CO2 pumps

[e-rider]

I've recently been tempted to buy a CO2 pump after being unable to exceed 80psi with my mini pump on the side of the road after a puncture (I usually ride at 120psi). CO2 pumps seem to offer an easy effort-free way to get 110-115 psi.

However, Ive read so many reviews from people that simply can't get them to work reliably. I've certainly seen for myself one guy waste two cylinders and then have to borrow his mate's pump!

Are these people idiots or are they really that difficult to use? The M:Part pump seems cheap at £8 with two cylinders and even has a flow regulator, which would seem foolproof!

 

[endoman]

used mine in anger at the weekend, no problems at all, got a load of cartridges off ebay, only used one and it was 120 psi v easily.

 

[Herzog]

In my experience they're very easy to use. What problems in particular have you heard about?

 

[e-rider]

In my experience they're very easy to use. What problems in particular have you heard about?

gas coming out in an uncontrolled way not inflating tyre
pump freezing to valve
difficult to pierce cylinder

off the top of my head

 

[ianrauk]

yup they are very easy to use. Especially if you get one that has a controlable valve like this one from Wiggle. No frozen hands, pierces the cylinder with no problems. (Pop in and screw the cover up.)

What I do is start up the tyre with the normal pump to make sure the tube isnt caught anywhere. Then a quick blast of c02 and you are done.

Do not buy CO2 bottle from the normal Cycle retailers.
You get a far better deal here.



Edit: Wiggle out of stock but you can get elswhere

 

[NorthernSky]

what is the lifespan of a cartridge?
if you're really lucky and don't get a puncture for years will it still work?

 

[Alun]

what is the lifespan of a cartridge?
if you're really lucky and don't get a puncture for years will it still work?

You must have good roads over there !
I can't see that a cartridge would deteriorate, but would always carry 2 in case 1 didn't work.

 

[NorthernSky]

i'm really going to drop myself in it here but i haven't had a puncture in a long time
long may it continue!
i just got a mini pump the other day and have a spare tube in the saddle pack, a wee cartridge would be nice to have in there too. i believe you can't just use CO2 to inflate, best for topping up
pity because i find the mini pump rubbing my leg sometimes, not a huge worry though

 

[Alun]

I used a 16oz cartridge to take a 700x 28mm tube from flat to 80psi in about 3 secs.

 

[Herzog]

gas coming out in an uncontrolled way not inflating tyre
pump freezing to valve
difficult to pierce cylinder

off the top of my head

I've experienced none of these, perhaps the other users have been unlucky/not read the instructions.

 

[fossala]

I have one on order that I placed yesterday after getting a puncture in the rain and cold.

 

[NorthernSky]

this seems like everything you need, would i be right. great price if it is (apart from £5 postage )

http://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=269&category=4

 

[ianrauk]

i'm really going to drop myself in it here but i haven't had a puncture in a long time
long may it continue!
i just got a mini pump the other day and have a spare tube in the saddle pack, a wee cartridge would be nice to have in there too. i believe you can't just use CO2 to inflate, best for topping up
pity because i find the mini pump rubbing my leg sometimes, not a huge worry though

You can. 16gm cannister good for road tyres up to 100psi.
But as I said above, I always start off with a blast from a mini pump.

 

[e-rider]

I was thinking about this one http://www.parker-international.co....ogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid17178
as it has an obvious flow regulator - it looks like a lot don't have a turning-knob flow controler?

 

[NorthernSky]

I was thinking about this one http://www.parker-international.co....ogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=pid17178
as it has an obvious flow regulator - it looks like a lot don't have a turning-knob flow controler?

hmmm, yeah , wonder if the CO2 is threaded