Commuting - Is this normal for CO2 cartridge?

I flatted yesterday on my way to work. Unfortunately, I broke my mini-pump a few days prior so all I had with me was a CO2 cartridge that I purchased last weekend to try out (never used one before). The CO2 cartridge worked ok, but I only got about 60 psi (it said 130 on the package). Luckily it was my front wheel, so was able to ride to work without a pinch flat. I talked to a guy while I was fixing my flat. He said that his friends that do triathalons use 2 cartridges to get to 120 psi. Is this normal? Do I need to plan on using 2 cartridges for every flat?

Just a note that I purchased a Lezyne mini pump to replace my old pump. I think I'm going to keep the CO2 cartridges to supplement the pump.

CO2 cartridges come in different sizes. The 12g will get a skinny road tire to about 80-90 lbs. A 16g will get it to over 100. For higher volume tires, you may need a 25g for sufficient pressure. I'm not sure what the largest is, but REI sells cartridges that supposedly will inflate 2 MTB tires up to 75 lbs.

Mine was a 16g cartridge. I'm sure I lost some air fiddling with it.

You probably lost some CO2 while inflating, but I'm guessing your tires are not 23x700c. The larger the tire, the more CO2 is required.

You probably lost some CO2 while inflating, but I'm guessing your tires are not 23x700c. The larger the tire, the more CO2 is required.

Yeah, I'm riding 700x28 at 125psi on my commuter. I think I did lose some CO2 while inflating. It was my first time and I don't think I was as efficient as I could have been.

Sounds like the fiddling lost some CO2. I've found it to be a pretty "one shot" deal, works great if it's seated on the valve and don't lose any, but not and you're looking for another cartridge.

I usually pump the tire up a little with my pump, then hit it with the CO2.

just bought a topeak road morph.

awesome frame mounted pump.

takes it a minute or two to get to 100 psi, but with almost no effort. sooooo much better than zefal mini pump.

HOw much pressure you get out of a single cartridge will depend on the volume of the tire. For example, a 16g cartridge may get you 110 psi on a skinny 700Cx23 road tire, but try that wit a fat 29er mountain bike tire, and you may only get 12 to 15 psi, if that much.

They do make "Big Air" 25g cartridges for use with mountain bikes and fat tires.

60psi gets you home is the way i figure it.