Doohickie

I find that hard to believe. They are probably rank amateurs who have no clue how CO2 cartridges work. If you watch someone else do it or try it at home once, it's about the easiest way to get rolling again.

Northwestrider

I prefer a pump, but usually carry an inflater as well. If a mistake is made with an inflater your out of luck. IMO a pump is more reliable

jmeissner

Never had a problem with CO2 but I also carry a cell phone in case everything goes very wrong.

cyclist2000

I have quite a few bikes and I carry both inflators and pumps but I prefer a pump. I use a topeak turbo road morph, lezyne pressure drives mounted on the frame, when I am taking one of my other rides I switch a zefal hpx between some of the bikes and sometimes carry an inflator. When I carry the inflator I carry 4-5 cartridges (don't laugh) I carry a patch kit and I normall need a cartridge to find the hole and a couple of extra for the next flat on the ride.

Pinyon

I carry both, AND a shrader-to-presta valve adapter for gas station air pumps.

I almost always use my frame pump (another Topeak Roadmorph user).

I only use the CO2 in bad weather, or I'm in a hurry (on my way to an apppintment, on group ride with much faster riders, etc.).

I only use the shrader-to-presta adapter when both of the above fails. Both failed on me after a long ride one Sunday morning a couple of years ago. My wife was out-of-town, I could not get in touch with any neighbors or friends by phone, etc. I ended up walking 3-4 miles before another cyclist passed me that had a working pump.

Mr. Beanz

Never happen, my Mom won't let me ride that high up the mountain!

Mr. Beanz

Sometimes it's just bad luck. I've done several centuries with some Ca Triple Crown riders (3 doubles in one year, many of them far more than just 3). One guy I rode with was a totally experienced highly skilled rider with tons of miles under his belt. One of the riders that I actually have respect for when it comes to riding skill.

He flatted 3 times on our century and ran out of CO2. I ended up letting him borrow my pump. 95 miles into the ride, I hit a rock that severely slashed my sidewall. He let me borrow the folding tire he carries as a spare.

Plus, there are some people where it doesn't matter how much they practice with CO2 or a pump. They still suck!


One reason I quit using CO2. On a hot summer ride, 100+ we flatted on the tandem. I replaced the tube then proceeded to inflate with the cartridge. The gas froze the stem and the rubber around the stem. It snapped apart like a delicate Saltine cracker!....

Doohickie

Yep, that's why I said to inflate a little at a time.

Mithrandir

Interesting. The first time I tried mine it got cold as ice really fast and I was momentarily startled so I stopped holding the button... but after a second my old physics classes came back to me and I realised that rapid decompression causes the molecules to become cold, ala how air conditioners work. I then continued to inflate in short bursts, not to prevent it from getting too cold but so I could sort of gauge how tight the tire was getting.

I never realised it could get THAT cold though.

Mr. Beanz

I must admit, I was in a hurry as two other riders were waiting or us. That was about the time I started to see roadside repairs are about relaxing.



Sho 'nuff!

Homeyba

This is just a case of "I do it this way so I'm right and everyone else is wrong." In reality it's just a case of two reasonable means to the same end. I used hand pumps for many years and have no problems with them, now I used C02. It's just more convenient and much faster for me at this time in my life.

motobecane69

I bought the stupid frame pump that everyone on this forum recommends and it SUCKED. Topeak road morph. more trouble than it's worth. now I'm a co2 guy. it only fails if your completely clueless on what your doing. yes i see the value in having a frame pump but I was so pissed with the unreliabilitya that i'm willing to take my chances with CO2. it's not all that expensive and I'll gladly pay the cost for the convenience.

Mr. Beanz

Is this the pump you bought? If so, I believe it is categorized as a "mini pump". A frame pump fits in the frame like Zefal and Blackburn. My Blackburn doesn't suck but I did once help a guy with a Road Morph and yes, it sucked!

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes..._400007_400032

This is a frame pump.

Mr. Beanz

In a somewhat realted issue, so many people complain aobut the use of certain equipment whether it be CO2 or pumps. Just as the "I got a bad batch of tubes" syndrome, my thoughts are that too many people don' now what the heck they are doing. I wonder sometimes how they get by in life.

I was looking up info on my frame pump when I stumbled upon this. Several reviews rated the pump with mostly five chilis (whatever they are).

Two rated them a one on the scale. Read the comments, they have no clue......

1- overly complicated
2- can't screw onto the valve.

Uhh, that's why the pump sucks hunh?



pump review by gulpxtreme, on Flickr

socalrider

Buy one and get both.. Genuine Innovations - co2 + hand pump.. Best pump I've used, only downside is that it only uses threaded co2 cartridges but also works as a pump in a pinch if you run out of co2.. I use the minis and have both alloy and faux carbon, both work the same..

https://www.genuineinnovations.com/bi...r-touring.html

For just a straight co2 inflator, I have used the Silca co2 and it is easy to regulate air and is solid..

https://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=de...=30&SKU=PU5582

Doohickie

Oh, I agree. I was a pump devotee for a long time, and once I realized how fast and effortless the cartridges are, I've become a convert, and recognize that the zeal of a convert can be overbearing. I also know that there are good mini pumps out there as well (although the best ones are pricey and I'm cheap).

indyfabz

Jesus H. Christmas.

Reminds me of a really bad review of a ThermaRest air matress--a product that is highly regarded but most. The user complained that you had to have super-human had strength to fold the matress in half to get it in the stuff sack after rolling it up. She planned to return it for this reason. Hello! You fold it in half before you roll it up.

Then there was the guy who was disappointed with the performance of his camp stove until be realized that he had been using it upside down.

bautieri

I now carry both after my first roadside flat in two years. I had a hell of a time getting my road morph to seat on a threaded valve. Screw that noise, from now on I'm using CO2 first then the pump if all else fails.

CraigB

I carry both, but have never had to use the carts since I first bought them 5 or 6 years ago. Anyone know if they have a finite shelf life?

MountainCruiser

I have the Second Wind pump and really like it. It is a pump and CO2 inflator combined. I like it because I can pump up the tire enough to check it for leaks and make sure the tube isn't pinched then hit it with the CO2 to it up to full pressure.

eay

I've never used cartridges. I like my pump just fine (it is the much-discussed Topeak road morph with gauge). I had a hurricane mini and it was OK but I really do like the gauge on the Topeak since I don't have to do four extra steps to check if I've got enough pressure yet. My little bitty wheels (20") mean there is not a lot of room for my fingers in among the spokes, so the gauge is great since the worst part of inflating a tire/checking the pressure is getting the pump/gauge on and off.

Mr. Beanz

That's what I'm talkin' about !

eay

A friend of mine and I discovered that if you unscrew the threaded collar on the pump just a little, it is MUCH easier to get on the damn threaded stem. At least for Schraders. I have no idea why this works, but it saves me a ton of swearing.

fast89fox

Mini pump for now, but will probably carry both in the near future. I have been going through a string of flats lately, hopefully this isn't going to be the norm.

bautieri

Thanks for the tip

The string of obscenities that day was quite impressive.