Are co2 inflators the way to go?

[johnnyb47]

Hi. I was having a walk around my local lidl shop yesterday when I spotted some co2 inflators selling for £3.99. It got me thinking as to whether I should ditch the mini pump ( which isn't that fantastic) and carry a co2 inflator instead. I've never used one before and was just wondering are they a worthy reliable replacement to the bike mini pump.
All the very best,
Johnny.

 

[Drago]

No. Their production and distribution is bad for the environment, and the caplets can't be recycled easily. It's the bicycle tyre inflating equivalent of a baby wipe - oh so convenient, but oh so wrong.

 

[Brandane]

They're useful if you're in a hurry to inflate a tyre after a puncture, but they are not a replacement for a pump, IMHO..
Problem with CO2 cylinders is - you don't know when you set off, how many punctures you are going to have. None? 1? 5?
Once used, a CO2 cylinder is useless, whereas a pump will go on and on.
I used to carry both, but then figured it was a bit pointless as I'm not in a hurry when I cycle, so ditched the CO2 and just carry a pump now. It helps if it's a good, reliable pump of course. I like Lezyne pumps.

 

[ianrauk]

I carry both.
The C02 is easy, mega quick and handy.

 

[welsh dragon]

I do like Co2 cannisters. Much easier to use.

 

[BorderReiver]

Easier to use until one day you have "n+1" punctures but "n" cartridges. I suppose if you know how many punctures you are going to get before you set off they are great, enviromental issues asside.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

 

[nickyboy]

How do you determine the pressure obtained with a C02 canister?

Meaning ...if I want 90-100psi how do I do this? Is this "one canisters worth"?

 

[ianrauk]

How do you determine the pressure obtained with a C02 canister?

Meaning ...if I want 90-100psi how do I do this? Is this "one canisters worth"?

For a 23 or 25 tyre yes, one canister worth gets the tyre up to about 90-100.

 

[Smokin Joe]

They don't always work, leaving you with a walk home.

 

[Old jon]

I carry both.
The C02 is easy, mega quick and handy.

Me too.

 

[Heigue'r]

Depends on your ride really,I bring 3 co2 canisters on the commute,19 miles each way,If I got 4 punctures over this distance,the bike would be thrown over the nearest ditch id say.
If on a wkend ride,I or someone on the ride would have a pump along with Co2 cartridges,The Co2 would be used first.
Co2 has made the commute a lot easier because now I dont mind changing the tyre and then inflating it in seconds as opposed to using a mini pump and struggling to get the tyre up to a decent enough pressure*

*pump may have been crap but was a decent enough leznye one

 

[HLaB]

I wouldn't rely on one alone. The last time I needed one the chuck was jammed, fortunately I had a pump. Another time the pump burst though and it was a good back up. I'll need to get a new chuck as for me its a good back up, I prefer to use a pump 90% of the time but every so often you need to be that wee bit faster.

 

[johnnyb47]

All good stuff to read here. Thanks all :-)

 

[HarryTheDog]

This year on my commutes I have stopped for 3 people who found their pumps were knackered, ( not used for long time and not checked) 2 borrowed my pump, the 3rd I was in a hurry and sold him a cylinder. I haven't stopped for anyone who had a knackered cylinder. I carry both on my commute just in case. Both my CX and MTB are tubeless so have to carry cylinders anyway. Find them brilliant, use the pump when I have time and want to save some money.