CO2 Cartridges...

[yellowjack]

...I finally bought some. From Aldi (or Lidl - they're one and the same to me). So each of the two inflater valve 'heads' I bought came with a single 16g CO2 threaded cartridge. I've used them both in the last three or so weeks.

I was a sceptic. Why have CO2, when I already have a pump, with unlimited supplies of free air? But that "pffffffffffft, and we're done" moment when you open the tap is great, and I can still carry the pump anyway. No downside whatsoever.

But now I need to replace the cartridges. Last trip to the LBS was met with a slightly dim young fellow who either didn't understand the question, or the answer was actually beyond his comprehension. A trip to Halfords only yielded the 'unthreaded' type of cartridge.

So, after the waffle, the questions:

"Are all THREADED, 16 gram, steel CO2 Cartridges the same? Or are there different thread diameters and pitches available?"
...and...
"Can I safely order any threaded 16g CO2 cartridge with a reasonable expectation that it'll fit my inflater valve?"

[Black can man]

I have bought from 3 different sources & they all fit,

Are you letting the co2 out when you get home to the track pump ?

[CoolC]

As I understand it all threads are the same.

Buy in bulk, dirt cheap then.

https://www.co2cartridges.co.uk/index.php?act=view...

[yellowjack]

Black can man said:

I have bought from 3 different sources & they all fit,

Are you letting the co2 out when you get home to the track pump ?

Thanks to both of you so far for the assurance that the threads are all the same.

As far as letting the CO2 out goes? That was a question I meant to ask a while back. First time I used the CO2, I ended up the a partially deflated tyre within days, and at first assumed another (smaller) puncture. Reading between the lines with your question, I assume this pressure loss is normal with CO2 as opposed to 'air' from a pump?

And to answer - no, I just let it partially deflate naturally, as a tyre pressure check with a track pump (Joe Blow) is part of my pre-ride 'ritual' anyway, so they always get topped up before each ride.

I'm off back to the LBS then, as they do "£3 each or 4 for £10" on loose cartridges (less my usual 10% discount). I'll pay the extra for the convenience, so that I'm not without them in the next few rides.

Then I'll probably buy something like this...
https://www.tyreinflators.co.uk/index.php?act=view...
...a box of thirty for £24.48 delivered (or about 82 pence each)

ETA: It's exactly the same product and price as the one in CoolC's link. Obviously the company use both web addresses to sweep up internet searches using both 'CO2 cartridges' and 'tyre inflators' as their key words.

Edited by yellowjack on Thursday 6th August 11:54

[anonymous-user]

As above, I've brought from a few different places and they all seemed to fit ok.

I still carry a pump as well, but c02 is the way forward, especially with tubeless and getting tyres to seal back on the rim.

[oyster]

They are fantastic, and somehow they make them biodegradeable.

Or at least I think they must be, judging by the amount of them I find on the road near my home in the Kent hills.

[Fluffsri]

Be carefull when it gets a bit colder. I have been known to laugh lots when my mates Co2 was so cold it sheared the valve off 2 x tubes.

[budgie smuggler]

yellowjack said:

"Can I safely order any threaded 16g CO2 cartridge with a reasonable expectation that it'll fit my inflater valve?"

They seem to be, I've ordered from various non-bike specific places and they worked.

oyster said:

They are fantastic, and somehow they make them biodegradeable.

Or at least I think they must be, judging by the amount of them I find on the road near my home in the Kent hills.

Likewise old inner tubes. Brought them out, take them home. Dopey s.

[lynus2004]

I have always assumed the thread is the same size, certainly not found any that aren't compatible. I use the 12g cartridges,good for about 90psi but I start the tube off with the pump and then use the CO2. Quite a bit cheaper and saves space in my tiny seat pack

[S10GTA]

Thread is the same. Recently purchased 10 in a giant pack for £20.

Word of warning, make sure the inner tubes you are replacing them with have fixed valves opposed to the screw in type.

[PeteB0]

budgie smuggler said:

Likewise old inner tubes. Brought them out, take them home. Dopey s.

After one ride where I counted dozens of spent cartridges in the gutter, including many riding through urban areas that are not typical cycling routes, I did a bit of googling... Turns out they also get used by some 'recreational herbalists' if you catch my drift

[budgie smuggler]

PeteB0 said:

After one ride where I counted dozens of spent cartridges in the gutter, including many riding through urban areas that are not typical cycling routes, I did a bit of googling... Turns out they also get used by some 'recreational herbalists' if you catch my drift

Oh really? I guess with nox in or something I suppose.

[Black can man]

PeteB0 said:

After one ride where I counted dozens of spent cartridges in the gutter, including many riding through urban areas that are not typical cycling routes, I did a bit of googling... Turns out they also get used by some 'recreational herbalists' if you catch my drift

I was always amazed at the amount of punctures that happened in Hoxton after midnight too.

[tobinen]

Have to say since using one for the first time, I no longer carry a pump.

[loudlashadjuster]

I recently went CO2 and just bought a 6 pack of Wiggle Lifeline ones for £5-odds, on researching them I was told that all the threads should be the same and, let's be honest, the gas is going to be the same, isn't it? (cue some FKW who insists that filtered Italian Anidride carbonica Pro-Gas in titanium canisters are the only ones worth considering )

I've not gone full-cartridge though, I bought a combined micro pump/inflator and amazingly the pump bit actually works quite well considering the ~60mm stroke. Wouldn't want to have to fully pump up a tyre too often, but for getting it started or the occasional top-up it's more than adequate.

[loudlashadjuster]

PeteB0 said:

After one ride where I counted dozens of spent cartridges in the gutter, including many riding through urban areas that are not typical cycling routes, I did a bit of googling... Turns out they also get used by some 'recreational herbalists' if you catch my drift

That's N2O though, slightly different usage