TJHOO

Would like to compare portable pumps.

What CO2 pump system have you used?
Pluses?
Minuses?

What frame pump system have you used?
Pluses?
Minuses?

djgonzo007

I currently use a frame pump (made by Genuine Innovations). Minuses are time spent pumping and getting it up to an adequate pressure to ride on. That being said the manufact. claims my frame pump can get a tire up to 130psi, I doubt that but have never tried.

I've thought of switching to CO2 for speed but am hesitant becuase my past experience with fixing flats on the road has shown that I usually miss a puncture. With a frame pump I can patch a hole and start pumping and see if I missed one. If I did no problem locate and patch. With CO2 my understanding is you get one shot and if you missed a puncture then you're gonna have to use another cartridge.

I'm not a pack rat so I don't feel like carrying both nor do I want to carry a bunch of extra cartridges. Either way I don't get many flats so I just put up with the frame pump for now.

schiavonec

frame - I'm cheap, prefer function, and don't race. Buy it once and use it for years.

JoeKipp

I guess I’m just lazy; I’ve carried a CO2 inflator for years. I carry a superflate and three cartridges, it weighs less than most pumps and it’s much easier. I made sure that the superflate that I purchased users air gun cartridges, not the more expensive threaded cartages. I figure that if I get more that three flats I’ll just use my cell phone to give someone a call, although I don’t think I’ve had three flats in the last several years. They’ve always worked well for me.
Joe

CastIron

Both. No worries.

TJHOO

You mean you have used both?
You don't carry both simultaneously?

fholt

Well I carry both a micro-flate adapter with 2 -3 cartriges, and a mini-pump ( plus 2 tubes & mini-patch kit). The mini is capable of a full inflate to 120psi, but it'd take a heck of a long time, and prolly rip the stem off unless i was super-careful for all 250 of those strokes (or whatever). But it's great for seating the tube and tire, and making sure all is well before blowing a CO2 in there. I've never been pressed to use the second of anything.

timwat

CO2 with an extra tube. I don't try to patch on the road for the very reason James Bond above cited - I end up missing a puncture, or I'm too impatient to wait for the glue to dry before applying the patch.

So I typically wait until I have two or three punctured tubes at home, and repair them all some slow afternoon when I'm cleaning the garage.

TJHOO

I like your approach.

TJHOO

Has anyone used the 16 g CO2's?
Up to what PSI do you typically get with them?

Are the CO2's dangerous above/below a certain temperature (eg risk of expoding)?

Emmet

whats a CO2 patch ? is that kinda like a plug, and how would that work on a tub tire.

goldbam

Yea...something like 130 degress.

BTW: I've used a superflate for awhile and it's been great. Fills the tube in like 10 seconds and is surprisingly lightweight. The only downside it that it's like 6 bucks for 3 cartridges.

timwat

I use the 16g threaded carts, and carry two for bad days but have never had to use both. Have never checked with a gauge, but 16g gets the tire back up to normal firmness to continue a normal ride (I typically ride a tad over 100 in the rear and around 95 in the front). Last caught a flat on the way out for a 2 hr ride, and it was fine when I got home.

Of course, I lost a lot of pressure the next morning, so the floor pump is always a necessity before the next ride.

I've never had a CO2 cart explode on me, either with bikes during the summer heat or w/ my kids' paintball stuff, but perhaps someone else can comment there.

timwat

Yeah goldbam has a good point. The carts add up. I know they sell the unthreaded carts for cheap (paintball, etc.), but I've not found cheap threaded arts anywhere.

Anyone else?

TJHOO

Looks like Innovations https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4362

and Performance https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4362

has model that takes both 16 or 12g threaded or non threaded.

Apparently nonthreaded are cheaper. Guy at Paerformance told me to get replacements at WalMart in outdoor section

webist

The CO2 canister might discharge in high heat. It should not explode.

I carry both. I use the frame pump both to find the puncture(s) and do the partial inflation necessary to mount the tire and tube. The CO2 is for filling the tire. I received the CO2 system as a gift but would have purchased one eventually. Should I use up the 2 or 3 cartridges I carry, I always have the frame pump.

Lastly, by carrying both, I can help another rider without leaving myself unprotected or having to wait while the other rider makes a full repair.

TJHOO

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4362

This is a combo frame and CO2 pump.
What do you think?
Better to lump or split?

Al1943

I carry an Innovations MicroFlate, 2 or 3 16gr CO2 carts and one or two extra tubes, depending on the length of the ride. Haven't carried a pump of any kind in 8 years.

I use a floor pump at home and another in my truck, pump the tires before each ride.

Al

TJHOO

Looks like this one takes 12g unthreaded, or 12, 16, 25 threaded

TJHOO

Nashbar $3.49 for 3
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

chroot

Not true. A 16g cartridge has enough to fill up a couple of tubes to full pressure. All inflators have some kind of controllable valve so that you can trickle a little CO2 in, check to see if it's holding, then fill it all the way. If it's not holding, take it out, check it and patch it, then inflate it again. It's not "one-shot" in the sense that you can't pull and release the trigger more than one time if a patch is bad; it's "one-shot" in the sense that you'll use it to completely repair a single flat, and then discard the remaining contents.

You just shouldn't keep an opened, half-full CO2 cartridge in your inflator for two months.

- Warren

CastIron

I've used both. I carry both. 2x16g carts and a full frame pump. Two tubes and a patch kit. I prefer to be self sufficient on rides and be able to help out as well. The extra weight is neglible (at 240g for the pump).

Three flats in 20 miles, in the rain, in the hills of N.E. Iowa learned me good. It was just an epic run of bad luck, not pinch flats.

TJHOO

Why do you carry the CO2 if you already carry a full frame pump?

TJHOO

I wonder if this https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4362

and this https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=4361

will fit in this
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...cfm?SKU=16422#

timwat

Yes, I think it will allfit. I have a smaller Specialized saddlebag, and this all fits with room to spare:

the same size CO2 pump
spare tube
extra 16g CO2 cart
tire levers w/ integrated patch kit
Park multi-tool
driver's license
$20