- but I suppose it's the thought that counts) on me.
Do these things actually work, and if so, how many inflations are they good for?
CO2 tyre inflator
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CO2 tyre inflator
by adrian » Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:17 pm
Secret Santa at work has bestowed a CO2 tyre inflator (bought from Halfords - but I suppose it's the thought that counts) on me.
Do these things actually work, and if so, how many inflations are they good for?
- but I suppose it's the thought that counts) on me.
Do these things actually work, and if so, how many inflations are they good for?
-
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Re: CO2 tyre inflator
by Grahame » Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:34 pm
[quote="adrian"]Do these things actually work, and if so, how many inflations are they good for?
Yes they do work.
Usually, 1 cartridge is good for 1 inflation. But it (sort of) depends on the design of the device. Some have no valve, and are one shot only - when the cartridge is punctured it releases all its gas. Others have a (usually knurled) valve that allows you to reseal the cartridge as long as it remains in the device, this allows you to use it to "top up" a tyre as well as inflate from flat.
An extra note: Don't tough any metal parts of it with bare skin during or just after use - the expansion of the CO[size=75]2[/size] gas causes it to get VERY cold.
I use a pump - marginally slower. Loads more reliable.
Last edited by Grahame on Wed Dec 20, 2006 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by sid_day » Wed Dec 20, 2006 5:56 pm
They take quite a lot of practice to get confident with.
If you are doing a long point to point race you need to carry a pump anyway to allow for multiple flats.
So I think they are of limited use other than in short loop races.
Also there is the environmental problems of using lots of metal cannisters!
Sylvain had an absolute nightmare on his first lap at Mountain Mayhem 2005 and ended up running over 3 miles because his gas cannister cocked up and he didn't have a pump.
If you are doing a long point to point race you need to carry a pump anyway to allow for multiple flats.
So I think they are of limited use other than in short loop races.
Also there is the environmental problems of using lots of metal cannisters!
Sylvain had an absolute nightmare on his first lap at Mountain Mayhem 2005 and ended up running over 3 miles because his gas cannister cocked up and he didn't have a pump.
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by Andrew G » Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:50 pm
[quote]I saw Andrew blow the tyre of his wheel using one of these.
I am fantastically clumsy though!
Okay to keep in a saddle pack as a backup, or use when racing/TT-ing to get you back to HQ as you may not want to carry a pump then.
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by Alex P » Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:50 am
I've used CO2 cannisters and they do work but never seem to get enough pressure. The other thing is to make sure the inner tube is seated well as they inflate very quickly and if the tube is pinched you s**t yourself when it goes off!!!!!
I've also heard that there is a gas cannister ou there which has sealant in it so you do not even have to fix the tube first - but cannot find any details about it.
Alex
I've also heard that there is a gas cannister ou there which has sealant in it so you do not even have to fix the tube first - but cannot find any details about it.
Alex
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by Richard (Apples) » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:31 am
[quote]I got a siren and loudhailer for my bike from Secret Santa
Where can I get one of those
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