co2 pump question

[Aint Doody]

I've left the old cartridge in the CO2 pump after using it, and still there was enough from time to time to put a little more in on other days if a tire was just a bit low. I think they're the best.

[Kalidurga]

The one negative that I continue to hear about co2 pumps is that the cartridges are non-recyclable. I've been lucky that I've yet to have a flat while out riding, away from my handy-dandy floor pump, but when I do I'll probably give the mini-pump a try before I reach for the emergency co2 in my saddle bag. Gotta do what I can to keep from adding to those landfills!

[Mimosa]

I looked around a bit more and found one from PRO (a Shimano brand) a co2 pump which is combined with a handpump, click here for more

[Jen]

A friend has a flat last weekend and the pump we brought did not accomodate her type of valve. I pulled out my "never before used" CO2. It works on any valve. presto, tire inflated. I carry extra cartdriges in case one doesn't work. Pump is best but bulky to carry. I did find a nice small carbon composite pump but I don't love riding with so much stuff hooked up to my bike. Feels like I am driving a station wagon.

[madisongrrl]

The one negative that I continue to hear about co2 pumps is that the cartridges are non-recyclable.

I've heard the opposite, that they are recyclable. But maybe it depends on your local recycling program?

I haven't had to use any this year....no flats on the road or off road....so knock on wood.

[Grog]

The folks at MEC used not to sell them because they could not find any company to recycle them, but sometime this summer they told me they would carry them in the near future because they had found a recycler. Not sure what has happened since (http://www.mec.ca).

Of course carrying a pump adds to the bulk, but it certainly reduces inconvenience and increases safety when you're on a low-traffic road, 50 km from home, with a second or third flat tire and no more CO2, or after you've helped someone on the road and then get your own flat. Murphy's law says that on a given day you will have as many flats as the number of spare tubes you have and patches you have + 1. Also applies to CO2.

[li10up]

CO2 cartridges can be recycled. Just take them to the same location that recycles scrap metal. Our everyday purchases have a lot more "scrap" material built into the packages than co2 cartridges. At least the ones I buy don't even come in packages - just individual cartridges at the LBS. And I've only used one in the last year.