Zaskar

... or whatever they're called. I've used my friend's Bontrager Flash Charger several times... too many times. It's time to buy my own pump or charger. the Bontrager charger works great. Seriously. It's arguably flawless. I watched a couple reviews of that one and a couple others like it. I'm not questioning how well they work - at all.

But the Bontrager and the others like it are really just traditional high-pressure pumps with an attached reservoir and a dump valve. Schwalbe, Topeak and a few others make/sell just the reservoir. This seems pretty pragmatic. I mean, I have a good high-pressure pump. The all-in-one pump/chargers seem a bit redundant... right? Oh, and the all-in-ones are twice the cost... and take up more space.

Anyone used both styles and have an opinion... before I click "BUY"?

Thanks!

Eric F 

I haven't used a pump with a built-in cannister/booster, so I can't offer any kind of practical comparison between the two. I have an AirShot cannister for the times when my floor pump doesn't do the job. It works fine. I recently bought a new floor pump, and looked briefly at combination pumps. Descriptions of needing to fill up the cannister section each time just to top off a tire (which is a large majority of my ump use) was one of my reasons for not going in that direction.

tyrion

I got an Airshot canister. I could usually get beads set with just a floor pump, but it was a PITA. The canister makes much easier and faster.

If you already have a floor pump, I don't see the point of a pump/canister combined unit.

SoSmellyAir

The high pressure pumps with an integrated reservoir has a valve between the pump, the head, and the reservoir, which theoretically reduces leakage.

But how much are these high pressure pump with reservoirs nowadays? Why not just buy an inexpensive air compressor?

rsbob 

Exactly, besides you can use the compressor for others tasks as well. I use a compressor to seat my tubeless tires and a track pump to maintain them.

Polaris OBark

Bontrager flash charger pump

Russ Roth

My most recent install was the first time in a long time I needed something more than a regular pump to get the tires seated, some new 2.4 maxxis on straight wall carbon rims, just couldn't get the bead seated with a floor pump. It entailed a 3 block zip over to the local gas station with their free pump and the job was done. Not certain I could justify spending an extra 100.00 on a pump just for the rare use. I would spend the 100.00 on a compressor and call it a day.

elcruxio

I don't really see the point for those charger things these days. Back when I was using tubeless on non compatible rims, a compressor was a necessity. However with the tubeless rims and tires of today I haven't had a single tire / rim combo I couldn't seat with just a track pump. The tires I've tried range from road tire to 4.8" fatbike tires.

The biggest ephiphany for me was in the use of soapy water. It's recommended as a lubricant to allow the tire to more easily slide on the bead shelf. It however has a dual purpose. A pre foamed soapy water works as a bead sealer as it prevents air from escaping from the tire during the seating process. I don't know how, but that's what it does.

So instead of applying the soapy water with a sponge, put the water into a spritz bottle. As the water comes out it foams up pretty well.

I had one stubborn tire I had to pull the compressor out for, but even that didn't work. But after remembering to use the soapy water I got a seal with the first press of a track pump.

So to talk you out of it, instead of getting that charger, get a spritz bottle and some liquid dish soap.

PeteHski

I have a Topeak integrated track pump/reservoir and it works great. But I needed a new track pump anyway, so it made sense. If you already have a high quality pump then I agree the separate reservoir is a good idea. My integrated pump is a bit cumbersome for packing in the car on travels when I don't need the reservoir, but at home it is very convenient when I do need to seat a tyre. If I had a separate reservoir I would probably lose it in the garage simply because I would only use it a few times per year. But I always have my track pump at hand. The integrated reservoir doesn't take up any more floor space than a track pump, it's just a lot heavier to cart around.

seypat

Cheaper options are out there.

https://www.harborfreight.com/search...ank%20portable

https://www.lowes.com/search?searchT...e%20air%20tank

https://www.homedepot.com/s/portable...%20tank?NCNI-5

Zaskar

I have a compressor. Sometimes compressors work. The little blow gun/nozzle (wrap the tip in tap for a better seal) works better than a tire chuck. But compressors don't dump air as fast as chargers like the Bontrager Flash Charger. They just don't. Some tires seat with just a pump. Some seat with a compressor. But there are those that need that big blast.

I'm still on the fence - canister vs. all-in-one. May just go with what I know works.

Iride01 

Before you try to inflate your newly installed tire, do you pull the bead of the tire up onto the bead seat of the rim?

With a little effort and practice, just pinch the sidewall with your fingers and pull it over that little hump on the inside. Do that all around the tire on both sides. Then you might can even inflate the tire with just a floor pump.

Atlas Shrugged

I got one of these and it works really well as it removes the restriction of the Presta core but can thread it in after inflation.
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1394-TUBIHEAD

Zaskar

Atlas Shrugged that is very cool. One of the things I don't like about the Schwalbe canister is the thread on head. Obviously, by the time you unthread the chuck, all of the air has escaped. Theoretically, the bead stays put. That doesn't always happen. But that TubiHead Atlas Shrugged suggested, attached to a canister... Hmmm. The Bontrager Flash Charger has a quick release. The Topeka canister has a quick release but the reviews aren't great - a few about the valve not letting the air dump fast enough. Kinda the whole point.

Despite the title of the thread, I may be talking myself into the all-in-one like the Bontrager.

Zaskar

admittedly... no. I just make sure the inside the hooks, the valve base is oriented and seated - then let'er rip. I'm definitely doing ^that^ on the next tire... which is coming up shortly.

Broctoon

I've never used those bike-specific air reservoirs, but I have a general purpose compressor/tank.

I have set up quite a few tubeless tires, with a variety of tire/rim/rim strip combinations. Some of them went pretty easily when it came to seating the beads. Others were real buggers. In EVERY case, I've had to use my air tank. I cannot get them to seat using only a bike tire pump.

...So I would recommend using some kind of reservoir or tank. If you have no other use for a compressor, it might make sense to get a bike tire charger. But Harbor Freight has some decent compressors at really attractive prices. They can be used to seat tires and to do a multitude of other tasks.

Troul 

I'd couple a reservoir with this https://www.amazon.com/CYCPLUS-Porta...BVW1CTZJ&psc=1

tyrion

because then I would start buying pneumatic tools and I end up with $500 worth of tools and I'd feel I have to use those tools and start new projects (which inevitably leads to even more tools) all because I wanted tubeless tires.

Slippery slope.

mattcalifornia

I bought an Airshot cannister recently to use with my old Topeak floor pump. It works incredibly well. I've never tried the pumps with the built in cannister. I could see pros and cons of each, but if it's a good company, they probably all work fine.

tempocyclist

^ This. I bought a good air compressor plus attachments for around $30 more than a high pressure tubeless-seating pump.

Why would you not do this though? An air compressor is LOUD! If you live in an apartment or semi-detached or have annoying neighbours, it may not be appreciated. They also take up more space and require mains power.

LarrySellerz

Is “bonty” an acceptable shortened version of “Bontrager?” I’ve been saying that but don’t know where I got it if not campy, which is kind of dumb.

seypat

OP should not get a tubeless charger/reservoir. There, I said it.

chaadster

This sounds like a case of having poor equipment, or at least the wrong equipment for the job.

I’ve been road tubeless for almost ten years, and for more than half that time, I’ve had more than one bike running tubeless. Currently I have 4 bikes and one wheelset tubeless. During that time, I’ve used multiple floor pumps, multiple pump heads, a charge canister, two air compressors and a variety of compressor inflation heads. That’s the context to may statements.

I mean, what’s the difference between a flash charger and the tank on a compressor? They’re both holding some volume of air at some pressure. If you both the charger and the compressor tank are the same size and at the same pressure, but you can’t the compressor to flow at the same rate as the charger, that’s probably because you’re trying to use the blow gun head (as you stated) rather than a quality inflator like the Park INF-2. I never ran into a tire the compressor wouldn’t seat, only lousy inflator heads (ike that Prestacycle garbage). Getting the Park INF-2 elevated my quality of life…and has seated every tire/rim combo I’ve ridden over the years behind a compressor that delivers 3 SCFM @ 90psi…not that it matters, because it has a 4.5gal holding tank.

I’d look at your “ground tackle,” i.e. the size of the hose from tank to inflator head, and to getting a proper inflator head. If you have everthing else you need, just go ahead and spend on the best inflator around— the Park INF-2— and eliminate all doubt. And just as one last FYI, I’ve got 50’ of 3/8in hose on a retractable reel fed by another 30’ of 3/8in feeder hose behind that INF-2…

robbyville

Some good stuff here as always!

I too have been tubeless for over 10 years (road), exclusively so for probably 7-8

i have the bontrager pump you mention and have had it I think about 5 years now. In that time I think I’ve had to replace the rubber seal once.

it’s truly been a practical piece of equipment that is easy to take on the road with me when I’ve needed it. It seems to hold the air in the reservoir for a few days (maybe a bit less now), which makes topping up a tire nice and easy. I didn’t realize that some have chucks that thread on, the quick release has been great when seating tires with core removed. I just pull it off and quickly cover the valve with my finger and then putting the core back in. For the most part depending on how many margaritas I’ve had I can do it without losing all the air and definitely never lose the seating of the beads.

A couple of years ago, my Mother in Law dropped off a compressor. I’ve still never used it on the bike, more of a hassle to pull it off the shelf, charge it, and put it away lol!

PeteHski

I prefer the portability of a track pump with integrated reservoir. I would only get a compressor if I needed it for other purposes. Even then I would probably still want a portable solution anyway.