4 flat tires - Need input on CO2 inflators

[Adventure Girl]

I haven’t been a flat tire virgin for a LONG time, but this weekend really takes the prize!. Saturday I flatted on my mountain bike. It was no big deal. It happens. I don’t patch, I carry a spare tube. I replaced the tube, pumped it up and was back on the trail in just a few minutes.

But Sunday was the bummer! I flatted three times on my road bike! Three times! Three flats on one ride really takes the “fun” out of the sport! One flat was the front tire and two were the back! For the first one, I was really close to my car, so I changed the tube, pumped it up a little with my hand pump, then rode back to the car where my floor pump was. But the second two flats were out on the road. I did my best with my hand pump. Whew.

How many of you use the CO2 inflators. I’m a little leery of using those things. What happens if you don’t have the valve seated correctly and you inflate? Then you burn through your cartridge and your tire is still flat. I’ve considered getting one that also works as a hand pump (as a backup). Any input on these? Are there any types that you have found are great? Any that I should avoid?

[cathy]

I have a combo co2/ hand pump. It's OK. It's one of those "Intelligent Head" combos. Turns out it's not so intelligent. The pump doesn't attach itself to presta valves - so I have to carry a valve adapter. It's not a huge issue, but the first time I had to use it I noticed the air from the co2 squirted out around the valve - the co2 made for some nice cool air on my arms. My husband has the teeny tiny co2 niblet with threaded cartridges. It's worked fantastic so far AND it fits almost anywhere - including my bike purse.
Good Luck!

[pedalfaster]

If you go with CO2 you still need to carry some sort of pump (as you've already figured out). Those "multi-flat" rides really suck, huh? It's also a good idea to carry a patch-kit even if you carry a spare tube for the same reason.

The CO2 devices that work as a pump as well will get you home, but don't expect to get 100 psi out of one.

For solo rides I carry a small (non-pump) CO2 inflator, two cartridges, a tube, a patch kit and a small Crank Brothers pump that fits in my jersey pocket. I am able to get to ~70 psi (enough to get home) with that pump.

If you want a better pump consider a frame pump or (my personal favorite) the Topek Morph pump. The Morph is a large-ish mini-pump that actually has a hose and a stand and works like a floor pump out on the road/trail. It's the only mini-pump I've used that I've ever been able to get to 100+ psi .

[Veronica]

We use the Topeak Morph on the tandem. It is a great little pump. But I'm intrigued by your small Crank Brothers pump. The flats I've had on my own have not had positive results. I've either had defective tubes or pinched the tube and blown it, both times. The last time was after dark and made Thom pick me up. I put slime tubes in after the last one. So far no more flats.

V.

[annie]

The topeak is a great pump! It's the only one that's easy to use and puts as much air in your tire as you want. That said, I don't carry one............ I don't like how it looks on the bike. So I use the CO2 inflator. I carry at least two cartridges, sometimes three. Plus a spare tube, plus a patch kit. You just never know........ I've had a bad year for flats so far. Four already. I've used the co2 cartridges and had no problem. Put it on, pushed the knob and whoosh! The tire is full. I do not use them when I go off-road. I have a mini-pump that I carry in my camelbak. Plus slime in my tires so flats are very rare.

Flats are a fact of biking life. It's best to be prepared.

annie

[JanT]

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?