Inflators. Recommendations?

[avilabrands]

I'm looking to get an inflator with co2.

I hate my mini pump. Takes forever to inflate when you're on the trails. Any recommendations of good ones you may have?

Thanks for the help everyone!!!

 

[zioncoming79]

my favorite:

http://www.genuineinnovations.com/

The Big Air is great for a 29er.

 

[RustyIron]

I like this one because it's small and fits nicely in a seat bag.
The down side, when compared with the bigger plastic contraptions, is that the CO2 cartridge get's COLD, so you have to wear gloves or wrap something around it.

http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bicycle/road-tri-athlete/air-chuck-elite.html

 

[avilabrands]

Thx!

I'm looking them up on Amazon and found this that has a mini pump and a co2. I like the idea of having both in one small sleek unit just in case I need a bit of rather than than use a whole cartridge.

http://www.amazon.com/Innovations-S...43070885&sr=8-11&keywords=genuine+innovations

my favorite:

http://www.genuineinnovations.com/

The Big Air is great for a 29er.

 

[avilabrands]

Once you start using the CO2 cartridge do you have to use the whole thing?

For example, if I just need to add maybe 20 more psi can I use just some of the cartridge and save the rest for later? I read somewhere that once you start using the cartridge you need to use the entire thing?

I like this one because it's small and fits nicely in a seat bag.
The down side, when compared with the bigger plastic contraptions, is that the CO2 cartridge get's COLD, so you have to wear gloves or wrap something around it.

http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bicycle/road-tri-athlete/air-chuck-elite.html

 

[MnMDan]

Lezyne makes some nice ones too. I'd get one that will function as both a pump and CO2 inflator. I ride with the Lezyne on my road rides because it and two cartridges fit in the water bottle cage mount...it doesnt fit my mtn. Downtube shape or id use it there...genuine innovations used to make one more compact than their current offering...you can also mount your co2 cartridges with threaded mounts that attach to the water bottle cage bolts if you don't want them bouncing around the pack...secure them with an rei Velcro strap or you may find they unscrew and drop off unexpectedly.

 

[rojomas]

I hope your not planning on using it as a replacement for a hand pump and more as a backup or an aid to the hand pump. Using CO2 is fine if your racing but for trail riding you need to expect the unexpected and realize that you may get multiple flats on one ride.

 

[AlphaMog]

what ever you chose make sure it can accomodate normal CO2 cartridges so you can buy the cheap crossman bb gun ones, a little less volume but not by much. I run tubeless in all my bikes and no longer cary a hand pump just multiple cartridges and a spare tube.

 

[mtnbikerfred]

This one.

Get it from your LBS it like $20.

The end.

 

[avilabrands]

Thanks everyone for the tips!

 

[rojomas]

This one.

Get it from your LBS it like $20.

The end.

I hate mine. It freezes and sputters.

 

[Winger]

Look at the cost of cartridges before buying. Do you really want to spend $5 on every flat for threaded cartridges?

As someone else mentioned, buy the non-threaded crossman cartridges from Wal Mart for $.50 ea. As I recall, using 2 Crossman 12g cartridges pumped my 26x2.1 tire to 40psi. The 16g cartridges didn't even get 30psi.

So then I'd cruise the trails with 4 cartridges in case of emergency...all jangling...and me wondering if there was a chance that something would puncture them and have them explode in my pack. And...I'd still carry the hand pump in case of super-extreme bad luck emergency pumping.

Now I'm back to packing just the standard hand pump. I use flats as a chance to take a break and enjoy the scenery.

 

[avilabrands]

Great reply Winger! Thx!

 

[mtbbiker]

Look at the cost of cartridges before buying. Do you really want to spend $5 on every flat for threaded cartridges?

As someone else mentioned, buy the non-threaded crossman cartridges from Wal Mart for $.50 ea. As I recall, using 2 Crossman 12g cartridges pumped my 26x2.1 tire to 40psi. The 16g cartridges didn't even get 30psi.

So then I'd cruise the trails with 4 cartridges in case of emergency...all jangling...and me wondering if there was a chance that something would puncture them and have them explode in my pack. And...I'd still carry the hand pump in case of super-extreme bad luck emergency pumping.

Now I'm back to packing just the standard hand pump. I use flats as a chance to take a break and enjoy the scenery.

+1 get yourself a Leyzne mini pump & be done with it. I have one & it inflates a tire like no other mini pumps I've used.


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[PATKOUG]

I'm looking to get an inflator with co2.

I hate my mini pump. Takes forever to inflate when you're on the trails. Any recommendations of good ones you may have?

Thanks for the help everyone!!!

I don't know which mini pump you have, but if it's not a high volume mini pump--then I suggest that you consider replacing your less-efficient mini pump with a more-efficient high volume mini pump whether or not you decide to start carrying a CO2 inflator and cartridges.

CO2 inflators are all well and good--until you don't have any CO2 cartridges to use--so I always carry a CO2 inflator, 2 to 4 16-gram threaded CO2 cartridges, AND a high volume mini pump.

I like the convenience and speed of the CO2 inflator and cartridges, but I won't give up the security of having a mini pump that will always allow me to add air to my tires.

I have a hardtail that I generally/usually always keep a Genuine Innovations Microflate Nano CO2 inflator, 2 to 4 16-gram threaded CO2 cartridges, and a carbon fiber Blackburn Mammoth Mini-Pump with. I have never had to use my CF BB Mammoth MP to completely inflate (from 0 psi to riding pressure) a bike tube/tire, but I have used it to add a little pressure to my MTB tires and it seemed to work OK. And I have only ever use my GI Microflate Nano once in my garage when I first bought it in order to test its operation (before using it for the first time out on the trail after a real break-down) and with one 16-gram threaded CO2 cartridge, it inflated my 26" X 2.1" Panaracer Fire XC Pro tire to almost 40 psi.

I also just recently purchased my first full-suspension MTB (a 2012 Giant Trance X1) about a month ago so I now have two MTBs, and because I'm going to keep and ride both MTBs, I want each of my MTBs will be completely equipped with its own dedicated breakdown equipment to include: at least one known-good inner tube, a mini pump, a CO2 inflator and cartridges, a chain breaker tool, multiple masterlinks, some tire levers, and a tire patch kit. So I've purchased/mounted a Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HVG Mini-Pump on my X1 and I've temporarily transferred my hardtail's GI Microflate Nano CO2 inflator and cartridges over to my X1 (since I haven't ridden my hardtail since I bought my X1 one month ago, but that won't always be the case) until I acquire a second CO2 inflator that will only ever be kept with my X1 and I think that I'm going to purchase either another Genuine Innovations Microflate Nano, a Genuine Innovations Air Chick Elite (like my buddy Chuck has and I've used once without any issues), or one of those Lezyne CO2 inflators because my Lezyne MP is very nice and those Lezyne CO2 inflators look equally nice...

I also have one of these Genuine Innovations Cross CO2 Holders mounted on my hardtail to hold up to 4 16-gram threaded CO2 cartridges. After buying my X1 last month I tried fitting my hardtail's GI Cross CO2 Holder, but it won't work on my X1 because of the unique shape of its downtube where the water bottle cage mounts are located.

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=509871

And finally, instead of paying $3 or $4 each for bike-branded 16-gram threaded CO2 cartridges--I bought one of these 30-packs of standard 16-gram threaded CO2 cartridges for about $40 delivered on Amazon over a year ago...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015V45F4/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00

 

[rojomas]

Also, sometimes all you need it's a couple more psi in your tire for what ever reason. Are you going to blow a $5.00 cartridge when all you need is 10 pumps from a minipump?

 

[PATKOUG]

Also, sometimes all you need is a couple more psi in your tire for whatever reason. Are you going to blow a $5.00 cartridge when all you need is 10 pumps from a minipump?

Indeed, indeed.

 

[glance2]

As someone else mentioned, buy the non-threaded crossman cartridges from Wal Mart for $.50 ea. As I recall, using 2 Crossman 12g cartridges pumped my 26x2.1 tire to 40psi. The 16g cartridges didn't even get 30psi..

I use the Crossman, too. Buy a big box and save $$$.

Just a couple of tips. The carts are non-threaded, so the inflator has to be able to take non-threaded carts. After you place the cart in, slowly tighten until it stops. Then, give it a hard twist to break the seal. This will enable you to use the trigger to inflate the tire.

If you continuously tighten until it breaks the seal, the air will start to leak out before you get the inflator onto the tire valve. Then you have an empty cart with a flat tire.

I would burn off a cart or two to practice this before you get on the trail. The carts are pretty economical and I use them as first line, with a pump as back-up.

 

[Monster Mash]

Look at the cost of cartridges before buying. Do you really want to spend $5 on every flat for threaded cartridges?

As someone else mentioned, buy the non-threaded crossman cartridges from Wal Mart for $.50 ea. As I recall, using 2 Crossman 12g cartridges pumped my 26x2.1 tire to 40psi. The 16g cartridges didn't even get 30psi.

So then I'd cruise the trails with 4 cartridges in case of emergency...all jangling...and me wondering if there was a chance that something would puncture them and have them explode in my pack. And...I'd still carry the hand pump in case of super-extreme bad luck emergency pumping.

Now I'm back to packing just the standard hand pump. I use flats as a chance to take a break and enjoy the scenery.

I've tried the Co2 pumps and after having one freeze open and another get clogged from ice I ditched them and got a good pump. Riding bikes is about exercise, when you get a flat you get to work out your arms also......