It's inevitable, really. Sooner or later you're going to be on the side of the road with a flat. It might be cold, or it might be raining. Or it could be 90something degrees and 90something humidity. Ouch. But you've gotta get that thing fixed, and you'll need a pump or inflator.
This weeks' GamJams Reviews focus on roadside inflation. If you want to add your own review, do it in the comments or on your own blog, then put the link in the comments.
Here's what GamJams Ambassadors use:
- When you think minimalist, think Sigberto. He rolls with a compact CO2 inflator: "The Air Chuck is darn near microscopic, so long as you don't loose it in your saddle bag, it's hellishly convenient."
- Luck is the roadside inflation of choice for Chris Abbey. Dude doesn't carry anything with him at all: "I just don't flat on training rides." Consider yourself jinxed, Chris.
- The complete opposite of luck is total preparation, as displayed on BRILF.net. Two tubes, two CO2 cartridges and a CO2/pump combo: "It's a mini-pump, which I've used to inflate up to 70-80 psi. But it's also a CO2 inflator, which is preferable if you actually intend to ride after a flat, and not just limp home."
- Signal 13 just ditched the frame pump, but tells of the importance of knowing how to use your new inflator: "I wasted half the cartridge trying to figure out how to use it."
- It's CO2 all the way for the Flamenco Chuckwagon. That has positives and negatives, though. One negative is the price of cartridges: "When you have to buy them out of the fish bowl on the bike shop counter, they are like $4 each."
- At 1km2go, it's more about function than brands: "As with all things cycling, if it's on sale, it's good enough for me."
- The Unholy Rouleur packs some double-barreled action on his rides -- CO2 and a hand pump: "It's never frickin' simple with me, is it? I have two weapons of choice to meet my inflationary needs."
- Brand is also not important at Algomaha, mostly because I don't have any idea what kind of CO2 inflator I use. More importantly, I use puncture-resistant tires. "Sure, they roll a little heaver, a little stiffer, but I don't get flats."
Next reviews: Next equpiment upgrade (June 4), Miracle road rash cures (June 11)
About GamJams Reviews:
All
cyclists are experts, at least when it comes to our equipment choices.
We know why we chose what we chose, and what we think of the product
after we've been using it. GamJams Reviews channels that collective
expertise - category by category - into a tidy package of articles
designed to help all of us make better equipment decisions. Buying what
pros get paid to use is one way to go. But the candid testimonial of
fellow racers who paid out of their own pocket - that's an endorsement
that really counts.
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In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske is a professional writer and Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.
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