namelcycib

I was looking for the cheapest and easiest ways to fill my 700c tires. Searching the web I found a tire fill adapter that attaches to a paintball co2 tank. I bought the adapter and a 3.5oz paintball tank. 3.5oz is equal to 99.22 grams. I'm guessing this is about 6 full tire fills from empty to 120psi, I'm still waiting for it to come in so I can test it out. The adapter is called a "CO2Flator, Tire Inflator, by Rehvac". The funny thing is that it is sold at a keg supply store and is also used in the 4x4 truck world. I have a 20lb co2 tank that I use for air tools, airbrushing and co2 tank refills. So the 20lb tank cost me $25 to refill at a welding store. That 20lb tank equals out to 9071 grams and that equals to a qty of 566 16gram throw away bottles. That is 4.4 cents per 16 grams. I will use the 20lb tank to refill the 3.5oz tanks and that is a big big savings. I know it cost some money to get all the tools to do this but I have got most of this stuff already from past projects so If your like me the info above should help. Just copy and paste the adapter name in google to find it.

Homebrew01

There's a recent invention I am taking advantage of .... it's called a pump. After initial purchase, it's free to operate. It uses a combination of 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases.

Machka 

So ... how much exactly did it cost you to do all that??


You do know that for under $25 you can get a bicycle pump ... right?

https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_l...=1252833803919

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Catalog...egoryId=200407

You can even pick them up at Walmart or Canadian Tire for about $10.

And the best part about pumps is that you can fill a countless number of tires with them.

namelcycib

i tired a small hand pump and I could not get it to go to 120psi. I'm not carrying a big pump around and sometimes there are no gas stations.

dietzpa

+ CO2 barely lasts 12 hours before my tires are soft. Air lasts much longer.

namelcycib

I picked up my co2 tank and regulator for $75 5 years ago and the co2 tank I have sitting around the house. i just paid $50 for the adapter to attach to the co2 tank. I can also use this set up for flat tires on my car or truck while 4x4. It has many uses.

Machka 

Ah ... you want the Topeak Road Morph then.
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product..._200278_200408

With a separated shoulder that dislocates at will, and no upper body strength to speak of, I've managed to pump my tires up over 100 psi without too much difficulty. If I had some upper body strength, and any desire at all to ride on tires over 100 psi, I could probably pump them higher.

However, 100 psi is more comfortable than 120 psi, and will get you from wherever you got the flat to a floor pump where you can pump them higher if you so desire.

namelcycib

i'll check it out thanks for the info.

DanielS

Buy a big floor pump for home, these get to 120 psi easy.

Buy a little pump to carry on the bike. If you happen to get a flat, it won't kill you to ride at 80 psi or whatever until you get home.

mrvrsick

Lol, first thing I thought was "pump"
Makes topping off a quick, easy affair. Plus, as mentioned, after the initial cost, its free. Road morph on the bike for me, but I'm about to search how big a ~100 gram cylinder is. I'm guessing the adapter you bought was for schrader valves?

mrvrsick

So after extensive research, weighing both options, calculating costs, and many, many venn diagrams, I came to the conclusion that a nice joe blow pump for home and road morph on the bike is cheaper.
You have other uses for your tank and set up (like the 4x4 thing), so why not for your bike? I'm not sure how tank sizes go, or what kinds are compatible with your refilling/adapter setup, but I've seen some paintball containers that are about an inch in diameter and a few (maybe 6??) Inches long. It would be pretty bichen to see one of those strapped to a pump holder (performance has them for $2, heat it with a lighter and mold for a secure fit) and use your adapter + presta adapter in case of flats.

Trucker Dan

How many flats do you guys get? I have had 1 flat in the last 8000 miles and it was my fault from hitting a pot hole. No need for me to carry around a huge co2 tank.

MGtrack

You need to hit the weights a the gym. I can get my track tires to 140psi plus with a dinky little compact pump. A decent floor pump gets them to 120+++++ with no sweat.

Why mess around getting a CO2 tank filled when the pump can always be in your garage? Do you actually plan on carrying that big CO2 tank in your jersey when you ride?

StephenH

I tried a little Schwinn mini-pump from Walmart, and couldn't get my balloon tires up to 45 psi with it, even.
And generally, Walmart only sells Schrader-valve pumps. Which works for me, the floor pump I use is a $20 Wallyworld pump with gauge.

For higher pressure, I'll be picking up something at REI, I'm thinking.

silversx80

My floor pump gets to ~160 psi. $70 IIRC.

My frame pump gets to 140 psi. $50 IIRC.

Both bought ~5 years ago.

bigtea

I have gone green on this and now eat high fiber foods such as beans, cauliflower, and turnips. Certain ethnic foods also qualify. Instead of a mechanical attachment I simply insert the valve in my body's own natural bio receptor. An important side benefit is the high percentage of lighter-than-air gases that will actually lower the weight of your bike.

10 Wheels

23 flats for 12284 miles ytd.

Homebrew01

You paid a lot !

By the way, Joe Blows have a good rep, but skip the Joe Blow "MAX". It has a larger diameter barrel, trying to push too much air per stroke, and I couldn't get past 100 psi. I weigh 170 and my feet came off the floor, so my entire body weight would not suffice.

silversx80

Yeah, I can't remember how much I paid, may have been less. I have a Joe Blow floor pump and a Topeak frame pump (the kind that spans underneath the TT).

tagaproject6

I thought the thread is about "Cheap way to fill tires" ?
Paying for CO2 vs. pumping air...I wonder which is cheaper??? Must be those danged skinny arms!

DataJunkie

If you do get a road morph I would put blue locktite on a few of the threads. It tends to fall apart. Plus, Todson is now charging for parts. In repairing two pumps one was going to be like $30. It had quite a few issues. Instead I tossed it and purchased a $6 part for the other pump.
It pumps wonderfully but falls apart easily.
I use my pumps as a backup to co2. Next pump maybe a zefal but I just picked up a micro pump from blackburn.

Homebrew01

I have a Blackburn full size frame pump. I'll be getting another for my other bike.

Shimagnolo

For home/car:
https://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...3078-70-ASI300
1. Set the dial to the pressure you want, (up to 160psi).
2. Turn it on.
3. It shuts its self off at the preset pressure.
Works with 12VDC *and* 120VAC
$45

For the road, pick one of these:
https://www.lezyne.com/index.php/prod...and-pumps.html
The quality puts the rest to shame;
Machined aluminum construction and connectors that *thread* onto the valve.

banerjek

You forgot to mention that this miraculous gizmo costs less than a CO2 paintball tank and adapter and undoubtedly attaches more conveniently to the bike. A 100oz cartridge probably won't fit very well in a seat pack....

fauxto nick

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