I ride a P2C, so for long training rides I’ll be getting an X-lab Sonic Wing. I also want to pick up a CO2 style inflation system, but I’m torn on what to get. X-Lab makes the “nanoflator” with the X-nut, which looks cool, but I want something that I can turn on and off and also something that I can throw in my pack for use on my commuter bike as well. I see things like the Innovations Air Chuck which is very minimalistic, but has to be used with threaded cylinders. Then there are systems that encapsulate the cartridge and can use either threaded or non-threaded cylinders. Which is best?
Since I’ve already made myself look like a fool, I’ll bite - how? I know the Innovations air chuck can turn on and off, but are you implying that the Xlab nanoflator can as well? I was under the impression that for the nanoflator, once you screwed the cylinder in, it was all systems go since there was no valve and (now) a hole in the top of the cylinder.
The threaded ones turn off as you tighten the cylinder down like a screw. To inflate the tire you loosen the threaded cylinder slightly. They work perfectly everytime. I’ve used them for over 10 years without a hitch. I’ve also used the other ones you are talking about, the ones with the sleeve over the CO2 cylinder. I don’t like them near as well as the tiny threaded inflators. The sleeve one with the lever is too big and bulky.
I have the genuine innovations ultraflate plus. It was the best of all worlds in my opinion, can use threaded or non threaded cartridges and there is a locking switch to prevent accidental discharge of the CO2. I’ve never used the switch, didn’t see the point. I never hook up a cartridge to it until I get a flat, and when I do I empty the cartridge into the tire. The feature I like most about it, you can store a cartridge in it upside down so you don’t accidentally pierce a CO2 cartridge.
Simple solution: don’t screw in a cylinder until you need it.
you are no fool! nobody can make sense of this stuff until they try it out!
but as the earlier poster said, you screw it all the way down, this punctures the cylinder, but wont let air out until you back it out a bit.
you can tighten it back down again to stop it.
Since I’ve already made myself look like a fool, I’ll bite - how? I know the Innovations air chuck can turn on and off, but are you implying that the Xlab nanoflator can as well? I was under the impression that for the nanoflator, once you screwed the cylinder in, it was all systems go since there was no valve and (now) a hole in the top of the cylinder.
With the threaded CO2 cartridge, don’t screw it together until you get that flat. I electrical tape the tiny inflator with 2 cartridges together. Don’t screw the inflator onto the cartridge until its needed.
you are no fool! nobody can make sense of this stuff until they try it out!
but as the earlier poster said, you screw it all the way down, this punctures the cylinder, but wont let air out until you back it out a bit.
you can tighten it back down again to stop it.
Since I’ve already made myself look like a fool, I’ll bite - how? I know the Innovations air chuck can turn on and off, but are you implying that the Xlab nanoflator can as well? I was under the impression that for the nanoflator, once you screwed the cylinder in, it was all systems go since there was no valve and (now) a hole in the top of the cylinder.
This all makes sense now. I assumed that when you screwed the cylinder in far enough to puncture it, you were at the same time beginning to discharge air. I was struggling to grasp all the logistics of having the inflation device already on the end of the nipple as I screwed a cylinder in - I thought this is what happened to Chrissie in Kona.
No worries, I can’t imagine riding around with a cylinder already punctured and ready to discharge.
Thanks for all the answers.
This is triathlon. Not sure what it is but there is something in the DNA of triathletes that makes the simple complicated and the, easy way harder than it really is!
If you go with one of the tiny metal inflator heads, just make sure you’re not holding onto the head (or the valve stem, for that matter) when you release the CO2. You’ll freeze your fingers to the metal parts. Good fun when it happens to you in a race!
I can’t believe how many people use CO2. Bring a frame pump or a good mini pump along and you’ll never run out of air. Sure, if you are racing and don’t have neutral support, bring one along but for training, pumps are the way to go.
I can’t believe how many people use CO2. Bring a frame pump or a good mini pump along and you’ll never run out of air. Sure, if you are racing and don’t have neutral support, bring one along but for training, pumps are the way to go.
Why? As with anything else, you should practice what you plan to do on race day. A CO2 setup is smaller than carrying a pump, it’s faster, and it can get a tire up to a much higher pressure than most mini pumps- plus you get the practice of using it so it’s not all new to you if you get a flat during a race. If I’m going on a particularly long ride where I won’t have cell reception I might throw the mini pump into a jersey pocket in the infinitesimally small chance that I get more than two flats on one ride, but it’s plan C after the two CO2 cartridges and I’ve never had to use it so far.
On any group ride, the guy with the frame pump gets asked to help out before any CO2s are expelled.
Need practice using CO2? Inflate twice with a cartridge. Its not heart surgery.
What happens if the tire bead is not seated correctly on the rim? Take the air out quickly and re-pump.
Also, my mini-pump gets me to 90psi no problem and I get huge pecs to boot.
Slow leak close to home? A few strokes of the mini pump and I’m good to go.
A frame pump or mini-pump can be attached to almost any frame (under the bottle cage).
Air is free and Al Gore says CO2 is bad.
Really, the best reason for bringing a pump along is KISS.
This is coming from a guy who gets one flat a week, minimum. I ride a lot and the roads are shit.
It can be turned on and off, although 16gm cartridges are good to get one 700x23 tire to 120psi so unless you ride 650s you don’t need on and off. The unthreaded carts are 12gm, so only really good for 650c. There are a few 16gm unthreaded, but there’s no advantage of that over a threaded, so you just have a bulkier inflator. Plus, a Nonflate can be use on a MTB with either a Big Air (2 infllates) or a 16gm’er, and it’s the only inflator designed to be used on a disk wheel.
Why not use C02? Do you know at what cost it is made? What % of the emptys ever get recycled? Or do you ever see them left on the side of the road? How many packages and lables are made? How many boats,trucks, and delivery people were used to get it to your LBS? Pumps are so much better for the enviroment and I am always the most popular guy on a group ride with my long Zefal frame pump. And you can have 5 flats on one ride and not worry that that one is your last CO2 left. That is why I don’t use C02, if you are in a race maybe it is ok. On a training ride I think you are pigs if you use CO2.
Why not use C02? Do you know at what cost it is made? What % of the emptys ever get recycled? Or do you ever see them left on the side of the road? How many packages and lables are made? How many boats,trucks, and delivery people were used to get it to your LBS? Pumps are so much better for the enviroment and I am always the most popular guy on a group ride with my long Zefal frame pump. And you can have 5 flats on one ride and not worry that that one is your last CO2 left. That is why I don’t use C02, if you are in a race maybe it is ok. On a training ride I think you are pigs if you use CO2.
I drive a hybrid, belong to the Sierra Club, and work for an alternative energy company. Before we get too wrapped around the axle on the environmental impact of using CO2 cartridges, let’s put this in perspective- I get maybe one flat per month. Perhaps we should all stop exercising, since this also produces higher levels of CO2 through our increased respiration than if we just sat on the couch all day? If I got a flat a week I might reconsider based on the cost of the cartridges alone but I personally think pumps are a PITA and I think the environment argument is a bit of a reach. You’re free to go back to living in a grass hut. I’ll worry about the aspects of my life that have a *significant *impact to the environment.
