Is the Mini Inflator Replacing the CO2?

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03-24-26 | 08:40 PM

#101

rsbob

Gruppetto Bob

Joined: Sep 2020

Posts: 11,643

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From: Seattle-ish

Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir

No issues using CO2 cartridge via Lezyne Control Drive to inflate Pirelli SmarTube TPU tube. The key is to inflate at a lower flow rate; no need to crank the valve to full open.

I was wondering about that. I do have a flow rate valve on both heads. Good info.

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03-25-26 | 09:16 AM

#102

cyclezen

OM boy

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 5,348

Likes: 1,333

From: Goleta CA

Bikes: a bunch

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsbob

PSA regarding TPUs and CO2 - together they are no bueno. The cold air will freeze and crack the fragile TPU. Better routes are either a pump or electric pump with an extension so that the heat generated doesn’t melt the TPU. They are fussy things if you get a flat while riding. Just learned this a week ago from my favorite on line mechanic, so will lose the CO2 inflator in my TPU bike. Weight saved. I always carry a mini-pump.

I decided, while using the small electric pump, to use it in short intervals with a few seconds (20-30) off in between ON intervals (leaving it attached to the valve).
If the interval is short enough to not heat the pump or valve, it will never get that warm in subsequent intervals...
These pumps are mostly plastic also, and who knows that failures will happen at any time or repeated 'heating'... So save the pump as well as Tube...
I don't go to the bother of carrying any extension - just another thing to carry and lose...
This strategy seems to work fine for 700c from 25 to 42mm sizes. Tried with tires within this range I can go from completely flat to desired pressure in 3 intervals/2 stop breaks at most (using thumb pressure test).
Ride On
Yuri
6 out of 8 rides are Solo, so I still retain my mini pump on my bikes... will take some considerable time to gain confidence that the pump thing is totally reliable.
I've always been a self-reliant guy, that coming form decades doing solo, especially in the mountains, summer thru winter.