Mini Pumps vs. CO2
 

I hear a lot of people that have CO2 pumps and carts. that they bring along on rides... Why don't people get mini pumps instead? Am I missing the disadvantages of mini pumps? You don't have to spend money to buy the replacement carts...

I am thinking about getting this new pump by Topeak. Very sleek.

http://www.topeak.com/2006/products/...rorocketal.php

What are the reasons behind your choices...

i have a mini pump but have been meaning to switch to co2. the pump i have claims it goes to 160, and even tho i only fill my tires to 120, i could never really get them to feel full when i used it. plus it takes a lot out of you to pump up a whole tube!

There's nothing wrong with mini pumps, they just take a while to get up to 110 psi; otoh, they come with an eternal supply of air. CO2 is fast, but it sucks when you run out of cartridges. Try the best of both worlds- an Innovations Second Wind; it works as a pump and as a CO2 inflater. I just carry one cartridge, and if that isn't enough, I start pumping.

CO2 is slick and really easy. I carry two cartridges and a super mini pump.

John

I have that same little combo pump+inflator. I had my first chance to use it this weekend after hitting a massive pothole. The minipump is very mini and would probably take forever and a half to get to the advertised 90psi (pretty low for me at my size but rideable). However, it is handy to prime to tube and to ensure a good seal on the valve before going to the cartridge. The CO2 inflation was flawless and super-fast. It all worked out so well I'm considering getting a second one for another bike.

I carry 3 or 4 cartridges. If I need more than that the cycling gods are against me and I'm calling in the team car(wife) for ride. On a group ride everybody has co2 because it would be inconsiderate to make everbody wait for you to pump. It also means if you run out of cartridges there's always somebody there to offer one up. I bought a couple of boxes when I first got my bike 2 years ago and still half of those so the cost is minimal unless you're having a string of bad luck.

I have a Barbieri that is a combo mini/co2 pump. It's very convenient. I manually pump some air in the tube when remounting and then use the co2 to finish the job. The pump has a built-in gauge so I know when to close the valve and save some air. It uses 16gr cartridges.
It fits in my saddle bag with an extra tube and an extra cartridge (1 is already inside the pump). On long rides such as centuries I add a second extra co2 cartridge and a second tube in the bag.
I only came up short once on a small ride. I didn't check the tire enough before mounting the extra tube and pumping it. A small staple or metal wire piece was still in the tire thread and I quickly flatted again. I still couldn't fing anything in the tire, fixed one of the tubes and used the 2nd co2 cartridge. Well you know the ending... another flat and I was out of co2. That's when the minipump option is convenient but, as mentioned by others, not very efficient. Yet it still allows you to return home.

I carry both. As someone else posted, the mini pump is great for those first couple of pumps when you are putting the tire, tube and rim together, but a pain to fill all the way up. I use the CO2 to fill up after everything is reassembled and always have the pump if for some reason I use all three of the cartridges I carry.

Just don't go so mini. I carry a Road Morph. Which is quite large by mini pump standards. But the thing is darn near close to my floor pump in performance. Fills the tire fast and I can get to 120psi easily.

-D

if you guys use CO2, make sure it's made in US. I heard those made in China (sold at Walmart) are not good CO2. It's only CO1.5 :D (I read this somewhere in BForums)

I was in a group helping fix a flat when a fellow rider pulled out a Road Morph, I was impressed with how quickly it got the tire from 0 to 100psi. The fold out foot flap really looked like it helps.

That said I use a C02 because it's so slick and effortless. I have a Mini pump, but use it around the shop to lightly inflate a tube before putting it in the tire.


Here is my Arsenal

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4232/pumps5pz.jpg

Yea the foot thing and the folding handle that gives you sort of a pistol grip. Like I said not the smallest pump, but it does an awesome job. I have used it instead of my floor pump at home because it was on the bike (the floor pump was inside)

I have also considered picking up a CO2 inflator as well, for organized rides. I figure I can shave a little bulk and still be ok in a pinch with all the other riders and SAG support. Problem is I haven't been able to find a CO2 inflator with a built in guage.

-D

For those that use the CO2 inflators, how do you know how much pressure you put into the tire? Do you all carry a gauge?

I carry both!
 

I carry a frame mount( under the top bar) Topeak Road Minimorph and a CO2.You mini seems like it would be harder than hell to hit 70 psi muchless 90-120 psi. My roadmorph to me being disabled is hard to pump to 100psi( my rear tire pressure, 90 psi front).Like they say, you only have air if you have carts!I always have air!:)

The CO2 will only inflate to about 100Psi, before it's empty, so I just empty the canister into the tube.

It also helps to be familiar with how your tires should feel at 100Psi

No gauge for me. I'm fortunate in that a 16g cartridge will fill a 700x23 tire to around 120-130psi, right where I need it for my size. OTOH, I'm not sure about how it would work with the 406xsomething Marathons on my folder. Having a trigger on the inflator, and fingers for a "pinch test" will have to do, I suppose. Anyhow, those Marathons are amazingly flatproof so I'm not too worried about it being a common problem. :D

Which Barbieri? I lookes up there pumps and the only one that is a combo is the Barbieri Moskito, but I didn't see a gauge on it. Am I missing something?


By the way I use CO2.

frame pump for my roadie

combo pump for commuting...as mentioned previously, hand pump to test the tube/start inflating, then fully inflate with CO2

I have the 2nd wind combo, I pump some air in first then use a12oz cartridge, perfect..

Also you should be able to tell if you tire is up to pressure without a gauge.

I only carry two cartridges, but otherwise I agree with the above post. I don't have a wife, but I can always call a friend if need be. They are quick,easy, fill to high pressures, and almost everybody else has them on a ride. In two years, I've only used three of them total. So why carry around a pump that I have to work to get up to 110-115 psi with, when I can do it effortlessly in seconds with C02. That's why I do it anyway. But to each his own.