Looking for info on EARLY CO2 inflators - pics, adverts? When first used?
07-29-15, 08:32 PM
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Looking for info on EARLY CO2 inflators - pics, adverts? When first used?
Curious if any could share info of the earliest use of CO2 inflators for bike use. Brand names, images, adverts (if any). Somewhere I've seen a grainy image of a racer and caption of one mounted behind or under the saddle. Guessing the image was from 1953.
edit: I did find the image and caption, courtesy of ClassicLightweights.UK. Anyone know more about these CO2?
Keith Davis Tubby riding in a 72" restricted 25 mile TT in March 1953
Gillott Fleur de Lys on tubs with CO2 inflater under seat
edit: I did find the image and caption, courtesy of ClassicLightweights.UK. Anyone know more about these CO2?
Keith Davis Tubby riding in a 72" restricted 25 mile TT in March 1953
Gillott Fleur de Lys on tubs with CO2 inflater under seat
Last edited by crank_addict; 07-29-15 at 08:37 PM.
07-30-15, 06:29 AM
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I think they go back to the early 1900s but they were big bulky and heavy
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07-30-15, 07:32 PM
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07-30-15, 08:43 PM
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It is called a gonfluer. Definately used in the 30s. Can't say about anything earlier. Occasionally comes up on French and Italian ebay. It is probably hard to get them filled.
paramanubrio: Risultati di ricerca per gonfleur
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-gonfleur.html
paramanubrio: Risultati di ricerca per gonfleur
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-gonfleur.html
07-31-15, 01:46 AM
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the red version posted by iab is a nitrogen gas pump
the most common versions are the Pennine CO2 pumps
Classic Lightweights have an excellent page on them
I have the early version on a bike, and the later version with the red banding in my spare parts bin.
the first Pennine pump, from the Classic Lightweights page
Here is a the later version, also from Classic Lightweights
from the page detailing Peter Underwood's Pennine framed bike
I often challenge the carbon roadies to identify what it is at coffee stops.
the most common versions are the Pennine CO2 pumps
Classic Lightweights have an excellent page on them
I have the early version on a bike, and the later version with the red banding in my spare parts bin.
the first Pennine pump, from the Classic Lightweights page
Here is a the later version, also from Classic Lightweights
from the page detailing Peter Underwood's Pennine framed bike
I often challenge the carbon roadies to identify what it is at coffee stops.
Last edited by Big Block; 07-31-15 at 01:55 AM.
07-31-15, 04:30 AM
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Or--- filled with some bad-a$$-air (sic)! Either way--- 
What are some of their guesses.
That's a pretty cool piece of cycling history. Thanks for sharing it.
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07-31-15, 05:54 AM
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07-31-15, 08:20 AM
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07-31-15, 08:27 AM
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Terrific read all! Now to explain the misses that I need an old gonfleur or pennine pump
(Citoyen du Monde - Curious, even if it could be filled would the canister need be certified to todays standards?)
-------- the laws are coming down on our vintage fetish ------ ha
(Citoyen du Monde - Curious, even if it could be filled would the canister need be certified to todays standards?)
-------- the laws are coming down on our vintage fetish ------ ha
Last edited by crank_addict; 07-31-15 at 08:31 AM.
07-31-15, 03:21 PM
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they generally have no idea, and one of disbelief when I tell them it is a CO2 pump. It seems incomprehensible that such a modern tool has such early origins. With the CL web page easily accessible on a smart phone, a search for "pennine co2" is convincing.
I hope they have new respect for old bikes and their components.
The Pennine pump will accept only 8gm cylinders, which are available in a gold colour for cake decorating implements. I managed to get a NOS box of the correct green 'sparklet' bulbs for mine.
On the CL page, Peter Underwood explains that the nitrogen cylinders needed to be returned to the distributor for refills. The CO2 sparklet bulbs were readily available for use in soda syphons.
I hope they have new respect for old bikes and their components.
The Pennine pump will accept only 8gm cylinders, which are available in a gold colour for cake decorating implements. I managed to get a NOS box of the correct green 'sparklet' bulbs for mine.
On the CL page, Peter Underwood explains that the nitrogen cylinders needed to be returned to the distributor for refills. The CO2 sparklet bulbs were readily available for use in soda syphons.
07-31-15, 11:03 PM
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08-06-15, 12:16 PM
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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04-23-24, 11:34 PM
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I found one of the Gonfleur L. D. C.'s this past weekend, but not in a box... in its frame mount cage. It has a sliding spring back hook cage at the top. You slide the gonfleur up out of the base cage, then take the unit out by angling the base out of the cage, let the spring unit comeback down, and then angle the valve down and out of the topholder.
04-23-24, 11:57 PM
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@GCBM Thanks for sharing. That's a neat accessory, especially with the mounting bracket intact. I'm assuming either you or the seller knew what it was at the time of purchase? I wouldn't have. Guessing it weighs a tad more than a Silca Impero. Maybe comparable to a Silca Pista floor pump. 
04-24-24, 01:13 PM
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'Gonfluer L.D.C."
@GCBM Thanks for sharing. That's a neat accessory, especially with the mounting bracket intact. I'm assuming either you or the seller knew what it was at the time of purchase? I wouldn't have. Guessing it weighs a tad more than a Silca Impero. Maybe comparable to a Silca Pista floor pump.
I still haven't been able to figure out exactly how it worked. When you take the head off the canister you see a solid slender, sewing pin sized pin in the center of the opening. It is loose but projecting up from what appears to be a flat "seal". when the canister is turned upside down the pin extends just a tiny bit above the head of the threaded canister end. So, no pressure in the canister and it floats around, under pressure it would stick up. All understandable for a compressed gas canister. The head screws on and has a centered tube that I presume is designed to capture the canister pin. So the presumed method of dispensing is something must push down on the canister pin to allow gas to escape out. But that is where I'm at a loss. Head on the canister is curved and I can't see anything in the center tube to push the pin. The other end of the head has a typical presta style rubber grommet/washer opening, after the curve. I haven't been able to break loose that threaded end (yet) to see if there is something inside that curved tube to act as the "activator"/plunger once you push the head onto a presta valve. Maybe others have more knowledge - and maybe with more lubricant that other head will break loose and I can see what's inside.
04-24-24, 10:21 PM
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Classic Lightweights has a page on the Pennine CO2 pump but at the bottom of the page shows an image of a Milremo version mounted and sitting in what appears to be the very cradle I show above - stating that the Milremo is a Ron Kitching that was sold with that cradle.
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