time or the weather is better, I use the pump.
__________________
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
#4
Senior Member
I carry this one https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Innova...ords=inflators
It will use threaded, unthreaded, and if you drop a #10 washer in the bottom it will use 12 gram air rifle cartridge .
I find sometimes the co2 inflate to fast and the tire can pop off the rim I tend to pump the tire to ~20# seat tire in the rim and use co2 to get to good tire pressure usually with a 12 gram co2 (cheeper and more avialable )
Roy
It will use threaded, unthreaded, and if you drop a #10 washer in the bottom it will use 12 gram air rifle cartridge .
I find sometimes the co2 inflate to fast and the tire can pop off the rim I tend to pump the tire to ~20# seat tire in the rim and use co2 to get to good tire pressure usually with a 12 gram co2 (cheeper and more avialable )
Roy
#5
Senior Member
#6
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
The Genuine Innovations rep visited our shop a few weeks ago and gave me one of these to try. CO2 and pump in one unit. It worked well in a dry run, though I haven't had the need to use it in the field yet. The carbon tube is blingy, but if I was buying I'd probably go for the $20 cheaper aluminum version.
#7
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,746
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1380 Post(s)
Liked 1,279 Times
in
815 Posts
I still like a full-length frame fit pump, and that is what I use exclusively. The Bianchi and Capo #1, neither of which has pump pegs, have size 3 Zefal HP-X pumps. The Peugeot commuter has a trusty Blackburn between its factory installed downtube pegs; the Schwinn was designed for a 16" Mt Zefal behind the seat tube, so that's what it has.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#8
Senior Member
The Genuine Innovations rep visited our shop a few weeks ago and gave me one of these to try. CO2 and pump in one unit. It worked well in a dry run, though I haven't had the need to use it in the field yet. The carbon tube is blingy, but if I was buying I'd probably go for the $20 cheaper aluminum version.
#9
Senior Member
I have a Genuine Innovation minimalist chuck. Works good and is tiny.
Worth saying although you probably know it already. Buy a few spare cartridges and practice at home. They can be a bit tricky the first time or two you do it. Also, wear gloves. The bare cartridge will burn your hand if you're not careful.
Worth saying although you probably know it already. Buy a few spare cartridges and practice at home. They can be a bit tricky the first time or two you do it. Also, wear gloves. The bare cartridge will burn your hand if you're not careful.
__________________
Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
#10
Trek 500 Kid
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Spokane WA
Posts: 2,565
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2903 Post(s)
Liked 379 Times
in
305 Posts
My Silca frame fit gets up to about 80 psi or so. You're gonna get a real workout if you try to get above that. But it's red and goes with my bar tape, me being fashioned conscious and all
So I'm thinking of getting a C02 myself. I'll probably be reminded to do that upon my next flat.
So I'm thinking of getting a C02 myself. I'll probably be reminded to do that upon my next flat.
#11
Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Delaware
Posts: 71
Bikes: 1979 schwinn varsity
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I was anti co2 until I had 3 flats on a 54 mile ride the other week. The little frame pump just wasn't the ticket after the 2nd flat.
#12
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
Just remember to do what all CO2 users I've seen do:
1. Attempt inflation
2. Screw it up
3. Throw empty CO2 cart on roadside
4. Ask me to use my pump.
#BitterOldMan
#IHateLitterBugs
1. Attempt inflation
2. Screw it up
3. Throw empty CO2 cart on roadside
4. Ask me to use my pump.
#BitterOldMan
#IHateLitterBugs
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times
in
363 Posts
The advantages of CO2 are that it's compact to carry, convenient to use and gets up to full pressure FAST.
The disadvantages of CO2 are that you have to be very precise with your flat repairing technique and, when you run out of CO2 you're out.
When I was riding road bikes I relied 100% on CO2 for years and was never stranded. In the interest of full disclosure, I don't live in the goat head belt so I don't get very many flat tires. Since I switched over to recumbents I also switched to using a pump because my bigger volume tires need more CO2 than a 16 gram cartridge will provide.
The disadvantages of CO2 are that you have to be very precise with your flat repairing technique and, when you run out of CO2 you're out.
When I was riding road bikes I relied 100% on CO2 for years and was never stranded. In the interest of full disclosure, I don't live in the goat head belt so I don't get very many flat tires. Since I switched over to recumbents I also switched to using a pump because my bigger volume tires need more CO2 than a 16 gram cartridge will provide.
#14
Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Delaware
Posts: 71
Bikes: 1979 schwinn varsity
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You're not wrong for sure. I just got the s$$ts of stroking that stupid little mini pump about 1000 times to get my pressure up. I wish the old long frame pumps were still available.
#15
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
But even manual pumps fail. I try to ensure mine keeps working by checking and servicing it about every 3 months. Hasn't let me or my mates down in the 6 years I have had it.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,085
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3351 Post(s)
Liked 5,400 Times
in
2,796 Posts
A nice long frame pump works much better than a CO2 cartridge when you need to "cinzano" someone.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
I carry a pump on most of my bikes, pumps don't run out of air. I do use CO2 on some of my bikes but I carry about 4-5 cartridges.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695
Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times
in
604 Posts
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,644
Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997
Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 48 Times
in
30 Posts
I use a Silica Imperio frame pump with Campy head.
It weighs less than the three or four or five CO2 cartridges I'd otherwise carry. It can be used to help out another rider. Beating a dog or hipster with the Campy head is more effective than beating them with a CO2 cartridge. I don't need to carry an underseat bag, just push the rolled-up tube between the seat rails, and put the small stuff sack of tools, levers, and patch kit in a jersey pocket.
I've been the guy knocking on doors, asking if anyone has a bike pump I can borrow after my CO2 failed.
It weighs less than the three or four or five CO2 cartridges I'd otherwise carry. It can be used to help out another rider. Beating a dog or hipster with the Campy head is more effective than beating them with a CO2 cartridge. I don't need to carry an underseat bag, just push the rolled-up tube between the seat rails, and put the small stuff sack of tools, levers, and patch kit in a jersey pocket.
I've been the guy knocking on doors, asking if anyone has a bike pump I can borrow after my CO2 failed.
#22
Senior Member
#23
Senior Member
I use a frame pump because I need exercise, and air is free. My lifestyle in a nutshell. Spend effort, Save money.
#24
gone ride'n
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 4,050
Bikes: Simoncini, Gary Fisher, Specialized Tarmac
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If getting to pressure on a portable pump is the issue - the Road Morph is by far the best I have found. It is almost like taking a floor pump with you on the road.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Incheon, South Korea
Posts: 2,836
Bikes: Nothing amazing... cheap old 21 speed mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Giyo air supply. Gets my tires up to 75 which is what the tire asks for pretty quick. has a little built in pressure gauge and its not huge. Works on road tires. not sure I'd want to use it on high volume low pressure mtb tires though. Could take an AGE to pump them up. For my mtbs I use a much larger pump. It can't handle the pressure, but it moves more air quickly.