General Cycling Discussion - CO2 versus pump?

Just thought I would ask others opinion, how does co2 relate to using a frame pump?
I have a large track pump for home use, so I would like to know if,when COMMUTING co2 would be effective or too expensive?
They seem to be expensive to purchase but are they expensive to 'run'?
Also could you tell me of any experiences that may help me decide whether to go the co2 way or not.
Thanks.
PS I probably have around 10/15 punctures a year. But in another post here ( at BF) I retell my tale of woe-24 punctures in 3 months. Damn bike was nearly highway roadkill!

I've never used CO2 because I usually have to inflate the tire a couple of times when I repair it; at least once to find the hole, a little to seat it into the tire, inflate the tire, find out there is another hole I missed the first time, reinflate to find other hole(s), etcetera, etcetera.

Also, you might find that you blow both your front and rear tires. For this reason, I am sticking to the pump rather than carring a couple of CO2.

However, some guys that have tried them like them. I think Pete Clark said he used them and liked them.

Ya, Mike, that's true.

I use a combo of frame pump and CO2: frame pump gets it started, CO2 tops it off.

CO2 is $2.00 per 12 gram cartridge where I live (at bike shops).
But the kind sold for BB guns are identical (if threadless) and cost about 50 cents each.

I use co2 for the quickness of getting back on the trail. It can make all the difference in a race. If I am just out riding around, I use a buddies pump.

CO2 is strictly racing kit. If you have 1 puncture, you can fix it, get back on the road quickly, and still have a chance of not comming last.
If you have another puncture in the race, you are well and truly stuffed, so you may as well give up any thought of a position.

In the real world, saving a minute or 2 in a puncture repair makes no difference to your trip. Having the capability to repair multiple punctures can make the difference between getting to your destination, and trying to walk it it home or call for a lift.

Frame-fit pumps (Zefal HP-X) can inflate to a decent pressure, but mini-pumps have difficulties above 80 PSI. However, its quite OK to finish your journey on a slightly under-inflated tyre, if you top it up with your floor pump at home.

A lot of time-saving devices compromise on the reliability front.
Even QR skewers have a downside. They save time during the puncture repair (maybe 10 mins /year), but need to be removed whenever you lock your bike (costing maybe an extra minute on every lock-up, which for me is approx 500 minutes/year).

I carry a spare tube and a Zefal hp X 3 (not sure why the "3")... I prefer to repair the punctured tube when I get home.

The only thing I don't like about the Zefal is it attaches parallel to the seat post down tube and this is where the #1 bottle cage threads are.

For now my rides are under 25 mi and the large bottle I carry on the #2 cage is fine. I am sure there is another way to mount the pump, I just haven't asked... OK now I'm asking?

:D

My Zefal mini-pump, which I hate, came with an adaptor that lets you slip the adaptor straps under the bottle cage and it attaches that way. It's as secure as can be. I almost wish it weren't--if it would fall off and get lost I'd probably be happier, because then I would have to go buy a decent pump.

Originally posted by JonR
My Zefal mini-pump, which I hate, came with an adaptor that lets you slip the adaptor straps under the bottle cage and it attaches that way. It's as secure as can be. I almost wish it weren't--if it would fall off and get lost I'd probably be happier, because then I would have to go buy a decent pump.

That's funny. Where is your bike locked up? I might come along and take it off your hands if you like :D

Chris

i run CO2, for the pure reason that i don't have to have a pump lashed to my frame. i can just put a couple of CO2 cartridges and the inflator in my saddle pack and be off. but i have always been one on asthetics. i know that function should come before fashion, but i love to gawk at my bike. and is that so bad?

i can usually scrape by with the pressure from one cartridge (i've done it before, but my wheel came out of true) of CO2, but i feel more comfortable if i carry two, just in case. and if i haven't ridden very far, i would rather use both of them and get the most out of the rest of my ride.

and if you do use CO2, don't buy it from your LBS. go to Wal-Mart or Target or somewhere like that and buy your CO2. it is much, much cheaper.

Originally posted by Chris L


That's funny. Where is your bike locked up? I might come along and take it off your hands if you like :D

Chris
OK, but with the luck you've been having lately, it would probably break or explode the first time you used it!

Originally posted by JonR
I almost wish it weren't--if it would fall off and get lost I'd probably be happier, because then I would have to go buy a decent pump.

That's exactly what I was wishing for when I had a Bell pump. And guess what? I finally lost it! :D Didn't even look for it. Went out and bought a Topeak. Great pump.

originally posted by JonR

OK, but with the luck you've been having lately, it would probably break or explode the first time you used it!

especially with 4 pounds of black powder in the frame, right?

On some better touring bikes, there is a pump peg brazed near the top of the RHS seat stay. A smaller Zefal HPX fits nicely, and leaves the seat-tube free for water bottles.
You can have a pump peg fitted to the inside of the head-tube and keep a longer pump there, but you have to remove it to shoulder the bike.

Thnx everyone, from what I've read I think I'll stick with the frame pump. It seems too expensive and not worth the effort to use CO2 on a commuting ride.
I do carry a spare tube and a puncture kit on every ride and I gave up those mini pumps because I don't have Superman's arms to pump them around 80-100 times to inflate my 700/23's to a firm pressure. The mini pump was a Blackburn Double shot- but please don't think they are no good, it's just that I didn't like it.

So Chris if you ever come down this way I'll sell it to you real cheap!
Regards to all.

Originally posted by MichaelW
CO2 is strictly racing kit.
Maybe so. But they sure come in handy to top off your tube. It's a convenience thing.

But I wouldn't go with the $2.00 per refill price, unless I was independently wealthy. That's just hoo-haw. Fifty cents is reasonable for flats that happen only once every few weeks.