Remember to air up those tires!

wabisabi sez "the CO2 gas seems to leak out (or something) after sitting even overnight. Friends have mentioned this phenomena also."

My understanding is the CO2 is under pressure, like concentrated. Once outa the canister it deflates. So it's a fast efficient way to top off tires and I'm leaning towards getting one but you have to check the tires each day.

About the teeny tiny pumps, I use

http://www.torelli.com/parts/acces.html

6 1/2" long fits in the under seat bag and actually works. Yes it's quite the upperbody workout and frame pumps work best and co2 is faster but this mini pump does the job in a pinch.

Aren't CO2 molecules smaller than oxygen molecules? So, they slip through the tube faster? The english major just pondering and trying to remember what she learned in high school, but that was the last century. :p

Quote:

---

Aren't CO2 molecules smaller than oxygen molecules?

---

I don't think so. Oxygen is 2 oxygen atoms. CO2 adds a carbon to the 2 oxygen. Maybe there is something about the shape of the molecules/shape of the tube molecules that does it?

I've seen other people report that the CO2 leaks faster than dumb old air, but nobody can explain why.

Hmmm :thinking harder: Air is mostly nitrogen. Maybe the nitrogen molecules are bigger than the CO2 molecules? :confused:

I'll have to ask my daughter - the budding chemist.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wabisabi

The thing I noticed with CO2's is that you need to be sure to check the tire inflation because the CO2 gas seems to leak out (or something) after sitting even overnight.

---

Hmm this makes me think I'll stay away from CO2 -- why bother with a gas that doesn't even like to keep my tires pumped up?

Well...'spose I'd just be using it for roadside flats.
What do you all think about the cost aspect?

I haven't had any issues with using C02 and leaking air. I had a front tire I inflated using CO2 and it was still inflated to max a week later. I'm wondering if it's more damage to the tube or a pinch flat than it is the CO2?

Bikerz, thanks--and isn't it getting even more true? I saw $3.09 up here yesterday for premium gas.

Whatever the reason CO2 doesn't stay in your tires, here's how I deal with it. I use a CO2 inflator for roadside flats. When I get home, I completely deflate the tire and reinflate with my floor pump. The CO2 really is just an emergency measure to keep you riding with a tire at full pressure. They are favored by my riding partners because they are so much faster. But I had a friend drop out of a ride last year because he had three cartridges and four flats. I suppose after flat #4, he was so far off his PR finishing time it wouldn't have mattered much if he'd had another cartridge.