I was racing a local sprint last night and got a flat about a mile in to the bike. I changed the tube out pretty quick but when I went to fill it my CO2 inflator failed (couldn’t get a good connection and spraying CO2 out around the valve). I ended up walking the bike back to transition, using a floor pump, and then finishing the race as a training ride.
I’ve gone through several inflators over the past dozen years or so, some more reliable than others. The one I had with me last night was this one. As I’m writing this I’m realizing I’ve only used this inflator twice and it failed both times…
What CO2 inflators do you use, recommend, and find the most reliable? I don’t care about what’s the smallest or the lightest as long as it will work reliably when needed and fits in a water bottle storage or an aero pouch, which I assume most inflators do.
It looks like the nanoflator needs to be threaded onto the valve stem which could be an easy step to miss. Is that the issue your having?
I’ve never used the nanoflator that you have, but i use the xlabs speed chuck and the silca eolo iii. Both of these are super simple and small enough to fit in my aero pouch with a tube, multitool, and 2 cartridges.
I’ve had a Genuine Innovations Proflate for probably around 10 years now.
Zero problems.
It lives in a pouch that is swapped around between bikes and also a camelbak for MTB (which is whst it was originally bought for).
Auto changes between Schrader and Presta.
Not the smallest but the plastic ‘case’ prevents cold burns on the discharging cylinder, and the trigger is controllable (not just an attach-and-dump-in-one-go device)
I’ve had a Genuine Innovations Proflate for probably around 10 years now.
Zero problems.
It lives in a pouch that is swapped around between bikes and also a camelbak for MTB (which is whst it was originally bought for).
Auto changes between Schrader and Presta.
Not the smallest but the plastic ‘case’ prevents cold burns on the discharging cylinder, and the trigger is controllable (not just an attach-and-dump-in-one-go device)
+1. I have flatted on the last two rides and still works fine. I get the threaded one then you have to press on the stem and can control the inflation. My problem is when bag pops open on MTBand lose one - but just go and buy a new one that is the same.
Planet Bike Red Zeppelin, slightly larger than some of the other options, but also really easy to thread onto the cartridge/ valve, even with cold fingers.
So I clearly like our EOLO as do some others here, but really, there are only a couple of styles of these things, they all work in one of 3 ways. The problem you experienced comes from damage to the o-ring seals inside the inflator. There are 2 solutions/issues, one is to use more expensive o-rings, this is what we do, and one other brand does the same from our testing. The second issue is that the CO2 cartridge threads get damaged in your seat bag as they bang against your multi-tool or other objects. Any small burr on the outer corner of that first thread will shred the o-ring seal on the cartridge side when you screw it in and puncture it. For this reason we sell our CO2 cartridges with little rubber ‘helmets’ to protect the threads which in turn protect your inflator head…
So whatever inflator you buy, get some covers for your cartridges and you will extend the life of the inflator considerably.
Josh
Same although the one I have is probably close to 15 years old by now. Uses non threaded CO2’s which you can buy a 50 pack at Walmart for about $18.
I get the value argument (I get threaded for about $1 apiece) but otherwise, do you prefer non threaded for any reason? I like that I can gas up the tire, close the valve and be able to top off with the remaining CO2 if needed. Only way to do that is if it is threaded…right?
FWIW, I use the PDW shiny object and screw the head on one turn. It is stored where it can thread itself on any further, with the valve closed. When I need it, screw it on 3-4 more circles, hear the short pssh as it breaks the top, press it on, twist open, done deal! Twist it closed and keep it handy to re-top off.
Same although the one I have is probably close to 15 years old by now. Uses non threaded CO2’s which you can buy a 50 pack at Walmart for about $18.
I get the value argument (I get threaded for about $1 apiece) but otherwise, do you prefer non threaded for any reason? I like that I can gas up the tire, close the valve and be able to top off with the remaining CO2 if needed. Only way to do that is if it is threaded…right?
FWIW, I use the PDW shiny object and screw the head on one turn. It is stored where it can thread itself on any further, with the valve closed. When I need it, screw it on 3-4 more circles, hear the short pssh as it breaks the top, press it on, twist open, done deal! Twist it closed and keep it handy to re-top off.
Not saying I “prefer” non-threaded as I have never used a threaded CO2…just that I have nothing negative to say about non-threaded. I think what you are asking is if you only use a partial CO2, does a non-threaded CO2 leak the rest out eventually? Truthfully, I have no idea…since these are so inexpensive, if I use a partial CO2, I’ll just empty the rest and throw on a new CO2. If I use a partial CO2 in the middle of a ride, I do know that when I get back or at least a few days later, the CO2 has not leaked the remaining…
…so I suppose you have the big container style then, which holds in the non-threaded canister in place? That works too!
I prefer the small chucks, which require the threads in order to save the rest for top ups.
A few weeks back, I developed a slow leak on a MTB race. It was nice to keep the inflator handy to hop off, quick fill, hop back on. You’d be able to do the same with yours, but just a little more bulky.
…anyway…to the OP, you said it failed both times you tried to use it. As mentioned above, that xlab chuck needs to screw onto the valve. Have you ever tried using it at home, outside of the adrenaline of a race? Maybe instead of buying something new, you just need to waste a couple cartridges (a few bucks) and learn!