How To Use A CO2 Cartridge To Inflate A Bike Tyre

A CO2 cartridge is a rapid way to inflate your road bike tyres.
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You can spend ages pumping your tyres up, especially if you're using a mini pump and you've flatted mid-ride. CO2 cartridges and inflators are a great solution to this problem; you'll inflate your tyres in seconds, and be back on your way in just minutes.
This video has our tips for using an inflator.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to like and share this video!
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Music - licensed by Cue Songs

[@TheJask101]

Thanks for these maintenance videos. I know som comments make out we all should know these things but us that are new to biking certainly do not . So please continue a lot of us find the videos priceless . Many thanks

[@casquee]

To all the crew: every video I like you more than the one before! Keep doing this great job!

[@bobblimp]

Thanks for that last bit of science. I wish I knew this before seeing my flat tyre the next morning, thinking I had to pull it out and look for more punctures!

[@jasonamato2153]

Watched this video from the side of the road. Probably should have already known how to make my roadside flat repair system work but it's never a priority until it is. Directions worked great. Thanks for the assist.

[@stevoc61]

Best cycling related channel on youtube, keep up the great work guys.

[@jamesvaughan7274]

One thing I've fallen foul of in the past when using CO2 is tyre clearance. With 25mm tyres and frames with limited clearance or larger tyres and mudguards (for example) you can find that the wheel won't go back in the frame when inflated (of course it'll come out okay when punctured). Also worth double checking the tyre for cuts which sometimes only become visible once you've inflated the tyre.

[@31.8mm]

when Si explained about C02, it's remind me to how hard i'm trying to catch up with my teacher's words, back when i'm still a high school student.

[@royalgeologist]

Epic! Loved the explanation about the CO2 professor!! 👍👍😁😁

[@giutubospatubo1546]

Unless you're in a hurry, a good air pump is all you need. Plus, if something goes wrong with the Co2, you're done, unless you have extra tanks, which would take all the advantage away. Plus, tire will deflate with CO2, plus they cost a few dollars a pop. And yes, As Spaniard said, using your arms with an air pump might be the only time you use your arms as a cyclist... Cheers

[@42luke93]

How do you carry a bulky air pump with you?

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

​@@42luke93I have a small hand air pump which clips to the bottle cage. Between the cage and the frame. I get good PSI too. It's pretty small.

[@harman1967]

Great video and very informative thanks. I'm fed up with punctures from tiny thorns and broken glass on the cycle paths and then a long walk home so I'm going for tyre liners and definately one of these CO2 inflators.

[@LauritzNo]

Si doing science like a boss! :D

[@AndrewFredericia]

Today in 2021, you can actually get C02 inflators that will let you control the CO2 flow from the cartridge very precisely, from a screw valve. That means you can semi-inflate the tube before installing on the wheel and then let the rest out in a controlled manor when inflating the tire proper. You will also avoid the cartridge freezing up, by letting the CO2 out a bit slower. (Lezyne - control drive)

[@johnfeliciano8606]

Name of this contraption or link?

[@ajc5869]

And they’re cheap as hell!! I have a west biking one from aliexpress $5 and it’s never failed me. I keep the cartridge screwed all the way on too, so the valve is what’s sealing it and it never loses any co2.

[@Spearfisher1970]

This was excellent. The only thing I didn't do, but it did very briefly cross my mind to wonder if it would work - my first time ever using co2 last evening on the road - was mouth-inflating. Instead, I was as careful as I could be tucking the new tube up in the tire area as I was levering on the tire's bead. It did get me a few miles back to the truck, but I'll deflate it and double-check it all over later today.

[@kymclinton3140]

Thank you so much for this I just couldn't understand the sparse instructions and almost binned the whole lot

[@brenbascos]

A very valuable information!

[@LordJasonKing]

Cheers mate very impressed and very funny. Safe riding.

[@SolarPowerChannelwithChris]

Anyone watching this 8 years on??

[@Life-dv6lo]

9

[@daveseg8818]

now that video helped to finally make my mind and chose a minipump over CO2 thanks GCN!

[@ketjuariittaa]

You forget 1 crusial point off no return. When you forget to open your presta-valve😅

[@wfmasterson]

Bicycle sunday if you forget to open your valve before inflating a tire, you deserve the walk of shame.

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

will masterson 😂

[@lopezbc]

Great vid. Subscribed

[@luisframirez2]

You guys are great!

[@TheJohnnyBrison]

Thanks, Prof. Si!

[@futureshock7425]

tips from the master!!

[@taffboyslim]

I wish I had seen this video earlier. A few years ago, I had one of these bought for me as a birthday present and thought I would screw it together to 'see how it works'. Now you tell me about the 'point of no return' :-) I was left with no CO2 and cold hands

[@mairepcod4063]

Thanks,

[@fliegenderfranzose8948]

Looks as if you picked the highest hill in UK to shoot you video. Great landscape!

[@The.2.Minute-Man]

Liked the hell out of it great presentation

[@MegaMatthewMartin]

Something to note, some threaded inflaters will punch out the pin, but then need to have the CO2 cartridge unscrewed around a 1/2 turn to actually let the gas flow. that threw me for a loop the first time I tried to use one.

[@mcbuzzvideo]

I had no idea that CO 2 would leak out when you are inflating with only CO 2 from the cartridge. That is a brilliant piece of information. It happened to me yesterday! Given that's the case, you may need to ride pretty fast depending on how far away from a pump - or some alternate form of transportation - you are!

[@alittlebyte]

So let me get this straight, they are single-use only, cost as much as a pump which normally lasts forever and the tire gets flat after a couple of hours lol. Sounds like a waste of money to me.

[@raitarotube]

@@alittlebyte The cartridge is single use, not the inflator. CO2 cartridges are very cheap

[@spanish111japan]

You should use a pump, that's the only time as a cyclist you will ever use your arms

[@VitaminD8000]

pump is good for training but if you are in the middle of the race you need to do it fast.

[@VitaminD8000]

pump is good for training but if you are in the middle of the race you need to do it fast.

[@markitoxi]

You leave me thinking why I'm so damn skinny and have fairly thick legs

[@spanish111japan]

Did you get the joke m8?

[@aeriegrove]

I just pass it over to my mate who's been single for years, he'll get you any pressure in a matter of seconds with a simple minipump

[@JasonBlack66]

Can anyone tell me if one of these C02 infaltors has ever damaged the little o-rings inside the valve of the tube? Why do I reckon it would? Because I have had several cheap butane soldering irons (actually dozens) over the years. When filling these with butane, you get icing around the filling area. Apparently, when the 0-rings get frozen they can crack. Even parts that I would have thought too far from the filling area still seem to get damaged, esp over time. So I can't help but wonder if the o-rings in Tubes valve (esp since they are so close to the area when the gas is icing) can get frozen and then crack. Perhaps more so on a hot day because of the temperature difference. I just ask because I am about to buy one of these off of ebay. Also, how many to fill a Fat/Beach/Snow Bike. i.e. 26x4.0 "

[@BoyangSun]

i lost it when the screen turned black and white after he took his glasses out. bravo. lmao

[@surfman88]

Used it ones and it dropped from my hand because of the cold lol. I was rescued by a very cute lady so it was worth it. Next time using something to cover it for sure!

[@n1tr0sys09]

Nice touch at the end, really make me laugh

[@TasosKatsaros275]

you rock!

[@zxtenn]

Interesting about how and why it will be flat overnight after using the CO-2, I never knew that. I have Enve 45 tubular wheels on my Evo HI-MOD and this time used the Vittoria and they go flat in a few days just sitting in the cellar

[@detmer87]

Mine has a tap on it so I have fully control over the CO2 instead of one full release. The tap fully closes the CO2 cartridge after usage, that's quite handy because I can inflate two tubes on one CO2 cartridge. Also when you fail (not that I ever did) you only spill some CO2 instead of the full cartridge. This is also the reason why I carry only one cartridge instead of two. I do a quick pre inflation with my mini pomp. I highly recommend getting a CO2 inflator with tap (aka release valve) on it.

[@NathanBudd]

Off the back off that science bit, it's probably worth advising to deflate your tyre when you get home, and re-inflate with a track pump.

[@dougcalder6661]

that was a good tip to put a bit of air in tube prior to replacing.

[@younggunz4081]

Do you have a video on recommendations for tire pressure?

[@Fux9999]

Where can I buy those glasses 2:50? I have a test coming up...

[@laffolympics3458]

I read an article concerning CO2 and car tires. Apparently some people advocate CO2 over regular air for improved performance. Is there any similar debate in cycling? If so where do you stand?

[@sheddi64]

Thanks for the tip on manually inflating the inner tube (by blowing it up) as I only had a CO2 kit with me and otherwise would have struggled with getting the tube in.

[@paulmoore4344]

What pressure do you get? I need 40psi for The canal ride, I want 28 >32 for muddy trails. You mentioned 125, well that would destroy my life time guarantee on the rims. I have no experience of CO2 other than my PX4 pistil. I'm trying to understand how you regulate the tire pressure.

[@fkrtna]

Can I use it with Tubeless as I don't want to buy tubeless special pump? And is it really last for a day!!? I know some car tyres use Co2

[@colincampbell4261]

Good point about CO2 leaking from tube overnight.

[@dougcalder6661]

it could be a good idea to practice co2 inflation once before committing to saddle bag. My first experience did not go well, thankfully I had standard pump to bail me out.

[@orangecountywebsites]

Happened to me no luck

[@danzirulez]

Doctor Simon, what would be the best molecule to pump it with? :) largest and safest, right? :)

[@AndreaRoll]

i love co2 cartridge but i always take with me also a conventional mini-pump just in case.

[@jimbojet8728]

I don’t, and I’ve been using mine for 3 to 4 years now. It’s great. Thanks

[@k4ng06]

Bluhty brilliant

[@kennethbradley2222]

I enjoy your videos as a retired navy seal i hate cars i have 2 specilized bikes a Surley big dummy cargo and priority 600 they take me any where i need to go makes life a lot nicer

[@mattburkey8393]

So that's where my glasses went. Thanks Si...

[@michaelbacon7149]

What would really be helpful is if you included how to use Vittoria Pitstop and the like. I failed miserably with a Hutchinson FastAir, which is basically the same product. I was left with a big mess, down the $12, still with a flat, and left scratching my head, thinking, "What the hell did I do wrong?" I love the concept of sealant+Co2, but if it's so easy to mess up, that could get expensive, and frustrating, so I haven't gone back to them. I figured Co2's out on my own with no instructions long ago. (Maybe all the whip-it's/nitrous I did when I was younger helped) I read and followed all the instructions on the FastAir label to a tee, and the puncture was definitely small enough to have been sealed.

[@canpaksoy]

you guys are awesome and really funny. science section starting at 2:53 had me laughing hard :)

[@tassospel229]

Do co2 cartridges work on mountainbikes that need 50 - 60 psi

[@juleseast3003]

Great video would be interested to know what brand the tyre pressure gauge is. I have a road bike with presta valves but use a shraedar adapter on them thank you

[@gcn]

Julie Eastwood it's a Topeak.

[@benpar8120]

What's better a car tyre type of valve ( presta ) or the Schreda? type for a bicycle ?

[@listofromantics]

Watching this in my office... wishing I was out riding wherever Si is right now. It's too nice to be indoors today. Do they make pure Nitrogen cartridges?

[@AngelGonzalez-wn8ws]

Nero Wolfe no

[@Miteour17]

sure they do, its called a nitrogen rocket.

[@Justmyopinionlol]

Yo I carry a frame pump made 30 years ago ziplocked to my frame so I get to 30 psi easily and just enough for me to get to the next gas station. The best thing about this? It´s reusable.....

[@ashliehiggins]

As the co2 leaks why not use nitrous whippet canisters usually the same size as the co2 ones and cheaper too.

[@BPoweredLove]

1:19 I've never seen a human being move so quickly! He must have changed tubes a few times before. He's fast.

[@scruffy1234]

so it begs the question, why do they sell CO2 cartridges instead of air or something else less rubber permeable

[@David-ut2nr]

A great question! It's mainly an issue of cost: the tyre refills - I believe - are manufactured by the same lot who also do paintball propellant canisters, and their disposable canisters are almost always CO2. CO2 because it's cheap as it's a waste product of many industrial processes. Compressed "air" is in actuality liquid nitrogen and the extraction process is much more energy intensive. Liquid nitrogen also requires much more robust storage conditions than CO2, and small disposable canisters generally aren't viable.

[@The_Ballo]

No, it does not 'beg the question'; you don't know what that means in the slightest. it does raise the question to which the answer is you can buy a "StayFill" cartridge

[@edwardwilliams3731]

At room temp co2 is below its critical temp therefore can be compressed down to a liquid with a high pressure.

[@skippyguy3]

CO2 cannot be compressed to a liquid without specific pressure and temperature requirements, its either a solid (dry ice) or a gas. It has to be highly compressed AND cooled. CO2 exhibits sublimation whereby it passes from a solid to a gas without the liquid phase. The canisters for bikes are always a gas and just expand, no liquid is ever present. Its not like butane and propane with a liquid phase across a wider range of temperatures. 👍

[@nic9972]

how did u put tyre on so quick.,..i always need a hairdryer to warm rubber

[@cruscaman96]

Si I want you as my chemistry teacher! Pleaaaaase :) :)

[@yupsir791]

Your link to the cycling kit isn't working! :(

[@CarlForde]

Notice that Si is demoing with a 23mm tire, and what looks like a 16gm CO2 cartridge. His tire inflated to 121psi. I'm running 25mm tires and when I use a 12gm cartridge my tire inflates to 60psi. Nice thing about the 12gm cartridges is that they are much cheaper.

[@johnb5482]

Using the axiom that if some is good more is better I blew out the side wall of a Continental Gatorskin usig CO2 after a pinch flat.

[@mikaelljungberg1019]

How does that work in the winter

[@johnvicdeleon9185]

How do you blow air on a schraeder?

[@Phaidrus]

Nice one! The glasses make it even more credible.

[@SonnyL47]

Yes, make sure the head is firmly attached!

[@tourdefrance]

Why do you say it's impossible to semi-inflate a tube using CO2? I've been doing that since I got my first inflater a decade ago. I'm still using the same one and it works every time. It's a Genuine Innovations Microflate. I'm not sure how your's works, but what I do is screw the cartridge in to puncture the top, then when I want some air I unscrew it slightly, and that releases a tiny bit of air to give shape to the tube. Then I screw the cartridge back in tightly to keep the remaining air from escaping. Nothing leaks out, and I use the rest of the CO2 to fill my tire up to well over 120 psi if I want.

[@therealbenwilson]

G C N You may also need some kind of cloth to protect yourself from the cold, just in case tho.

[@robbonner]

Good guy si. Doing god's work

[@ssbagley]

Do you release all the gas, and is it possible to over inflate the tyre??

[@garethblake4945]

Some companies such as lezyne make a controllable head so u can semi inflate or just controll the inner tube. Although this video is targeted at a standard co2 cartridge. Great video all in all as always. Keep it up guys.

[@arp77vv]

I wonder why CO2 is used instead of different gas which can stay longer for many days. What about nitrogen or other gases?

[@Gentlyjack1]

Liquid nitrogen is super dang cold lol

[@et169tkm]

I wonder about this too. Why not just use air.

[@oliverwalters9533]

@@et169tkm co2 cartridges are commonly available

[@VintageBurst42]

Maybe helium?

[@EK-ej3ll]

16 or 20 gram cartridge for typical road bike wheel?

[@krauselee877]

Topeaks mini floor pump is the shit if you dont care about weight. Pumps to 125 psi no problem. Durable and rebuildable

[@beatrizteixeira6940]

Top Notch

[@Munzer1977]

I wander what’s the make of the pressure meter you using..!! Where Can I order it. I live in the uae

[@alrocky]

@ 2:34 TOPEAK. Looks like Topeak D2 SmartGauge on Amazon USA currently $28.

[@Dennis-ud2nh]

So I should go to a pump station, let all the co2 out and fill it with air again, before leaving the bike overnight? Will it be totally flat in the morning otherwise?

[@adamputujose2509]

If Co2 In the tube empty, can i refill the tube with Co2 refill?

[@jakeypie4529]

the glasses bit lol

[@HurditHere]

Is it safe to touch the co2 canister whilst inflating or do you have to have the sleeve?

[@BirbicusButticus]

You risk frostbite as the canister becomes freezing in use; you can even see in the video the nozzle has a layer of ice on it.

[@7777777777777777719]

Is there ever a danger over over inflating a tyre? I run 28’s at 90psi..most cartridges say they go to 120 or so, surely that could danger my wheel?!

[@finnmullins7432]

number 1

[@xxnotmuchxx]

Can u refill co2 cartridge?

[@ethanquinn2449]

Do they have helium carterages?

[@josephseitz3296]

I know every hates the nut provided with most inner tubes but they are helpful when pressing the CO2 cartridge inflator (or mini pump) on to an uninflated tube. I make sure I have one on either my spare or in - use tubes.

[@Patrick94GSR]

Joseph Seitz All my bikes have the nuts installed on every presta valve. I prefer they stay on there.

[@redjumping]

Patrick94GSR Of course, nuts clamping valves to rims are against the rules (#60), knowingly ignoring the rules contravenes rule #1 and possibly #3 and suggesting a rule breaking manoeuvre also contravenes rule #2 Please remove nuts and drop your rainbow jersey into the nearest charity shop.

[@Patrick94GSR]

I do not recognize any sort of rules. ;-)

[@josephseitz3296]

Patrick94GSR The above refers to "The Rules" www.velominati.com/the-rules/comment-page-8/

[@josephseitz3296]

Pineapple Guilty as charged on all counts. I shall quietly reflect on Rule #5, The Rule of all Rules, and amend my ways.

[@forloop7713]

the rate of deflation of the tyre is proportional to th tyre pressure, that is, the tyre pressure will decrease as the exponent of time.

[@EnigmaticAnomaly]

Several years ago I decided to ditch my mini pump and start carrying around one of the CO2 inflaters. Then I got a flat. Threw in a new tube, stuck the inflator on and let loose the air... Blew the tube. I tried again with a second tube and inflator cartridge. Blew that one as well. The air seems to go into the tube too fast and things go bad. I'm back to my Lezyne pump.

[@Mububban23]

I'm new to CO2 and just read the cartridges come in different capacity for different sized tyres (23, 25, 28 etc) - is it possible you used a cartridge for a larger tyre than you have?

[@ryand141]

You have to make sure the tube is sitting perfect, to do this you look down the side of the tire to see where inner tube is. If not.... bang. But probably know this by now.

[@mohsinrparkar3407]

that was one hilarious ending with the glasses ... ROFL..

[@siddharthiyer1987]

Any reason why we specifically use CO2 cylinders? Are they safer to carry around than something like a oxygen / nitrogen cylinder? Seems like using a nitrogen cylinder would mean that your tyre would stay inflated longer too.

[@wfmasterson]

***** pure oxygen is highly flammable.

[@siddharthiyer1987]

will masterson oops yes I completely forgot about that. What about nitrogen? Why not use that?

[@siddharthiyer1987]

***** I see, thanks for your response! Seems like a nitrogen cylinder would be a lot larger and unwieldy to take with you on a bike, but nitrogen would be a much more effective gas.

[@anthonyclay4962]

***** I believe it may also be because CO2 Cartridges have been commercially available for well over 100 years for use in 'Soda Siphons'. They have been used on bikes for many years, possibly from back in the '50's. I remember someone in our Club using them in the mid '70's, much better than carrying a 23 inch long frame fitting pump which was about the only other option back then!

[@iaincampbell5453]

***** Compressed nitrogen is a lot colder than compresed CO2. It is used go cool super computers.

[@carlamannon4974]

will it over inflate though? since i am disabled this looks a good measure for me as i dont have arm strength. i have made the mistake of over inflating at home and the consequences were not good while i was cycling

[@michaelfoulkes9502]

I have never seen one over inflate.

[@anthemofadam]

I ride a cyclocross bike and the max psi on my tires is 80. Should i not use c02? 120 psi would probably pop my tube, wouldn't it?

[@LRGHMN]

anthemofadam Bleed the co2 down to the desired pressure you run ... Or to be safe use a 12 gram co2 cartridge i'm pretty sure this is a 16 gram . You wont get anywhere near 120psi out of a 12 ....

[@anthemofadam]

***** ty

[@fiddleronthebike]

anthemofadam you will not get 120 psi with a cyclocross tyre, even not 80, because they are wider

[@miamoben]

anthemofadam A cyclocross tire has a much higher volume compared to a road tire. You would be lucky if you got it up to 60 psi with a 16 gram cartridge

[@siddharthiyer1987]

anthemofadam there's a couple of CO2 inflaters on the market that let you regulate the flow of CO2. The one that comes to mind is the Portland Design Works inflater that you can find on most shopping sites. This way, you can use part of the canister and leave it threaded into the regulator for the next time you need to pump your tubes.

[@RickHofmijster]

There great but, but, but, in wintertime... when it's < 5 deg the inflator might freeze stuck, so make sure you have to take a pee as well ;) Worked for me last winter, but eversince I'm making sure I got a small handpump with me as well ;)

[@spook_st]

Can you use nitrous?

[@iancornish2501]

In the video you mention lowering the pressure further below 121 psi -- could you explain the reason why you'd do this? I've always assumed you should run at the tyre's max pressure, around 140 psi?

[@univision1489]

8 years comment 😂😂😂 every tire come with different max psi capacity . Also he doesnt need high psi because he is not overweight cyclist. The advantage of low psi is that it gives you a smooth ride especialy in rough roads but if you are not skinny like that guy you will get pinch flats .

[@BirbicusButticus]

​@@univision1489 You'll only get pinch flats if you're below the MINIMUM psi capacity. Every tyre will display the min AND max!

[@jasee5198]

Similar question to others on here ,why don't manufacturers use compressed air instead of co2 in the cylinders??