Smallest compressor that seats tubeless effortlessly?

[Likes2ridefar]

.

[Jaybee]

Even a 2 Gallon/120psi compressor will do everything bike related. Fat bike tires might be a stretch, but it’s worked for me. Focus on getting a quiet model. Totally worth it.

[floxy1]

I have a Bostitch 6 gallon that works great for tires. I like it because I can fill the tank in the garage and take it inside to use it for small projects. I haven’t tested but I suspect it could seat 5-6 tires without the compressor running.

[quehill]

Does it seem snide if I say a 20g CO2 cartridge? Because that’s legit small and it’ll do it.

Cheers

[Likes2ridefar]

.

[unterhausen]

as mentioned, one of the small pancake compressors works. The trick is to deliver air quickly enough. I use an air blower gun to do that on recalcitrant tubeless tires. I have this one from HD, had to blacksmith the end a little to get it to fit in the valve (with the core removed) https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Pistol-Grip-Blow-Gun-HDA50400AV/100064491

Lots of tires seat for me with just a presta chuck

[echelon_john]

Having owned pancake compressors, large compressors and now the California Air Tools compressor, I highly recommend the latter.

This is the one I have and it does everything bike-related perfectly.
https://www.amazon.com/California-Air-Tools-CAT-1P1060S-Compressor/dp/B07BL5M69Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2EDN36TECJZL1&keywords=california%2Bair%2Btools%2Bcompressor&qid=1563882491&s=gateway&sprefix=California%2BAir%2Bto%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVTRCUFNURFc3MDkyJ mVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTc4NjAwMjlDSFo3WDhMSzg3JmVuY3J 5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxMTkyMzMzVlpZUTAwWFhKV05IJndpZGdld E5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm9 0TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

[Jaybee]

Yea because it’s supposedly incompatible with many sealants as well as wasteful metal cartridges.

This is true, but the point is that you need very little air under decently high pressure, and you can seat anything short of a fat bike tire.

[arik]

Get this;
Hitachi EC28M Ultra Quiet (59 DB)

I am thrilled with mine and I can use it at night without bothering anyone

[AngryScientist]

what's the word on some of the new batter powered "inflators"?

i would think these would be ideal for inflating bike tires, especially from a shop space consideration, and some people seem to love them, but not sure about the volume they can deliver to pop tubless tires?


https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2psAAOSwtGlZIACb/s-l800.jpg

[echelon_john]

These don't work well for seating tubeless because there's no ability to deliver the "big puff" like opening a 1 gallon+ tank provides. That said, they're still really handy especially for MTB/CX where you'd want to dial in pressure 'day-of.'



what's the word on some of the new batter powered "inflators"?

i would think these would be ideal for inflating bike tires, especially from a shop space consideration, and some people seem to love them, but not sure about the volume they can deliver to pop tubless tires?


https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2psAAOSwtGlZIACb/s-l800.jpg

[sparky33]

These don't work well for seating tubeless because there's no ability to deliver the "big puff" like opening a 1 gallon+ tank provides. That said, they're still really handy especially for MTB/CX where you'd want to dial in pressure 'day-of.'

Puff is key.

My low tech method is an Airshot (http://www.airshotltd.com/)cannister. It works well seating most tubeless combos, though a compressor would be even easier.

[Tony]

Puff is key.

My low tech method is an Airshot (http://www.airshotltd.com/)cannister. It works well seating most tubeless combos, though a compressor would be even easier.

My even more low tech method is a $10.00 garden sprayer from Home depo, works great!

[Jaybee]

My even more low tech method is a $10.00 garden sprayer from Home depo, works great!

This is genius.

[Gsinill]

Title mostly covers it I think, but more details:

I have a nice floor pump already, and am not too keen on the pumped units such as the airshot.

So what should I get? California air tools seem popular but they have many models from portable to huge.

I want as small as possible to minimize storage space.

Yes, those are awesome.

[Likes2ridefar]

.

[echelon_john]

Data set of 1 but I've used it for ~4 years pretty regularly without a hiccup.

For 29xBIG tires it sometimes requires more than one try to seat but if I'm careful and position the tire right I can do it the first time 99% of the time.

No experience with fat bike tires but I bet it would work fine, and worst case would require a toe strap and/or an assistant.

For non bike use, I also run a nailer off it sometimes and the low volume is a huge benefit. It cycles more than a bigger compressor in this application, obviously, but the balance of size/weight/portability/noise/functionality is great.



This is the model I was considering. Glad to hear it is sufficient. I’m a little concerned about the quality control from a number of reviews, but otherwise it seems what I need.

[v531xc]

My even more low tech method is a $10.00 garden sprayer from Home depo, works great!

wow. I like this idea. Post a video for us!

[mmfs]

After switching from A23 rims to Pacenti Brevet rims, I couldn’t get my Schwalbe G One Speed tires to mount with my floor pump the way I did with the A23s.

I just got a garden sprayer and it worked like a charm. I also did an extra wrap of rim tape to make the tires a tighter fit.

Here’s the video that turned me onto it:

https://youtu.be/bxNWiLQKxOs

[Tony]

Here’s the video that turned me onto it:

https://youtu.be/bxNWiLQKxOs

Same here. I posted this video here when it first appeared, same week made one for myself.

[marciero]

What are people doing for fittings? I recall people cobbling something together from old floor pumps or from CO2 inflators. Is there a one-click option?

[Jaybee]

What are people doing for fittings? I recall people cobbling something together from old floor pumps or from CO2 inflators. Is there a one-click option?

https://www.prestacycle.com/product-category/inflation-tools/

[YesNdeed]

I'm surprised people are getting away with such low capacity air chambers, like 1 gallon. I've been using a 3 gallon Harbor Freight (https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/3-gal-13-hp-100-psi-oil-free-pancake-air-compressor-61615.html) compressor ($40 on sale), and while it works fine most of the time, it would be nice to have that blast of air that a 6 or 8 gallon tank reserves. The oil-free motors are also very loud. If those Airshot things actually work, they would be pretty cool option. I could see myself getting a workout trying to get it to work though :crap:

[bigbill]

This works like a champ and fits in the bottom of my toolbox.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=90584&category=6547

[echelon_john]

The California Air Tools compressors are oil free and extremely quiet. Can have a conversation right next to it at normal speaking volume. After a Porter Cable pancake compressor there's no comparison, noise-wise.

I'm surprised people are getting away with such low capacity air chambers, like 1 gallon. I've been using a 3 gallon Harbor Freight (https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/3-gal-13-hp-100-psi-oil-free-pancake-air-compressor-61615.html) compressor ($40 on sale), and while it works fine most of the time, it would be nice to have that blast of air that a 6 or 8 gallon tank reserves. The oil-free motors are also very loud. If those Airshot things actually work, they would be pretty cool option. I could see myself getting a workout trying to get it to work though :crap:

[YesNdeed]

The California Air Tools compressors are oil free and extremely quiet. Can have a conversation right next to it at normal speaking volume. After a Porter Cable pancake compressor there's no comparison, noise-wise.

Well I wanted a cheap compressor, and I definitely got one. Good to know not all oil-free units are equal. When I build my dream workshop, I'll be looking for a better one.

[echelon_john]

It took me a few to figure out what worked! Don't give up! : )

To your point before, more air volume would certainly be helpful for seating high volume tubeless tires, and maybe if I were seating fat bike tires the California wouldn't be sufficient, but in terms of overall performance, cost, noise, portability and reliability, I've found it to be the best option for bicycle use.

I had an 80 gallon compressor when I was building frames and running air tools, sandblast cabinet, etc and it was awesome in terms of plenty of air for any conceivable scenario, but super loud, impossible to move, etc.

Horses for courses.


Well I wanted a cheap compressor, and I definitely got one. Good to know not all oil-free units are equal. When I build my dream workshop, I'll be looking for a better one.

[AngryScientist]

These don't work well for seating tubeless because there's no ability to deliver the "big puff" like opening a 1 gallon+ tank provides. That said, they're still really handy especially for MTB/CX where you'd want to dial in pressure 'day-of.'

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2psAAOSwtGlZIACb/s-l800.jpg

thinking more on this, i think if one's sole purpose for this is to inflate tires, i still think one of these is the right move, combined with a small booster tank. use the gun to fill the tank and the tank to pop the beads.

realistically, it's not too often you have to set the beads of a tubeless tire, and i think it would be more beneficial to have the small battery powered inflator to use regularly and the mini booster only when bead popping is needed.

I have a 50 gallon tank compressor in the garage for doing other things, but if i only needed a tool to inflate tires, this is the way i would go.

https://cdn.bike24.net/i/p/8/3/205538_00_c.jpg?v2fc60aefc52f3ee1a3b0a4d2cd5817793 8d0aa66

[Tony]

[QUOTE=AngryScientist;2570233]
thinking more on this, i think if one's sole purpose for this is to inflate tires, i still think one of these is the right move, combined with a small booster tank. use the gun to fill the tank and the tank to pop the beads.
realistically, it's not too often you have to set the beads of a tubeless tire, and i think it would be more beneficial to have the small battery powered inflator to use regularly and the mini booster only when bead popping is needed.
I have a 50 gallon tank compressor in the garage for doing other things, but if i only needed a tool to inflate tires, this is the way i would go.


That's a great combination to have, would solve all my needs! I have a pancake compressor that I now use only for our cars, don't need it for the bikes, garden sprayer and my floor pump is easy
I only use tubeless on mtbs. I find 90% of the time a generous blast of air is needed to set the tire. Once the tire is set from that blast I switch over to my pump and seat the tire on the rim correctly requiring more psi than I run.

[weaponsgrade]

The garden sprayer works great. Here’s an even more low tech way. It requires a spare wheel though. Get a piece of aquarium tubing used for fish tanks. Mount a tire with a tube in it to the spare wheel. Take out the valve. Connect one end of the tube to the valveless tube/tire and the other end to the pump. Inflate. Pinch the tube while you remove the pump end and fasten to the wheel with the tubeless tire valve. Let go of the tube to deliver a blast of air from the tubed tire to the tubeless tire.

[Likes2ridefar]

.

[Likes2ridefar]

.

[marciero]

https://www.prestacycle.com/product-category/inflation-tools/

perfect-thanks.

[Likes2ridefar]

.