Flats Happen: Take CO2
Eventually, you’re going to have a flat … again. And when you do, the quickest quick fix is a state-of-the-art CO2 inflator.
There’s no good time to have a flat. But if you’re riding with a group, the last thing you want is to make everybody hang around waiting, while you stop to patch a flat and pump it up by hand.
CO2 is faster than a pump. The Proflate 16 is the latest high-tech model from Genuine Innovations. The ergonomics are so sleek, you only need one hand to pump it. The Proflate automatically grips your valve, detects whether you’ve got a Presta or Schrader, then gets down to work. See it for yourself on QuickTime video : How to Use It.
With an inflator, all you need is cartridges. You might have to reinflate the tire in a couple of days, because CO2 leaks out faster than air, but there’s no need to carry a pump.
Plenty of riders haul a full-length pump for back-up. And you could do that. Depends on who you are. Your cartridges could jam. You could have 3 flats in a day. And then, you’d wish you had a pump. If you’re going to kick yourself for that, take the pump. If not, a couple carts will probably get you through.
But before you hit the road, do yourself a favor. Get an extra cartridge or two and practice. Don’t try it for the first time when you’re cursing in the mud, bummed out about your flat. Odds are, you’re not going to be in a happy-to-learn-things frame of mind.