Manufacturer, Retailer, Survey and Consumer Feedback - Is there value in carrying portable c02 inflators?

I am interested in finding out the value of c02 inflators, and what the biking community thinks of gadgets like these?

I am constantly producing new products and want to make sure that I am making the changes that bikers will like and use. Any feedback, comments, or questions would be helpful!

Side note: Feel free to express your likes for other similar products as well, I am not only interested in products by Genuine Innovations. I have found our portable inflators to be very helpful for me, but I understand that not everyone likes the same thing as me!

* I am not in anyway trying to promote my items, just looking for feedback from the group

I keep one in the saddle bag, it's saved me more then once.

For years I carried around your ultraflate plus and it is a wonderful design that I still recommend if someone inquires. I personally consider CO2 and advanced cyclist's tool and I don't recommend it to new riders. An experienced cyclist will know and accept the limitations of CO2. That being said, I really liked CO2... as easy as some pumps were to use, zero effort was even better. Then one day someone loaned me an early version of the Topeak morph. I fell in love with it. It was as easy to use as my floor pump and unlike CO2, there was no limitation as to how much I used it. I now own two of these beauties. One for my primary road bike and the other on my folder/travel bike.

I still have my ultraflate plus, and maybe someday I will go back to using it again. But for now I am in the Topeak morph camp..... Sorry

Nothing beats the speed and ease of use of CO2. I keep one on hand for all my local riding and commuting. For touring, though, I prefer the tried and true hand pump (road morph). You can't top off your tires each day with CO2.

I have two Ultraflates. The last two occasions I had to use them the CO2 cartridges emptied while I was screwing on the head prior to use, rendering them useless and leaving me stranded. I liked them though, since they stored easily in my small seat bag, keeping me from having to carry a frame mounted pump.

Since then, Blackburn's Airstik SL pump arrived which also fits in my small seat bag. That was the key for me to trade out the Ultraflates for Airstik SLs. I now have unlimited air from a compact pump that's reliable and easy to use.

I currently use the 2nd wind pumps on all my bikes.. As far as small co2 inflators I prefer the Silca inflators over the GI models.. It is a little sturdier and I am able to modulate the air much easier..

I'm ambivalent on this issue. I have a great Silca CO2 inflater, but since I think it's essential to carry a pump as a backup, I frequently don't bring the CO2 paraphernalia. But on a long ride the CO2 is a good idea since it's hard to get the tire pressure high enough w/o the cartridge assist.

You know whats really annoying? The bottles cost the same as a tube.

I started with a CO2 as a great idea and really a cool look for not having to lug a pump on my bike.
That said let me explain:
I marshall perhaps 10 charity rides a year and lead several club rides with my road pump. You can't believe how many people I have helped get home with my Topeak Road Morph pump. I can always help a stranded cyclist and do.

If you are a "Racer" then yes you will be laughed off the course if you bring a frame pump or similar. There are some people that can get the knack of the Co2 and bring enough for themselves . Sometimes the CO2 user messes up or the tube is bad, then what? Don't forget about the guy who doesn't bring a cartridge at all or a buddy needs yours.

I'm just saying, a pump will do just fine over and over again.
Besides, its good for the environment and doesn't take that much longer.

I'm NOT saying don't get a CO2 pump. I'm just saying make sure your riding buddy has his frame pump with him.:p

I carry a GI inflator and a pump and a tube and a repair kit. The repair kit and pump is for strangers and back up; the tube and inflator is for me ;)

My co-2 inflater has never failed me. On the other hand I have had at least 2 high priced mini pumps fail. One of them just plain broke. My co-2 inflator is small lite and easy to use. Also it if fast, so if you are in a group ride, it gets you going quickly so as not to hold up the groupp

CO2 has it's place and it has it's limitations. I still race at 76 and use CO2 ONLY during races, the rest of the time I use pumps. So their essential in races where time very important, but on training rides or especially touring their useless. But even when I'm racing I carry a mini just in case; but when I'm on a training ride or touring I'll carry 2 pumps (and no CO2) a lot of the times (depending on how far I'm riding) so I have a back up air source.

To stick my foot in my mouth I now have a 2-in-1 pump that does both! Guess I stand corrected they are not all bad but just always carry 3 co2 refills or a good pump.



"My views on co2 pumps are this. Per say you are riding, non race, and get a flat. You change out/repair your tube and find out you have another hole. Sad thing about them is that they can only be used as many cartridges you have. Air pump well over and over and over again. Have to agree in racing they are a valuable commodity. Again in non race I feel if you REALLY want compressed air strap one of those 5 gallon air tanks on your back lol. "

I carry a GI ultraflate plus and a frame pump. Love the fact that the Ultraflate Plus takes 12g, 16g, and 25g cartridges in both threaded and unthreaded styles. The 12g unthreaded can be had for cheap.

Keep up the good work.

CO2 is great for racing where your responsible to fix flats in a race. Otherwise their pointless. Why pay for air when a pump can provide air for free? Then if by some odd chance you have more flats on a ride then you brought carts along, then what? thus you have limited air supply. Then you have to remember to restock your saddle bag after every use, then you have to take the hassle and go down and get a box of carts when you run out. A pump is easy, you always have it with you, and the cost of air? FREE And I have no problems with a medium size SKS Wise Carbon Race mini pump getting to 100psi in about 150 strokes...vs over 800 to get to 65 psi with the SKS Puro-a piece of crap.

On long rides of over 40 miles one way from home, I carry a second pump, I have my main medium mini, and then take the frame pump on long rides in case the main pump should by some odd chance break. Nothing like being 40, 50, 60 miles from home out in the middle of nowhere with no cell connection and have a pump break.