Zaskar

You're as good as FaceBook and Instagram! You know how you search for something then the next post in your feed is an ad for that. I was thinking last night "Damn it. I have a compressor. it has a reservoir, a hose... the blowgun and tire chuck just don't have the flow rate... " and started searching for better heads. And then your comment. Boom.

chaadster

Something to think about while you’re searching is the ergonomics of the inflator head. I think the type with a hose connection to the wheel valve are awkward and clumsy to work with, and using the fixed-head type makes the work much easier. It’s a hard pill to swallow, perhaps, at $140, but really, Park INF-2 was a game-changer for me in that it really streamlined the workflow.

eduskator

I don't see the point of buying these if you can buy a 2 in 1 pump. There is a switch that you flip if you want to fill the air chamber for a shot, otherwise it works like a regular pump. Plus, you only carry 1 thing when traveling instead of two and a reservoir needs to be filled anyways.

I have the Giant Control Tower Boost pump and it works well. Charging it to 160-180PSI will instantly seat and inflate a 28mm tire to 40PSI. It overheats quickly though (inflation rate decreases significantly after doing 2 tires) and it doesn't have a check valve (the air from the tire gets inside the pump when you connect the head to the valve) which is something I don't like.

I've heard good things on the Lezyne, Topeak and Bontrager ones.

msu2001la

I bought an airshot and use it every time I mount tubeless. I'm sure the 2-in-1 pump setups work great too, but (at least when I was shopping) these were significantly more expensive than just buying an airshot and using my current floor pump.

An air compressor would be great and might make the process easier, but they're noisy and take up storage space. I get why bike shops use them, but for a home DIY'er that only does this a few times a year it seems like overkill. I've yet to encounter a tubeless tire that couldn't be seated with the Airshot.

SoSmellyAir

I am nowhere near handy enough around the house to justify having pneumatic tools.

A few years ago, I bought a Bostitch pancake compressor (which came with a hose and blow gun) purely for keeping the tires on our two cars properly inflated. Properly inflated tires handle better, improve their rolling resistance, prolong their service life, and prevent blowouts, so a basic compressor is worth it for any family with two or more cars. I never used it on my bikes until going tubeless earlier this year.

The Park INF-2 looks nice but is more than the combined original price of my compressor and ARB Shrader inflator. As I don't need to use my compressor to inflate my bike tires, I don't think I can justify buying one. To seat my tubeless tires, I used my blow gun with one of these rubber tips:

8PCS Black Rubber Air Tool For Air Nozzle Tip, Blow Gun Rubber Tip For Air Tool, Parts Air Nozzle For Air Blow Guns Tool For Air Tool Parts & Accessories Air Blow Guns Tool - Amazon.com

I stretch out the tip of the rubber tip with a Philips screwdriver, so that the tip can fit over and onto a Presta valve stem (with the valve core removed). Seating the tire beads is fast and easy. When I first went tubeless, I saw suggestions here on BF to use a blow gun with a smaller tip that fits into the Presta valve stem, but I think my setup allows higher flow rate. I agree with chaadster that if one cannot get the beads seated with a compressor, something must be inadequate with the setup.

Zaskar

I agree. But, since I have a high-pressure (road) pump, high-volume (mtb) pump, and a compressor, hose, attachments... Oh, and the compressor sits in a spot in my shop where it gets used without moving it, i.e., on low shelf, plugged in, etc.

So, firing up the compressor and attaching a good HIGH-FLOW (!) chuck could be the best solutions.

eduskator

I agree and that's what I do (use an air compressor) even if I have a tubeless inflator floor pump. I bought a Presta/Shrader combo tire pressure gauge that I can attach to the hose - saves me at least 50 pumps per tire.

For those who don't have air compressors at home, the 2 in 1 pumps are handy and a good option.

jaxgtr

I've been able to mount my tires with a floor pump, but I already have a compressor if one is a little testy.

merlinextraligh

So I have a Bontrager cannister, and a cheap air compressor. The cannister does a much much better job seating tubeless tires.

It may be that my very cheap compressor is not quite up to the job. My takeaway from a sample of 2 is that the canisters do a better job than a bargain basket Harbor Freight compressor.

Zaskar

Most chucks/heads/attachments - especially those that come with the compressors - don’t have a high enough flow rate. That was sort my “ah ha” here - that I need a better inflator (attachment) for the compressor, not another pump.

I ordered one. I’ll report back.

merlinextraligh

mine had that problem. A new attachment helped, but still not great. I think my compressor is too small, and underpowered to really do the job well.

seypat

Get a reservoir tank that the compressor is hooked into/fills. Do all of your air needs from the tank.

Zaskar

aaaand I have feedback.

I bought a Jaco (4.4 stars out of 2,437 reviews) tire chuck. It locks on to the valve (releases with a push button) and has a gauge and a trigger. It does require using the Schrader adapter but does NOT require pulling the valve core.

Using my small (pancake) compressor, I reinstalled two tires on the first attempt - super easy. Okay, "re" is key. It's often easier to remount tires. But Monday, I mounted a new Schwalbe (even new rim tape) and it inflated and sealed like it was already seated. Just PFFFFT and it was at 80 psi - and held. Again - that's with the valve core in the valve.

I'd rate this setup higher than the Bontrager Flash Charger. But - and it's a big but - I have and use a compressor for other things. If I didn't need a compressor, the Flash Charger is still pretty great.



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