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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1497.0. "CO2 or Micro Pumps" by AKOV11::SMITH (Reality, just a visible imagination?) Tue Apr 10 1990 18:00

After waiting several hours (thank God for workstations) doing a text search
on CO2, I only found one revelant reference in note 1292.
 
I've just bought a new road bike (replacing my ATB for road use) and have been
looking at pumps. Considering I only get maybe 2 flats a year I would perfer not
to carry a frame pump all the time.  I would rather have just a CO2 cartridge in 
my seat bag (or possibably one of the Micro Pumps).  Is anyone using CO2, the
Vetta Micro Pump or the new Zephal Micro Pump?  Any comments on your experiences 
with either?

Thanx,

...Ed
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1497.1Hard to break that seal when shaken up after a crashCESARE::JOHNSONMatt Johnson, DTN 871-7473Tue Apr 10 1990 20:008
    I think I was probably involved in the original CO2 discussion.
    Anyway, I USED to use those things, but I don't bother anymore.
    Without practice, you're likely to screw up the inflation at least
    once before you get the tire full.  Then if you have another problem,
    you're stuck!  (That's assuming that you take TWO cartridges, like
    they tell you to....)  A pump is an infinite resource, and it doesn't
    weigh enough to bother about.  If you're in a short race, where it
    matters, just forget about taking any repair stuff at all.
1497.2A vote for CO2MAIL::ALBERTTue Apr 10 1990 20:0316
    I went with a GT Instaflate. Advantages:  Uses cheaper, non-threaded
    CO2 cartridges ($.50 each for 12 gram size).  Has a valve which
    allows you to regulate flow.  Disadvantage:  Slightly 
    larger contraption than the CO2 devices which use threaded cartridges.
    (But still plenty small to fit in a small seat pack along with a spare
    tube)  
    
    They run about $10.  For $3 more you can get a plastic mounting gizmo
    that allows the unit to be secured to the bike frame in your choice of
    spots. (It doesn't have to go on your bottle cage mounts, for
    instance).  Cartridges can be bought in 5-packs at your local K-mart, 
    Target, or whatever, usually in the pellet gun department.  (Here in 
    Missouri, they keep the pellet guns separate from the real guns to
    lessen the confusion among the buying public. But I digress.)
    
    Tom
1497.3I like pumps.WMOIS::N_FLYEWed Apr 11 1990 00:3825
    
    
    I have a vetta micro pump.  I have it on my mountain bike though with
    presta tubes.  I find that it worked just fine the one time I needed
    it.  Since the volume of an MTB tube is large it took a while to
    inflate the tube but very little effort was needed.  Of course
    inflating a road tire or schrader tube would be harder and I have not 
    tried those yet.  If you do get a Vetta micro pump use a pump strap.
    One bounce and the pump will come right out of the clips.
    
    I am not a big fan of CO2.  A couple of times now when riding with
    someone else who got a flat they ended up using my pump anyways.  Once 
    in the winter the CO2 froze the valve open and the CO2 came rushing back 
    out.  Also the cartridges are not environmentally safe.  They cannot be
    recharged and must be thrown out after use.  Cost is another negative.
    I'm not a big penny pincher but I still won't pay that much for CO2.
    
    
                                                       Norm
    
    
    							   
    
    
     
1497.4CLYPPR::FISHERDictionary is not.Wed Apr 11 1990 09:074
    If you got "maybe 2 flats a year" on your ATB, I don't think it's
    safe to conclude that you will only get 2 a year on your road bike.
    
    ed