Pro Bike Tool CO2 Inflator with Storage Cartridge Quick, Easy and Safe for Presta and Schrader Bicycle Tyre Pump for Road and Mountain Bike, No CO2 Cartridges Included

Now, if you have used this before, then you know what this is. I have not used it previously and mine came in a plastic box with a sku number on the bottom. Mine did not contain any directions and quite honestly I did not even think I would need any. READ the REVIEW by Mr. Cynic. He provides the directions in his review. He calls them "Tips". Without his "Tips" I was wondering what I got. Also you need this information (This is directly copied from their small print product description on this Amazon product description page (the font is a little on the small side...but the information is there):"PRESTA & SCHRADER COMPATIBLEDesigned to work with threaded Presta & Schrader tire valve types. Our inflator head uses a clever ‘universal’ head design, which requires no additional attachment. The force of the gas expelled from the inflator head forces the tire valve open.For Presta valves with removable cores, extra care should be taken to tightly screw the core into the valve stem so it’s nice and 'snug' - you can either use pliers or a valve core tool to tighten the core. This process is the same when using this type of valve with any type of bike pump or CO2 inflator. Presta valves with 'removable cores' are primarily designed if you use valve extenders or use a tire sealant such as 'slime’. The CO2 inflator is not compatible with valve extenders."Okay, now I have included their text here, so that you will not miss it.Now my personal experience.I have Schrader Valves on my bike tires. I had a couple of coincident problems during a daytime bike ride yesterday. The handle bars on my older Trek loosened in a way that they began to rock during a dangerous stretch of roadway. This happened midway into my ride unexpectedly. I was also hitting a lot of debris. The front of my bike was wobbling at one of the most dangerous points on a loop that I am presently riding. This scenario was so out there, that I did not include some tools in new a repair kit that I had attached to the bike that included this emergency tire inflator (Note: The Manufacturer/Seller I think also rightly discloses these are intended to get you home, not to take on a long trip). I was able to get over to the side of the road and discovered that my front tire was simultaneously wobbling because it was going flat. Punctured by the debris. Murphy's Law.Now I was in an area that required speed to normally stay safe, at the furthest point from my home and no tool to stabilize the handle bar. And, the front tire was going flat. No accident fortunately. I made the questionable decision to keep riding the remainder of the loop because that was the only way to get back home. I made it back home safely. I did not use the tire inflator...yet. Too many things seemed to be failing at once. First I pulled out the tool box at home and got the correct metric sized Allan wrench (Hex screw head) and tightened the handle bars, making note to self not to ever not do a safety check before riding...ever again. Note to self...and note to you too. ;-)So, later in the day with the flat front tire nagging at me, I decided it was time to test this device. What I did will not work. But, I had to waste two cartridges to find that out. Remember I have no directions and I always read directions...though this seemed unnecessary to inflate a tire, right!? I think that is why I did not question the box not having directions in it, though something seemed funny about that without being able to put a finger on it at the time, while receiving numerous similar/small bike items in the order received from Amazon.I put in my first cartridge and then went to my tire and applied pressure and opened the valve.... the tire got flatter and high pressure CO2 went everywhere, except into the tire. Maybe I did not hold it properly to push the valve down? Wrong. That is not how this device works. I did it again (hand raised) Two of five overpriced CO2 cartridges wasted and a really flat tire and another one I tried to get a better handle on with the same results.Here is what I did incorrectly. Again, no direction and there is NO metal center pin to depress the Schrader valve, but I did not notice this. I took it for granted.Here is how to use the device.1) First you can store as "Mr. Cynic" (another reviewer here) says, a CO2 canister upside down safely in the sleeve. BTW--This is where I stumbled onto "the SPARE O Ring" in a mini-zip lock bag...today.2) Ready to use (w/Schrader Valve)? Screw in the CO2 Cartridge into the head of the inflator with the Valve in the closed position (Parallel to the Inflator -- off position)3) Put the metal sleeve over the CO2 cartridge that you have screwed snugly into place and gently screw it on the head of the inflator with the CO2 cartridge now inside it to protect you from freezing your hand.4) MOST IMPORTANT: You must SCREW ON the the output of the fully assembled CO2 inflator onto your valve snugly. Now you have a closed system. You are going to be pressurizing this system soon.5) For Tubed Schrader Tires like mine, slowly open the Inflator head valve and feel the tire. The PRESSURE FROM THE CO2 INFLATOR OVERCOMES THE PRESSURE INSIDE THE TIRE (IF THERE IS ANY) AND VIA PRESSURE PUSHES THE SCHRADER VALVE OPEN AND FORCES CO2 INTO THE TIRE/TUBE.How do I know this? Well it is buried in their write up, which I also copied into this review, but now I just sacraficed a third overpriced CO2 cartridge today to make sure this actually works. Also, I hauled the bike out at midnight last night to my car to use the compressor to pressurize the tire to see if it was underinflated or really had a leak. The 16 GM CO2 cartridge sacrificed today, was able to open the tire valve with pressure and top it off.6) Feel the tire as the CO2 fills it up (and replace the tube or repair it before you inflate it, obviously). I purchased the 16 Gm Inflator and it does not deliver quite what I was hoping for a 700C x 35 Tire. As of this writing I was unable to locate their "inflator chart" which helps you match tire/tube size to CO2.7) Follow Step 6 above and do not check the pressure with a pressure gauge (if you are out on the road), you are (in my case) not have enough CO2 to tweak this. A pressure gauge will merely let air out of your tires. Make sure you CLOSE THE CO2 Inflator Head adjustable VALVE FIRST (as your tire firms up) and now you can UNSCREW THE HEAD UNIT FROM YOUR SCHRADER VALVE WITH A SMALL PRESSURE POP AS THE TIRE/TUBE STEM VALVE RESEALS ITSELF. Now you are done.A small amount of CO2 may remain, if you are topping off a tire. I tried to top off another tire...and it seemed to work. By the time I tried on a third tire... it was spend. I did not inflate (Yet) any tire from 0 PSI Pressure to usable inflation to fill the tire. The way it looks to me...It very well may take 25 Gms or the need to puncture two 16 Gm Cartridges. If I come back with updates. I will let you know.Conclusions: I have wasted three overpriced 16 GM CO2 cartridges to bring you this information. I did not have directions and did not realize that the device required some knowledge about its use. Yes. You can find that information in the Amazon write up by this manufacturer, but you need to carefully look for it... That is why I copied it above into this review for your convenience. And, if you receive this without directions you will not find out the hard way fiddling with the device to discover its design approach, so that you can use it without wasting expensive CO2 cartridges.If I were to do this over, I would likely buy the 25 Gm CO2 Inflator and those size cartridges. I have done more research and this would be the safer way to go.If you are a cyclist that is looking to minimize weight in every conceivable fanatical way...then, you will need to figure out if 16 Gms or 25 Gms CO2 is right for you based on your tire size.Refer to the other reviews for how (or if you are lucky enough to get directions included) to use this with the "Presta" valve stems, since I only have "Schrader" experience.The "mini-zip lock bag and the spare O ring" is something that I suspect is for the O ring on the inside of the head unit, where you mate (screw in) the CO2 cartridge to the head of the inflator. But, sadly I do not know. This is because there is an O ring also in the area where you attach (by screwing and tightening onto a Schrader Valve) to the tire/tube step. That later O ring does not appear to be something easy to change out. So, that is my swag.The principle of this thing is to ram air into tires...that is said to be (by other reviewers) an advantage for tubeless tires (I do not have these, but some of the other reviewers seem pleased with this).Even the manufacturer tells you this is not a fix-all. You should still have a pump if you are going on a long trip. I wanted to avoid a pump, but if you have any inefficiency in inflation or some glitches...you are going to have that dumb look on your face with a hand full of spend CO2 cartridges.My experience with pumps has been like others. I now am on a quest to get a pump to back this up. For me this was a little too tricked out to be true. I was hoping it would not go that way... I think for folks that really stay on top of their stuff and are very technical about their approach to every aspect of cycling...likely they enjoy competitive racing...this could be just the fix. That said, if you are new to this....plan to learn to use it, so that you are not stranded and bewildered in a stressed out flat tire learning experience.I think these (from what people have written) can be something to consider for ramming in inflation to tubeless tires. That sounds like an experienced cyclist that would own that type of gear. I have no experience with that, but it sounds plausible and probably on the road better than a pump. That is a guess.I gave four stars because my experience was mixed, likely due to something as simple as no directions included and never having one of these before. Also, I am I think understandably annoyed that now I need to buy more cartridges. And, unfortunately I was trying to skip getting a pump, but now I am having to explore that.Unless you just want to spend money and buy gadgets, think carefully about how this CO2 Inflator does or does not fit into your biking kit. Just know that if you bought this for your son, like one reviewer did for the bully who was letting air out of his tires...as a regular inflator....cartridges are not free and you will need to buy in bulk.One reviewer mention that the cartridges and the mating end of the head of the inflator that receives the CO2 cartridge stripped the threads and has become unusable. I recommend handling this item delicately and never forcing in threading. I can see those threads stripping, if you went at it just a little to hard. It works. It is not perfect. It is not a toy. It is a bit of a gadget. And, again make sure it suits your needs. I am not rushing out to get the 25 Gm replacement unit. I am sobered by what for my needs might have been a little too good to be true.Thanks. Hope this helps some people.-----------------------------------------------------Update as of 11/23/2020---------------------------------------I originally wrote this as a comment to someone posting here that was pondering testing this out before finding themselves learning on the road. I had thought they had written very recently because their comment was in the November time frame. When I finished I looked and realize their remark was two years old. So, even though my write up here is very long and I could have edited it back a bit, I did not want to just toss the text if it might help someone.... so with that said, here it is:I strongly recommend you absolutely waste a cartridge or two and do not try to use it the very first time on the road or for a real ride. You can see my review here and save yourself from what nearly happened to me. I was able to get home, but only then did I test it...as my tire pressure had dropped. If I had tried to inflate it on the road, I would have flattened the tire further if I tried to pump it with CO2 this way. Take a look at my review and if you got instructions, make sure you read them. Be methodical.Since I wrote my review I got a fluke two and one half inch shard of metal in a angular puncture into the sidewall of a brand new 55 dollar Dual Guard flat protection tire and now actually had reason to see if changing a tire would work with this device. The question I had was, can I do the partial inner-tube inflation which is required to get the new inner tube to take form as you carefully tuck it into the new replacement tire and then once mounted....on the same cartridge do the final full inflation after the tire is fully mounted? The answer is you can open the valve just a bit...the pressure will pop open the sealed valve (make sure you thread it on snugly), then the inner tube will begin to inflate slowly. Once you get the inner-tube to take form, close the valve back to the off position parallel to the line of the CO2 canister unit. Next unscrew the valve connection you had snugly hand tightened into place. You will hear a smallish pop/hiss. This is the inner-tube valve resealing the inner-tube. Set the closed position CO2 charger aside. Tuck the tube carefully into your one lip mounted on the rim tire and check for not potential pinch leaks (tube caught between tire and rim. Now move the other lip of the tire onto the rim and watching not to pinch the inner-tube again. Make sure your valve exits orthogonal to your rim at 90 degrees. Now attach the CO2 Handheld charger to your now mounted inner-tube valve stem. Make sure it is hand snug. Now slowly open the valve, turning it counterclockwise about 10, 20, 25, or 30 degrees. Your tire will now begin to inflate with the remaining CO2. Feel the tire. Note it is firming up. Try not to open the valve to quickly because you will get a sort of temporary dry ice effect of freezing some of that CO2. Keep feeling it with your hand for subjective firmness.I did not time it, but this may take between 10 to 30 seconds..at most 60 seconds. I was concerned it would over inflate and explode. At 16 GMs and having opened and closed it once before I do not think that is a probable outcome. You can put your ear against the tire to hear it gassing up. But, be careful about doing that and I would not linger. Try to stay with pressing your thumb into the expanding tire to feel the increasing pressure. To be a little more safety conscious, if you are wearing goggles or glasses, keep them on. Things do happen and tires can and do explode. Be safe.So how did it go. It seemed like it worked like a charm. However, and there is a however... This is to get you home only. Why? Well the next day, we went out for a ride...only to discover not only were her tires low, but my newly replaced tire was low also! Some people have discussed CO2 gas as leaking through rubber. It turns out that CO2 is actually soluble in butyl rubber—it essentially melts right through the material without having to wait for permeation. -- This last sentence is a quote from an article on the matter. No word that it harms the tires... No one said that... But, lots of word that the tire inflated with CO2 will lose pressure more rapidly. My own experience anecdotally seems to verify what was at one time debated because it was said it was impossible due to looking at the problem as one of pure permeability. Probably more than any of us exactly wanted to know, but know that that tire pressure is not going to last compared to regular air. You are going to need to come back and pump it up later...I use a small car accessory plug in compressor. Important: what we do know is when YOU ARE REALLY GOING THROUGH THE PROCEDURE OF MOUNTING A SINGLE TIRE ON A ROAD BIKE...IT WILL HELP YOU GET HOME (ONE CARTRIDGE), BUT IF YOU ARE THINKING YOU ARE GOING TO REALLY INFLATE IT UP TO SAY 60 PSI, YOU ARE LIKELY GOING TO NEED TO BREAK OPEN ANOTHER 16 GM CARTRIDGE. This is one of the reasons, I like the idea of the margin of the 25 Gm cartridges. I think to perform the procedure I just described the larger cartridges would be better. Riding around town...always carry a minimum of two and maybe three cartridges to make sure you are covered for a SINGLE flat.And, coming full circle...I only was able to do this after my learning curve of wasting a few cartridges at the outset.All the Best! Happy Riding! Ride on! ;-)-----If I have any more updates...I will come back. I am still wondering about the interaction with the butyl rubber and if that causes any permanent harm....or if it would be worth lowering the pressure and refilling with air after arriving home..... no one has mentioned it....so, I am figuring the dilution of pumping the tire back up with air begins to slow down the loss of pressure...but, we will see...the tire was just changed about a week ago and still has the original residual CO2 in it. Thanks. .----

Excellent design, you can store cartridge upside down easily because they have a recess hole in the bottom for neck of cartridge to drop in and you can tighten cap flush. Control valve lever for ease of letting co2 in smoothly. Beautiful finish and sturdy construction. Fits easily into saddle bag. Best feature is it has a threaded end for attaching to presta valve without fear of losing co2 during inflation. Well worth the price. I have four of them one for each bike I own. Don't realize how much it is worth until you have a puncture.

Works well, materials excellent. My fault, I thought there was more gas in those little guys! co2 cartridges hold very little, and one won’t even top off a garden tractor tire.

I bought two Pro Bike Tool CO2 inflators in 2017. They work great and have performed flawlessly. After six years one of them had a warranty problem and Pro Bike Tool quickly took care of my issue by sending a replacement.

If you’ve ever aired up your tire and lost some of the co2 then this is your best friend. More control over the air flow so you won’t lose any. Must have.

So.... this little co2 inflator is VERY good! Why? Because it can hold a co2 cartridge if you place one upside down. Not only that, but you can slowly pressurize the tire/tube by using the valve once the cartridge is inserted and also threaded onto the valveThis tool saved me last Saturday when I was already 20+ miles into my ride. This is a must have if your wife or partner is sick of picking you up on the side of the road and or you're sick of hiring Uber drivers.Remember - this tool needs to thread onto an almost unthreaded Presta valve to inflate your tube/tire!

I ride 10k+ miles per year including rain/snow/nasty weather so have long shed any tolerance for unreliable gear. Flats are an inevitable nuisance, and one area where trying to save a buck or two is almost never worth it. Depending on the type of riding you do, there are two recommended approaches towards being prepared for flats:Group rider or shorter solo rides in populated/urban areas--a single Co2 cartridge will handle a single inflation, so anything beyond a single flat or any issues trying to use that single cartridge is not that big a deal because you're not likely to be stranded. Priority is convenience.Commuter or solo rider in more remote areas--reliability and redundancy is critical. Co2 is convenient, but you'll want more than a single cartridge and/or backups such as patch kits, mini hand pump, etc.Co2 cartridges are generally considered much more convenient than using hand pumps, but notoriously unreliable and hard to use. The primary issues are getting a proper fit on the valve and being able to control the flow. Problems with either of these can result in leak/discharge of the cartridge without managing to inflate the tire, or if the cartridge is more than the tube holds (ex. 20g cartridge for a 700x23 tube) not being able to stop the inflation before the tube pops. That's why it's usually a good idea to carry at least 2 cartridges if you have room.With that said, I have to say this is one of the finest Co2 devices I've used, period, and that includes some that are more than twice the price. It is reliable, easy to use, easy to control, and very minimalist in space/weight. The only smaller options out there are head only (screw onto the cartridge) and that saves a couple grams and maybe a cubic inch of storage, but they tend to be finicky to get a good seal on the valve and control the inflation.This is made from good quality aluminum, so rust is not going to be an issue, though I found the threads a little snug and applied a little wet lube (thick oil) makes things open/close smoothly. The control valve is not only easy to use but also clearly labeled so you know whether you're open or closed. The best feature, in my opinion, is that the head is designed to work with both Presta and Shrader vales (nothing special about that, most do this) but also threads onto each so you can screw it on for a perfectly reliable seal before opening the valve to inflate. That, to ,me, makes this an exceptional product and an excellent value.This is immediately replacing the $40 mini Co2 kit currently on my daily commuter bike, and I'll likely also buy a couple more for my road bikes to replace the minimalist head-only products and/or to toss in a jersey pocket when heading out on a longer ride or when leading a group when I tend to be the one who gets to support the unprepared riders.

Au final, on utilise toute la cartouche, mais c'est quand même plus sympa avec le manche interrupteur.

Having had plenty tire inflators that like to eject their rubber o'ring when the going gets pressured (which are impossible to replace), these are the answer. You can ease the air into the tire then crank it up to seat the tyre walls properly. Also tubeless friendly (in fact highly recommended for tubeless). Great to get tires on the rim. BUT REMEMBER - CO2 will dissipate over a short period of time so always be sure to top up with a normal pump and check pressures before riding. These things are so good I have one at home and one in my toolkit I take on the bikes with me. Fantastic!

Super Ware gerne wieder

Pratique, fait le travail avec une cartouche de 16g à visse.

Buen productoPero necesitan colocar el contenedor con cuidado ya que la rosca es muy fina y se puede dañar