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-   -   Pump or CO2? (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/994503-pump-co2.html)

rpenmanparker 02-18-15 12:38 PM


Originally Posted by wphamilton (Post 17564814)
I don't know about a comprehensive footprint analysis, but my understanding is that the CO2 for cartridges is captured as a byproduct of industrial combustions and sometimes organic processes. ie, it would otherwise be released into the atmosphere, so the net effect is nothing.

I do recall repairing a flat one night, in freezing rain. It's hard to imagine someone begrudging me the time saved as laziness, not that you'd particularly care in that situation. I've used maybe three of them in the last 5 years so I'd say that it's only a small amount of laziness. Considering that I have probably expended more energy carrying them around (5500 - 7300 miles per year :p @roadwarrior) than I have saved by not pumping by hand on the couple of flats.

In fairness to the eco-nerds you are not counting the mechanical energy to manufacture the steel cartridge, the energy to compress the CO2 and fill the cartridge, the eco effects of manufacturing and disposing of the packaging, the transportation fuel usage, etc., etc., etc. But I still discount all that stuff as negligible compared to our lifestyle in general of which I am quite fond.

rpenmanparker 02-18-15 12:39 PM


Originally Posted by chaadster (Post 17564868)
It fills in your knowledge gaps.

What is a knowledge gap...at least as it pertains to me? I don't recognize that concept. I never said anyone else recycled the cartridges, just me.

chaadster 02-18-15 12:45 PM


Originally Posted by rpenmanparker (Post 17564874)
What is a knowledge gap...at least as it pertains to me? I don't recognize that concept. I never said anyone else recycled the cartridges, just me.

Shouldn't be so hard for you to parse, Bobbito. "A gap in knowledge" pertains to you because whereas you know many people use CO2, you did not know what many people did with them after using them and between buying new ones, ergo a knowledge gap, the space between two points of knowing.

datlas 02-18-15 12:48 PM

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...tCuW-fY8aOqEeU

wphamilton 02-18-15 12:50 PM


Originally Posted by rpenmanparker (Post 17564871)
In fairness to the eco-nerds you are not counting the mechanical energy to manufacture the steel cartridge, the energy to compress the CO2 and fill the cartridge, the eco effects of manufacturing and disposing of the packaging, the transportation fuel usage, etc., etc., etc. But I still discount all that stuff as negligible compared to our lifestyle in general of which I am quite fond.

I don't count that stuff either, having few options in the matter. But the of gas itself, that's not something to feel guilty about.

rpenmanparker 02-18-15 12:53 PM


Originally Posted by wphamilton (Post 17564905)
I don't count that stuff either, having few options in the matter. But the of gas itself, that's not something to feel guilty about.

I completely agree with that. There is a lot of gas that I do feel guilty about, but not what I use to fill my tires in a pinch on the road. ;)

rpenmanparker 02-18-15 12:54 PM


Originally Posted by chaadster (Post 17564889)
Shouldn't be so hard for you to parse, Bobbito. "A gap in knowledge" pertains to you because whereas you know many people use CO2, you did not know what many people did with them after using them and between buying new ones, ergo a knowledge gap, the space between two points of knowing.

Pas de tout! I am well aware that folks discard the empties. My, "Who does that?" inquiry was just to emphasize that I don't. That just has nothing to do with my decision.

Bandera 02-18-15 01:07 PM


Originally Posted by juanebici (Post 17563560)
also, how much does it take to pump a road tire (I run 23 mm)

Around 90 strokes w/ a frame mount Silca Imperio, less effort than walking home pushing a bike.

I have a pump and a dedicated flats kit on each of my bikes, the CF bike carries CO2 w/ it's Lezyne mini.
Nearly every season there is dejected rider on the roadside who needs to borrow my pump when his/her CO2 cartridges have been vented into the atmosphere instead of their tube.
Style over substance, no practice repair runs, willingness to call mommy for rescue? Experience says: buy a pump and leave it on the bike, or have a follow car.

As a side note I don't install a tube that hasn't been given enough air to take it's shape pre-install, and inflated enough for positive tire seating after.
Even if one is using CO2 to get to full pressure not having even a mini pump along makes for a lousy install process that can lead to a pinch re-flat or a blow off.

-Bandera

chaadster 02-18-15 01:10 PM


Originally Posted by rpenmanparker (Post 17564917)
Pas de tout! I am well aware that folks discard the empties. That just has nothing to do with my decision.

No one was talking about your decision, but I'm glad to hear you're not as ignorant as your question, "Who throws them out?" suggested. Or were you trolling for kudos for recycling?

obed7 02-18-15 01:12 PM

I am vain and lazy... I carry CO2 and a spare tube... I prefer getting my exercise riding rather than repairing flats.

cashwatson007 02-18-15 01:14 PM

I usually carry a generator (Honda quiet series) and an air compressor. I like the (porter cable) pancake style from Home Depot
Hope this helps :thumb:

chaadster 02-18-15 01:18 PM


Originally Posted by Bandera (Post 17564974)
Around 90 strokes w/ a frame mount Silca Imperio, less effort than walking home pushing a bike.

I have a pump and a dedicated flats kit on each of my bikes, the CF bike carries CO2 w/ it's Lezyne mini.
Nearly every season there is dejected rider on the roadside who needs to borrow my pump when his/her CO2 cartridges have been vented into the atmosphere instead of their tube.
Style over substance, no practice repair runs, willingness to call mommy for rescue? Experience says: buy a pump and leave it on the bike, or have a follow car.

As a side note I don't install a tube that hasn't been given enough air to take it's shape pre-install, and inflated enough for positive tire seating after.
Even if one is using CO2 to get to full pressure not having even a mini pump along makes for a lousy install process that can lead to a pinch re-flat or a blow off.

-Bandera

Don't some CO2 dispensers have adjustable flow? Is it fine controlled enough to give tube shaping first, then finish off the inflation?

I wouldn't know this, as I never touch the things. Doing so would sully my divine virtue and, perhaps, bring low my high horse.

Carbon Unit 02-18-15 01:23 PM


Originally Posted by Long Tom (Post 17563587)
Cartridges AND a pump? Why?

i carry a frame mount pump (first coice) on my main bike. My winter bike I stuff a co2 cartridge and a inflator thingie into my bag, because I don't want to deal with moving the pump over and buying two pumps seems silly. But I much prefer the pump. The cartridges/head unit are heavy, bulky, and are a one-shot deal with no control over final psi. Plus, it's very possible to botch a tire repair such that the first inflation attempt fails. Pumps rule.

The head unit on an Air Chuck is 18 grams. I carry an Air Chuck and 3 cartridges which weighs less than my old Road Morph and takes up a lot less room.

rideBjj 02-18-15 01:26 PM


Originally Posted by long john (Post 17563931)
Pump co2 is Eco wast

Adding un-necessarry C02 to the atmosphere makes baby Jesus cry.

Bandera 02-18-15 01:27 PM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by chaadster (Post 17565001)
Don't some CO2 dispensers have adjustable flow? Is it fine controlled enough to give tube shaping first, then finish off the inflation?.

That's is how some are advertised, under heat stress on the side of the road when used for the 1st time that may not be the reality.
No surprise here, I use well practiced old school techniques even if supplemented by newish technology.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=434939

Note the Silca Imperio in place since '77 w/ a flats kit as well on my FG.

-Bandera

Carbon Unit 02-18-15 01:31 PM


Originally Posted by long john (Post 17563931)
Pump co2 is Eco wast

The cartridges can be recycled.

Carbon Unit 02-18-15 01:35 PM


Originally Posted by chaadster (Post 17564422)

Originally Posted by TrojanHorse (Post 17564402)
I'd go with "Judgmental Jackass"

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.

How about convenience?

TrojanHorse 02-18-15 01:41 PM


Originally Posted by Carbon Unit (Post 17565057)
How about convenience?

Not allowed. Now go hitch your horse to the buggy and go buy a pump at the LBS.

rpenmanparker 02-18-15 01:45 PM


Originally Posted by rideBjj (Post 17565022)
Adding un-necessarry C02 to the atmosphere makes baby Jesus cry.

So does your thinking it is extra CO2.

Carbon Unit 02-18-15 01:47 PM

-Bandera[/QUOTE]
Don't some CO2 dispensers have adjustable flow? Is it fine controlled enough to give tube shaping first, then finish off the inflation?

I wouldn't know this, as I never touch the things. Doing so would sully my divine virtue and, perhaps, bring low my high horse.[/QUOTE]

Yes, the Air Chuck does.

rjones28 02-18-15 01:50 PM


Originally Posted by chaadster (Post 17564837)
Oh, I'm not eco. I run a couple of vintage sports cars that burn up the dino juice at rates to rival the eco crowd's favorite scapegoats, SUVs. I am smug about not using CO2, though.

My TR-3 got great gas mileage.

rjones28 02-18-15 01:57 PM


Originally Posted by Carbon Unit (Post 17565057)
How about convenience?

Convenience is for self-importance lazyasses.

dave42 02-18-15 01:59 PM


Originally Posted by Up North (Post 17563691)
I use Co2 and have only used it twice on the road. Both times were 23mm tire and the small size cylinder did the job no problem. I do carry 2 cylinders in case need them. My longests rides always tend to be group rides and there is always someone with a pump if for some reason my 2 cylinders are not enough. I like the compact size of C02 vs pump.

I guess I'm the somebody. I got a pump, patch kit, a tube, and usually a spare tire, too. And good tire levers.

I've also got enough stuff to fix a chain, at least temporarily, pull a freewheel(i could pull a cassette in a crisis, a shimano cassette, anyway, but it might bugger up the lockring a little. I've got a few spare spokes taped to one of the struts on my rack.

sometimes, i've got cone wrenches and brake wrenches, but you can cludge a repair without them.

So, if you ever ride with me, you don't have to bring anything. Just use my stuff.

I'll never need anything, so you can borrow my stuff, and you don't have to worry about reciprocating.

In all seriousness, self-sufficiency does have some benefits. I can go anywhere.

It's amazing how many places have no cell phone service, once you get away from the main roads.

So, hiking back in could mean a day or more out on the road.

Just some of my thoughts.

rideBjj 02-18-15 02:03 PM


Originally Posted by rpenmanparker (Post 17565083)
So does your thinking it is extra CO2.

So does your falling for that.

dave42 02-18-15 02:03 PM


Originally Posted by Carbon Unit (Post 17565041)
The cartridges can be recycled.

And it's good for the trees. That's what they breathe. Maybe we should do more replanting. We actually do replant more than we used to. Whole nother subject.


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