There are more than 10 CO2 inflators available on the market these days. We don’t need a detailed look at each one like we did earlier. We’ve reviewed the 10 best CO2 inflators that are available to buy so you know exactly what to look for when you’re buying the best bike tire inflator to use with your bike.
We’ve explored the benefits of CO2 and highlighted the best time to use the CO2 inflators, allowing you to ride longer and harder, while preserving the quality of your tires.
There’s nothing like having the best bike tire inflator right there.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| PRO BIKE TOOL CO2 Inflator | Best Overall |  |
| Zefal Co2 Fez Control Fc Pump | Budget Pick |  |
| SKS-Germany Airbuster CO2 Bicycle Tire Inflator by SKS-Germany | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. PRO BIKE TOOL CO2 Inflator
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Quick and easy to use
- Presta and Schrader valve compatible
- Insulated sleeve for improved durability
Cons:
- No CO2 cartridges included
- Not very accurate
This CO2 bike tire inflator is a very simple to use and inexpensive unit. You need to first connect this pump to your tire valve. Then you'll need to add a CO2 cartridge which will give you an instant boost in air pressure. You'll need to remove the cartridge first to disconnect the pump.
This bike pump is compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves. The device features an insulated sleeve to ensure that it can effectively resist heat.
The bike tire inflator has a release valve that allows you to release air pressure off the valve for easy sealing.
2. Airace Bike Tire Lever Set
Pros:
- Built with a carbon steel barrel
- Uses CO2 to build pressure quickly
- Storage bag included
The Airace lever set is a simple tool that inflates bike tires using CO2 canisters. It’s a great gift for anyone that needs a basic, but efficient, way to add air to their tires.
The set works with Presta and Schrader valves. You can take a look at the photos in the listing to determine whether or not this CO2 inflator will fit your valves, as the end caps are able to be removed provided that your valve system is either Presta or Schrader.
I like this CO2 inflator set because of its simplicity and small size. It’s easy to use, and it doesn’t have a lot of parts that can break. It’s also convenient, as you don’t need to worry about additional tools, like you do with some other CO2 inflators.
3. Vibrelli Performance CO2 Inflator
For Road Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Branded Bike The Vibrelli Performance CO2 Inflator – Glueless Puncture Kit – Presta & Schrader Valve Compatible for Road Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Branded Bike is a bike tire inflator with an incredibly easy to use removable cartridge, compatible with all types of bike wheels. It's cheaper, smaller, easy to use, and portable, making it the best CO2 bike tire inflator for me. Check Price on Amazon
The Vibrelli Performance CO2 Inflator – Glueless Puncture Kit – Presta & Schrader Valve Compatible for Road Bikes, Mountain Bikes, Branded is a good option for cyclists who don't want to spend a lot of money on inflating tires.
It also serves as a good solution if you need to inflate other things, like air mattresses and balls. The glueless dispensing head is a comfortable fit for inflating tires, and it includes a mounting bracket that you can attach to your bike or store in your car.
4. Genuine Innovations Air Chuck Plus
Pros:
- Rugged
- Inexpensive
- Highly portable and convenient
The Genuine Innovations Air Chuck Plus is the tire inflator I feel most comfortable recommending to both beginners and experienced cyclists.
Despite its low price, this lightweight inflator is built tough enough to handle even the highest pressures.
It is also inexpensive enough to replace if stolen or misplaced.
5. Zefal Co2 Fez Control Fc Pump
Pros:
- Good for both road and mountain bikes
- Fairly lightweight
- CO2 inflator
- Easy to use
- Great for emergencies just in case your flat tires
- Includes both 16 gram and 4 gram cartridges for inflating tubes
Cons:
- not good for a lot of deep holes
- can’t repair the tube
Cartridges, 4g Co2 ,.
The Zefal Co2 Fez Control Fc Pump with Cartridge consists of one 16 gram CO2 cartridge and one 4 gram CO2 cartridge.
The 16 gram CO2 cartridge in this pump can inflate tyres up to 175 psi. And the 4 gram CO2 cartridge can inflate tyres up to 85 psi.
6. SKS-Germany Airbuster CO2 Bicycle Tire Inflator by SKS-Germany
Pros:
- Good for road and mountain tires
- Has a wide range of pressures
- Ready to use immediately
- More impact resistant
- Great for long road trips
Cons:
- A bit noisy
- The digital gauge is inaccurate
- The gauge is not very readable
- The pressure hose is not long
The Digital Tire Inflator by SKS-Germany inflates your tires, providing you with instant performance out of the box.
The large digital screen is easy to read. It gives you an easy-to-read pressure gauge that reaches up to 220 PSI.
It also features a 9 PSI PSI increment that lets you have precise control over the amount of pressure in your tires.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are co2 bike pumps any good?
One area that has become more and more important for riders in recent years is the ability to quickly and easily repair your own bike at any time, usually on the go.
Of course, the most effective way to handle serious issues with your bike while youʼre out riding is to have a trailer or bike bag to carry your stuff in.
In this case, you donʼt need to carry CO2-powered pumps since the issues should be kept to a minimum if you are carrying extra tubes and the tools to remove/repair your tire.
With a CO2 bike pump, you will have to decide how to carry it before you leave in order to be prepared for the remote chance that you need to air up your tube.
However, there are some countless instances where a CO2 bike pump would have been essential for you to continue riding or to call it a day.
How much co2 should I inflate my bike tires?
You should only use enough co2 to reach the desired tire pressure.
If you inflate your tires with too much co2, you run the risk of over-inflating the tires and it can lead to popping on the sidewalls. If the sidewalls of your tires pop, it will lead to a big puncture.
It will naturally take more co2 to inflate your tires to a certain pressure when the tires are completely flat. When your tires are completely flat, they are likely over-inflated, so it may require a bit less co2 to reach the normal psi of your tires.
Also, remember that the same amount of co2 will inflate larger tires to a higher pressure because they take in more co2. Just as it will take more ketchup to dress a big hamburger as opposed to a small hamburger.
How do you use co2 inflators?
Check to see that your CO2 bottle is not damaged. CO2 cans are under high pressure and you must make sure they are not damaged. You don’t want to embark on a long bike ride with a damaged can.
Next, to get the bottle ready, make sure that it is securely on the bike. Read the directions that came with the bottle or the bike if there are any to see if the bottle needs to be secured in a certain way on the bike or if it should be screwed tightly.
Release the nozzle. These can be tricky. Make sure you have the nozzle at maximum before trying to release so that it doesn’t come out and pressurize the bike tire.
When ready to inflate the bike tire, connect your hose to the valve and then the co2 bottle. Make sure the co2 is securely attached to the hose or to the bike.
How many co2 cartridges does it take to fill up a tire?
Most tire inflators on the market can accommodate only one CO2 cartridge, which comes in an 8 g canister. This range works well enough to inflate a standard mountain or road bike tire.
Higher-end systems have more power, though. In the 2-liter capacity range, some bicycle inflators can handle as many as 6 cartridges.
Remember how many cartridges you need to fully inflate a tire, then multiply that number by 3 to make sure you have enough.
British cyclist Mike Hart broke a world record in 2011 with a speed of 44 mph on a bicycle with a pneumatic tire and linear induction motor to which a 1.5 foot long propeller assembly was attached.
However, Hart was not able to retain his claim a t the 2012 World Human Powered Speed Championships after video evidence suggested he had a motor in one of his wheels.
Usually we see people using medium sized electric bikes for getting around in urban areas.
Conclusion
In our search for the best CO2 bike tire inflator, we looked at the pros and cons of the differ