C02 cartridges are only for "temporary" air ... WHO KNEW?!!!!

[Triskeliongirl]

I like Mistie's explanation the best, but I am sure we can't rule out additional factors as well.

I do agree with the fundamental observation that a C02 filled tube deflates faster than an air filled one. I too always considered C02 as temporary air, and after using it as soon as I get home I always remove all the C02 and replace it with air (not just top off, but deflate and reinflate).

[SadieKate]

Interesting news, y'all are serious investigators on this stuff! I've never used a CO2 cartridge. They did not exist for cyclists when I started riding in the 80s, so I've always carried a pump with me. My Road Morph gets me up to 100 PSI without any problems. CO2 cartridges can fail and people use them incorrectly, and if you don't have a pump, you're plum outta luck. Also, what do you do with the spent cartridges--just throw them away? That seems like such a waste somehow.

So even if you use CO2 cartridges, you might still want to have a pump for backup.

Can't disagree with a word you've said. Pumps provided unlimited air and don't fill up the overstressed landfills.

[Bluetree]

Also, what do you do with the spent cartridges--just throw them away? That seems like such a waste somehow.

Several of my LBSs recycle old tubes and spent cartridges. I just throw them in a box until my next visit, then drop them off.

[kfergos]

A lot of the cartridges are straight steel or aluminum, which is recyclable in most places, too. Even so it does seem like a waste compared to free air and one device to put the air in your tires.

[Crankin]

Some of us have bikes that are too small to fit a pump on. I had a very nice Road Morph pump on my Trek, but even that took a lot of work to figure out a place where it would fit. I absolutely can't put a pump on my Kuota. It's not just the size, but the shape of some parts of the bike where you would usually put a pump.
I have the metal cartridges.

[OakLeaf]

The Topeak Micro Rocket series - I can't think of a bike that it wouldn't fit on. Plenty of room between my left crankarm and frame. And if it really won't fit on your frame, it'll go in a jersey pocket or seat pack.

Not the quickest way to air a tire. Not very polite on a group ride unless you make it very clear that you don't want anyone to either wait or lend you their CO2. But it definitely is good for enough pressure that I'm comfortable finishing out a ride.

[SadieKate]

I haven't met a bike bottle cage yet that can't handle a Barbieri and it pumps pretty well to high pressure.

[JaneE]

I managed to post this note in the wrong thread the other day...no computer genius here!

I'm a recent convert to CO2 usage on the road. I have observed that my CO2-inflated tires do not hold pressure as long as pumped tires. I thought it was just me, that I'd done something wrong, but obviously others have observed the same thing.

I resisted using a CO2 inflator and always carried a Road Morph pump with me (which is a very nice pump, imo). Unfortunately, the RM does not fit on my new Ruby and I've been forced to carry a mini-pump (a Blackburn Airstik: http://www.dealhaven.com/storefrontp...id=9720&dfid=1 ). It works but it's a MUCH greater pain the in rear. So, I pulled the CO2 inflator out of moth balls and now carry it and a few cartridges on my bike as well as the mini pump for back-up. It's a compromise: neither one by themselves is an ideal solution.

And +1 that those empty CO2 canisters are recycleable. Any empties I might have after a ride are put right into our recycle bin for weekly pick up and we've had no complaints so far.

[Crankin]

I guess I'm not willing to put up with the time and pain of the other pumps. The Road Morph worked so well (though I only had to use it once). I am weak enough as it is and scared to death of anything mechanical. Although that one you posted SadieKate, looks promising.
I've avoided the issue by hardly ever riding alone. I have the cartridges and when I ride alone, it's usually not that far from home and it's in places where it's quite likely other cyclists will be by if I am really in a fix. I know this is stupid, but I spent quit a bit of time a couple of years ago being paralyzed by the fear of a flat. This seemed to be a good compromise. So, while I will do a 25 mile ride alone, I won't go out for 50 miles alone...