Is the Mini Inflator Replacing the CO2?
#51
Senior Member

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I run tubeless setups on all of my bikes including three road bikes, three gravel bikes and two mountain bikes. In almost 40K miles of riding I have never flatted a tire in a way that has required me to put a tube in. I have had to plug punctures twice, in bath cases with a Dynaplug which worked fine. So, flatting is not a problem for me.
I stopped riding with tubes two years ago. I carry a Dynaplug racer and a Cycplus AS2 Pro in a jersey pocket. I ought the Cycplus last year for about $80 and it's a great little pump. I find the Cycplus to be less fiddly than CO2, it works well with sealant and it can pump 3-4 road tires from flat to full pressure. I like the pump so much that I've stopped taking a track pump with me when I drive to a ride: if I need to top up pressure, I just use the Cycplus.
I stopped riding with tubes two years ago. I carry a Dynaplug racer and a Cycplus AS2 Pro in a jersey pocket. I ought the Cycplus last year for about $80 and it's a great little pump. I find the Cycplus to be less fiddly than CO2, it works well with sealant and it can pump 3-4 road tires from flat to full pressure. I like the pump so much that I've stopped taking a track pump with me when I drive to a ride: if I need to top up pressure, I just use the Cycplus.
#52
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As Mtracer and a few others have said, my reluctance (if I ever exhaust my current supply of CO2s) is the battery. Not if a full charge will replace the pfffft of two CO2... if the full charge will be there when I finally need it. I mean, I suppose the inflator could be number 8 on the list of things that have to be charged up to leave the garage, e.g. Di2, computer, phone, tail light, headlight, power meter, HR strap...
#53
Gruppetto Bob




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From: Seattle-ish
Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo
As Mtracer and a few others have said, my reluctance (if I ever exhaust my current supply of CO2s) is the battery. Not if a full charge will replace the pfffft of two CO2... if the full charge will be there when I finally need it. I mean, I suppose the inflator could be number 8 on the list of things that have to be charged up to leave the garage, e.g. Di2, computer, phone, tail light, headlight, power meter, HR strap...

Of course I am one to talk since I charge headlight, Varia, Garmin head unit and have wireless shifting on deck. Then there’s all those batteries for power meter/cadence sensor, speed sensor, HR strap…. Between 3 bikes, I am constantly switching out batteries.
Being a Luddite, I still carry a mini pump as backup to CO2, but haven’t used either in years.
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Last edited by rsbob; 02-24-26 at 11:28 AM.
#54
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#56
I climb a lot


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#57
It's rare, but it can happen. Fabio Jakobsen crashed earlier this year after his front tire, plus a foam insert that was inside the tire, blew off the rim. The wheels had what the manufacturer describes as mini-hooks or something like that.
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#58
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No one was going to reseat a tire on that rim regardless. He hit a large rock which destroyed the wheel and tire flange causing the blowout.
#59
Broken neck Ken


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I've tubed a damaged tire on brevets, 4 or 5 times.
#60
Method to My Madness

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#61
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From: Central Oregon
Bikes: Kona, Salsa(s)
Well, it certainly does happen.....it's happened to me. So, I'm interested in how riders have dealt with that when they didn't have a CO2 cartridge or how they plan to deal with it.
Someone up stream said they'd throw in a tube and roll on. That is a great way to solve the issue. What else can be done if say, the tube you're carrying has a stem too short for a deep rim?
Someone up stream said they'd throw in a tube and roll on. That is a great way to solve the issue. What else can be done if say, the tube you're carrying has a stem too short for a deep rim?
#62
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No more than electronic shifting had replaced mechanical or disc brakes replacing rim brakes…… Oh wait, maybe they won’t replace CO2 but I bet all the younger riders will be fast to adopt it while us older folk will steer clear of unnecessary tech.
#63
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#64
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From: UK
Well, it certainly does happen.....it's happened to me. So, I'm interested in how riders have dealt with that when they didn't have a CO2 cartridge or how they plan to deal with it.
Someone up stream said they'd throw in a tube and roll on. That is a great way to solve the issue. What else can be done if say, the tube you're carrying has a stem too short for a deep rim?
Someone up stream said they'd throw in a tube and roll on. That is a great way to solve the issue. What else can be done if say, the tube you're carrying has a stem too short for a deep rim?
Worst I’ve had was I once burped all the air out on a hell of a pothole and I couldn’t get that to reseal properly and had to borrow a tube. Once in 5 years ain’t bad.
#65
Junior Member

Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Central PA, USA
Bikes: 2014 Trek 8.3 DS, 2022 Trek Domane SL5 (Gen. 3)
The main thing keeping me from getting one of these mini inflators is that I haven’t found one that will fit in the down tube storage of my Domane SL5. A CO2 cartridge and inflator head do.
I don’t like riding with stuffed pockets, either.
Any Domane riders have one that fits?
I don’t like riding with stuffed pockets, either.
Any Domane riders have one that fits?
#66
The main thing keeping me from getting one of these mini inflators is that I haven’t found one that will fit in the down tube storage of my Domane SL5. A CO2 cartridge and inflator head do.
I don’t like riding with stuffed pockets, either.
Any Domane riders have one that fits?
I don’t like riding with stuffed pockets, either.
Any Domane riders have one that fits?
https://www.printables.com/model/941...n-tube-storage
It doesn't have to be that exact model, but something that size should fit an electric mini pump.
#67
Gruppetto Bob




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Thems are fighting words. But then again, I must be one of the ‘younger riders’, so thank you.
(Says the 71 YO owner of electronic shifting on 2 bikes and 3 bikes with discs). I feel so youthful, but wonder how really old you must be.
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Last edited by rsbob; 02-27-26 at 12:04 AM.
#68
I bit the bullet and bought a Cycplus AS2 Pro inflator. I debated between this and the Pro Max version but ultimately decided the Max would be overkill and potentially too bulky. I wasn't looking for weight savings, but this pump weighs less than carrying two 16g CO2 cartridges and an inflator head with gauge.




#69
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Joined: Oct 2023
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From: New Jersey
I'm starting to see demand for an automotive-style wiring harness in the bicycle frame with standardized connectors for headlights, taillights, computers/navigation, and a few auxiliary outlets for cell phone charging and mini pumps. Power the whole bike off one battery - size of your choice - and massively reduce your chances of running out of charge on any one gizmo.
Electronic shifting would be a different ball of wax because if you wired it, it wouldn't be wireless.
Electronic shifting would be a different ball of wax because if you wired it, it wouldn't be wireless.
#70
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I'm starting to see demand for an automotive-style wiring harness in the bicycle frame with standardized connectors for headlights, taillights, computers/navigation, and a few auxiliary outlets for cell phone charging and mini pumps. Power the whole bike off one battery - size of your choice - and massively reduce your chances of running out of charge on any one gizmo.
Electronic shifting would be a different ball of wax because if you wired it, it wouldn't be wireless.
Electronic shifting would be a different ball of wax because if you wired it, it wouldn't be wireless.
#71
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I'm starting to see demand for an automotive-style wiring harness in the bicycle frame with standardized connectors for headlights, taillights, computers/navigation, and a few auxiliary outlets for cell phone charging and mini pumps. Power the whole bike off one battery - size of your choice - and massively reduce your chances of running out of charge on any one gizmo.
Electronic shifting would be a different ball of wax because if you wired it, it wouldn't be wireless.
Electronic shifting would be a different ball of wax because if you wired it, it wouldn't be wireless.
#72
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2023
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From: New Jersey
If you did have a system on your bike like I described, you could get devices/adapters so that each didn't even have its own battery.
#73
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From: Oklahoma
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
I bit the bullet and bought a Cycplus AS2 Pro inflator. I debated between this and the Pro Max version but ultimately decided the Max would be overkill and potentially too bulky. I wasn't looking for weight savings, but this pump weighs less than carrying two 16g CO2 cartridges and an inflator head with gauge.
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#74
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For myself I don’t find charging the onerous task many on this forum do. All my devices use a usb-c connector so when touring I bring a battery pack with a cable for emergencies otherwise I charge as needed.
#75
Broken neck Ken


Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
If charging is your goal then a standard dynamo hub system will do what you need.
For myself I don’t find charging the onerous task many on this forum do. All my devices use a usb-c connector so when touring I bring a battery pack with a cable for emergencies otherwise I charge as needed.
For myself I don’t find charging the onerous task many on this forum do. All my devices use a usb-c connector so when touring I bring a battery pack with a cable for emergencies otherwise I charge as needed.
A common social goal is demonstrating superiority. Complexity provides a means to this end, whether overtly with games and puzzles, or covertly with unnecessary complexity.
Connector, cable, battery pack, the need to charge. So many potential faultures, the FMEA would be many rows, most requiring prevention, detection, and mitigation actions to get the risk of failure down to an acceptable level. Horrid design, puts so much burden on the user. But does achieve the goal of enabling people to feel and claim superiority.





