Road Cycling - Hot Air?

I just got a new road bike and am thinking of replacing my old pain in the a... mini pump with a co2 pump. What should I look for in co2, what do people like? Do they work? Or, am I full of hot air and should stay with the mini?

Thanks.

They do work, which is good :), the main drawback is once you are out of Co2, you cant fill any more tubes.. So if you only have 1 cartridge, and get 2 flast you are walking, or if you miss the hole or do a bad patch etc... There is a company that makes a Co2/Mini-pump so you have the regular pump as a backup.

I don't know about he co2 but the mini pumps don't usually work with the high psi of the road tires. I had to get a larger frame pump. (I don't like the idea of a one shot co2).

I heard bad feedback from the combo mini pumps/CO2 from actual riders I know. Not people that post on forums.

For racing go with the C02. Of course take like 2-3 just in case.

For trianing just take a normal pump.


What C02? Many out there are identical. Just get one that screws in and you can regulate. This way you can control when you shoot it and how much.

I owned a zefal mini-pump years ago, it had a telescopic handle that extended into three parts. It was useless for road bikes, I could only reach 60psi. I then bought a Co2 system. After a year with no flat tyres I thought should give this system a go and actually see how well it works. On the 3rd cartridge I got the tyre up to 90psi, which is very good. However if I was on the road I would not want to get another flat as I would have run out of cartridges.

I went out and bought a Blackburn mountain air mini pump for $20 152grams/5.3oz and I can get the tyres to almost 90psi in under a minute, about 50 strokes. No more Co2.
The Co2 is quicker but if you have two flats on a ride, a heap of cylinders might be needed, and if you ride in the "sticks" a pump is a more reliable way of getting home.

CHEERS.

Mark

co2 they are okay, I usually would carry 6 to 8 cartridges, but on a long ride I would carry a Topeak Mini Pump, this Pump can do like 80 PSI, and if I run into multi flats, I can used my mini pump, enought for me to walk home

Most of the guys I ride with only have CO2, myself included. One CO2 should give you 110psi in a tire if you use it properly. I carry 2-3 depending on where I am riding. I always carry a spare tube and a patch kit. I have not had to use a patch kit in at least a year. Tubes are $2, so I just throw them out if they have a hole.

I keep an extra CO2 at my desk at work incase I get a flat on the way into the office.

When I first started using CO2 (8 years ago) I would have to use two Co2s to fill up a tire (MTB). I tried a couple times at home and got to be able to fill a tire with just one.

If you are buying a CO2 pump, make sure it is one that takes the normal CO2 cartridges (like for a BB gun). The threaded ones are expensive and the normal ones can be had at your local sports store.

A lot of cyclists can tell you their tale of woe re/CO2 failure on a training or recreational ride. I'm one of 'em. Ya make yer choice and you take yer chances. I never replaced my CO2 after my 11-mile-from home incident. I'm strong enough to cover the additional ounces the pump weighs for training and recreational rides.

If your frame will accomodate a regular frame pump, most will easily pump a tire up to the 120 psi range. I currently use a Topeak Road Master Blaster, and used a Zefal HP/X for years. Blackburn makes a good one, too.

I have a Topeak Road Morph "midi" pump that easily reaches 120-130 and will supposedly do 160. The flip down foot rest and flip over t-handle makes pumping a breeze. I highly recommend it. However as a daily commuter and weekend group rider I carry an Innovations Ultraflate CO2 inflator. If I am on my way to work or the group is waiting for a flat repair, the CO2 is a must, inflating a tire in 2-3 seconds instead of minutes of pumping. I always carry at least 3-4 cartridges. The advantage of the Ultraflate is that it will use standard air rifle cartridges, which are cheap in boxes of 25 at Wal-Mart, or the more expensive threaded cartridges. When weight/space are an issue you can just carry a large threaded cartridge and the inflator head.

Each type - pump or CO2 has it's place and advantages. If I were going on a tour I would definitely have the Road Morph, but I would also carry the Ultraflate to get me going quicker. I have read that if you use a CO2 inflator you should deflate the tire and reinflate it with a pump at home because the CO2 can apparently damage some tubes with long exposure.

BTW, strictly speaking, CO2 produces COLD air. :D
FWIW,
Raymond

If your frame will accomodate it, definitely carry a frame pump (even if you depend on co2 cartridges). Better safe than sorry, especially on long rides in the boonies.

Originally posted by Poppaspoke
If your frame will accomodate it, definitely carry a frame pump (even if you depend on co2 cartridges). Better safe than sorry, especially on long rides in the boonies. Besides, dog's are not intimidated when you hold a CO2 cartridge over your head.