CO2 Systems

So far, I'm 0-for-2 on the CO2 system actually working when needed. Most
recently, I screwed the unit together to puncture the threadless CO2
cartridge, and the puncture was just enough to release all CO2 out the side
of the unit and ultimately disintegrated the housing right in my hand. Must
have been quite a POS unit, I agree. I like the CO2 concept, but so far
have not been successful using it, and my confidence in the CO2 systems is
pretty much nil at this point.

Just wanted to check the group to get opinions (good and bad) about using
CO2 vs. carrying a pump. Since frames no longer include the pump 'nipple',
I'd have to use velcro straps to attach the pump to the top bar, which is
pretty clunky (imo).

Also, what are the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps?
Jeff

"J Jones" wrote in message
...
So far, I'm 0-for-2 on the CO2 system actually working when needed.
....
Also, what are the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps?
Jeff
I have used the Silca CO2 system for about five years and it is awesome. I
have never had anything but perfect expierene using it and the ability to
actually regulate the flow of gas to achieve the proper pressure is very
nice indeed. Here in Indiana I only flat about every 2000-3000 miles so CO2
is a perfect choice.

Dave
Noblesville, Indiana

J Jones wrote:
So far, I'm 0-for-2 on the CO2 system actually working when needed. Most
recently, I screwed the unit together to puncture the threadless
CO2 cartridge, and the puncture was just enough to release all CO2
out the side of the unit and ultimately disintegrated the housing
right in my hand. Must have been quite a POS unit, I agree. I like
the CO2 concept, but so far have not been successful using it, and my
confidence in the CO2 systems is pretty much nil at this point.

Just wanted to check the group to get opinions (good and bad) about
using CO2 vs. carrying a pump. Since frames no longer include the
pump 'nipple', I'd have to use velcro straps to attach the pump to
the top bar, which is pretty clunky (imo).

Also, what are the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps?
Jeff

Got a chuckle from your PSsssssssssssssssstttttttttt experience. Most if
not all of us have been there and done that.

I got a cheap little Performance "Hurricane" frame pump (skinny design),
which came with a water-bottle-cage mount (they all do, for that matter).
Click it in and forget it.

(I still have CO2 -- the kind with a hard-plastic cylinder and a screw-on
top trigger dealie -- but hardly ever carry it any more. Maybe on "epic"
rides...but always with the pump for insurance.)

Key to any CO2 device is to PRACTICE before you need it, as they're all
kinda tricky IME.

Bill "air's cheaper and (ultimately) easier" S.

"J Jones" wrote in message
...
So far, I'm 0-for-2 on the CO2 system actually working when needed. Most
recently, I screwed the unit together to puncture the threadless CO2
cartridge, and the puncture was just enough to release all CO2 out the
side of the unit and ultimately disintegrated the housing right in my
hand. Must have been quite a POS unit, I agree. I like the CO2 concept,
but so far have not been successful using it, and my confidence in the CO2
systems is pretty much nil at this point.

Just wanted to check the group to get opinions (good and bad) about using
CO2 vs. carrying a pump. Since frames no longer include the pump
'nipple', I'd have to use velcro straps to attach the pump to the top bar,
which is pretty clunky (imo).

Also, what are the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps?
Jeff



I had problems with the Innovations Second Wind with semi aero rims and
short stems. There just wasn't enough stem exposed to get a good grip. Now
I get the tubes with the longer stems and have no problems. BTW... a
threaded cartridge would solve your problem, but they are expensive. I buy
the box of threadless cartridges from Walmart in the paintball section. They
work just fine, but I have to put some paper in the bottom of the holder to
make sure it punctures cleanly with no leaking.

HTH

On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 01:47:38 GMT, "Sorni"
wrote:

Bill "air's cheaper and (ultimately) easier" S.

Air's not only cheaper, but much more widely available.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:27:00 -0700, "Bestest Handsander"
wrote:

"J Jones" wrote in message
.. .
So far, I'm 0-for-2 on the CO2 system actually working when needed. Most
recently, I screwed the unit together to puncture the threadless CO2
cartridge, and the puncture was just enough to release all CO2 out the
side of the unit and ultimately disintegrated the housing right in my
hand. Must have been quite a POS unit, I agree. I like the CO2 concept,
but so far have not been successful using it, and my confidence in the CO2
systems is pretty much nil at this point.

Just wanted to check the group to get opinions (good and bad) about using
CO2 vs. carrying a pump. Since frames no longer include the pump
'nipple', I'd have to use velcro straps to attach the pump to the top bar,
which is pretty clunky (imo).

Also, what are the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps?
Jeff



I had problems with the Innovations Second Wind with semi aero rims and
short stems. There just wasn't enough stem exposed to get a good grip. Now
I get the tubes with the longer stems and have no problems. BTW... a
threaded cartridge would solve your problem, but they are expensive. I buy
the box of threadless cartridges from Walmart in the paintball section. They
work just fine, but I have to put some paper in the bottom of the holder to
make sure it punctures cleanly with no leaking.

HTH


Hi, I use CO2 with no problems. I did encounter a problem on a friends
bike, with a too short stem. I solved it, by screwing on a presta to
schrader adapter, and then using the CO2 pump.

I carry an Innovations Ultraflate in both bikes underseat bag. I
usually carry 3-4 cartridges, so I'm always covered.

I buy my cartridges by the box, at our local Fleet Farm. They are a
lot cheaper than the ones sold at your LBS or online, for bicycle pump
use.


Life is Good!
Jeff

J Jones wrote:
So far, I'm 0-for-2 on the CO2 system actually working when needed. Most
recently, I screwed the unit together to puncture the threadless
CO2 cartridge, and the puncture was just enough to release all CO2
out the side of the unit and ultimately disintegrated the housing
right in my hand. Must have been quite a POS unit, I agree. I like
the CO2 concept, but so far have not been successful using it, and my
confidence in the CO2 systems is pretty much nil at this point.

Me, too.

Just wanted to check the group to get opinions (good and bad) about
using CO2 vs. carrying a pump. Since frames no longer include the
pump 'nipple', I'd have to use velcro straps to attach the pump to
the top bar, which is pretty clunky (imo).

Nipple-less designs such as the ones at
http://www.blackburndesign.com/road_pumps.html
allow the use of frame pumps on traditional to conservatively compact
frames.

Also, what are the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps?

Topeak Road Morph. I'm small, weak, and fragile. Therefore, I like a mini
floor pump that's easy to deal with.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

" Also, what are the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps?

Topeak Road Morph. I'm small, weak, and fragile. Therefore, I like a
mini floor pump that's easy to deal with.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

I second that opinion - Topeak Road Morph for me. I wouldn't be surprised
to find that there isn't much difference between the weight of such a light
pump and a CO2 inflator with a few cartridges.

It's in my small backpack, along with a couple of spare tubes, patch kit,
one folding tire, cell phone, a few critical tools, wallet, small container
of sunscreen, a couple of energy snacks, and my pistol. (The latter is for
really big dogs and the idiot who runs me over with his/her SUV/monster
truck and fails to maim me to the extent that I can't use it.) How am I
going to get all that in my jersey pockets or in one of those under-the-seat
micro bags? Sheesh - I don't know how anyone can go on long rides with as
little to support themselves as many do.

Cal

On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:06:39 -0500, J Jones wrote:

Just wanted to check the group to get opinions (good and bad) about using
CO2 vs. carrying a pump. Since frames no longer include the pump 'nipple',
I'd have to use velcro straps to attach the pump to the top bar, which is
pretty clunky (imo).

Amusing. I got into this _before_ many frames had a braze-on pump peg.
My current road bike actually has one, but I don't use it.

Also, what are
the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps? Jeff

Topeak Road Morph is by far the best pump I have ever seen. I use it all
the time to pump up the tires of other folks on the ride who have flats.
I ask them how much pressure they want, and they say something like
"110psi, if you can manage it" -- but that is absolutely no problem for
this pump. 130psi+ would take some serious work, but IMO that's pretty
over the top, anyway. Most mini pumps cannot manage more than 80psi.

CO2 can manage higher pressures only if you use more than one cartridge.
Use the old one from the previous flat to start inflation and get some
volume in there, then break out a new one to get some real pressure. As
far as brands, I have no idea what I have, but be _sure_ to get the kind
that can use the cheap threadless cartridges. Spending $2+ per cartridge
for threaded, versus $0.25 for threaded, is a no-brainer. My holder
actually encloses the cartridge, presses onto a presta valve (threads onto
a ShraederÂ*valve), and can hold a partially-used cartridge in the seat
bag, with some pressure left, as long as the trigger isn't pressed by
stuff in the bag.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | It is a scientifically proven fact that a mid life crisis can
_`\(,_ | only be cured by something racy and Italian. Bianchis and
(_)/ (_) | Colnagos are a lot cheaper than Maserattis and Ferraris. --
Glenn Davies

David L. Johnson wrote:
On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 20:06:39 -0500, J Jones wrote:

Just wanted to check the group to get opinions (good and bad) about
using CO2 vs. carrying a pump. Since frames no longer include the
pump 'nipple', I'd have to use velcro straps to attach the pump to
the top bar, which is pretty clunky (imo).

Amusing. I got into this _before_ many frames had a braze-on pump
peg. My current road bike actually has one, but I don't use it.

Also, what are
the preferred brands of CO2 systems and/or pumps? Jeff

Topeak Road Morph is by far the best pump I have ever seen. I use it
all the time to pump up the tires of other folks on the ride who have
flats. I ask them how much pressure they want, and they say something
like "110psi, if you can manage it" -- but that is absolutely no
problem for this pump. 130psi+ would take some serious work, but IMO
that's pretty over the top, anyway. Most mini pumps cannot manage
more than 80psi.

CO2 can manage higher pressures only if you use more than one
cartridge. Use the old one from the previous flat to start inflation
and get some volume in there, then break out a new one to get some
real pressure. As far as brands, I have no idea what I have, but be
_sure_ to get the kind that can use the cheap threadless cartridges.
Spending $2+ per cartridge for threaded, versus $0.25 for threaded,

Twenty-five cents for threadless, you mean?

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training