Mini Bike Pump Vs CO2 Inflator: The Pros & Cons

Punctures are an inevitable and deflating side to cycling. But with a mini pump or a CO2 inflator with you on a bike ride you'll always be able to get up to pressure. Jon discusses the pros and cons of each.
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[@LtEdPell]

Mini pump. Had plenty of practice with the motion needed from my teen years.

[@greedfox7842]

bruh my left arm is fucking ripped...

[@Herr.Ritter]

Teen years?!

[@thomashardbattle4287]

Lol bruh

[@janekmatteus8086]

Female riders not getting it 😇

[@Errk2G]

🤣

[@danielsingleton9743]

There seems to be a bit of a trend where I live in Rochdale where cyclists just toss their empty CO2 canisters to the roadside once used. I cannot seem to go on a ride anymore without passing at least one canister discarded in the gutter. If you can carry the canister on a ride with you, then you can carry an empty canister back home with you!

[@eddymintball1950]

These aren’t CO2 canisters discarded by cyclists, they are nitrous oxide used as a kind of feel good gas used by the yoof of today

[@stevegeek]

Eddy Mintball Really...well I never! I see a lot of discarded canisters around town also and just assumed they were from roadies...I’m def not down wiv da yoof these days! 😉

[@beachdays561]

20 or 30 punctures in this spot each weekend! Odd!!? Best I walk the bike through those areas just to be safe hehe

[@knifeyonline]

@@stevegeek that's what they call whippets on TV. It's laughing gas (NOS).

[@knifeyonline]

you can buy a pump that fits in your hand, charges by USB, and puts in up to 100psi. even less effort than a bloody canister. they're on aliexpress and cost about $40USD. not sure what benefit a hand pump or co2 canister could possibly have over that.

[@justjordan8018]

Pump all the way, even mounted on the frame, in shiny proud Red. I ain't afraid of no punchures, had one 3 days ago, cost me only 30 seconds to inflate the tire. Now removing and putting the tire back on the rim ... that was 30 minutes job.

[@mattwurst3755]

A little bag on your toptube is just perfect!

[@TheMonsterPool]

There is another con of the co2 pump you forgot. The co2 molecules are so small that they slowly permeate through the inner tube. So you should always replace it with regular air when you get back home.

[@aldrinclementina4297]

Exactly. It's just a solution for that moment while you are riding in a group. After that you need to check it as you said above.

[@franzrinkleff5387]

@@aldrinclementina4297 This is false. 78% of the air is N2 (nitrogen). C02 is a bigger molecule than N2. CO2 is also bigger than O2 which 21% of the air.

[@polendri4812]

@@franzrinkleff5387 From what I googled, despite being "bigger" CO2 has a kinetic diameter of 0.33, lower than O2's 0.346 and N2's 0.364. H2 is at 0.289 and is known for leaking. So it sounds more to me like something that's technically true but is also exaggerated.

[@mantrajack3549]

I also used to carry around a Presta/Schrader converter for using the gas station air compressors if I need that extra amount of air in my tire after an inner tube emergency :)

[@kermatog]

never considered that... chucking that in my kit right now

[@bullwinkle428]

Great timing for this video - just suffered a puncture yesterday! I carry a Lezyne Road Drive mini pump, and it performed flawlessly. It's absolutely advantageous in allowing you to put a few PSI into the tube before placing onto the rim, before completing the job once you make sure the tube is totally within the tire and allowing the beads to seat properly.

[@FormostPanda]

I'm old school and have a frame pump. Our roads have changed over the last few decades, with more traffic and more road debris. It's always good to carry an extra tube and pump.

[@Vii_DT]

pro tip: pick a minipump with a hosed connector. your tube valve will thank you.

[@kevinjfeeney77]

Agreed... like the Topeak Turbo Morph, mountain morph or road morph.

[@MangidDan]

Agreed, also thread lock the valve cores, number of times I've unscrewed the hose and the valve core has come with it ... Always seems to happen in the depths of winter on a cold and wet day :-). Lezyne hoses come with a pressure relief valve which helps a bit

[@mmb4063]

Easier 2 use as well because you don’t have to fixate them to the rim.

[@johant373]

Daniel Dignam I think the Michelin tube valves don’t come loose. Conti does, don’t know about Schwalbe

[@sifuerik]

Spot on!

[@cameronlesley2428]

Thanks for the guide. I used to think the loop on the saddle bag was for hanging my light, thanks for the correction

[@josephkozachek848]

For the pump: you can pump up the flat tube to see where the hole in the tube is...so that you can check the corresponding spot on the tire for something poking through the tire ... avoiding a second flat more effectively. if you only have 2 cannisters and miss a thorn etc...or get two flats from the same debris and dont detect that thorn/glass/wire shard etc....you are stuck. Pro the cannisters: higher pressures than you can reasonably get with a tiny pump in a realistic time frame, smaller, more compact.... But... mostly Im running tubeless now so Ive gone to the cannisters and a spare tube (only one) but also a plug kit as back up and knock on wood...havent had a problem

[@rossfripp4503]

On any half decent CO2 valve you can adjust the air flow and stop "mid-flow"....so there's no reason you couldn't do what you've described above with a CO2 canister :)

[@KandiKlover]

I put sealant in my inner tubes so never an issue for me.

[@alexanderSydneyOz]

Good point about finding the thing which caused the puncture. I did years ago walk a bike with a flat tyre, and the bit of glass stick in the tyre ended up creating hundreds of punctures. I commute only, have a hack bike, and patch tubes. The pump is much better for that process. That said, I have been using puncture resistant tyres for about 4 years, and the only flat I've had in > 10,000km of glass shard covered city streets, occurred on excessively worn tyres. I do also give the inside of the tyre a wipe around with the (gloved) hand to ensure nothing remains sticking through.

[@joaosun2941]

@@KandiKlover how? video?

[@Demy1970]

I do this all the time if I have a mini pump,

[@rudyraymos1757]

Great video there Jon. ...Thanks for the info ..best regards from the US. ... Rudy

[@iliakag]

You'd never understand the joy of canisters until you've pumped a road tire to 120 PSI with a mini pump. Especially if, by Murphy's law, you're late and just before the top of the climb (i.e. very tired). I, personally, ride with both. Also, please do a video that shows (in real-time?) the time and effort it takes to pump a tire with a mini pump. Just as a service to show new riders what to expect. Maybe as a comparison to find the quickest/best pump?

[@moi7748]

You may find this GCN video useful : kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHvXp52pj7pom5I

[@bobwho1986]

Agreed with showing real time pumping with a mini-pump. One view and you’ll find the CO2 a bargain.

[@ConsciousBreaks]

​@@bobwho1986 I would, and have, still gone with the mini-pump. If you're in a race or want to get home as fast as possible, sure, it's not the best. But it took Si well under 2 minutes to fill his tire with the mini-pump, which is perfectly reasonable in my opinion. Also, why is OP filling a road tire up to 120PSI? Unless you are carrying a lot of weight or have something ridiculous like 19-21C tires, you should be able to get away with far lower pressures. There's also something to be said about having a nice, quality tool you can reuse over and over again, which is great if you're riding casually with friends that don't carry anything with them and they get a flat. Buy once, cry once, and such.

[@SDW90808]

FWIW, I’ve had my share of CO2 adapter failures so now I carry two since they’re so small. I also have the same silver aluminum mini pump shown in the video and it has served me well. Leaving on an extended tour in a couple of weeks so I recently bought a larger mini pump from Pro Bike Tool with both Presta and Schroeder connections and an internal gauge.

[@alanpage8911]

I use a Lezyne mini pump, which has a holder to fit beneath the bidon cage; separate holders avail for multiple bikes sharing 1 pump. It has a reversable hose to accommodate schrader and presta valves. The hose doesn't jerk on the valve, the way a clamp-on pump head does. I use the next larger (medium mini?) Lezeyne on the MTB for larger volume tyres.

[@kevinjfeeney77]

I use something similar by Topeak...the Turbo Morph.

[@mlenz2553]

Lezyne road drive. Use the bottle cage mount, so it always on the bike. The built in hose makes its so easy to use.

[@krauselee877]

Yep i second this. Super durable pump have had mine 7 years goin strong. Great cheap investment.

[@robinseibel7540]

I've got both. The CO2 inflator is the first line option; and the mini-pump is there (on a bracket mounted behind a water bottle cage) for days when things go all pear shaped. Does my mini-pump mounted on my frame make may bike and me look less racy? Maybe, but no one looks racy sitting by the roadside with a flat tire they can't inflate.

[@glenspringle7337]

Robin Seibel I carry both. The mini pump is for pre-inflating the tube, and finding a leak to patch. Once the tube and tire are on the wheel, CO2 to get it to proper riding pressure. I spent too many times trying to get pressure to 80-90psi with a hand pump...it takes minutes! To get high pressure, they have low volume per pump so it takes FOREVER to get a road wheel up to pressure... CO2 takes about half a second.

[@robinseibel7540]

@@glenspringle7337 I've had days when I ran out of pressurized CO2. The pump is the only savior then.

[@stephensaines7100]

@@glenspringle7337 [it takes minutes! ] Oh the horror!

[@lazurm]

@@glenspringle7337 Nope, CO2 takes 1.57 seconds, on average. ;)

[@bussyeye]

Frame fit pump: Zefal hpX4 and archieves 174psi. The ratio within my cycling club is: 60/40% (mini pump/Co2, and I am the only with a frame pump. Usually with a flat tire (mini pump) , my pump is usually borrowed.

[@jbratt]

Loved my old Zefal HPX pump. I used it in my steel frame days. Guys used to rave about their Silca pumps with Campy heads but I knew better. The HPX was far superior but did have a slight weight disadvantage. And yes, I loaned out my pump a lot : ). Times changed and I went to CO2s.

[@albertbatfinder5240]

Exactly, bussyeye. All academic debate is rendered moot when they borrow your pump. For elegant variation, you should ask the CO2 crowd if they can spare a cartridge. Tell them you’re trying to save wear and tear on the pump.

[@stevek8829]

I carry both. Hopefully one will work. Two is one... The frame mount may weigh a few grams more but its wind profile (endwise) is nill.

[@ncc74656m]

2 in 1! Best of everything in one shot. I might one day upgrade to something that has a gauge, and better still if it can pump on both strokes, but for now this is perfectly suited to my needs.

[@JohnBatty]

I used my Topeak Ninja P mini pump, which lives inside my seat tube, for the first time last week. Agreed, it takes longer to access and longer to inflate (although actually quicker than I expected), but it's only 62g, effectively takes up no space, is aesthetically perfect and is always there.

[@michaelpurtee177]

I take both, mainly just for the added insurance. I have carried some form of mini for years and then used on a few occasions, the CO2 when they came out. Admittedly, the first CO2 set up wasn't very elaborate so it made sense really to keep the mini pump as a backup, which I still do. Fortunately I haven't had too many flats while out so I've had minimal use of either but great comfort having them.

[@CEK0549]

I switched to tubeless on both of my bike, and now I carry a pump. I liked the Topeak RaceRocket MT for my MTB, so I bought another frame bracket for my road bike.

[@jimpeyton1459]

Definitely both if I'm out on a long ride away from towns. I've had CO2 canisters malfunction. Having the pump is like belt and braces. Harder decision is the number of spare tubes to bring.

[@mistermoore5784]

I've been getting tubes exclusively with removable core and injecting Stans in them; thereby only needing a hand pump to top off to 110psi. I've had the same tube for 4 years thus far. The talc within said tube makes for an excellent aggregate!

[@dtshifter]

Same here. I still carry a full size frame pump. If I have to call my wife to come pick me up somewhere I will hear about it for months and years to come.

[@victorlunar2226]

I started with a CO2 but added a mini pump after in a ride the group I ride with had several punctures and I ran out of canisters. I go CO2 as first option and mini pump as back up. Thanks for a great video.

[@richardcheatham9490]

Thanks, John. One quick part of the video showing how little time it takes to inflate with Co2 would have probably swayed many opinions. Particularly if you're in a group ride when quick tire changes are held dear.

[@kevinthomson6324]

I’ve got a cheap dual action mini pump with a pressure gauge. Only needed it 3 times in the last 10 years knock on wood but always amazed how hot it gets when getting a tire to 90 psi

[@Stefanosinf]

Is that why the loop exists!!!! Mind blown! Thanks Jon. I personally use a Blackburn micro pump. This thing is a beast for it's size!!

[@granitestateirish6380]

Stefanos infinityphoto I know, right? And here I’ve been mounting a rear light to the loop all this time!

[@Stefanosinf]

@@granitestateirish6380 I've tried that with my light, but it sits at a low angle, so no use for me... :)

[@publicmichaelzmit]

Got a Specialized mini pump that doubles as a CO2 adapter - both options in one package. Really nice to have for large volumen tyres like on a mountain bike; CO2 to get it filled and follow up with a few strokes of manual pump action to adjust the pressure.

[@mikes1976]

I carry a minipump, but haven't needed to use it in years. Went tubeless in 2016, have worn out 2 sets of tires over thousands of miles and never flatted. Picked up a tack once, but the tire re-sealed without losing enough pressure to even notice. I also carry a cellphone so I can call for a ride home, but haven't needed to do that either.

[@RicoLee830104]

100% mini pump fan. Current Topeak Mini Morph G user on my only bike now and prospective Turbo Morph Digital user for my second bike (Year 2020 Merida Silex 700). Both designs are mini pumps which can double as (small stroke volume) floor pumps. Happily using the former on regular basis as my "on-the-road" and "workshop level" pump (before I'm going tubeless--in which Topeak Joeblow Booster and proper floor pump of similar design is a piece of indispensable item when fitting new tubeless tires at the shred)

[@charlietuba]

I have a small frame pump (Topeak Road Morph Pump with Gauge). It has a folding foot support that converts it to a small floor pump. I have only used it once on someone else's bike. Since I started using Stop Flats Tire Liners, I have only had one road flat, and I could repare it as I needed to replace the tire. I swear by those tire liners!

[@lazurm]

For the bicycle with a tubeless set-up I carry a pump, a tube, the Stan's DART system, the Dynaplug system as a back-up, 3 CO2 cartridges and a CO2 cartridge adapter and, finally, 2 ounces of Stan's sealant. I got my first flat on that bicycle a couple of days ago...after riding 7,950 miles. Not bad (I used the DART system and it worked perfectly).

[@doggdemuro]

I have a combo C02 inflator/mini pump. Next level thinking!

[@GregLanz]

What one do you have? I don't like mine, the CO2 part is a bit sketchy and the pump is so tiny it takes literally hundreds of strokes(no comment) to get a useful pressure

[@helmutkok7833]

@@GregLanz I got a leyne

[@GregLanz]

@@helmutkok7833 Thanks, I'll check their's out!

[@hereinmyownskin]

I have an airbone. Not many about, but it seems pretty good.

[@moi7748]

@@GregLanz Topeak HybridRocket. www.topeak.com/global/de/products/co2-pumps/407-hybridrocket-hp

[@dennish9519]

I was always a fan of the CO2 then one ride I ended up having to walk several miles in my bare feet! Do you patch the tube? Do you put in a new tube? I guess I choose poorly and ended up not having enough cartridges! So Now I carry and only use a Mini Pump, A Lezyne Alloy Drive. It has a short hose so that I do not put ant stress on the valve stem. The hose also can be used on both presta and Schrader valves. Another cool thing about a minipump is that if you come upon a fellow rider who is need of help with a flat I am not worried about using up one of my CO2 cartridges.

[@digerati808]

Both, depending on my type of ride and if I'm wearing a kit or backpack. I like the co2 pump that uses a non-threaded cartridge since they are cheaper and it has a cylinder that the cartridge goes into to protect your hand when the CO2 comes out.

[@sventice]

One disadvantage of a mini-pump that I've encountered is that it's sometimes hard to inflate a tire back up to 100 or 120 psi on the roadside, after you've fixed the flat.. Maybe it's just a bad pump, or maybe I'm just weak...

[@Demy1970]

Agree, hard to get to 120 I have found it never gets up to a hand pump in the garage

[@thacktron]

I use Joes tube sealant. This goes in the tube and if you get a puncture (say a 3-corner jack), simply pull it out of the tyre, spin your wheel and the sealant inside the tube seals the puncture right away. So simple.

[@human7993]

lezyne mini pump commuted 38 miles 5 days a week for three years did a 6 month tour around the USA, the lezyne pump with flex hose never failed me

[@santiagobenites]

I love my Lezyne pump. In fact, I've used it to pump up more strangers tires with it than I've had to use it on my own tires.

[@briandavies2833]

I carried my Topeak Mini Dual for years and used it quite a few times out and about and at home when one day it collapsed into pieces on me . Couldn't complain I guess - it was more than 20 years old! Still very inconvenient though on a deserted gravel road! I ordered a new one the same as soon as my mate brought me his by car and I got home.

[@davidf2281]

I mean, you could at least have showed _actually using_ a CO2 cartridge and minipump.

[@mar504]

What would that accomplish? It's pretty obvious how they work by his explanation.

[@davidf2281]

@@mar504 It would accomplish showing us something working in practise as opposed to describing how it works in theory. If you've not yet realised that the former often imparts more useful information than the latter then I'm going to have to assume you're some sort of robot.

[@mar504]

@@davidf2281 If someone described how to use a doorknob I think most of us would "get it" without needing a demonstration. The video is pros and cons, there are plenty of how-to videos for folks finally leaving the cave.

[@davidf2281]

@@mar504 Yep, robot

[@Zwiesel66]

I have missed the practical demonsration part in the video - ok, I am honest, I wanted to see you suffer while pumping up the tire to 100psi with the mini pump 😁

[@greedfox7842]

makes me glad I can run under 10psi in my MTB tires...

[@JessBoolin]

@@greedfox7842 please tell me you are joking? I'm getting second hand arthritis just from the thought of that rolling resistance.

[@greedfox7842]

@@JessBoolin usually run more like 27 around back but being able to dump pressure for those mucky slick rainy NC mountains is a godsend. Rolling resistance is only important when you can successfully stop when you need it. And my bike weighs 50 pounds so you're going to get some leg pump.

[@michab4083]

@@greedfox7842 But you need about the same amount of air to reach your 10 psi as a road cyclyst needes to reach 100 psi in his 23 mm tyre...

[@edenscott741]

Good one! I use both a minipump and CO2 in Auburn, AL, USA.

[@johnallison3883]

I take both, as I did get three punctures on a ride before. And I’m a bit OCD anyway, so there’s that.

[@gcntech]

Always good to have back up!

[@robertwilliams9322]

I would rather have it and not need it

[@richfi9576]

I wish people wouldn't use OCD as a short-cut for "obsessive". The two are completely different. OCD is a debilitating mental disorder with no cure that messes up your life and requires medication to function at normal levels; it's not about adjusting picture frames that are slightly askew. It's OK to be obsessive, but it's not OK to confuse obsessiveness with OCD. I see - and hear - this a lot on the GCN channels.

[@musterjedi]

@@richfi9576 you seem a little OCD regarding the usage of the acronym "OCD".

[@chesteryap]

Same here! Now I also carry 2 lightweight tubes in my saddle bag. I just recently found out that 2 lightweight tubes uses up the same space as 1 regular inner tube.

[@philipclay3924]

Another consideration: whether or not your tires have inner tubes or tubeless. When I went tubeless, the rapid inflation rate from CO2 helps get the tire bead properly seated on the rim. It could take a try or two if you loose a lot of pressure and the tire unseats. I tend to take a mini pump along in case I have more than 2 flats on an outing (happened once).

[@ThorDyrden]

My emergency set for training-rides (1-3h) is just 1xTube & Minipump (190g) - the backup for a 2nd flat is Smartphone & Creditcard (175g) ;-) 3 flats this year already - but never needed the backup yet.

[@criggie]

I have a 1 hour commute each way, my worst was two flats. So I now carry three spare tubes, and a pack of sticker-patches, and if that doesn't work I have cleat covers for walking. The Phonecall Of Shame is the utter utter last resort, that I have only used twice in the last ~6 years.

[@eloyanzola]

I usually carry CO2 cartridges, but they have a couple cons not mentioned: CO2 will eventually eat most inner tubes, so once home from fixing a flat, let all the CO2 air out of the fixed tire and replace with air from a hand/floor pump. Also, CO2 cartridges might not be allowed for plane travel.

[@gspa072]

I have the Topeak DX dual action mini pump. I use it for Road bike . I highly recommend it. I pump it to 60 to 80 psi on a flat to get me home.

[@jacksquat2067]

I carry that little aluminum Topeak pump shown in this video and a co2 inflator with 2 cartridges. I use the pump more often than not, but what I use really depends on where and when I get the puncture. Sometimes you just need to slap a tube in and get the hell outta somewhere.

[@TheWaxChainFanClub]

Thanks JC!

[@gspa072]

Thanks for info. I always take my hand pump. However now I will be taking my new co2 inflator too. Just to have a back up.

[@Grunge_Cycling]

Jokes on you, my Topeak minipump does both!!! Attaches right to my bottle cage, along with the canisters. Love that little thing!!!

[@richardhall6762]

Arthur J Love the Chief Wahoo!!! CLEVO-you gotta be tough!

[@WowRixter]

Never going with C02. Cycling is not harmful to environment (relative to other forms of mechanical transport). Why ruin that with a disposable cartridge. Lezyne Road Drive for me.

[@pope406]

Don´t get what the problem is. Ever heard of waste separation? The cartridge is made of metal and can be recycled...

[@MrBJPitt]

@@pope406 that still takes energy

[@limyohwan]

@@pope406 broad channel in new york is littered with these cartridges. People who think co2 cartridges are better than mini pumps are the kind of people that think saving a few grams is more important than littering

[@DennisKrger]

@@limyohwan "These cartridges" are probably nitrous oxide cartridges used to get high, and has nothing to do with cycling. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recreational_use_of_nitrous_oxide

[@pope406]

@@limyohwan sorry but that´s not a valid argument. It´s not the cartridges fault that people are throwing them away and not taking them with them after use!

[@jazzechos1372]

Co2 also seeps through butyl rubber. (It's soluble in butyl rubber) for my XC MTB it always took me 2 cartridges or a cartridge and a half (of the larger size) to get back up to pressure. A Good mini pup with a service tube is always best..unless your in a race.

[@royfulton]

Good video. Thanks very much.

[@davidbotterill5001]

I carry one spare tube, a few patches and one CO2 canister. Had a flat the other day ; first in over 5000km. Used my spare tube and my mate’s mini pump.

[@stevek8829]

OMG, 5000 k without a flat!!

[@pauljeffries5678]

I ride with both. On group rides, the CO2 gets you going quicker and has allowed me to help others more quickly as well (the less prepared in the group). Since our group usually stops for folks who flat, that is helpful. But my mini pump has a pressure gauge built into the connecting tube, which is very nice. This gives me the option of even checking pressure when I inflate with my CO2 cartridge (which is a simple device with no gauge). I echo the comments about the pump being better for finding holes in tubes if you need to do a patch (out of tubes or riding without a spare tube).

[@chrisjames9710]

Both, after getting 4 punctures on a ride in the wet I now carry 2 spare tubes, patches, C02 with 2 canisters and a Lezyne mini pump. Overkill maybe but better than calling a cab.

[@frederickkeegan3270]

On my group rides in the Texas summer heat, you have 5 or 6 minutes to get it fixed, no waiting round. Co2 only.

[@chrisl.6158]

mini pump! Coming from several-days tour riding and MTB I like to be able to inflate my tyres more than once. So i also put a mini pump on my fairly new road bike next to the bottle cage. Yes, it is hard and time consuming to inflate a road bike tyre to high pressure, but the environmental aspect is more important to me.

[@stevebzz839]

I carry both, use the handpump to prep the inner tube and check it isnt pinched before fully inflating then gas.. just changing to tubeless on my race bike so will see

[@randytheheatguy5277]

I use a Specialized mini that also takes CO2 cartridges. Best of both worlds!

[@jorge8915]

thank you for this information

[@kiowa21]

I usually take both, if I am less than an hour from home I will use my mini pump. If I am hours from home on a long ride and wish to continue I will use my co2 as its so much easier to get a higher pressure in less time. Plus on a long hot day an empty but rather cold co2 cartridge in your jersey pocket is quite nice!!!

[@colster3]

I fall into the ‘both’ category! I have a frame mounted pump and 2 canisters. Mind you, I only carry 2 tubes. Seriously considering singles for my next set of wheels

[@philiphumphrey1548]

Mini pumps are great with Shrader tyre valves but I've fount them difficult to use with Presta valves, they're harder to pump, the clamp on ones are prone to leak and it's hard to avoid moving the valve when pumping.

[@harrykuntz878]

I have a Blackburn pump it mounts on beside the water bottle . I use electric tape to stop it rattling and to keep out rain and dirt . I fitted Continental gator skin hard shell tyres and I carry a spare inner tube and tyre leavers . I run 80psi front and 90psi rear it's more comfortable that 100 psi I don't find any loss of power but an increase in comfort probably .

[@pdrmnds]

my saddle bag consists of 1 inner tube and 2 co2 canisters and a multitool with a co2 valve included, because i want to carry as little as possible. On a group ride i won't need more. For longer solo rides in the future i might consider adding another inner tube and a small pump in my jersey pockets but that is it.

[@AlexRochette]

Thanks, Jon. What are the pumps and inflators that you demoed?

[@johnnydoe66]

I carry both, CO2 first use and a mini pump if I have another puncture. I rarely have punctures, but I have a friend who had 5 in less than 35 miles. We ran out of tubes and I only had a couple of Park Tool Self adhesive patches. I ended up having to ride back, get the truck, and go pick him up. Now we both carry CO2 and a mini pump, plus extra patches.

[@beeble2003]

1:15 I have that Topeak aluminium pump. It's a total pain in the butt because of bad design. The handle is an aluminium tube that attaches to the piston shaft by just having a piece of plastic pressed into it. So, if you hold the handle and try to pump, you're pulling that cylinder off the shaft. You have to use an awkward grip so push against the end of the shaft, rather than holding the handle itself. And I've never had the patience to get more than about 45psi from it, which isn't a lot of use for 25mm road tyres.

[@viffer94]

I used to have a combo mini pump and CO2 inflator that also took cheapo unthreaded canisters. Worked great, cheap to run and always had a backup pump. I haven’t been able to find a replacement for it so I end up carrying one of each just in case.

[@panzerveps]

I haven't had a puncture in almost two years (on my road bike), so I only bring one inner tube and a co2 cartridge. On my mtb, I bring both a pump and two co2 cartridges, as I run a tubeless setup.

[@dontcomefortheking3270]

Weird coincidence.. Uploads same day that i learn the cons of co2 cartridges.. Punctured on my ride and my only co2-cartridge shot all the air out mid-way connecting it to the inflator head. Leaving me roadside - no air... Thinking about going for a mini-pump on future rides..

[@Cptdave75]

I have a Bontrager pump that also holds the Co2- little heavy but quick.

[@EricJohnson-vi6ri]

Nice vid, but I’ve been to the UK a few times during winter, and the weather’s definitely not too terribly bad.

[@bmccall30]

Mini pump, spare tube and patch kit is a good enough mix for me. Spending once or twice a year on the side of the road working the pump just feels like part of the sport.

[@garymiddleton7115]

Highly recommend the Planet X Phart pump, works like a mini track pump and is cheap as chips, but is a bit long for a jersey pocket.

[@NoxiousNoodles]

One caveat, certain screw on pumps deserve to be fired into the sun for their tendency to unscrew valve cores.

[@buckroger6456]

I have one of those type of mini pumps and hate it. Also it's a pain to unscrew it from the valve stem.

[@mlenz2553]

Used my lezyne road drive several times and never had any issue with it. Probably the easiest mini pump I've used.

[@okantichrist]

With two taped on CO2 canisters acting as booster rockets 🚀😂

[@stevegeek]

Denning76 Good point! I had a problem with this and found a solution. You can buy small plastic widgets that fit over the valve core and allow you to do them up really tight, so they don’t unscrew when removing the pump. Having said that, I now just carry CO2...find it quicker and easier to use.

[@jpoodle]

I have blackburn's core co2fer which has a co2 ability, regular pump ability, and core tightening tool ability.. All three work great! My favorite handpump ever get it!

[@jaydesimone4297]

I take both. I keep the CO2 in my saddle bag and my mini pump has a mount that fits behind a bottle cage. Neither one has a pressure gauge but in general, as long as the pressure is close enough, I can finish my ride (or get home). The extra weight isn't a big deal because I'm currently carrying more than that extra on my body (working on that, though!).

[@TomboLP]

Blimey - all this new tech. On my '80s Colnago, I've got a classic aluminium Zefal frame pump, plus two spare tubes, tyre levers and a puncture kit in the saddle bag. Works a treat. Of course, while my bike is an utter joy to ride, it probably weighs double a modern superbike...one day, I'll have to take one of those damn things out for a test run.

[@davidperkins3621]

Lezyne mini-pump comes with a flexible connector so eliminates the risk of snapping the valve off the tube. Use this and CO2 and feel relatively well covered. And what about the good old frame pump?

[@kevinjfeeney77]

I use the Topeak Turbo Morph....also has the flexible connector that prevents valve damage

[@panzerveps]

A friend of mine managed to unscrew the valve after inflating the tire... That was his third puncture of the day, so he had to call a taxi to get home. Good thing I was only 20 km from home, since he'd borrowed my one and only inner tube...

[@grumpynerd]

I was going to ask the same thing. Why not even consider a frame pump? But I think I know why. Back in the day frames were made with round steel tubes of standard widths, and if you didn't have a pump braze-on you'd just use a pump designed to squeeze in between any bike's head tube and seat tube lug. In these days with custom carbon fiber construction and hydroformed aluminum, bike frame members don't have standard dimensions you can count on more or less. Still, if a frame pump fits on your frame, it's the best all-around compromise of speed, capacity and reliability. I've never damaged a tube valve with a pump, even a mini-pump, but if you have butterfingers I'd suggest one that has a screw-in hose, which completely solves that problem.

[@totoroben]

I carry both, because the last thing i want to do when getting a flat is messing with a hand pump and the cartridges are fully recyclable so no guilt there. If i burn through the cartridges, i have hand pump as backup, which i hate using, but have needed it in certain instances.

[@lesflynn4455]

I've used both over a number of years and eventually settled on the mini pump. No waste, it always works and I could usually inflate the tyre in 2 minutes Max.

[@BikeItUK]

Safer with a pump, if unexperienced in using the CO2 I know many that have messed inflation of the tyre up leaving them not so high and very deflated. Pump for me. All the best and great subject matter thanks again Jon

[@TimHornik]

Both, plus a patch kit, extra tubes, and a valve. Nothing is worse than being stuck on the side of the trail in a sweet kit supporting the flashy bike just to cut a little weight. If anything having extra scores you karma points when you can assist another rider with your extra supplies.

[@renexerez2122]

BOTH plus 2 spare tubolitos just for good luck. Always ready to share.

[@Demon09-_-]

my tame winters save me from flatting often so I roll with two canisters. as nasty as the side of the road is and full of goat head weeds that make short work of tires it stays pretty well on the side of the road in the dirt. but part of that is we dont have much of a side of the road so the cars tires do a good job keeping the white line you pretty much ride on out here pretty clean lol. the cainsters really are nice when its full summer out here tho as not having to pump away in the 40c+ summers is quite the blessing for when I do get that random flat

[@DavidMulligan]

I carry both. The mini pump just to make sure the tube is seated correctly and just in case I run out of CO2. This happened to me for the first time just 3 weeks ago. I had 3 flats and only 2 CO2 cartridges. Good thing I carry patches too! On my commuter I carry a Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HPG and on my race bike I carry a Topeak Race Rocket. I like that it has a hose. For the CO2 inflator I use a Lezyne Trigger Drive, whatever the model name is of the one which does NOT thread onto the valve. The Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HPG is the best portable pump I've ever used. If time matters and you don't want to waste CO2 it is the one to get. It's just a little too big for a jersey pocket though.

[@michellsmorgcycle4161]

I carry both a Lezyne mini pump with hose connector, and a little CO2 inflator head and a couple of cartridge (and a mini patch kit). One thing you should have mentioned about using CO2 to re-inflate, though. It is less dense than air, and will leak out faster, so the CO2 inflated tire will go flat again in a day or two. So, whenever you've fixed a flat and reinflated with CO2, you should completely deflate the tire once you get home, and then re-inflate again with a floor pump.

[@zrsgamboa]

FYI: Another con of the CO² cartridge is that it doesn't hold pressure well. I got home after using one for a puncture last Xmas and the following day the tire was deflated (not flat, just very soft), and again just a few months ago. CO² cartridges are convenient for sure, but pump up your tire properly with a track pump asa u get home (must let out all the CO²). PS, I also carry a minipump, as back up.

[@psycheout4733]

Jon, you forgot that CO2 is a smaller molecule then air so if you fill w/ CO2 your tire will go flat sooner than if you used a traditional air pump. Though for me it's simple CO2 only for triathlon race day and mini pump all other days.

[@officerockstar]

I used to carry a mini pump for the reusability but my new bike doesn’t have the clearance at the bottle cage mounts. So, for now I am carrying CO2 and hoping I don’t ever need to use them. I have a floor pump, as well as an air compressor, at home and my mini pump now lives at the office.

[@AlexRaha]

Best go with both. Pump to start with then a 16g canister to finish it off once tyre and tube are seated properly.

[@rzeckner]

I carry a Portland Design Works Ninja model that combines both a hand pump and CO2 inflator in a single package. Having both has saved my bacon more than once.

[@danc1829]

Mini pump 100% the topeak rocket micro pump u can use more than once no bigger than a gel. Plus its lighter my old c02 with the adaptor was 85g the topeak pump is 65g. No brainer in my eyes 😂

[@medievileable]

besides, you can get a pump with a flexible valve head tube, so you don't have to worry about damaging the inner tube valve at all!

[@brankododig1585]

I use a topeak carbon fiber micro pump, 55 grams :)

[@danc1829]

@Saudade more the fact u can use it more than once lol

[@ludovicalexandru6337]

20 grams is not even a sip of water 😂

[@danc1829]

@@ludovicalexandru6337 think your missing the point reguardless it's still lighter and can be used over and over again.... Also u can't run out of air like u can with c02 😂😂😂😂

[@dcmsr5141]

I have a proper frame pump with a gauge zip locked on top tube and CO2 cartridges and 2 spare tubes in small seat bag.depending on seat bags I'm looking at i can probably put that kit in there.

[@ltrtg13]

#askgcntech. Great video about the pros and cons of CO2 v minipump. What are your thoughts on the Topeak HybridRocket mini pump? Did notice one con for the CO2. What about flying with CO2 cartridges?

[@davidslater6672]

Since going tubeless, I have moved over to CO2 to be sure the tyre seats onto the rim which would be a tall ask for a minipump

[@leepalmer4822]

Hello all, This is unrelated to today's topic but I think you folks are the wizards to ask. i have been recently diagnosed with cancer and its degrading my spine. I'm not ready to give up riding and thinking about a recumbent bike or trike and have no idea what or why about these contraptions. Pros,cons,2 or 3 wheels, and anything you can add would be of great help. Lee Palmer Taftville, CT. USA

[@huskerbusker]

What kind of pressures can you guys get with the mini pump? I found the smallest pumps could rarely get over 60psi because the pump just couldn't handle the compression at higher pressures. I got a Topeak Road Morph G "mini pump" that's about 12 inches while folded and it can do 100-110 psi, which for me is a lot nicer on those long rides when you get a flat. It doesn't feel much like a mini pump though lol.

[@ElLenadorLA]

Both, I take two co2’s and two tubes, if I end up using the patch kit and mini pump it’s been a bad day but it has happened and it did work to get me home.