Size of CO2 cartridges?

[Cinci Jim]

So I've been thinking... for those of you who ride with CO2 in place of a pump, what size cartridges do you use - 12g or 16g? I mainly carry 16g, but my thinking for this case is in case a fumble it and loose some of the CO2 while inflating and also I can bleed some out if needed.

But what do you carry?

[LegendRider]

I use 12g for a 23mm clincher. It will inflate the tire to ~90psi.

Also, check out post #17 in this thread:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=187351

[Bruce K]

16g will go close to 110# and was the size always recommended to me.

Especially now that I am riding HED C2 rims I need the volume as well.

BK

[toaster]

Best thing about 12g Co2 cartridges is buying them in bulk packs at Wal-Mart or K-Mart where you'll find them next to the BB guns at cheap prices.

A 12g works fine for a road tire but won't get you up to over 100psi if that's a big deal for you.

The value is the thing plus the convenience of quick inflation also I don't mind riding slightly underinflated if it means getting going again.

[Cinci Jim]

I normally run 16g. I was packing up a new small seat bag and was in the box where I keep the CO2 and there were 2 or 3 12g and it got me thinking "wow are these really smaller"

I will still go with the 16g and I am more on the clydesdale side of the house, but I thought I'd ask the question.

[jlwdm]

16g

Jeff

[SoCalSteve]

16 gram...I'm a big guy and hate the feel of "squishy" tires.

[InspectorGadget]

Generally speaking:

12gr ~ 90 psi
16gr ~ 130 psi

Maybe off topic, but I carry carry a pump because I can use it as many times as I need to. I can understand carrying CO2 for racing or group rides when your riding mates don't have patience for you to build up your pecs pumping up your tires with a tiny pump.

I know too many people that have had one of those rides and ran out of CO2 cartridges. It may be like wearing a belt and suspenders, but at least carry a pump that will allow the use of CO2 cartridges.

[/lecture]

[rice rocket]

Or quit using tires with paper thin casing on the road. :rolleyes:

I live in a pretty pothole ridden area, I drill potholes daily and ride through glass b/c the lazy public works workers couldn't be bothered to actually pay attention while running the street sweeper. I average one flat every 1000 miles, and I carry 3 CO2 cartridges. The odds would have to be REALLY REALLY REALLY against me to flat 3x on one ride.


Oh, for the original question, I go with 16g. CO2 leaks pretty quickly through the tube/tire, if you're caught out on a century+ ride, you might be below your reasonable threshold (depending on your weight obviously) by the end of your ride.

[jgspin]

I use a Second wind MTB manual/co2 pump. I pump it up manually then if everything looks ok I finish it off with the co2. It could use a threaded 12g or 16g, non-threaded 16g. I found that I could use a non-threaded co2 cartridge like the cheaper ones you can get from Walmart by using a copper tap connector as a shim to raise the cartridge up a little bit from the bottom.