After pumping a few tires with those small frame pumps in 100 degree heat here in the desert, I bought CO2. They certainly speed up the repair process, which is also nice when you have people waiting for you. However, I have never used it on a road bike, so I don't know if it would inflate the tire to the intended pressure. Works great for mountain bike tires, though. I still carry a frame pump and a patch kit, along with a spare tube and CO2. My next frame pump will be a Topeak, as I have seen one in action, and it was slick. BTW, I've never had more than one flat on a ride. Is that something that happens more often out on the road?