tyrion

I'm thinking about getting a cheap compressor (https://www.harborfreight.com/air-to...sor-57567.html) or an air canister. Cheap compressor system would be $85 (compressor $75 + hose $5 + presta adapter $5) and air canister is $65 (comes with hose and adapter).

The compressor could be used for other things, although I don't really see the need for compressor driven tools right now. Air canister is easier to store (that is a factor) but it's a single purpose tool that will get used only 2 or 3 times a year.

Decisions decisions.

Any thoughts or advice?

Maelochs

You can take a 3-liter bottle, reinforce it with gorilla tape, screw a valve into it and a hose from an old pump (hose with a chuck) and attach your pump to the valve and fill the bottle until you are tired of pumping, Fold the hose and clamp it, attach the chuck to your tire, release the clamp and "Wham" .... the tire explodes into shreds, or "Whoosh" the hose shoots off and flies around, or .... the tire sets readily.

Costs you scrounging some parts. I know there are videos online.

tomato coupe

I can get some tubeless tires seated with a hand pump, but others are difficult with my full-size 220V compressor. I think the tires and rims make the rules in this game.

tyrion

Yeah I could get my 700x50 GK SKs seated with a floor pump, but I couldn't do it with my new RH Antelope Hill 700x55s. The RH tires have thinner sidewalls and larger volume and are a little floppier on the rim and don't seem to "catch" the air as well as a tire with more structure. The LBS mechanic was able to get them seated with a compressor, but it wasn't a slam dunk. I'm thinking maybe a canister would be a better tool for the job.

prj71

I've seated all my tubeless tires...road bike, fat bike, mountain bike with a hand pump.

tomato coupe

Consider yourself lucky.

prj71

Something like that.

One of the things that helps sometimes using a hand pumps is that if a tire is being finicky, set it up with a tube then break one side and remove the tube. Then proceed to use the hand pump.

I have had to do this a few times.

Trsnrtr

I have the next one up that goes to 150 PSI. Works well.

icemilkcoffee 

Definitely get an air compressor. And I would say 150psi is the minimum. If you have multiple bikes, and/or you have kids with their own bikes, etc, an air compressor really comes in handy keeping all the tires inflated. It comes in handy when you are patching a stash of tires too

Barry2 

I had a very similar compressor but “Anvil” branded.
2 gallon tank at 110psi was plenty to seat Road tires.

I got extremely little use from it before it died.

This time around I’m going with a California Air Tools and one of their Ultra-Quiet models (yet TBD)

Barry

tempocyclist

I bought a compressor for not much more than a good quality "tubeless track pump" and am happy with that choice. A few things though:

- You need room to store it
- They are LOUD


I think you might be right.

fooferdoggie 

I use the california tools compressors at work. had a few issues with them. so for home I got this makita its really quiet and built better. amazon has had it on sale for 155. I got it locally for 170.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-MAC100...s%2C156&sr=8-1

tomato coupe

Unfortunately, that puts a lot of points in the "inconvenient" column:

1. Remove valve.
2. Install tube.
3. Inflate and seat tire.
4. Deflate tire, unseat one side, remove tube.
5. Re-install valve.
6. Inflate and re-seat tire.

dedhed

Mtracer

I have both a compressor and an Airshot canister. 9 out of 10 times the compressor will get the job done. If that doesn't work, then I use the compressor to fill the Airshot. Never had that fail to seat a tire.

One thing I like about the Airshot is it's setup to attached to the valve stem without the Presta core installed. Therefore, there's less restriction for the air. Of course, there's no reason something like this couldn't exist for use with an air compressor, but I've yet to stumble on one. Or maybe there is some other trick to connecting to a stem without the core installed.

If your only reason to consider an air compressor is seating a tubeless tire, I'd get the canister. In general, a canister is going to work better because due to it's very short hose, it can source air faster. On the other hand, I use my compressor to top off my tires before every ride as well as all sorts of other things not related to cycling.

So, my vote, get both. FYI I have a California Air Tools compressor, much, much quieter than typical compressors. Worth every penny.

tomato coupe

That's always the correct answer ... regardless of the question.

MarcusT

Air compressor. Beyond seating tires, I use it to to blow clean the bike, removing bar grips, and I'm sure other acts I can't remember now

SkinGriz

Thank you for the idea.

When I was a kid we used to turn 2 liters into water rockets with an old inner tube in the cap.

I went to show my kids but all the 2 liters have interrupted threads now. Argh!!!!

chaadster

If it’s really a cheap compressor vs. a shot pump, get the pump so that the dollar amount of your regret is less.

But be assured: most likely you’ll regret it either way, sooner than later.

BTDT; I went road tubeless in ‘14 and have been through all types of pumps, tanks and air compressors, only to find ultimate joy in a roughly $500 Husky Silent/Park Tool INF-2 setup. I’ve got a DeWalt auto-retractable hose reel, too, which ups the convenience factor big-time for me, but I’m excluding that cost because may demands in that regard may be kinda particular, but add another $150 if working on cars or down the driveway is in the use plans.

I’m sure $650 or even $500 is off the table for the OP since they specified cheap, so that’s why I say go the shot pump route at ~$100, because putting that kind of money into a compressor, hose, fittings and inflator will most likely only get you frustrating crap. I may be wrong, but having been through it and reading of others’ travails, that’s the best advice I can give without knowing more about the OP’s particular situation.

prj71

It's not that much trouble and I've only had to do it with three tires.

The other trick with the hand pump is to remove the valve core to allow a larger volume of air through while pumping it up.

Knock on wood...no compressor or charger pump necessary yet on the 7 bikes in the garage.

Kapusta

Really not a big deal if you are only needing to do it on the initial install. Basically, once per life of the tire, IME.

Kapusta

I've got a Makita oiled compressor. Very small, and pretty quiet. A few hundred buck, though.

One advantage of the floor pumps with the canisters that can be pressurized for setting tubeless is that you can take them with you in the car. I've thought about getting one of these for cycling vacations. Luckily, all my mtb tires set with a regular floor pump (especially once they have been set up once), but sometime stuff happens.

tomato coupe

The category was “Inconvenient.”

Kapusta

OK, so its not very "inconvenient", then.

Better?

tomato coupe

I’ll agree to moderately inconvenient, but that’s my final offer.