CO2 Cylinders

How much do the CO2 cyclinders cost? I am debating between them or a pump to take on rides. Thanx.😄

SWEETRIDE4ME said:

How much do the CO2 cyclinders cost? I am debating between them or a pump to take on rides. Thanx.😄

I can't remember exactly how much I paid but I think it works out at roughly £2 a cartridge, but if u buy them in packs of 4 or 5 they work out a bit cheaper per cartridge. You'll also need to buy a gadget that you plug the cartridges into in order to get the air from the cartridge into the valve. Mine cost about £12 and just clips to the seat post or frame somewhere or would even fit in a saddle bag.

In my experience using a pump after several minutes I struggled to get the pressure up above 80psi and even that was a major effort, whereas the CO2 cartriges take a split second to pump the tyre up to full pressure. They're not the most cost effective way of pumping up your tyres but the cost saved in terms of far less effort makes it worth while for me.

Yes, you can over-inflate tires with CO2. Easily. A 16 gram will get a 700c x 23 to 125 PSI. A 700c x 20 will get over 150 PSI.

I use a combo pump/inflator which works with the very inexpensive non-threaded 12 gram cartridges. Don't know if they are available overseas since they are used here in air rifles etc.

I seat the beads with the pump and get the tire to about 25 PSI. I then insert a cartridge and fully inflate to 130 PSI. Quick, cheap and safe.

A little shared knowledge:

COST: I can't believe the LBS price of threaded 16-gram cylinders here - $3.95 in singles without much savings in multiples. FYI I found a 20 bulk-buy on ebay for about $1.10 each including shipping. They also have 30's and 50's ("buy it now" sales). Bulk buy with your friends to save $$.

THREADED VS NON-THREADED: Just learned the hard way that all non-threaded 16 gram replacements do not fit Genuine Innovations Proflate guns... I bought a bucket of the Zfal cartriges - oops! Since the Zefal inflators are not well regarded I'm stuck. Maybe I'll find another inflator that uses Zefal 16 g threadless, but probably not.

I hope nobody minds me recycling this thread!

WaltMart pellet gun 12oz carts 5 for 3 bucks. A 12er does a tire up just about right without the fear of over inflating.

capwater said:

WaltMart pellet gun 12oz carts 5 for 3 bucks. A 12er does a tire up just about right without the fear of over inflating.

Yea--but I know for a fact that the 12-gram ones commonly sold for airguns have oil in them. Is that harmful to the tubes at all?

If you want a CO2 capsule that has NO oil in it, then you need to buy "food grade" capsules--like from a place that sells brewing or soda-making supplies. Usually places that sell seltzer bottles have the capsules for them, and these are "clean"--just pure CO2 gas, with no lubricating oil.
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Also the Topeak Mountain Morph is a popular pump, just because it is a mini-pump that has a short hose, that helps avoid stressing valves this way.
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what happens to the spent/empty cartridges?

Rockslayer said:

what happens to the spent/empty cartridges?

Do you mean after they're used? You trash 'em. They can't be refilled.
...The capsules for airguns and food use have a metal diaphragm over the nipple, and [whatever you put the capsule in] has a metal needle that sticks through the metal diaphragm.

As for the screw-on ones for bikes, I dunno. Never used any of them.
~

I geuss the point is that these C02 pumps create extra trash for our landfills and it's also something I would not like to see thrown on the trails or the road. For everyday use unless one has limited upper body movement, arthritis on the hands or one arm, it seems unecessary. I can see some advantage in racing if one doesn't have a support crew and maybe need to save the extra seconds? 😎

A good self sufficient minipump as suggested is probably a better idea for general use. The CO2 system is not self sufficient and requires extra bottles so what happens, god forbid if one gets multiple punctures and run out of CO2 bottles? :eek:

My Green $0.02 worth.

For all those having problems getting a road tyre up to pressure it sounds like you are using the chubby style mtb mini pump rather than the slim line mini pumps made by PRO, Giyo & Barbieri solely for road needs.

Rockslayer said:

SNIP...The CO2 system is not self sufficient and requires extra bottles so what happens, god forbid if one gets multiple punctures and run out of CO2 bottles?

lol I'm not as green as you but I respect the trash issue. I've seen cyclists throw trash from a bike, and if a pedestrian ever slipped on a discarded CO2 they'd go down just like if it were a banana peel.

Your multiple puncture point hits home as well. I carry 3 - 2 for punctures and one to share. When spent, they probably end up sorted & recycled by Waste Management here in Broward County... very efficient organization.

I'll stick with the co2 however because I'm sick of breaking stems using the mini-hand pumps. Is this a general problem or is there a technique I've missed? I keep thinking I've got to research that one day...

Try getting a tire anywhere near up to 110 psi with a mini-pump and you'll be a CO2 convert. Pumps are fine for getting you on the road to limp home, but CO2 is the way to go to get you back in the ride. I usually carry 2 carts, but also ride with groups so there are plenty spares if needed from my mates. Of course, any trash gets hauled home, never on the side of the road.

FWIW-to pump a tire up like a madman with a mini-pump-hold the wheel up in the air with your palm cradling the head of the pump and fongers around the tire then move with the pump a bit to save the presta valve. Your hand keeps the presta from bending.

I too have made the switch to CO2, but luckily (knock on wood) I dont flat very often and havent needed to use one of them yet. Remember to be double/triple sure you havent pinched the tube and that you have quick patches as well.

Rockslayer said:

what happens to the spent/empty cartridges?

You recycle them.

Rockslayer said:

I geuss the point is that these C02 pumps create extra trash for our landfills and it's also something I would not like to see thrown on the trails or the road. For everyday use unless one has limited upper body movement, arthritis on the hands or one arm, it seems unecessary. I can see some advantage in racing if one doesn't have a support crew and maybe need to save the extra seconds? 😎

A good self sufficient minipump as suggested is probably a better idea for general use. The CO2 system is not self sufficient and requires extra bottles so what happens, god forbid if one gets multiple punctures and run out of CO2 bottles? :eek:

My Green $0.02 worth.

Uhm, the cannisters are recycleable. That is green, too.

I live in flat tire hell. See, here in the Southwest we have these wonderful little bits of vegetation detritus called goatheads (come from the "puncturevine"😉. They go through anything tire manufacturers can throw at 'em. There so bad that some riders ride with the tread cut from old tires inside of their current tires.

At any rate, 3 16g CO2 cartridges gets me through the worst of days.....or if I'm running tubies, 2 PitStop cans. When I get home, the empties get recycled, the tubies get repaired, and if the tube wasn't patched on the road, it gets patched at home.

[quote="alienator"]I live in flat tire hell. See, here in the Southwest we have these wonderful little bits of vegetation detritus called goatheads (come from the "puncturevine"😉. They go through anything tire manufacturers can throw at 'em. There so bad that some riders ride with the tread cut from old tires inside of their current tires.

Gee, alienator, that is the same kind of grief I had with those nasty little beggars, tried tire liners, "puncture proof" tubes, cursed them a lot. I finally went over to the dark side and put Slime in the tubes. I haven't had a puncture flat in over 900 miles since then, although I have pulled many thorns out of the tires. Never lost more than 20psi on a ride, even with multiple punctures.

A couple of years ago I was facing much the same problem. Lots of punctures and getting more than 70-80psi out of the frame pump was near on impossible.

After much research I discovered the Topeak Road Morph. I had to specifically order it in but man was it worth it. Basically its like a mini track pump that fits nicely on the frame. 110-120 PSI no problems. Considering the long term cost of replacing CO2 cartidges I reakon I am well over $100 ahead - not to mention being more environmentally friendly.

Right. I did a triathlon on Friday and had a puncture. I put a no-name brand 16gm cartidge in, inflated the tire, and rode away. Now I can't get it out! My Proflate 16 is now useless.

Does anyone have ideas on how to remove the cartridge?

Paul

THREADED VS NON-THREADED: Just learned the hard way that all non-threaded 16 gram replacements do not fit Genuine Innovations Proflate guns... I bought a bucket of the Zfal cartriges - oops! Since the Zefal inflators are not well regarded I'm stuck. Maybe I'll find another inflator that uses Zefal 16 g threadless, but probably not.