Bicycle Mechanics - This is gonna sound REALLY lame...

Does anyone know of a cheap household air compressor that plugs into a standard wall jack that I can use to inflate bicycle tires? Seriously, I'm not lazy. I have decent floor pump which I've recently relocated to work to use there just in case. I'd like to buy a another floor pump however doing some shopping around, I've seen some small poratable units which can inflate to like 250 psi and would probably be perfect for the home shop and are comparetively(sp?) priced. However most of these have that stupid vehicle A/C plug on them.

Any suggestions? :o

i use an air comp and it costs $70 cdn, not cheap... nonetheless i love using it :)

sd

It's pretty easay to build/buy a 120v AC to 12v DC converter. But is it a good idea? Will it pop the bike tire? I use one for tractor tires where the volume is high, but I'll stick to the floor pump for bicycle tires.

Joe

No $70 bucks isn't too bad. What kind is it and where did you get it?

oh, you're in toronto, lol. canadian tire, just go to the air compressors section, they have the $70 one that plugs into the wall, and it's also rechargeable/portable so u actually can use it without even a plug..it's really nice. visit your neighborhood CT :)

sd

Thx. I was checking out Crappy T this weekend and nothing really caught my eye. Perhaps I'm being too picky? I'll have another look. I saw a couple that you might be talking about. Thanks.

It's pretty easay to build/buy a 120v AC to 12v DC converter. But is it a good idea? Will it pop the bike tire? I use one for tractor tires where the volume is high, but I'll stick to the floor pump for bicycle tires.

Joe

I've used heavy-duty industrial air compressors to inflate my low-pressure tires before. There's a process to it, mainly, applying the air in short bursts when the tire starts getting full, to work it up slowly.

Also, keep in mind that my 60-95lb/psi rated tires have been inflated to 140, and other than a very hard ride I was ok. Before I had a chance to go farther (I was experimenting to see how much pressure the tires would take), an inatentive person blew up a truck tire at the compressor while I was still in the area, and I've avoided overinflation like the plague ever since.

the dept store air compressors go slowly, you can see the PSI go up one by one, so 120 psi is fine, so is 60psi.. they're nice and steady.

sd

I tried 2, 1 at $40 and 1 at $120. It was great getting it to 80lb, but slowed significantly around 80 - 100lb. On my high pressure tubular road tires, it just simply stopped around 120lb (it took a long time to get there too). For a rode bike, it was more hassle than its worth. However, I do see value in it for mountain bikes. I bought the Sear's brand for both compression, and returned them both. Stuck with my trusty Silca floor pump.

ok, i'm home now and looking at it.. it's a "bonaire airtech" cordless air inflator, with a 12V power pack (that means you charge it up, and can use it in the car to start-up your car, or charge up your cell fone battery, or light up a cig, etc.), and goes up to 300 PSI. like i said it goes to 120 psi no prob, and i love it. one of those buys i'd list in my "pure luxury" items which i certainly don't regret.

sd

I like to use a human-powered pump to inflate bicycle tires.

ok, i'm home now and looking at it.. it's a "bonaire airtech" cordless air inflator, with a 12V power pack (that means you charge it up, and can use it in the car to start-up your car, or charge up your cell fone battery, or light up a cig, etc.), and goes up to 300 PSI. like i said it goes to 120 psi no prob, and i love it. one of those buys i'd list in my "pure luxury" items which i certainly don't regret.

Hey SD, how long does it take you to get it up to 120 psi?

I use a 12v 250psi bought at Kmart for 50.00. That thing works quickly and you'll not want to turn your head when it's pumping up a 700x23c :)



Olds

Hey SD, how long does it take you to get it up to 120 psi?

about a minute, maybe less. never timed myself. and of course you don't look away when you're pumping it up, just like you don't do that when you pump up a car tire.

sd