CO2 Inflator

[AKPogue]

Any recommendations? Was also wondering if there were any there that took regular CO2 cartridges that didn't cost an arm and a leg.

[jm2e]

I just got a 12pk of threaded 16gm cartridges off Amazon. Came out to $1.52 each
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00

I bought the cheapest inflater they had at REI
http://www.rei.com/product/760412/ge...i-co2-inflator
It's not super convenient to use and I don't recommend it. You screw the cartridge all the way in, and then counter-intuitively you have to unscrew it a bit to release the air. Makes it a full on two handed operation with frost nipped finger tips and usually a little lost air d/t fumbling.

[reynolds.trailrun]

I have a couple of these: http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bi...s-clone-2.html. Work with the generic 12oz CO2 cartridges like those used for bb guns, etc. that you can buy almost anywhere much cheaper.

[FlimFlamvanHam]

Genuine Innovations have a couple. I've used a handful of designs in my many years of riding and some certainly work better than others. I'd stay away from "triggers". Ones with a turnable open/close valve are better than triggers I find, but really, when Genuine Innovations have the AirChuck, why bother with anything else?

It's super small; relatively light and works perfectly and so easily: thread in cartridge; press onto valve to release CO2. It works simply and flawlessly in my experience.

http://www.cyclingactive.com/bikesge...-co2-inflators

[XXX-er]

I never got C02 inflator's, unless you are actualy going to be racing and need a fast fill ...why not use a pump ?

what do you do when you run out of cartridges

[D(C)]

what do you do when you run out of cartridges

If you're going for a multi-day trip, carrying a patch kit and a pump is probably the way to go. But for shorter rides, the convenience of a spare tube and CO2 inflator is nice. It would be quite unlucky and unlikely to get more than one flat during a single ride.

That said, I can't even get 20 PSI with my CO2 inflator on 2.35 tires. I use a Planet Bike Red Zeppelin. http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...2-inflator.jsp

[reynolds.trailrun]

Genuine Innovations have a couple. I've used a handful of designs in my many years of riding and some certainly work better than others. I'd stay away from "triggers". Ones with a turnable open/close valve are better than triggers I find, but really, when Genuine Innovations have the AirChuck, why bother with anything else?

I think it is more of a YMMV issue than triggers. I have one of the original Ultraflates with trigger... love that thing never had an issue in almost 8 years of use. It has even been primary inflator for a few weeks in that span when my pump died at random. Recently got a newer version with the push-to-inflate like the air chuck. Hate that SOB, have wasted more CO2 with that thing in two tries than I can remember with the other. Was thinking it would replace the old one... hoping it disappears though. The old one is still in my pocket/pack for rides while the new one stays at home or in the truck for a spare.

[XtrPickels]

The only one you need

[RShea]

I have a pump and CO2 cartridge combination. It takes the standard thread-less cartridges that can be purchased anywhere. If you run out of cartridges (or do not want to spend the money on the cartridges each and every time) yu can use the pump....

RAVX is the brand- not sure or the model or if they still make or offer the combination.

[Dromond]

If you're going for a multi-day trip, carrying a patch kit and a pump is probably the way to go. But for shorter rides, the convenience of a spare tube and CO2 inflator is nice. It would be quite unlucky and unlikely to get more than one flat during a single ride.

That said, I can't even get 20 PSI with my CO2 inflator on 2.35 tires. I use a Planet Bike Red Zeppelin. http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/Cyclin...2-inflator.jsp

I've gotten two flats on the same rock, let alone the same ride. Plus, an underinflated tire is so much more likely to flat. I've done the co2 thing, but this is the best mountain pump I have yet found. It pumps a large volume tire fast, does not rip off your valve stem like some pumps, and allows you to ride out if you get more than one flat.

Topeak Mountain Morph

[Jethro]

The only one you need

That one is fine if you don't mind getting ass raped on the cost of the CO2 cartridges. Anything that works with bb gun cartridges is the way to go. I have two, one for moto, and one for mtn biking. I still bring a pump and patches though

[jm2e]

Sorry, but when I pay $1.52 for a 16gr cartridge, how exactly am I being ass raped?

[Tech Tonics]

when I go on long rides i bring a pump.

anything less than a few hours I don't carry a backpack and everything I need fits in a little saddle bag, including two cartridges and a tube or two.

I use tubeless, set the psi with a floor-pump before most rides and hardly ever flat. When I do, the CO2 is super handy. And with 29x2.25 tires I never have any problem getting way above the 28-32psi I run.

I think I've used (between me and helping out friends) maybe 6 of them this summer (mostly just filling burps or small sidewall rips that get caught with Stan's). So maybe ~$12 this entire summer? Seems hardly like an ass-raping to me when I just bought a four-pack of beers for the same amount. And it's facking sweet to not ride in a camelback all the time.

That Genuine Innovations inflator is sweet. I had a drink in Durango next to the lady who owns that company. She's super hot with huge fake ta-tas and tons of money. He looks like a fat rich dude that scored a super hot trophy wife and he's fucking stoked on it. I'd bet that he drives a porsche. so you got that going for you if you go with CO2.

T

[Jethro]

Perhaps I have seen different ones. Closer to $4 a cartridge. BB guns cartridges are $12-15 per 25 at Walmart, for 12g.

[concretejungle]

Perhaps I have seen different ones. Closer to $4 a cartridge. BB guns cartridges are $12-15 per 25 at Walmart, for 12g.

Don't buy them at the bike shop and they're not that bad also 12g don't inflate some tires enough.

[XtrPickels]

That one is fine if you don't mind getting ass raped on the cost of the CO2 cartridges. Anything that works with bb gun cartridges is the way to go. I have two, one for moto, and one for mtn biking. I still bring a pump and patches though

How many cartridges do you go through? I use MAYBE 4 a year between road and mountain. I can't imagine needing so many cartridges that i whine about the price.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using TGR Forums

[jm2e]

Perhaps I have seen different ones. Closer to $4 a cartridge. BB guns cartridges are $12-15 per 25 at Walmart, for 12g.

I'd feel more violated if I shopped at Walmart, which I don't. So my ass comes out of this nice and clean.
Closest Walmart to AssPan is >40miles, so I'm gonna guess your butt is hurting either way.

[Jethro]

I'd feel more violated if I shopped at Walmart, which I don't. So my ass comes out of this nice and clean.
Closest Walmart to AssPan is >40miles, so I'm gonna guess your butt is hurting either way.

You know what, you spent the time to google the closest Walmart to me, so who is really butthurt? My wife commutes to a hospital (ER nurse) just a few blocks away from that Walmart, and I end up in that town more than a few times a year. I buy a box of co2 cartridges about every 2-3 years, so the price is not really a concern.

I am going to go with Concretejungle's advice, and not buy them in bike stores. What is the other use of 16g threaded cartridges, if not cycling?

[FlimFlamvanHam]

I think it is more of a YMMV issue than triggers. I have one of the original Ultraflates with trigger... love that thing never had an issue in almost 8 years of use. It has even been primary inflator for a few weeks in that span when my pump died at random. Recently got a newer version with the push-to-inflate like the air chuck. Hate that SOB, have wasted more CO2 with that thing in two tries than I can remember with the other. Was thinking it would replace the old one... hoping it disappears though. The old one is still in my pocket/pack for rides while the new one stays at home or in the truck for a spare.

Hey, you mean 'superflate'? You drop a 12g unthreaded cartridge into the plastic sleeve and then thread the head into the sleeve to break the co2 seal? Trigger is on top of the head? I have one in my toolbox and agree it's fantastic but cannot get skinny enough cartridges to fit the sleeve.

Just after reading this thread I realize I tried paintball cartridges from the hardware store. The ones that work with BB guns are what I should have been looking for if still the same as they were 20 years ago...

I carry a pump mtn biking in addition to a couple of co2's just because I have room in my hydro pack and just in case. But co2 is so fast. And on the roadie, not only is it fast but it gets the tire to 120 psi easily. With a mini pump just getting to 80psi burns more energy than the ride.

I am going to go with Concretejungle's advice, and not buy them in bike stores. What is the other use of 16g threaded cartridges, if not cycling?

Paintball guns.

[Jethro]

So I just bought an AR styled paintball gun. Now I need a cannister. I have not looked into where I can get them filled locally or what to buy. Do they make disposable ones which still give hundreds of shots like the high pressure air (scuba) or co2 refillables.?

[Todd Zander]

I use creamer cartridges, not cheaper but more funner.

[Jethro]

I use creamer cartridges, not cheaper but more funner.

Are these the same pressure and size as a bb gun CO2 cartridge? http://www.webstaurantstore.com/n2o-...407CC2524.html. If so, they are cheaper that the CO2 cartridges I use

[reynolds.trailrun]

I use creamer cartridges, not cheaper but more funner.

Damn running NOS? must be BAMF bike?

[reynolds.trailrun]

Hey, you mean 'superflate'? You drop a 12g unthreaded cartridge into the plastic sleeve and then thread the head into the sleeve to break the co2 seal? Trigger is on top of the head? I have one in my toolbox and agree it's fantastic but cannot get skinny enough cartridges to fit the sleeve.

Says ultraflate on one side... the other is wore so bad I cannot make out what it supposedly did say at one point in its life. But otherwise same design just drop in and tighten the sleeve. The head is also threaded to work with the larger 16g cartridges without the sleeve. I just use the BB cartridges. Works like a charm. On larger tires it does not inflate to 25+ psi. I usually carry 2 so that I have enough to fully inflate. Similar on roadie. One barely gets it up to 50-60psi. The second usually gets it to ~90psi which is enough to finish the ride/haul ass home. The newer models have a locking feature for the trigger which is nice. But I freaking hate the Ultraflate 2... the more recent one that I bought for my road bike. Kind of sucks when you forget to take any pump/inflator and have a flat way the F away from home.

[Roxtar]

I'd stay away from "triggers". Ones with a turnable open/close valve are better than triggers I find,

I feel just the opposite. Triggers allow far easier use IMO.
Pull the trigger, air shoots out. What can be easier?
Use any one that works with both threaded and threadless cartridges.
Never had a problem with an Ultraflate. I have one in each pack.