Capecodder

I've been considering trying the co2 cartriges for on road tire inflation and wonder who uses this method, and how well it works? Would also like to know which is the best brandas far as ease of use, and reliability?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!!!!

-holiday76

i don't know but I'll be reading the answers. I've got 3 canisters and the thing that you attach them to to fill the tire. I've had it sitting around for two years and never used it. Can you reuse the canister or does it all come out the first time you try to use it?

Capecodder

I don't know much about the system, but I'm pretty sure it's a one-shot deal.......

-holiday76

I have a feeling mine will be sitting in my spare parts drawer for another few years.

due ruote 

I know a lot of people swear by them, but I prefer a Zefal frame pump. It doesn't run out of air, and I don't have to throw away canisters. That said, I do have a Co2 unit in a saddle bag on my errand bike, so I don't have to worry about someone lifting the frame pump. I've tried a couple different brands and they've all worked adequately.

Old Fat Guy

I started using CO2. I carry a couple of cartridges. I have an inflator that uses non-threaded cartridges, which can be had cheaply at XMart or sporting goods stores. I also carry a mini pump on longer rides, just in case. I always have two tubes and a patch kit (or a spare tubular and a can of Pit Stop). I carry them in a seat bag, which at least one forum member takes to mean that I'm not serious about riding.

Just remember that CO2 will leach out of the tube quickly, since the molecules are small, so deflate and refill with a standard pump when you get back to base.

Capecodder

Well, CO2 is not sounding so good...... Maybe a new frame pump is in order?

Old Fat Guy

My innertubes cost under $4, and my CO2 cartridges about .30 each.

Are you buying yours at Mellow Johnny's?

Maybe intertubes are more expensive?

Bianchigirll 

for tubulars you can't beat the CO2 inflators. I have been using them for years and like a very simple inflator that has no valves or levers. just twist the cartridge into the adaptor and viola it inflates the tire.

you need to be cautious with clinchers. a good frame pump like a Zefal HXP is better as you can inflate a bit check the bead the finish it off.

however the JATO bottles on the DT do have a certain panache'

jan nikolajsen 

CO2 are for funny shaped modern frames that doesn't accept a full size frame pump.

With a small high pressure pump that attaches to the bottle cage I find it hard to get adequate pressure. Not impossible, but taking hundreds of strokes.

Every time I see someone with a flat and I stop and ask if they want to use my big Zefal, they toss whatever implements they've been using aside and say 'thank you'!!

Wildwood 

Here's a vote for CO2 - threadless cartridges from XMart for cheep used in a $15 inflator from Performance Bike. Has worked for years without issue, mine fits inside a small under saddle bag. Like OFG, I also carry a pump for longer or more distant/remote rides. One second inflation sure beats pumping.

RobbieTunes

I don't carry any pump.
2 tubes, 2 cartridges, inflator, presta adapter if needed.
I like the inflator with a trigger.
A 12g cartridge is less likely to blow the tube, gives me about 90psi.
A 16g cartridge is more likely to blow the tube, and has.

It hasn't always worked out. I'm probably 4 for 6 on successful repairs.

I blew a tire bead off the rim with a 16g cartridge. Of course, that used up a $3 cartridge and a $6 tube.
I used my only cartridge in a triathlon, and the SAG veh had no pump or CO2 when I flatted a second time.

I have a pair of Schwinn cheapo mini-pumps from clearance at Target.
(they actually downgraded the model recently, the old ones were better).
They take forever to pump up to anywhere near 90psi.

I'd like to get a decent frame pump. I've had 5 or 6 used ones come through, never a really good one.

My tubes run $6-$8 because I buy local at LBS.
I have no idea where folks are getting cartridges for .50, lowest price here is 2.49
I've always wondered if the paintball cartridges are the same?

Maybe I should go to NAHBS and get a load of them from Mellow Johnny's.

BianchiGirll is right, for tubulars, the CO2 is great. The instant inflate-o seats the tire right where you want it.
JATO, girl? Have you been around too many Hercules, as in the C-130?

OFG is right, too. As soon as you get a chance, deflate and use air. CO2-filled tires generally go down fairly quickly.

Bianchigirll 

LOL thats what the guys at work call them. I have seen them on a few C-130 and even A-4s

Old Fat Guy

Robbie, on Amazon about .40:
https://www.amazon.com/Airgun-Cartrid.../dp/B002AX99IY
Cheaper at the local XMart store. I paid $8 for 24 last time.

Wildwood 

I had to pay $10.00-ish for a box of 24 at Big 5 (I think). Threadless.

bigbossman 

I use nothing but Co2, with no issues. My inflator cam from Performance, and it uses either 12 or 16g cartridges - threaded or unthreaded.

I've never seen a bike with a frame pump that didn't have finish damage from the pump being mounted/unmounted, or from just banging around. I've been giving all my Zefal pumps away to the folks that can't figure out how to insert a cartridge and press a button.

12g Co2 cartridges are cheap - about 50 cents or less when bought in 12 and 24 packs.

bigbossman 

$2 tubes with 50 cent cartridges, here.

You'd have to be a total knob to blow out your inner tube with a Co2 inflator. It's not like they are binary - you can regulate the flow.

Doohickie

There is a bit of technique involved with using the CO2 cartridges. I saw one used on a group ride and got the idea. The next time I had a flat, I used one. It was far simpler and easier than I envisioned.

1. Remove old tube & replace with new tube.

2. Screw the adapter onto the cartridge. This will crack the seal, but as long as you leave it fully screwed on, the CO2 will not come out.

3. Put the head of the adapter on the tire valve and unscrew the cartridge just a bit; you will hear the air going into the tire. After just a bit, screw the cartridge back in to stop the flow.

4. Make sure the tire and tube are properly seated.

5. Repeat step 3, going a bit at a time, and check how hard the tire is in between each "shot". Compare to the other tire on the bike to get a sense of how full is full.

I think the problem a lot of people have is they assume once the CO2 starts to come out, that's it, it all comes out. But you can modulate the flow, even with the cheapie screw-on adapters. It's a lot more controllable than I thought.

RobbieTunes

So I'm a total knob, then. I actually partially inflated it, then thought "just a little more," and blew it to smithereens.

Thanks for the tips. I'll start using the WalMart jobs where I can use the non-threaded.

nine14six

CO2 only for me. It works, it's cheap, easy to store, and easy to use unless you're all thumbs.

RobbieTunes

I didn't know there was anyone left to remember the Skyhawk! You're giving away your era....

I remember taking off at Quantico in a JATO 130, then jumping back down about an hour later. I think the pilot told us it was something like $20,000 just to take off that way, so we'd better not get hurt on the jump, and waste any more taxpayer money on medical bills..... We discussed throwing him out just before we jumped.

I think the Skyhawk was one of the last to cost less than a million, something like $640,000. Heck of a value. Touchy ejections seats, from what I recall. They didn't do so well in the Falklands, but Israel used them for a long time, and they didn't litter the lower East coast like the Harriers did.

The C-130 is probably one of the finest all-around aircraft ever produced. Reliable, durable, versatile.

Those were the days.

bigbossman 

I've blown up tubes with regular floor pumps before. Just kept pumping away while not checking if the bead was seated. That's the recipe for scaring the crap out of the dog.

Now that I learned that lesson - with either pumps or the Co2, I give the tire enough to firm up, check the bead, and then give it the full charge (12 or 16g). It's worked for me so far.

The only time I had a Co2 issue was when the O ring on a well-used inflator that I had for years gave way and didn't seal properly. Bikingshearer was there - he thought it was pretty funny. He carries everything a cyclist might possibly need in a steamer trunk, so I don't have to.

old's'cool

I hear ya...

My solution, since I had it already for going camping with the kids bikes, is a sub $10 plastic mini pump from X-mart that fits in my trunk bag (along with my spare tubes, patch kit, tire tools etc.). Unlikely anyone would steal it, and no significant loss if they do (unless I get a flat right afterward! ). There have been numerous occasions when I've had to reinflate my tires on the road and this pump has had no problem getting them to the 80 psi range. Yes, it takes a lot of strokes but realistically we're talking less than a minute to fully pressurize a 28mm tire.

poprad

Was I the only one to laugh when I read " I stop and ask if they want to use my big Zefal?"

I stopped using cans when I double flatted a few years back, and ran out of air. the 2 cans weren't enough and I hadn't carried a pump in addition. This year I switched from a full size frame to a Lezyne mini pump. I had not much confidence in it until I actually had to use it. The short hose that lets the thing move around as you pump works awesome, and the pump itself is very high quality. I checked when I got home and it had put the 110 PSI I normally run into my tire with about 100 strokes. Not bad for a mini. I had my usual run of 3 flats in about 3 weeks, and it worked great every time.

bradtx

Capecodder, I use a mini pump to get the tire seated and even, then hit it with the cartridge. Works well, I like them.

Brad