I carry both. CO2 in case I'm in a hurry, or it's 10° and I'm dressed light, the mini-pump for all else. I haven't felt like using the CO2 in about 2 years so it's not like I'm wasting money on the cartridges, but they're light and don't take up much room so why not?

It's just an air chuck and two canisters....also, how much does it take to pump a road tire (I run 23 mm)? - one canister per use. They'll leak out eventually once punctured.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Which words would you use to describe those who eschew physical activity while engaged in a physical activity because they think a few minutes is too much time to squander on menial labor that further requires them to attach (or carry) a lightweight, "unattractive," reusable, component on their bike (or person) and instead choose to generate trash?

I think lazy and vain were pretty generous terms, though I would not object to self-important, thoughtless, or careless.

But I'm curious, which words would you use?

Free lap? Good grief.

So is recreational cycling equipment generally. We should all just go for a walk.

Barefoot!

I'd go with "Judgmental Jackass"

Thank for the thorough explanation. The CO2 is new to me and I like to try new things. I will carry both and see how it goes. The CO2 is just a small chuck so it's not extra weight.

i appreciate all the comments and opinions.

Could you manage to use the equipment just more than once before throwing it out? I don't think the bar can be any lower for CO2 cartridges in rec cycling equipment category. It's piss poor to use no matter how you cut it.

I'm not proud to be a judgemental jackass, but I am proud to call it like it is, and speak truth to the matter. CO2 cartrige use is stupid and indefensible, as we've seen in this thread. It gets down to only two things: laziness and self-importance.

I carry both..CO 2 when I want to get on the road quickly.

Using CO2 it takes me 3-5 minutes to change my flat. The tube and canister go in the jersey pocket, both get recycled.

Justifying using a pump (I am going to guess I have given away 50 canisters to the pump crowd, and a like number of tubes to folks who have ripped the valve off the tube on the one tube they brought) for environmental reasons is hilarious. You still have to deal with your tube.

It's hilarious watching people trying to get the last 30 pounds of pressure into a tube so they don't enjoy a pinch flat. Especially when it's 100 degrees outside.

CO2 is convenient and fast.

And cheap when you buy and use air g-n-labeled cartridges instead of bicycle cartridges.

I have that Second Wind mini-pump mounted on my bottle cage. The handle of the pump is threaded so you can carry a CO2 cartridge on it and also use it as a handle. I believe in redundancy and backup for most things in my life so I love the added security of having both options. I see it as no different than carrying extra tubes and a patch kit. I do mainly solo riding so I need to be self sufficient.

If you want the holy grail of CO2 inflators, check out the EOLO III from Silca.

And for the record, I carry CO2 and a Lezyne mini-pump.

Pump.
Be a man, use your hand.


S

And I admire that... when people aren't an ass about it.



Couldn't we say that about pretty much any modern day convenience? Do you use a clothes dryer? If the answer is yes, why not just hang your clothes to dry and save the eco waste?

Co2 cartridges are a multi-use item:

1. ballast to bring bike weight up to UCI minimum.
2. tire inflation.
3. projectile for warding off angry dogs.

Who throws it out? I recycle mine.

Yeah this whole discussion is kind of like, "Let him who is without sin among you, be the first to throw a stone..." Who has done a cradle-to-grave ecological footprint analysis of CO2 cartridges? Who knows how they compare, on average, to using a pump? How many cartridges the average user will consume during the lifetime of one pump and what the difference in ecological stress that will represent? Is that amount of waste (assuming the CO2 is disadvantaged) significant compared to other lifestyle choices we make? This is all beyond ridiculous...just like the last 100 times it was discussed.

I resemble that comment...CO2 all the way for me. :)

"Oh no, I have to sweat and make some effort for about 60 seconds before I can get back on my bike and sweat for another hour of riding. This is too much inconvenience for me."

I can see the benefit of CO2 in a race, TT, Tri or other event where an extra 60-90 seconds can make the world of difference. Even on a fast, no-wait group ride I'm sure it'd be worthwhile. But the day you have your (C+1)th puncture (where C=no of cartridges you're carrying) on, say, a century ride, you're going to wish you had a pump. And then next ride you're carrying a pump and cartridges.

Again, the bar is very low. I'm not asking for you, me, or anyone else to be perfect, or even make a major concession, as hang-drying laundry would be (in terms of labor, time, lifestyle, etc). Using a pump is cheap, easy, fast, part of cycling tradition, and good for you, even. Choosing a pump over CO2 is not "a commitment", it's just not being a lazy, selfish F**k.

I've seen it more than once, and I guarantee you that, if you look in the rubbish bin at a trailhead or other ride start, you'll find 'em. Money down on that.

AHEM. CO2 cartridges are recyclable. I suppose the canister hater is a 70s steel touring retrogrouch with hemp shoes in old toe clips or something?

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Laziness? What a joke. If using a canister instead of a pump is lazy then it's lazy for me to do a two hour ride on a wednesday instead of a 4 hour ride on a saturday... Seriously, just ride your bike and don't worry so much about how other people handle the technical aspects of getting themselves unstranded from the middle of nowhere.