CO2 tips?

[austex]

Also note that CO2 diffuses through rubber at a much higher rate than "air", so don't be surprised if your tire is "flat" the next day.

http://omnitech.net/reference/2014/07/27/co2-in-tires/

"[...]There is truth in diffusion rates being higher.
•CO2 diffuses through rubber much faster than air(5). Hydrogen is the standard “1” at roughly 11L/m^3, gas. Nitrogen is 0.16. Air is 0.22. Argon, 0.26. Oxygen, 0.45. Helium, 0.65. Carbon Dioxide, 2.9. Ammonia, 8.0. Water Vapor 47-110, depending on thickness.

(5)Scientific Papers of the Bureau of Standards, Vol. 16, 327-362 (1920) Scientific Paper 387 (S387), “Permeability of Rubber to Gasses”, July 12, 1990. https://archive.org/details/permeabilityofru1632unse
•The relative diffusion rates between natural rubber and butyl rubber are as follows(6):

Helium = 27%, Hydrogen = 15%, Oxygen = 5.6%, Nitrogen = 5%, Air = 4.8% and CO2 = 4%.
(6)Exxon Chemical, quoted by Timco Rubber http://www.timcorubber.com/rubber-materials/butyl.htm
•Combining these, Butyl lets through this many litres per m^3: CO2 = 1.276L; Air = 0.116L; Nitrogen = .088L.

SUMMARY:
While butyl rubber (IIR) is less permeable than natural rubber by far, CO2 diffuses through rubber 11x faster than air. If you have to air up your tires every 9 days, then expect CO2 to last you a day. If you have to air up your tires daily (latex tubes), then expect CO2 to last you a few hours. [...]"

[RC.]

Originally Posted by roguedog

this one is my fave. both for it's function and it's form. some are just too bulky.

plus they seem to be a really good company.

https://ridepdw.com/collections/infl...s/shiny-object

Originally Posted by pdmtong

Bulk cylinder source

Man, this forum can be a definite goldmine at times...

[bigbill]

http://www.performancebike.com/webap...400167__400167

I use the older version of that. I buy 12g CO2 cylinders at WalMart in the sporting goods section for $5 for a box of 25. This type doesn't need a threaded cylinder. A 12g gets a 25mm tire to around 85#.

[pdmtong]

Originally Posted by bigbill

http://www.performancebike.com/webap...400167__400167

I use the older version of that. I buy 12g CO2 cylinders at WalMart in the sporting goods section for $5 for a box of 25. This type doesn't need a threaded cylinder. A 12g gets a 25mm tire to around 85#.

I was using the older one too until the inflator head malfunctioned in the field last month leaving me to gently ride my shamal mille to the nearest shop on less than ideal psi (good thing the flat was close to home). odd, since maybe five field uses lifetime but the thing was older and sitting in my saddle bag of years.

guess what? they no longer make 12g non-threaded inflation units so the "go to walmart gun section and get a box cheap" alternative is only going to be good as long as your non-threaded inflator head and body lives. I have two...the dead one that was in my road bag and another one that was in my hydration pak (mtb).

so that failed piece has "forced" me to go to threaded 16g for road with the genuine innovations air chuck head.

the resultant good news bad news.

good news GI lifetime warrantied my inflator head.
bad news the replacement 20g threadless body is too big to accommodate the smaller 12g cartridges.

good news 12g isn't quite enough for road or dirt - 20g great for 29er etc.
bad news got a box of 12g left which I guess I will double up for mtb use since I can carry plenty in my hydration pak

[Tony T]

Originally Posted by makoti

Just got a Silca EoloIII regulator & a bunch of inexpensive cartridges to replace my hand pump.

I would still keep a small pump attached to the frame. (something like the lenzyne that attaches to the bottle cage)

[stien]

After being bitten by co2 once, I invested in a Lezyne pressure drive s, then two more for other bikes after I liked it so much. No chance of being stranded and gets nice pressure.