Help me lighten my load
03-13-16, 10:24 PM
#51
Senior Member
03-14-16, 04:29 AM
#52
Senior Member
A guy in the cycling club I belong to recently mentioned that I should get rid of my pump and carry a CO2 inflator and cartridge...I mentioned the pump is more versatile and he insisted that the light weight of a CO2 inflator/cartridge setup trumps the versatility...until we stuck his setup and my set up on a scale and my pump weighed less.
03-14-16, 01:32 PM
#53
Vain, But Lacking Talent
if you're worried about weight, just carry the basics, which should be:
1 tube
2 CO2's (everyone i know says to carry 2, just in case the first one's a dud, but that's never happened to me in over 10 years of riding)
1 CO2 inflator (i use the Crank Brothers one cause it's covered in rubber, so your fingers won't freeze when you're inflating the tube)
2 tire levers (just in case your tires tough to get off or back on, otherwise 1 should be enough)
a folded new $1 bill as a tire boot (3 out my last 4 flats needed one, and roads are getting worse with the weather changes)
optional:
2 black nitrile gloves (sure, they're optional, but they're not going to weigh you down and they will keep your hands clean while fixing the flat)
mini tool (i personally don't see a reason to bring one, unless you're maybe trying out a new saddle)
for rides longer than 50 or 60 miles:
a second tube and an extra CO2 cartridge
and keep in mind, if you're riding in a group other riders will usually bend over backwards to help out a downed rider, so you will most likely find someone that will let you use something you may need but may not have with you. as well as you should always return the favor if needed too...
1 tube
2 CO2's (everyone i know says to carry 2, just in case the first one's a dud, but that's never happened to me in over 10 years of riding)
1 CO2 inflator (i use the Crank Brothers one cause it's covered in rubber, so your fingers won't freeze when you're inflating the tube)
2 tire levers (just in case your tires tough to get off or back on, otherwise 1 should be enough)
a folded new $1 bill as a tire boot (3 out my last 4 flats needed one, and roads are getting worse with the weather changes)
optional:
2 black nitrile gloves (sure, they're optional, but they're not going to weigh you down and they will keep your hands clean while fixing the flat)
mini tool (i personally don't see a reason to bring one, unless you're maybe trying out a new saddle)
for rides longer than 50 or 60 miles:
a second tube and an extra CO2 cartridge
and keep in mind, if you're riding in a group other riders will usually bend over backwards to help out a downed rider, so you will most likely find someone that will let you use something you may need but may not have with you. as well as you should always return the favor if needed too...
I should note, though, that this thread did get me thinking. My bag is one tube, one CO2 plus inflator, and one tire lever. I added a patch kit in for longer rides when I carry my mini pump. But I realized as I was leaving on a ride yesterday morning that I was running tubeless and would be in an interesting pickle if I had one flat on the front, used my tube, and then had a flat in the rear. Even with a pump and patch kit, I'd be toast.
But then again, I've never had a single flat on my tubeless setup. But it could happen. I've actually purchased a separate bag to carry doubles on rides of 60 or more miles. We'll see if it still fits in my jersey.
03-14-16, 01:33 PM
#54
Vain, But Lacking Talent
A guy in the cycling club I belong to recently mentioned that I should get rid of my pump and carry a CO2 inflator and cartridge...I mentioned the pump is more versatile and he insisted that the light weight of a CO2 inflator/cartridge setup trumps the versatility...until we stuck his setup and my set up on a scale and my pump weighed less.
03-14-16, 02:14 PM
#55
Senior Member
But yeah, I've never really thought about that aspect of running tubeless. It makes clincher+patches seem conceptually nice, although in practice it's unlikely to ever be an issue.
03-14-16, 06:06 PM
#57
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I use a Medium Lezyne Caddysack to hold one tube, a small pump, tire levers, and a minimal multi-tool. Fits in a jersey pocket, and also has the benefit of being a dry bag. If it starts raining I can stuff my phone in it. Recommended.
Lezyne - Engineered Design - Products - Organizers - Caddy Sack
Lezyne - Engineered Design - Products - Organizers - Caddy Sack
03-14-16, 08:42 PM
#58
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A guy in the cycling club I belong to recently mentioned that I should get rid of my pump and carry a CO2 inflator and cartridge...I mentioned the pump is more versatile and he insisted that the light weight of a CO2 inflator/cartridge setup trumps the versatility...until we stuck his setup and my set up on a scale and my pump weighed less.
However there's another big advantage to CO2 and that's it's fast. Using a mini pump is fine if you have lots of time and the weather is cooperating. But it's not what you want to use in a 20 degree day in ice and sleet or a humid 95 degree afternoon. It's also not what you want stopped on a narrow shoulder of a busy highway. Then there's the flat during a group ride.
03-14-16, 10:01 PM
#59
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A full 16g cartridge weights 57g, a full 20g cylinder weighs 70g, and a Genuine Innovations Air Chuck Elite is 16g.
The Hurricane Scepter is 108g, a Lezyne Carbon Road Drive M is 79g.
The Hurricane Scepter is 108g, a Lezyne Carbon Road Drive M is 79g.
03-15-16, 02:22 AM
#60
Senior Member
I bet his CO2 inflator was a large one with a big trigger mechanism. There's no way the kind with a little head that screws on can weigh that much.
However there's another big advantage to CO2 and that's it's fast. Using a mini pump is fine if you have lots of time and the weather is cooperating. But it's not what you want to use in a 20 degree day in ice and sleet or a humid 95 degree afternoon. It's also not what you want stopped on a narrow shoulder of a busy highway. Then there's the flat during a group ride.
However there's another big advantage to CO2 and that's it's fast. Using a mini pump is fine if you have lots of time and the weather is cooperating. But it's not what you want to use in a 20 degree day in ice and sleet or a humid 95 degree afternoon. It's also not what you want stopped on a narrow shoulder of a busy highway. Then there's the flat during a group ride.
With regard to the speed/convenience factor....should one botch the job with a cartridge or get a second flat on the same wheel or the other wheel then you may find yourself frustrated and SOL with your inflator. The pump keeps on pumping. There is no need to stop on a narrow shoulder of a busy highway....a CO2 inflator does not make that magically safer. One can slowly and safely ride until there is a safer place to stop and then repair the flat.
If the speed of changing a flat is a concern because you are on a group ride or are concerned with weather, then ditch the tire and tubes and ride sew-ups....there is not much faster than ripping the old tire off and putting a pre-glued spare tire on...then inflate and go.
If you want to ride with CO2 then no worries...I prefer a pump...mine is light enough, fast enough, and it was a one time expense.
-j
03-15-16, 05:47 AM
#61
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CO2 is fast, no doubt, but manually pumping a tire roadside, arcane though it may seem, connects one with a grand tradition in cycling, reinforcing above all, that hard work in cycling drives desired outcomes. CO2 is more in the NASCAR vein, elevating expediency above all else.
That being said, if I never have to fix a flat roadside again, I won't consider a critical experience lost, so my take, ultimately, is that whether you use a pump or CO2, it doesn't really matter, and relative merits of either system are primarily academic and most valuable as friendly jabs over post-ride beers.
That being said, if I never have to fix a flat roadside again, I won't consider a critical experience lost, so my take, ultimately, is that whether you use a pump or CO2, it doesn't really matter, and relative merits of either system are primarily academic and most valuable as friendly jabs over post-ride beers.
03-15-16, 06:55 AM
#62
Senior Member
Old wool sock, carries tube and quickstick. Strapped to sadde with a toestrap (Binda of course). Gotta frame pump. I'm good to go.
03-15-16, 07:57 AM
#63
Vain, But Lacking Talent
03-15-16, 08:06 AM
#64
Vain, But Lacking Talent
So I have to admit this thread did get me thinking about my setup. I've been riding with (as I've already said) one tube, one CO2 plus inflator, and for longer rides the patch kit plus mini pump. And then (as I said a few posts earlier) I realized that if I got a double flat on my tubeless setup, I'd be screwed, but that's pretty rare.
Then it occurred to me that with my proposed summer of 2 or more early A.M. rides before work, I really can not afford to make the call of shame to the wife when she would have to deal with our 4 year old and newborn baby to come pick up my idiot self. So I grabbed another tube and the pump this morning for my ride.
THEN I got a massive staple in my rear tire about 6 miles from home at 6:30 A.M. in the middle of the country in the dark. Yeah, that's not going to seal. Got the tube in easy enough (though it was messy) and the CO2 worked flawlessly (again, there are no dud cartridges, just dud users). The last 6 miles were without incident.
But regardless, I am now doubling my load for any and all rides just because my wife does not need that phone call right no, no matter the time of day.
Then it occurred to me that with my proposed summer of 2 or more early A.M. rides before work, I really can not afford to make the call of shame to the wife when she would have to deal with our 4 year old and newborn baby to come pick up my idiot self. So I grabbed another tube and the pump this morning for my ride.
THEN I got a massive staple in my rear tire about 6 miles from home at 6:30 A.M. in the middle of the country in the dark.
Yeah, that's not going to seal. Got the tube in easy enough (though it was messy) and the CO2 worked flawlessly (again, there are no dud cartridges, just dud users). The last 6 miles were without incident.But regardless, I am now doubling my load for any and all rides just because my wife does not need that phone call right no, no matter the time of day.
03-15-16, 08:36 AM
#65
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03-15-16, 09:35 AM
#66
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03-15-16, 09:37 AM
#67
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03-15-16, 10:10 AM
#68
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03-15-16, 10:34 AM
#69
Vain, But Lacking Talent
So my now revised setup: two CO2's (cause they fast) and the GI inflator, which I also use: 130g
My mini pump: Lezyne Gauge Drive HP: 119g
So my pump is 11g lighter. MY WHOLE LIFE IS A LIE!!!! AHHHH!!!
It really doesn't matter as I invariably carry both on longer rides. With a patch kit and mini pump I'm going to make it home sooner or later. I will always carry the CO2 because .287 pounds for two 2-3 second inflation times is worth it vs. fiddling with a pump. I like to do the weight weenie thing as much as the next guy and it's cool to have 16 pound bikes, but really less than a third of a pound hardly makes a dent in the overall equation when it comes to making it home.Case in point: On the side of the road in the dark this morning that CO2 probably saved me 5-10 minutes of pumping. Ok, I'm probably exaggerating. I should try the pump at home and time it. The pump is rock solid reliable, but a last resort for me.
Still only one tire lever and no multi-tools for me unless I'm on tour.
03-15-16, 01:11 PM
#74
Vain, But Lacking Talent
