Lightweight CO2 inflator for commuting?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 548
Bikes: Jamis Coda Sport '06
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Lightweight CO2 inflator for commuting?
I think I'm going to start leaving my pump behind for commuting since I go less than 4 miles. (I'll save it for the weekend rides, one less thing to have to take off my bike.) I'd like to stick a CO2 inflation system into my seat bag however so I'll have something available. Nashbar didn't have a lot of selection. I found these however:
Pedro's Ego Inflator Pro
Pedro's Ego Inflator Sport
Planet Bike Air Ship
They all take either 12g or 16g (threaded/unthreaded). I can't tell from the photos how big these things really are but I'm looking to put the inflator and 2 CO2 cartridges into a Novara Small Seat Wedge Bag (along with an Topeak Alien II, patch kit and spare tube).
Anyone have experiences with any of these systems?
Pedro's Ego Inflator Pro
Pedro's Ego Inflator Sport
Planet Bike Air Ship
They all take either 12g or 16g (threaded/unthreaded). I can't tell from the photos how big these things really are but I'm looking to put the inflator and 2 CO2 cartridges into a Novara Small Seat Wedge Bag (along with an Topeak Alien II, patch kit and spare tube).
Anyone have experiences with any of these systems?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 387
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 289 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have this one. Works fine for me.
https://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...HP_CYCLING_TOC
https://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...HP_CYCLING_TOC
#3
Ain't skeered!
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Thornton, CO
Posts: 25
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I use this one and it has saved me several times on the road. About 5 inches long and 2 inches wide at the trigger/inflation area.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4362
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4362
#4
Perineal Pressurized
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: In Ebritated
Posts: 6,555
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Had two of those Planet Bike ones, complete garbage. The needle inside, that's suppose to poke thru the CO2 cartridge, folded up after a couple uses. Kind of leaves you with no alternative at that point, reason why I still carry a small pump.
I've had (lost a couple, stepped on on, dropped one in a drainage ditch) various models from the Innovations line, they've held up very well.
What ever brand you get, get the type that takes 12g unthreaded cartridges. You can get replacement cartridges, 24 to the box for less than $15 at Walmart.
Always carry a couple cartridges, I've had a couple misfire when attaching.
I've had (lost a couple, stepped on on, dropped one in a drainage ditch) various models from the Innovations line, they've held up very well.
What ever brand you get, get the type that takes 12g unthreaded cartridges. You can get replacement cartridges, 24 to the box for less than $15 at Walmart.
Always carry a couple cartridges, I've had a couple misfire when attaching.
__________________
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
This is Africa, 1943. War spits out its violence overhead and the sandy graveyard swallows it up. Her name is King Nine, B-25, medium bomber, Twelfth Air Force. On a hot, still morning she took off from Tunisia to bomb the southern tip of Italy. An errant piece of flak tore a hole in a wing tank and, like a wounded bird, this is where she landed, not to return on this day, or any other day.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Arlington VA
Posts: 219
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I love this one. It is called an "air chuck". Not an inflator so much as a nozzle that screws onto the top of the CO2 cartridge. Press down and presto, pumped up tie. Love this thing, very small takes up almost no room in the saddle bag and has saved me more than once.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true
#6
Certifiable Bike "Expert"
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 5,647
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4362
I got the Second Wind with a pump built-in. Pretty clever, haven't had to use it yet.
I got the Second Wind with a pump built-in. Pretty clever, haven't had to use it yet.
#7
Senior Member
I tried CO2 inflators, and the work well; but found that carrying enough cartridges around to make me feel secure is heavier than just carrying a good minipump. Also, they are wasteful, IMO - you can recycle the cartridges, but that requires a trip to the bike shop or some place like that. So now, I just make do with a minipump.
The only advantage with the CO2 inflators is that they inflate the tire very rapidly. But for me, flats don't happen often enough to require this - elbow grease is good enough.
The only advantage with the CO2 inflators is that they inflate the tire very rapidly. But for me, flats don't happen often enough to require this - elbow grease is good enough.
__________________
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,945
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've got these two:
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true
This one is tiny, takes threaded cartridges, and works well. It starts flowing CO2 when you push down on the head.
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...t:%20Inflators
I like this one slightly more because it has a valve to control the flow.
If it's only 4 miles carry two spare CO2 cartridges and if you get a third flat, take it as a sign to walk or call for a ride!!!
Look on Ebay for threaded cartridges. I got military grade 16g cartriges for less than a buck a piece.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true
This one is tiny, takes threaded cartridges, and works well. It starts flowing CO2 when you push down on the head.
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...t:%20Inflators
I like this one slightly more because it has a valve to control the flow.
If it's only 4 miles carry two spare CO2 cartridges and if you get a third flat, take it as a sign to walk or call for a ride!!!
Look on Ebay for threaded cartridges. I got military grade 16g cartriges for less than a buck a piece.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: upstate NY (eastern side)
Posts: 600
Bikes: giant ATX 760, Falcon Road Bike (ss) custom marinoni tourismo (full dresser) ,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I also have the air chuck.
EASY Light takes up very little space. no triggers...
"John"
EASY Light takes up very little space. no triggers...
"John"