Best CO2 Bike Tire Inflator Buyers Guide

CO2 inflators are an important component to carry with you at all times if you are an enthusiastic biker. Even if you aren’t, these inflators can save you a lot of trouble on a flat tire.

They can practically enable you to get to your nearest bike repair shop for a quick fix, and you never know when you might need it.

CO2 inflators can inflate your bike tires within seconds. All one has to do is fit the valve onto the canister nozzle and let it flow.

They also require a lot less effort as compared to pumps that require physical pumping while inflating the tire. These inflators weigh less than a pump and are also easy to carry around as they fit perfectly and easily in your backpack or your bike side holder.

These inflators have a low initial investment as most of them come with 2 cartridges along with the nozzle valve holder in the package.

What we look for in our top picks

The inflators we looked at today had to offer a lot and they really redefined what a CO2 inflator can do in terms of reducing hassle while inflating.

All inflators were compatible with Presta and Schrader valves, which are the most common valves on bike tires. Some offered sleeves to insulate the canister while pumping to avoid cold hands, while others provided a textured finish to avoid cold cans. Some had the flexibility to attach to multiple different capacity options when it comes to cartridges while others only came with the inflator head and no cartridge.

All in all, the price was kept in mind and there were a lot of appealing options in the CO2 inflators we looked at today.

What are CO2 Inflators?

CO2 inflators are devices that are used to add carbon dioxide gas into your bike through the tire valve system. They come with different designs such as the twist to inflate, push to inflate and the trigger controlled inflators. You can use them to inflate flat tires or when filling up new tubes. Some of the benefits of using them are;

Time-saving – As compared to air pumps, these ones fill up the tires faster.

Portable – You will also find that these inflators have a very compact design which means that they can easily fit in your backpack or on the frame of your bike.

Easy to use – Another benefit is that they hold gas at very high pressure which makes them easy and effortless to use. You only need to place the head onto the valve stem them press/twist.

It may not be possible to inflate a tubeless tire when using a hand pump unless you use an air compressor or a CO2 inflator. However, air compressors are a bit heavy to carry which means that CO2 inflators are the best.

How to pick the best CO2 Inflators

Just like when you are buying any other product, you need to be careful when buying CO2 bike inflators. Some of the things you should check are;

Material – Most CO2 inflator heads are made from either plastic or aluminum material. If you are on a budget, plastic ones are the cheapest. However, they are not durable which means that aluminum ones are the best.

Size – A good CO2 inflator should have a good balance of stability and size. Avoid inflators that are too small because they may not be easy to use.

Types – CO2 cartridges are either or non-threaded. Threaded ones are the most popular due to their cheap price. On the other hand, non-threaded ones are very easy to use but they are a bit expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are CO2 bike pumps any good?

One of the most outstanding things about CO2 inflators is that they have a very compact size. Due to this, they are very easy to carry and are also easier to use than the hand pumps.

Which is the most durable CO2 inflator?

In terms of durability, Lezyne CO2 is one of the most durable options on the market. It also provides instant inflation.