Classic & Vintage - these co2 cartridges look too similar to n2o

help. i'm new to using co2 to fix flats on the road. how much pressure do the 16g cartridges supply in a 700x23c tube/tire? if much more than the preferred 100 lbs, how does one gauge the amount of pressure when applying the co2? just a mere thumb test? once arriving back in civilization, is it necessary to remove all the co2 before refilling with pump air? have any other co2 tips you'd like to share? thanks.

My experience has been that one 16g CO2 cartridge emptied into a 700 x 23c tire will result in about 110-120psi in the tire. For that reason, I simply empty the 16g cartridge into the tire and go with that pressure. That's what I use in a 700 x 23c tire anyway. I've heard some people say that completely emptying the cartridge into the tire results in too much pressure, but that's not been my experience.

edit: do keep in mind that I'm talking about modern tires on hook edged rims.

i just use n2o cartridges.. waa-waa-waa


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaJRbTlpUbs

16g will get you about 110 or so psi in a 700x23 tire. Just empty it and go on your way.

I actually use 12g cartridges, mainly because they cost about 50 cents each when bought in 24 packs a Walmart, and they will inflate me enough to get home or to the next bike shop. They'll get you to 90/100 psi or so.

I actually use 12g cartridges, mainly because they cost about 50 cents each when bought in 24 packs a Walmart,

It's funny, walmart has a policy [or so I was told] of not selling co2 cartridges in their [sub]urban stores, but only in rural ones. So I can't buy these cheap cartridges at my WM, or Dick's, but fortunately Academy does sell them in my area. IIRC $10 for a box of 24.

edit: reading BBM's post - I may not be able to buy an air cartridge, but I can buy shotgun shells (probably other ammo, too, I've never really looked) at my southern walmart :rolleyes:

It's funny, walmart has a policy [or so I was told] of not selling co2 cartrideges in their urban stores, but only in rural ones. So I can't buy these cheap cartridges at my WM, or Dick's, but fortunately Academy does sell them in my area. IIRC $10 for a box of 24.

I'm neither rural nor urban...... I'm in the 'burbs :). The two Walmarts in my county caved a long time ago to the whining hand-wringers and stopped selling rifles/shotguns, but they still sell hunting supplies and associated air gun stuff. The one in the next county over still sells a full compliment of interesting things.

The funny thing is that Big 5 (a local/regional sporting goods chain) still sells rifles and shotguns, so apparently Walmart was "targeted" (snicker) by the county. The deals were too good, I guess...... either that, or Big 5 has a backbone and told the idiots to pound sand. :)

16g will get you about 110 or so psi in a 700x23 tire. Just empty it and go on your way.

I actually use 12g cartridges, mainly because they cost about 50 cents each when bought in 24 packs a Walmart, and they will inflate me enough to get home or to the next bike shop. They'll get you to 90/100 psi or so.

+1 At the LBS yesterday, I noticed that they were selling threaded 16g cartridges for $4 a piece. Do I need to say it? Just carry 2 12's.

I use a mini-pump/ CO2 combo unit, and pump about 20 PSI into the tire to seat the bead and make sure everything's right, then shoot the 12g cartridge into the tire. It puts about 110 PSI total then. That way I get the high pressure plus I get to use the cheap cartridges.

Are the CO2 catridges you use for seltzer bottles different from the ones used to inflate tires? The cartridges I use for my Walther PPK BB gun have a larger end than the ones I use for my for my seltzer bottles. I'm talking about the unthreaded type.

Are the CO2 catridges you use for seltzer bottles different from the ones used to inflate tires? The cartridges I use for my Walther PPK BB gun have a larger end than the ones I use for my for my seltzer bottles. I'm talking about the unthreaded type.

You know, I've not checked my seltzer cartridges, but the unthreaded 12g ones I use for my tires are made for paint/BB guns.

Dude, http://www.justsayn2o.com/.

I'm neither rural nor urban...... I'm in the 'burbs :). The two Walmarts in my county realized ther had a responsibility to put good citizenship and the public good above filthy lucre and stopped selling rifles/shotguns or anything else that might convey the messae to impressionable youths that violence is okay. The one in the next county over still hasn't seen the light, though.

FIFY. :innocent:

You know, I've not checked my seltzer cartridges, but the unthreaded 12g ones I use for my tires are made for paint/BB guns.

Yeah - I happen to buy the Crossman 24 packs, but my Co2 inflator takes everything threaded or unthreaded, 16g or 12g. I bought it a Performance, and it really works great.

I don't do seltzer. :) BTW - I've heard (but not confirmed) that the 16g are commonly used for beer taps or home brewing... I forget which. anyway, on those types of supply sites, the 16g are supposed to be way cheaper than the LBS $3/ea prices.

Personally, I carry 4 12g with me, and it has been more than sufficient for all the miles/years that I've been at this.

FIFY. :innocent:

And that kind of ignorant hand-wringing is part of the problem. :D :p

My mother likes seltzer water and ice in her Merlot. My last box of cartridges came from Crate and Barrel. I don't know what I paid, but I'm sure it was too much.

Lolz! My WalMart has black powder in the ailes. BPGuns are too, but have those silly peg locks on them. This time of the year brings the pallet of bulk pack Federal Shotgun shells onto the sales floor right by the $5.00 DVD bin. Of course we are a few miles from town too.

I can't even imagine living in a community with guns. But then again, I can't imagine living in one where biking is a lifestyle choice with many political implications instead of a natural movement like walking or doing the dishes.

thanks, all. looks like i need to find cheap, threaded 12g cartridges. somewhere other than walmart. i think it's against a local law to shop there.

italuminium, "the most common dangers from nitrous are due to ... the silliness." oh, god, no, not the silliness! the horror.

my mother also puts ice in her glass of box red wine that she keeps in the fridge. it's cute. horrible, but cute.

italuminium, "the most common dangers from nitrous are due to ... the silliness." oh, god, no, not the silliness! the horror.


the local cops banned the sale of N2O in the immediate surrounding of our school. Odd, since we used it as a booster drug to the cannabis we could procure from the coffeeshop next to the store where they sold caps. Token measures at their best. Now I'm really too old for that stupid stuff but BITD it was a lot of fun.