They aren't the best if you have frequent flats. Now that Innovations is going to a 16g standard cartridge it will become impossible to use the department store stock to save money. I've been hearing that the CO2 doesn't last long and leaks out but I've yet to have that experience.
That can save you some serious money if you have more than a few flats a year. I've heard the oil in those cartridges can be bad for the tubes and/or the seals on the pump. However, I've yet to see it cause problems.
It all depends on what bike I am riding and where I am riding.
I use Co2 on my road bike.
When I take the camelback for longer rides, there is always a pump in there.
I am planning on putting a co2 unit in my bag for the day's I don't take the camelback or if I do any races.
I just use a simple frame mounted hand pump and it works good for me. Sometimes I think I'm old fashioned, but I don't see the point in upgrading my pump when my old one does just fine.
Especially for off-road cycling, I've always viewed the CO2 as more of a benefit to racers, when seconds count fixing a flat.
When I'm riding off-road I almost exclusively go w/the pump.
If I'm doing a road ride, and the group if fairly small (and serious) I make sure to carry some CO2 cartridges so I don't hold anyone up too long in case I flat.
I didn't look at it from that point of view. I'm usually just riding around the Daniel Boone forest by myself so I'm not too concerned about time. If I was racing Co2 would be the only way to go.
I hope your hand held pump is better than mine, seems like it takes about 100, or more, cycles to get the tire aired up, but that's the price you pay for a small pump that fits into the jersey back pocket or hydration bag.
I haven't had to use my pump since last year, but I'm pretty sure it didn't take 100 cycles. Now that I think about it I don't believe I can get my tire up to 40 psi with my hand pump. That could lead to a pinch flat after I change the tire. Edit: I need to test my pump again before the season begins and see how much psi i can get into my tire.
While mt biking but co2 only on the road. The reason I carry both mt biking is just for extra insurance. I don't use the hand pump unless it's an emergency or Gonzo is having trouble with his tubeless tires :-)
As Gonzo mentioned you can buy a whole box of co2 for about 8 bucks at wally world. They are just so easy that I can't imagine not using them.
my hand pump isn't better than yours don. I used it earlier this year and it took more than 100 cycles. I'm 90% sure closer to 200 to get the tire fully inflated. I think my next upgrade will be to co2.
Comments
AT $4 a pop i may be
AT $4 a pop i may be converting back over to a little hand pump. Those little cartridges just keep going up in price. Crazy Stuff.
They aren't the best if you
They aren't the best if you have frequent flats. Now that Innovations is going to a 16g standard cartridge it will become impossible to use the department store stock to save money. I've been hearing that the CO2 doesn't last long and leaks out but I've yet to have that experience.
Buy one that uses the BB gun
Buy one that uses the BB gun cartridges. You can get them at Wally World for $12 for 25 cartridges.
That can save you some
That can save you some serious money if you have more than a few flats a year. I've heard the oil in those cartridges can be bad for the tubes and/or the seals on the pump. However, I've yet to see it cause problems.
depends
It all depends on what bike I am riding and where I am riding.
I use Co2 on my road bike.
When I take the camelback for longer rides, there is always a pump in there.
I am planning on putting a co2 unit in my bag for the day's I don't take the camelback or if I do any races.
I use a hand pump on both
I use a hand pump on both the road & mountain bikes. Maybe I'm old fashioned or just a cheapskate.
I'm in the same boat as Rat Fink.
I just use a simple frame mounted hand pump and it works good for me. Sometimes I think I'm old fashioned, but I don't see the point in upgrading my pump when my old one does just fine.
Especially for off-road
Especially for off-road cycling, I've always viewed the CO2 as more of a benefit to racers, when seconds count fixing a flat.
When I'm riding off-road I almost exclusively go w/the pump.
If I'm doing a road ride, and the group if fairly small (and serious) I make sure to carry some CO2 cartridges so I don't hold anyone up too long in case I flat.
hand pump
I didn't look at it from that point of view. I'm usually just riding around the Daniel Boone forest by myself so I'm not too concerned about time. If I was racing Co2 would be the only way to go.
I hope your hand held pump
I hope your hand held pump is better than mine, seems like it takes about 100, or more, cycles to get the tire aired up, but that's the price you pay for a small pump that fits into the jersey back pocket or hydration bag.
Hand pump
I haven't had to use my pump since last year, but I'm pretty sure it didn't take 100 cycles. Now that I think about it I don't believe I can get my tire up to 40 psi with my hand pump. That could lead to a pinch flat after I change the tire. Edit: I need to test my pump again before the season begins and see how much psi i can get into my tire.
I carry both
While mt biking but co2 only on the road. The reason I carry both mt biking is just for extra insurance. I don't use the hand pump unless it's an emergency or Gonzo is having trouble with his tubeless tires :-)
As Gonzo mentioned you can buy a whole box of co2 for about 8 bucks at wally world. They are just so easy that I can't imagine not using them.
Both
I carry a hand pump on mounted to the frame and a CO2 in the jersey. I carry two CO2 when I race and no hand pump.
hand pump
my hand pump isn't better than yours don. I used it earlier this year and it took more than 100 cycles. I'm 90% sure closer to 200 to get the tire fully inflated. I think my next upgrade will be to co2.