CO2 inflators
214
Member
928 days
Iron Man posted 1 year ago.
as far as i know there is no way to measure the pressure in your tires on the road unless you carry a little gauge, thats seperate to the inflator.
I usualy just keep pumping in to it untill i feel the tire is hard enough.
Keep in mind it's just a get home thing, your tires go flat fast with CO2 in them (smaller molocules leak out through the rubber). keep a track pump at home.
Speed Kills. Strength Punishes
.jpg "rjkowski's picture")
134
Member
1272 days
rjkowski posted 1 year ago.
a 16g CO2 cartridge should inflate a standard 700 x 23 tire to about 120 psig. So all you need to do is shoot a whole cartridge into your tire and you should be in business.
I've got a Genuine Innovations brand CO2 pump (I've actually got 2: the Ultraflate Plus for my road bike and the Air Chuck SL for my tri bike). I have had no problems with either on.
If you go to Genuine Innovations website, they've also got charts that will tell you the corresponding tire pressure for 12g and 16g cartridges.
173
Member
807 days
wesmeyer11 posted 1 year ago.
yeah, just insert a whole cartridge into your tire and you should be good. I had the micro flate, but I just had one go bad on me, and when that happens while on the road when you only have one cartridge with you, well then, you are up a creek....so I am staying away from the mirco flate.
806
Member
1296 days
thehitman posted 1 year ago.
Iron Man;52337 wrote:
...Keep in mind it's just a get home thing, your tires go flat fast with CO2 in them (smaller molocules leak out through the rubber)....
I know this isn't a chemistry forum, but I've never heard this one. Carbon dioxide molecules are smaller than the nitrogen/02 air mixture? How do you figure?
And one more thing about CO2 inflators. Threaded cartridges cost about $3 each, while unthreaded cartridges cost about 50 cents. Moreover, in a pinch, the unthreaded cartridges are universally available, while the threaded cartridges are more of a specialty item. This year I bought an Innovations Ultraflate, which costs about $15.00; and never leave home without it. For races, I have my old Innovations air chuck, which is super-light, but takes threaded cartridges.
thehitman
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain
[/SIZE]
71
Member
712 days
usasportstrain posted 1 year ago.
I did not realize that the smaller molecules would contribute to leaking. That explains some things...
As for my CO2 experiences:
- Always carry at least one spare cartridge
- On a long training ride, consider carrying a pump
- Don't puncture the cartridge until you need it and replace not long after you do puncture it
My tidbits of info. :)
http://www.usasportstraining.com - Triathlon Training Gear, DVDs, Books
84
Member
891 days
thebiochem1000 posted 1 year ago.
Thanks all, I got an Innovations Microflate from Performance Bike. $19.99 for a the regulator, 2 threaded carts, a pouch and two tire levers.
FYI: Of CO2, O2 and N2, CO2 is the largest molecule.
806
Member
1296 days
thehitman posted 1 year ago.
thebiochem1000;52394 wrote:
Thanks all, I got an Innovations Microflate from Performance Bike. $19.99 for a the regulator, 2 threaded carts, a pouch and two tire levers.FYI: Of CO2, O2 and N2, CO2 is the largest molecule.
The microflate's great --- and that's the air chuck I mentioned. But after an excessive number of flats last year (a couple dozen?), I switched to the ultraflate for economic reasons on my daily rides. Naturally, I've rarely flatted this year. :)
thehitman
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain
[/SIZE]
194
Member
1050 days
vmarwin posted 1 year ago.
thebiochem1000;52394 wrote:
FYI: Of CO2, O2 and N2, CO2 is the largest molecule.
I'm actually reading this forum while taking a break from studying chemistry...I was just about to point that out.
Now, if you just filled your tires with H2, that would be a small molecule...
If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind.
214
Member
928 days
Iron Man posted 1 year ago.
thehitman;52356 wrote:
I know this isn't a chemistry forum, but I've never heard this one. Carbon dioxide molecules are smaller than the nitrogen/02 air mixture? How do you figure?QUOTE]OK here's what i figure, look on the periodic table, you will note that a CO2 atom has a larger size than just air(a combination so does not show on the table), it is also heavier and more dense. i was incorrect in saying smaller molocules.
So i have 2 theories:1. CO2 Is bigger so there are less of them in the tire therfore when they leek out the effect is felt more rapidly as there are is a smaller molecular volume.
2. i think it's to do with the rate of diffusion. CO2 in your tire is under pressure so it's trying to equalize it's concentration with the atmosphere and migrates through the inner tube.
any other thoughts?
Speed Kills. Strength Punishes
214
Member
928 days
Iron Man posted 1 year ago.
vmarwin;52423 wrote:
I'm actually reading this forum while taking a break from studying chemistry...I was just about to point that out.Now, if you just filled your tires with H2, that would be a small molecule...
if i fill them with helium, will i go faster because im saving weight?
Speed Kills. Strength Punishes
84
Member
891 days
thebiochem1000 posted 1 year ago.
Iron Man;52430 wrote:
if i fill them with helium, will i go faster because im saving weight?
Perhaps. If you fill them with helium you technically reduce the mass of the wheels (significantly? I would think not), which means that if the radius of the tire stays constant you will also reduce the moment of inertia. The velocity of the wheels is equal to the angular momentum of the wheels divided by the moment of inertia of the wheels. So if the inertia grows smaller then velocity will increase. But I think this is all assuming you keep your momentum constant throughout the a given bike ride. Someone should definitely correct me if I am wrong. You might say I'm more of a biochemist than a physicist...
As for the rates of diffusion of C02 through rubber, I'm stumped. I couldn't find any pertinent information with regards to that.
1335
Member
1301 days
christri25 posted 1 year ago.
i have never had luck with C02 inflators I always blow my tubes up with them ! i still carry them though ... its more of a comfort idea that I have " spare " stuff .... Just Ask TRIGUY about it !!!
Chris
``It's not as if I'm going to sit around and be a fat slob,''
Lance Armstrong 2005
194
Member
1050 days
vmarwin posted 1 year ago.
Iron Man;52429 wrote:
thehitman;52356 wrote:I know this isn't a chemistry forum, but I've never heard this one. Carbon dioxide molecules are smaller than the nitrogen/02 air mixture? How do you figure?QUOTE]OK here's what i figure, look on the periodic table, you will note that a CO2 atom has a larger size than just air(a combination so does not show on the table), it is also heavier and more dense. i was incorrect in saying smaller molocules.
So i have 2 theories:1. CO2 Is bigger so there are less of them in the tire therfore when they leek out the effect is felt more rapidly as there are is a smaller molecular volume.
2. i think it's to do with the rate of diffusion. CO2 in your tire is under pressure so it's trying to equalize it's concentration with the atmosphere and migrates through the inner tube.
any other thoughts?
Responding to #1:
It doesnt matter what size the gas molecule is. As part of the ideal gas law, 2 gases under the same pressure and temp will have the same number of molecules. This means that if you have 2 identical tires/tubes/wheels at the same temp and pressure and one is filled with air and one is filled with CO2 then there are (for all intensive purposes) the same number (or number of moles) of molecules in each tire.Responding to #2:
Rates of diffusion don't matter when the tire is under pressure. When the pressure in the tire is greater than the outside environment, it is the pressure imbalance rather than diffusion that causes the gas to escape. Only when the pressure in the tire is EQUAL to the external pressure does diffusion factor in. So if you has a tube that was filled to approx 1 ATM (neutral pressure, or whatever the pressure happens to be where you are) with CO2 and left it alone, over time it would lose CO2 to the environment due to diffusion assuming that the environment wasn't made up of pure CO2.
If you wish to be out front, then act as if you were behind.
66
Member
480 days
Milesofsmiles15 posted 22 weeks ago.
I recently read something about certian co2 cartridges having oil in them which eats through rubber very quickly, is this something i should be really worried about? i just bought a thing of co2 from walmart should i try to return them? or if i do run into a flat and use them should i just reinflate them as soon as i get back?
i hope that made sense, thanks,
Matt
195
Member
714 days
fastdog5 posted 22 weeks ago.
[quote=thehitman
The microflate's great --- and that's the air chuck I mentioned. But after an excessive number of flats last year (a couple dozen?), I switched to the ultraflate for economic reasons on my daily rides. Naturally, I've rarely flatted this year. :)
Why so many flats? And another poster mentioned the cost of threaded vs. non-threaded; how often do you guys use these that it should matter? Wouldn't you go with the lighter one? (I'm relatively new to this, but have been riding for 2 years & have never flatted).
427
Member
345 days
Sully800 posted 22 weeks ago.
2 years and no flats is a damn good stretch. Most people get several flats a season.
508
Member
225 days
jsk85 posted 22 weeks ago.
Hehe...I've never had a flat and I'm going on 3 full years at this point...I know I'll have a bad streak soon and it'll even out. I'm just hoping my first doesn't come in a race
1620
Member
996 days
195
Member
714 days
fastdog5 posted 22 weeks ago.
Sully800 wrote:
2 years and no flats is a damn good stretch. Most people get several flats a season.
I'll probably get one now since I said that, but I read somewhere that most flats are caused by underinflation of your tires, so I pump them up before every ride.
3331
Member
1318 days
RV posted 22 weeks ago.
fastdog5 wrote:
but I read somewhere that most flats are caused by underinflation of your tires
I thought a flat was no inflation of your tire ;)
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
4202
Member
1550 days
kylie posted 22 weeks ago.
I rarely get flats, but I think Mr Tuffy's (liners that go inside the tire) have helped it get better.
Filling prevents pinch flats much of the time, but not a nail or piece of glass.
Miles of Life --- Powered by MarkyV
830
Member
1394 days
catwood posted 22 weeks ago.
I don't get flats very often. First, I'm light - heavier people will flat more. Second, I do my training on armadillo tires (~4500 mi so far, zero flats). The only flats that I have had in the past 3 years (2) have been in races - 1 flat in the middle, but finished anyways because I ride tubulars, and 1 slow leak that I didn't notice until I got home. I carry the innovations microflate with me when training - never had to use it for myself, just for my friends.
427
Member
345 days
Sully800 posted 22 weeks ago.
Pinch flats are due to underinflation, but you can also get blowouts from overinflation. Then there are the sharp-object-flats, and flats from the inside cause by spoke holes. I've had one of each so far this year, as well as a slow leak from an improperly patched tube. 3 came within about 10 days which was pretty bad, so now I'm hoping my luck will reverse. I did go about 5 months without a flat prior to this streak of bad luck.
At least I got to re practice my tube changing skills before I start racing. They were definitely rusty!
Sick of carrying a mini hand pump so I want to buy a CO2 inflator. Couldn't find an old thread on this topic so thought I'd go ahead and ask:
1. How do I measure the pressure it has put into my tires? I don't have a pressure gauge for presta valves...
2. Any recommended brands? (something small that will fit easily in bag under my saddle.)
Thanks all.