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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.



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

-Bandera

The cartridges can be recycled.

How about convenience?

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

So does your thinking it is extra CO2.

-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.

My TR-3 got great gas mileage.

Convenience is for self-importance lazyasses.

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.

So does your falling for that.

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.