Originally Posted by
ItsJustMe
I'm not a fan of CO2 inflators. They are what seems silly to me. Give me a pump any day, they are more reliable and don't generate waste.
Originally Posted by
Leebo
What happens when you get two flats? I love my topeak road morph pump.
Originally Posted by
wolfchild
I would never rely on CO2 cartridges, a pump is much better. What happens if your new tube is defective or gets damaged during install and you end up wasting your CO2 cartridge ??... CO2 inflators are a waste of money.
Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
Agree. An answer to a question no one asked. A 'mini-blaster' type hand pump is barely bigger than a CO2 system that is locked and loaded but far more versatile. If you have a bad seal when you seat the gas cartridge you've shot your wad. Does not work for me. I have enough trouble taking pressure readings off car tires at the gas station.
I firmly believe the nay-saying about CO2 inflators is overstated and over-thought, much of the time by those who have never used them or have very limited use.
I used to fall into that category and only carried a pump. When I got a flat, especially on a hot day, I cursed the time and effort needed to inflate the tire to ride-able pressure.
Then I switched to the hybrid pump/inflator I posted, above. The few times I got flats, <PSHT> with the CO2 cartridge and done. Incredible how fast it goes in. It's not at all hard to get things right with the tire so that's the end of the story. Never once needed the pump bit of the tool as backup, which is why I rarely use it anymore. I also carry a patch kit for when that second tube fails -- even if you use a pump and get something wrong which damages the spare tube, if you don't have a patch kit, you are still SOOL.
So for short rides, my minimalist flat repair kit is: inflator head, CO2 cartridge, self-adhesive patch kit, tire lever.
For my regular commute, I add a second cartridge and a spare tube.
For all day rides or touring, I add a pump and a vulcanizing patch kit.
To each their own. I don't fault people for preferring pumps over CO2 inflators; but I do take issue with those dumping on CO2 inflators when they are indeed a perfectly valid option to carrying a pump.