CO2 vs hand pump
#2
Should Be More Popular
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Posts: 43,221
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 561 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22732 Post(s)
Liked 9,101 Times
in
4,231 Posts
Pump is better unless you are in a big hurry.
PS get a pump with a flexible hose that connects to valve stem. The ones that engage directly do work but when you are using them they can stress the valve/tube connection and cause a tear. Which will cause many tears.
PS get a pump with a flexible hose that connects to valve stem. The ones that engage directly do work but when you are using them they can stress the valve/tube connection and cause a tear. Which will cause many tears.
#4
Sr Member on Sr bikes
For the former…I don’t know why you’d want to use anything other than a floor pump (or maybe a compressor). For the latter,…well after 40 years of cycling I just finally decided to try CO₂ and carry that with me for mid-ride flats about three years ago. I can’t believe I waited that long. The CO₂ is SOOOOoooo much easier than a frame-mounted pump. And not that expensive. The inflator valve can be obtained for +/- $20. And a box of 12 CO₂ cartridges was about the same…I think…probably less. I’m still working on the original 12-pack I purchased when I made the switch. That being said…I still can’t bring myself to leave the frame pump at home. I carry two CO₂ cartridges with me and have never needed the second one. But I know that the first time I don’t take the pump that I’ll end up with two CO₂’s going “pffffsssstt” and end up with no way to inflate.
Dan
Last edited by _ForceD_; 08-11-21 at 12:15 PM.
Likes For _ForceD_:
#5
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,464
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 2,116 Times
in
1,379 Posts
When I still used tubes, I used CO2. So much faster... but with tubeless, the pump mostly doesn't get used, so the rare occasion that I need to spend the time seems less important
With tubeless I carry a pump because CO2 and tubeless sealant supposedly don't play all that nice together.
I have a Mountain Morph pump, which is the fatter version of the Road Morph for higher volume/lower pressure. It's pretty bulky. I chose it specifically because it has a foot that folds out to use it on the ground. I had a heart surgery a few years ago and for a long time after it was pretty hard to squeeze my arms together.
With tubeless I carry a pump because CO2 and tubeless sealant supposedly don't play all that nice together.
I have a Mountain Morph pump, which is the fatter version of the Road Morph for higher volume/lower pressure. It's pretty bulky. I chose it specifically because it has a foot that folds out to use it on the ground. I had a heart surgery a few years ago and for a long time after it was pretty hard to squeeze my arms together.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#6
Full Member
Very much personal preference- some people around here will carry a lot of spares/tools around just in case, others are ok going without and accepting the risk that needing a lot of that stuff is low. I average a little under one flat per year over the last decade, so the convenience and packaging of CO2 works well for me, and has been reliable. For someone that flats much more frequently or goes on longer rides, a pump and more spares/redundancy make sense.
Whichever option you go with, if you aren't already comfortable with it, practice getting a flat at home so that you aren't learning on the side of the road, or realizing you don't have all the tools you need.
Whichever option you go with, if you aren't already comfortable with it, practice getting a flat at home so that you aren't learning on the side of the road, or realizing you don't have all the tools you need.
#7
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,698
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4795 Post(s)
Liked 1,547 Times
in
1,014 Posts
CO2 is best unless you have loads of time.
Assuming this is a question about what to bring on a ride, and not at home, I think a lot depends on what tire/pressure you're riding. A minipump kinda sux if you have to get to 80-90+ psi, so then you're considering a larger frame pump.
FWIW, I have both. CO2 (2x), plus a little mini-pump which would be my last recourse and I'd be resigned to probably finishing my ride about 20 or so PSI below what I'd want to be using.
Assuming this is a question about what to bring on a ride, and not at home, I think a lot depends on what tire/pressure you're riding. A minipump kinda sux if you have to get to 80-90+ psi, so then you're considering a larger frame pump.
FWIW, I have both. CO2 (2x), plus a little mini-pump which would be my last recourse and I'd be resigned to probably finishing my ride about 20 or so PSI below what I'd want to be using.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,328
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 1,196 Times
in
697 Posts
CO2 is best unless you have loads of time.
Assuming this is a question about what to bring on a ride, and not at home, I think a lot depends on what tire/pressure you're riding. A minipump kinda sux if you have to get to 80-90+ psi, so then you're considering a larger frame pump.
FWIW, I have both. CO2 (2x), plus a little mini-pump which would be my last recourse and I'd be resigned to probably finishing my ride about 20 or so PSI below what I'd want to be using.
Assuming this is a question about what to bring on a ride, and not at home, I think a lot depends on what tire/pressure you're riding. A minipump kinda sux if you have to get to 80-90+ psi, so then you're considering a larger frame pump.
FWIW, I have both. CO2 (2x), plus a little mini-pump which would be my last recourse and I'd be resigned to probably finishing my ride about 20 or so PSI below what I'd want to be using.
#9
Junior Member
I carry both. Co2 is quick and convenient but the cartridges get heavy quick when you start adding them to your jersey pocket so I carry a couple cartridges and a mini pump. It comes in handy if someone else needs some air along the ride as well.
#10
Senior Member
...” I still can’t bring myself to leave the frame pump at home. I carry two CO₂ cartridges with me and have never needed the second one. But I know that the first time I don’t take the pump that I’ll end up with two CO₂’s going “pffffsssstt” and end up with no way to inflate....”
I figure it is not that much of a hassle to carry a mini pump. After helping too many people who blew through their CO2 I prefer not to be stranded, especially if it means getting my wife to pick me up 40 miles from home!
I figure it is not that much of a hassle to carry a mini pump. After helping too many people who blew through their CO2 I prefer not to be stranded, especially if it means getting my wife to pick me up 40 miles from home!
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2953 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
#12
Blast from the Past
I can't say which is best, but I use CO2. I'll add that I rarely flat. Have had 3 in the last two years & they were all on the same ride.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,811
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4602 Post(s)
Liked 5,144 Times
in
3,178 Posts
A quality mini-pump is the safe bet. CO2 is optional for speed, but I don't bother.
Likes For PeteHski:
#15
Full Member
Pump and second on the flexible hose. I carry CO2 just in case I get caught by inclement weather and am not in the mood to pump the tires. Luckily that haven't happened yet.
#16
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,434 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Co2.
#17
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Franklin, TN
Posts: 424
Bikes: 2016 Cervelo R3 & 1999 Litespeed Tuscany
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 161 Post(s)
Liked 139 Times
in
80 Posts
If you go the CO2 route, put the cartridge in a piece of old inner tube as insulation. When you use the inflator things get really cold really quick. The tube will give you just enough time to inflate your flat before your fingers get frostbite. Also practice once or twice at home so you know how it works before you rely on it out on the road.
#18
Senior Member
I carry a Lyzene road drive pump and love it. At home I have a cheap Serfas track pump. I also carry a spare tube and a patch kit. I have not tried tubeless yet.
Likes For Bolo Grubb:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: reno, nv
Posts: 2,328
Bikes: yes, i have one
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 1,196 Times
in
697 Posts
If you go the CO2 route, put the cartridge in a piece of old inner tube as insulation. When you use the inflator things get really cold really quick. The tube will give you just enough time to inflate your flat before your fingers get frostbite. Also practice once or twice at home so you know how it works before you rely on it out on the road.
#20
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,464
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3133 Post(s)
Liked 2,116 Times
in
1,379 Posts
The CO2 inflator I used to carry had a sleeve that screwed on for the cartridge. I didn't think about the cold part but it also allowed use of either smooth or threaded cartridges, or the 12 gram cartridges from the bb gun aisle. It had a Slime brand sticker on it but I've seen the same one with other stickers
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#21
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,698
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4795 Post(s)
Liked 1,547 Times
in
1,014 Posts
PDW Shiny Object ftw
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Australia
Posts: 829
Bikes: 2002 Trek 5200 (US POSTAL), 2020 Canyon Aeroad SL
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 317 Post(s)
Liked 686 Times
in
331 Posts
^ I've got one of those too, a quality piece of kit.
If you do go the CO2 route, get an inflator with a dial like the above (not a "trigger" or simple on/off switch). This allows you to control the flow rate when inflating the tube again.
Personally I have a small Lezyne frame pump, then CO2 in the saddle bag. Tend to use CO2 when out on the road as I want to get back riding quicker.
If you do go the CO2 route, get an inflator with a dial like the above (not a "trigger" or simple on/off switch). This allows you to control the flow rate when inflating the tube again.
Personally I have a small Lezyne frame pump, then CO2 in the saddle bag. Tend to use CO2 when out on the road as I want to get back riding quicker.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,970
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 794 Post(s)
Liked 1,851 Times
in
1,056 Posts
I have the Same...
#24
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,842
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 154 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3617 Post(s)
Liked 3,454 Times
in
1,960 Posts
I prefer a pump, and a full-size one at that, but many modern "compact" frames can't handle a full size pump. That said, over the years I've managed to injure both my shoulders and now have difficulty pumping to full pressure. So, now I carry both a pump and CO2. Start out with the pump, top off with the CO2. And if, heaven forfend, I run out of CO2, I can still get enough pressure in the tire with the pump to carefully ride home.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,970
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7 AXS, Trek Emonda ALR AXS, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 794 Post(s)
Liked 1,851 Times
in
1,056 Posts