Is the Mini Inflator Replacing the CO2?
#26
Senior Member



Joined: Oct 2008
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From: in a house
Bikes: Specialized Aethos, Specialized Diverge Comp E5 and 2025 Spesh Tarmac SL8 Expert
when i carried a co2 i also carried a mini pump...now i carry only the rechargeable inflator and it works great
#27
Sr Member on Sr bikes

Joined: Jul 2015
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From: Rhode Island (sometimes in SE Florida)
Bikes: Several...from old junk to new all-carbon.
Here’s what I would like to know about rechargable portable inflators — It looks like many of you that use them are running the wider tires now…30-35mm (or larger) for gravel or other conditions. The PSI for those is what…around 25-60psi? But for people like me, who still ride only on paved surfaces, running tires +/- 25mm that in some case require pressure approaching 100psi…is there a rechargable portable pump that can do that?
Dan
Dan
#28
Mister Geezer to you


Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Glendora, CA
Bikes: Croll '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15
One of my adult children bought me a small inflator for my birthday. She carefully researched to select a good one.
It works very well. I used it at home on a some bike tires needing inflation. The battery exhausts on three 700c by 28.
I still carry a couple CO2 cartridges, along with the inflator. I suffer about two ride punctures annually on tubed clinchers.
It works very well. I used it at home on a some bike tires needing inflation. The battery exhausts on three 700c by 28.
I still carry a couple CO2 cartridges, along with the inflator. I suffer about two ride punctures annually on tubed clinchers.
#29
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Here’s what I would like to know about rechargable portable inflators — It looks like many of you that use them are running the wider tires now…30-35mm (or larger) for gravel or other conditions. The PSI for those is what…around 25-60psi? But for people like me, who still ride only on paved surfaces, running tires +/- 25mm that in some case require pressure approaching 100psi…is there a rechargable portable pump that can do that?
Dan
Dan
#30
Gruppetto Bob




Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
One of my adult children bought me a small inflator for my birthday. She carefully researched to select a good one.
It works very well. I used it at home on a some bike tires needing inflation. The battery exhausts on three 700c by 28.
I still carry a couple CO2 cartridges, along with the inflator. I suffer about two ride punctures annually on tubed clinchers.
It works very well. I used it at home on a some bike tires needing inflation. The battery exhausts on three 700c by 28.
I still carry a couple CO2 cartridges, along with the inflator. I suffer about two ride punctures annually on tubed clinchers.
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#31
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2022
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From: Evanston, Illinois
Bikes: ENVE Custom Road, Mosaic RT1, Trek Boone
How often do you flat? If once every few months, or even less than once a week, battery charge is irrelevant. I have used them and like them much more than CO2.
#32
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From: Evanston, Illinois
Bikes: ENVE Custom Road, Mosaic RT1, Trek Boone
#34
Mister Geezer to you


Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Glendora, CA
Bikes: Croll '94 & Cannondale Supersix '15
Mine set for 100psi and will get three 700x28 tires to that pressure. It pooped out at about 40psi on the fourth.
Just sent everyone home after my monthly poker at my house. Sorry for the delay in replying. Slightly buzzed, too. lol
Just sent everyone home after my monthly poker at my house. Sorry for the delay in replying. Slightly buzzed, too. lol
#36
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk

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#38
Gruppetto Bob




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From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
#39
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I have had more issues with c02. unscrewing the valves or leaking if you don't use it all or screwing it on and it blasts out before it's tight enough. it always seems more of a hassle. its pain if you just need a little to find the leak in a tubeless tire. even with a sealant rated for c02. it seems to cause issues. so with a good pump and a good hand pump its been good. Last time it was raining as usual so I could not find the puncture in the tire so I ran the pump and was able to find it and plug it .c02 woud never have worked. I jsuer my phone to make reminders to check the pump. so much less hassle then the co2
#40
"If I rode a $10,000 bike, I would buy an expensive inflator to match."
I think you'll find there is no better tense to use for this sentence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditional_sentence
I think you'll find there is no better tense to use for this sentence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditional_sentence
#41
Gruppetto Bob




Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,645
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From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
"If I rode a $10,000 bike, I would buy an expensive inflator to match."
I think you'll find there is no better tense to use for this sentence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditional_sentence
I think you'll find there is no better tense to use for this sentence.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditional_sentence
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#42
Method to My Madness

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From: Orange County, California
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse x2, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata 3
Some claim a CO2 cartridge can also crack the plastic valve stem, but I did not have that problem the last time I decided to fix a flat on the road.
I suspect they are using either really cheap TPU tubes or jetting their inflator at full blast.
#43
Gruppetto Bob




Joined: Sep 2020
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Likes: 11,838
From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
I have the same but I have to carry the extension hose to avoid melting the plastic valve stem of my Pirelli TPU tubes.
Some claim a CO2 cartridge can also crack the plastic valve stem, but I did not have that problem the last time I decided to fix a flat on the road.
I suspect they are using either really cheap TPU tubes or jetting their inflator at full blast.
Some claim a CO2 cartridge can also crack the plastic valve stem, but I did not have that problem the last time I decided to fix a flat on the road.
I suspect they are using either really cheap TPU tubes or jetting their inflator at full blast.
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“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻♂️
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#44
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#45
Zoom zoom zoom zoom bonk

Joined: Sep 2006
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From: New Zealand
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#46
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Joined: Apr 2019
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From: UK
I didn’t offer an opinion on whether it mattered, merely providing the fact of my experience. Of course, it would have helped if I’d known what model if was to provide some useful context.
#47
Method to My Madness

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From: Orange County, California
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse x2, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata 3
#48
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Joined: Jan 2022
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From: Albuquerque NM USA
Concerning the OP, I'm sticking with CO2s. Mostly because I run tubeless and barely use the CO2s. Honestly I can't remember the last time. But likely 2-3 years ago (10,000+ miles). I've got nothing against the mini-inflator other than I wouldn't trust that it would still have a battery charge in it after not touching it for 2 years.
I have many battery powered devices like bike computer, lights and Di2 shifting. But those are things I interact with on every ride and it works for me to charge on a regular schedule. An inflator would stay tucked into my down-tube storage. I get into that so rarely, I wonder why I carry any "emergency" gear at all. So, I don't want to have to get into that every few months (?) to recharge an inflator that I will at most use once every year or two.
An inflator doesn't give me any advantage of CO2. If it is smaller than my 2X CO2 cartridges and valve, it doesn't matter because I already easily fit the CO2 into my storage. Is it lighter? Maybe, but not enough that it would matter to me. But I'm not going to argue that it may be the best solution for others.
I have many battery powered devices like bike computer, lights and Di2 shifting. But those are things I interact with on every ride and it works for me to charge on a regular schedule. An inflator would stay tucked into my down-tube storage. I get into that so rarely, I wonder why I carry any "emergency" gear at all. So, I don't want to have to get into that every few months (?) to recharge an inflator that I will at most use once every year or two.
An inflator doesn't give me any advantage of CO2. If it is smaller than my 2X CO2 cartridges and valve, it doesn't matter because I already easily fit the CO2 into my storage. Is it lighter? Maybe, but not enough that it would matter to me. But I'm not going to argue that it may be the best solution for others.
#49
Senior Member


Joined: Jan 2020
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Likes: 997
Concerning the OP, I'm sticking with CO2s. Mostly because I run tubeless and barely use the CO2s. Honestly I can't remember the last time. But likely 2-3 years ago (10,000+ miles). I've got nothing against the mini-inflator other than I wouldn't trust that it would still have a battery charge in it after not touching it for 2 years.
I have many battery powered devices like bike computer, lights and Di2 shifting. But those are things I interact with on every ride and it works for me to charge on a regular schedule. An inflator would stay tucked into my down-tube storage. I get into that so rarely, I wonder why I carry any "emergency" gear at all. So, I don't want to have to get into that every few months (?) to recharge an inflator that I will at most use once every year or two.
An inflator doesn't give me any advantage of CO2. If it is smaller than my 2X CO2 cartridges and valve, it doesn't matter because I already easily fit the CO2 into my storage. Is it lighter? Maybe, but not enough that it would matter to me. But I'm not going to argue that it may be the best solution for others.
I have many battery powered devices like bike computer, lights and Di2 shifting. But those are things I interact with on every ride and it works for me to charge on a regular schedule. An inflator would stay tucked into my down-tube storage. I get into that so rarely, I wonder why I carry any "emergency" gear at all. So, I don't want to have to get into that every few months (?) to recharge an inflator that I will at most use once every year or two.
An inflator doesn't give me any advantage of CO2. If it is smaller than my 2X CO2 cartridges and valve, it doesn't matter because I already easily fit the CO2 into my storage. Is it lighter? Maybe, but not enough that it would matter to me. But I'm not going to argue that it may be the best solution for others.
#50
Gruppetto Bob




Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,645
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From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
The company has a strange name “Offbondage”. Get the metal stemmed ones in the right length for you.
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