Specialized CPro2 | CO2 Inflation, Is It Supposed To Suck?...

[Servo888]

After much hassle with my frame pump, I decided to pick up a CO2 kit from the LBS... I chose the Specialized CPro2 as pictured for a whopping $20 (on "sale" too).



I brought it home, screwed in the canister. Everything looks great, no leaks. So to test it out, I deflate my rear tire, which was at 110PSI, and proceed to refill it with the CO2. I got about 80PSI out of it, until it ran out of steam. There was a slight leak around the presta valve, but there was nothing I could do about it as the adapter has no adjustments. Kind of lame; it's enough PSI to get you home / to your car (where I keep my compressor), but if you're touring, you still need to get to a real pump.

What's the deal with these things? Am I using it right?

[ok_commuter]

yep, that's it. sometimes more, sometimes less, but that's the idea.

you can get to 110 PSI, but you'll have to use more than one cartridge.

[Servo888]

you can get to 110 PSI, but you'll have to use more than one cartridge.

Are you sure about that? I think the actual canister can only provide ~80PSI.

[GRedner]

CO2 inflators are not designed to be pump replacements. They're designed to give you enough air to get home, and that's that.

A tire inflated with CO2 will deflate faster than one filled with air, too - if I filled up a tire with CO2 on the road, I'd deflate it and reinflate with air before my next ride.

[Servo888]

CO2 inflators are not designed to be pump replacements. They're designed to give you enough air to get home, and that's that.

A tire inflated with CO2 will deflate faster than one filled with air, too - if I filled up a tire with CO2 on the road, I'd deflate it and reinflate with air before my next ride.

Many people who've reviewed these things claimed to get <90 PSI out of the 16 gram cartridges on 23c tires. I don't know; I feel like I should have spent my money on a better frame pump instead *sigh*. Can I ***** to Specialized?

[zeo_max]

Hey guys, I was wondering if this would work better on a Mountain Bike ?

[kwrides]

Many people who've reviewed these things claimed to get <90 PSI out of the 16 gram cartridges on 23c tires. I don't know; I feel like I should have spent my money on a better frame pump instead *sigh*. Can I ***** to Specialized?

It works as intended. If you're looking for something to help you get in another 100 miles and are willing to pump 150 times or so, buy a frame pump. If you're looking for something to give you a quick solution to get back to your car/the start line/home that weighs about as much as a couple of quarters, get a co2 inflator. Don't blame Specialized because you bought the wrong product for your use.

[irish pat]

I use the bigger cartridge and have no problem getting to 110 psi

[rodrigaj]

Topeak Road Morph

[pinwheel]

Are you sure about that? I think the actual canister can only provide ~80PSI.

if i remember correctly, liquid CO2 at room temp sits around 700psi. with enough carts, I bet you could easily blow the tire clear off the rim and explode the tube to boot.

[pinwheel]

correction, the one an only wikipedia indicates that its more like 1000psi

[SSP]

You bought an expensive lemon.

Your inflator can only accept the expensive threaded CO2 cartridges.

Better inflators will accept non-threaded "paintball/BB gun" cartridges which cost about 1/4 of what you pay for threaded cartridges.

That said, CO2 cartridges typically inflate to 85-90 psi. Good enough to finish your ride, but if you want full pressure you'll need some sort of pump. I've never found the need for a frame/mini pump, however - the difference between 90 and 110 psi is negligible, and CO2 gets me back on the road much quicker than a frame or mini pump.