Originally Posted by
79pmooney
Good pumps always. 1)They put better air in the tube. Nitrogen primarily rather than pure CO2. Tires stay inflated longer (so they tell me). 2) Less wasteful and cheaper. 3) Topping off whenever I feel like it is easy.
1) Definitely true, but not really a factor during your ride. If I fix a flat with CO2, once I'm home I deflate the tire and pump back up with air.
2) Also true. The trade off is time.
3) Also true, but not generally a factor except for a slow leak or if you run tubeless.
2)* Quite a few of my rides are no-drop group rides. For those, it's going to be CO2 all the way. CO2 inflation time is a few seconds, not minutes, and when a dozen or two dozen people are waiting around, that makes a difference. People should have greater awareness about time when they are taking it from a group of people, rather than just themselves.
On my own or on your own, the choice is different.
Shorter, to OP - do you ride alone or in groups? That's a consideration.