• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Biking: Pump or CO2 cartridge?

Triumph

Triumph

Lifer
I'm leaning towards a pump because you'll never run out of air. What's a good pump to buy? REI had like 10 different ones to choose from, from 15 to 50 bucks. I don't want junk but I don't want to spend 50 bucks, either.
 
Are you talking about something on the go? As in a travel pump that attaches to the tubes of your bike? Because if I need something to inflate a tire out on a trail, I use CO2 cartridges. They're a lot easier than pumping the whole tube up with those travel pumps. But if you're talking about doing it at home in the garage, then I would go with a pump because you have all day anyway. I have a Pedro's pump myself.

tl;dr - What you should pick depends on the location you plan to be using it in.
 
I bought a nice frame minipump from a bike shop for $15 - double acting so it pumps on both strokes. It takes quite a few pump to get up to ~30-40 psi but that's more than enough to get home. It also stored a few tire patches in the handle. Stay the fuck away from anything labeled 'Schwinn' at walmart - that pump was a worthless piece of shit that wouldn't even attach to the valve.
 
You're going to have one hell of a time trying to pump your tires to 120PSI with a tiny-pump. Idk about CO2 cartridges either though... I suppose you probably have a mountain bike though?
 
Joe Blow Pro floor pump @ home, CO2 / minipump combo on the road, Road Morph for traveling w/ bike (it works like a miniature floor pump).
 
Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555
You're going to have one hell of a time trying to pump your tires to 120PSI with a tiny-pump. Idk about CO2 cartridges either though... I suppose you probably have a mountain bike though?
Click to expand...

120 PSI? I don't know how high road bike tubes are inflated, but I know my MTB tubes go from 55-65 PSI...
 
Originally posted by: haffey
Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555
You're going to have one hell of a time trying to pump your tires to 120PSI with a tiny-pump. Idk about CO2 cartridges either though... I suppose you probably have a mountain bike though?
Click to expand...

120 PSI? I don't know how high road bike tubes are inflated, but I know my MTB tubes go from 55-65 PSI...
Click to expand...

My tires suggest around 120PSI. (Road bike) Broke a stupid fucking tire pump trying to pump them to about 125PSI. POS. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: haffey
Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555
You're going to have one hell of a time trying to pump your tires to 120PSI with a tiny-pump. Idk about CO2 cartridges either though... I suppose you probably have a mountain bike though?
Click to expand...

120 PSI? I don't know how high road bike tubes are inflated, but I know my MTB tubes go from 55-65 PSI...
Click to expand...

Road tubes/clinchers ratings can range from 110-140 psi.
 
Originally posted by: Dirigible
Originally posted by: Madwand1
http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-R...ke-Gauge/dp/B000FI6YOS
Click to expand...

The first poster got it exactly right. Get the Topeak Road Morph unless you're a weight weenie. It's esentially a mini-floor pump small and light enough to attach to your frame. You'll never run out of air. It's easy to pump up to 120psi with it. Has a gauge so you know your pressure.
Click to expand...

This is why I come to AT. Thanks!

For the CO2, how many times can you use 1 cannister? Once? If you've got a slow leak, that might render the CO2 useless. Yes this is for mountain biking.
 
Usually 1 16g canister can fill up 1 tire. But if you're getting a frame pump, you don't need CO2. Just make sure you carry a patch kit and an extra tube in your saddle bag.
 
Originally posted by: FleshLight
Usually 1 16g canister can fill up 1 tire. But if you're getting a frame pump, you don't need CO2. Just make sure you carry a patch kit and an extra tube in your saddle bag.
Click to expand...

Good advice for you, OP. Pump, tube, patch kit is the minimum you should have with you.
 
Wouldn't hurt to get one that can handle presta and schrader valves without having to take it a part. Just nice incase you run across somebody with no pump or who screwed up with their co2 cartridge 😉. My fist one broke where you unscrew a piece of plastic to swap it from one to the other. I can't remember what brand I have now but it does pump on both strokes, big help, and will do both valve just by slapping it on the valve.
 
Originally posted by: Triumph
Originally posted by: Dirigible
Originally posted by: Madwand1
http://www.amazon.com/Topeak-R...ke-Gauge/dp/B000FI6YOS
Click to expand...

The first poster got it exactly right. Get the Topeak Road Morph unless you're a weight weenie. It's esentially a mini-floor pump small and light enough to attach to your frame. You'll never run out of air. It's easy to pump up to 120psi with it. Has a gauge so you know your pressure.
Click to expand...

This is why I come to AT. Thanks!

For the CO2, how many times can you use 1 cannister? Once? If you've got a slow leak, that might render the CO2 useless. Yes this is for mountain biking.
Click to expand...

They are pretty much a one use device. Carry a valve and a couple canisters of CO2 on every ride and you should be fine. If you have a slow leak you need to fix that. Replace the tube or patch it.

If you suck at changing tires and/or frequently get pinch flats I'd carry a pump as backup.

Keep your tires properly inflated and you will go a long way toward avoiding flats on your rides.

BTW-Bicycle tires will not hold air for more than a few days to weeks depending on the tire/tube/rim combination. My road bike with Ksyrium wheels will hold air pressure for a couple days but I will notice that they drop a few lbs per day. I have another road bike with tubular tires that will drop pressure by 10-20lbs per day and be almost completely flat within 6-7 days...they will hold a lot more pressure though initially (up to 160psi).
 
A word about CO2 canisters: forget 16g cartridges, that thang aint cheep, dawg.

Go to Walmart and buy 12g, unthreaded cartdidges from BB gun area. 25 cartridges for $13.
Then go to bike shop and buy a pump/cartridge blower combination that takes 12g unthreaded - like Nashbar CO2 mini pump.

edit: for home use, invest like $40 in a quality floor pump.

edit2:
Here's how to use the CO2 pump.
1. mount your new/patched tube and tire
2. Pump it up with HAND PUMP until tire sits firmly on rim (if you use co2 right away, tire will pinch tube or even jump off the rim because co2 inflates RAPIDLY)
3. Use CO2 to bring pressure where it needs to be. One or two cartridges will be sufficient. Practice this at home - walmart cartridges only $0.50 each!

4. when home, deflate tires (release co2) and inflate it with air using your floor pump. CO2 leaks very fast.
 
Originally posted by: MegaVovaN
A word about CO2 canisters: forget 16g cartridges, that thang aint cheep, dawg.

Go to Walmart and buy 12g, unthreaded cartdidges from BB gun area. 25 cartridges for $13.
Then go to bike shop and buy a pump/cartridge blower combination that takes 12g unthreaded - like Nashbar CO2 mini pump.

edit: for home use, invest like $40 in a quality floor pump.

edit2:
Here's how to use the CO2 pump.
1. mount your new/patched tube and tire
2. Pump it up with HAND PUMP until tire sits firmly on rim
3. Use CO2 to bring pressure where it needs to be. One or two cartridges will be sufficient. Practice this at home - walmart cartridges only $0.50 each!

4. when home, deflate tires (release co2) and inflate it with air using your floor pump. CO2 leaks very fast.
Click to expand...
I second the motion.

I have had several pumps for my bikes through out the years and they will do the job, however they tend to breaks and take quite a bit of work to pump up a flat. I never look back after I went with CO2 cartridge for my bikes.

Good floor pump is a must. Get a quality pump with 140psi or greater gauge to prevent over pressure gauge failure on high pressure tires.
 
For my MTB I use one of these. It's small enough to fit in a saddle bag with a spare tube and a few tools. I'd had to repair a flat with a frame pump once. It sucks.

And I keep a floor pump in the garage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top