Road Cycling - CO2 Systems???

What's the best CO2 Systems???
Have you try different ones??
Some of the choices I am considering are:
Innovations Second Wind IH and Ultraflate Pro,
SKS Airchamp Pro,
and the Slime® Quick Air CO2 System.
Please be as detailed as possible on your experiences.
Thanks,

:)

I use Innovations, and carry the "Big Air" cannister. Simple, you screw on the valve, turn it a bit after attaching it to the tube valve, and presto, inflated tire (also carry a tire gauge). I also carry the 16g cannisters. I use them on both my road bikes, and my MTB. It's a heckuva lot less work than trying to get 120 lbs of air into a road tube with a hand pump. Especially when it is 90 out and you have been riding for 3 or 4 hours.
Fits in your saddlebag or can be attached by itself to your seatpost. I don't put the valve into the cannister until I need it.
Best thing since the derailleur. :D

Get one that can take non-threaded cannisters.

Best thing since the derailleur. :D
ssssshhhhhh... not so loud. the singlespeeders will hear you...

fssb
sparky

Get one that can take non-threaded cannisters.
You mentioned choose one that can take non-threaded canister,, why ?? whats the diferene???

You mentioned choose one that can take non-threaded canister,, why ?? whats the diferene???

$$$$- You can usually find the non-threaded canisters at you local sporting goods store for around 10/$5 vs 3/$10 for the threaded.

How does one recycle CO2 canisters?

Sorry not a fan of CO so skip if not interested!!

But co can be a hassle because you nver know for sure if you have enough co with you to cover all situations, plus you have to remember to resupply either your bike or your home before a ride after using them plus you have a trash issue. Where I use to live in Bakersfield CA I use to find the co carts scattered all over the sides of roads-nice huh? So if you go carts PLEASE take the empties home!

Pumps on the other hand have none of the hassles accept some physical activity to pump air-but hey isn't biking a physical activity? If your too weak to pump a skinny tire than maybe your too weak to ride a bike? Anyway obviously a pump is going to save you money as well since there are no carts to buy and you have a endless supply of air-just in case you have more than one or 2 flats on a ride.

BUT if your going to use it during races than the CO is faster. So maybe CO for races and a pump for training rides?

BUT if your going to use it during races than the CO is faster. So maybe CO for races and a pump for training rides?

You get a flat during a race you're dropped anyway. So what's the point? Might as well sit and wait for the broom wagon.

I'm probably biased against CO2 simply because I've never used it and hence don't trust it.

I do know that if I buy a frame pump it will last pretty much forever. No buying refills, no recycling issues. Perfect.

CO2 systems are one of those items that there is no good reason for.

You get a flat during a race you're dropped anyway. So what's the point? Might as well sit and wait for the broom wagon.

I'm probably biased against CO2 simply because I've never used it and hence don't trust it.

I do know that if I buy a frame pump it will last pretty much forever. No buying refills, no recycling issues. Perfect.

CO2 systems are one of those items that there is no good reason for.

I like carrying the CO2 in a seat pack strictly for emergency flat repair. I like the speed and ease of inflation if I'm stuck on the road patching a tube. Since I haven't had a flat on the road in a couple of years, I don't see refills or recycling to be an issue. If I use one cart/year, that's not a lot of waste.

Still need the mini-frame pump to carry for long trips away from home, as well as the regular floor pump for everyday inflation of course.

I like carrying the CO2 in a seat pack strictly for emergency flat repair. I like the speed and ease of inflation if I'm stuck on the road patching a tube. Since I haven't had a flat on the road in a couple of years, I don't see refills or recycling to be an issue. If I use one cart/year, that's not a lot of waste.

Still need the mini-frame pump to carry for long trips away from home, as well as the regular floor pump for everyday inflation of course.


I don't think most people that ride more than 75 miles per week will have only 1 flat every couple of years using regular road tires most use. Before I moved to Bakersfield CA I lived in pretty mild debis strewn roads and averaged about 2-3 flats a month and 150 miles a week (my non-racing years), when I moved to Bakersfield I averaged 2-4 flats a week and my average miles dropped to 100 a week, this was because this area had a lot of natural thorns and thistles along with trashy streets. Of course I was able to stop all the flats after switching to Specialize Armadillos and went 3 years with only 2 flats (one due to faulty tube and the other due to worn out tire). Now that I'm moved to Indiana 3 weeks ago, I want to switch to a lighter tire again since this area is not prone to as many flats.

I said all that mumbo jumbo to say this, I think most people riding more than 75 miles a week get a least 1 flat a month, but I could be wrong so I will post a poll to see what everyone elses experience's have been. Let the polls begin!

I don't think most people that ride more than 75 miles per week will have only 1 flat every couple of years using regular road tires most use....... I think most people riding more than 75 miles a week get a least 1 flat a month, but I could be wrong so I will post a poll to see what everyone elses experience's have been. Let the polls begin!

Well, I rode almost 1000 miles last summer on rural roads and didn't have a flat. As a matter of fact, I haven't had a flat in three seasons, on my hybrid or my road bike. Maybe I'm overdue...?

I don't think most people that ride more than 75 miles per week will have only 1 flat every couple of years using regular road tires most use. Before I moved to Bakersfield CA I lived in pretty mild debis strewn roads and averaged about 2-3 flats a month and 150 miles a week (my non-racing years), when I moved to Bakersfield I averaged 2-4 flats a week and my average miles dropped to 100 a week, this was because this area had a lot of natural thorns and thistles along with trashy streets. Of course I was able to stop all the flats after switching to Specialize Armadillos and went 3 years with only 2 flats (one due to faulty tube and the other due to worn out tire). Now that I'm moved to Indiana 3 weeks ago, I want to switch to a lighter tire again since this area is not prone to as many flats.

I said all that mumbo jumbo to say this, I think most people riding more than 75 miles a week get a least 1 flat a month, but I could be wrong so I will post a poll to see what everyone elses experience's have been. Let the polls begin!

Wow..you have a lot of flats. Wouldn't use CO2 either if I had a flat monthly.

I ride about 50 miles/week now, was about 25 miles/week average last couple of years (including winter). Used to have more problems with Michelin slicks, but now I run Conti GP tires, have had no flats with them for a couple of years.