[Closed] Best tubeless inflation system?

It is 🙂

I only got the Joe Blow Booster over the Airshot because my track pump was rubbish and fancied a new one!

For twice that you can get one of the little JCB compressors, useful for loads of other things as well!

I got one of [url= https://www.merlincycles.com/beto-cja-001s-tubeless-air-tank-inflator-98943.html ]these[/url] to do tubeless road. It's fine if you chop the supplied head off and just stick the hose over the valve. A few quid cheaper than the airshot. If it's just for mtb or CX though save yourself 50 quid and just use a coke bottle.

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Airwave Airblast pump. Have just this very last minute seated a tubeless road tyre first time with no drama. (Fingers crossed)

Also done MTB tyres with it, similarly without issue

Ghetto inflator.

Track pump and Fairy liquid.

I'm very fond of my Lidl compressor...
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I just use a 5 litre garden sprayer with the wand removed, molgrips pinching the hose to hold the air back, then push the hose over the valve, and undo the molgrips. Never fails.

Airwave airblast for me also. Decent pump for the money. £50.

Airshot or similar would be my recommendation as someone with a cheap compressor that no longer cuts out properly and a flash charger. The flash charger is good and handy for travel but is extra faf when you just want a track pump and the cheap compressors don't appear to be built to last since mine is broken, my dad's is broken and last time I went to the tip there was a whole row of them at the metal recycling point

I have one of those Zefal foot operated ones. Never failed to seal tubeless so job done.

I just use a 5 litre garden sprayer with the wand removed, molgrips pinching the hose to hold the air back, then push the hose over the valve, and undo the molgrips. Never fails.

Do you seal up the blow off valve first?

I've yet to fail with a standard track pump.

You're my hero.

My new wheels do go with a track pump but I'd have the air shot having used one. Would also travel with it if I was away racing etc. Which rules out compressors and some of the home brew options

Honestly, if you think it's as easy as using fairy liquid, then I can only say you've been lucky so far.

Some combinations go up easily with a track pump, some really don't.

Possibly, but there's a very good chance I've fitted more combinations than you have too.

(and I did say "yet") 🙂

Up until the first time I mounted WTB tyres on WTB rims, I'd have said bottle rocket or Airshot depending how posh. In my experience of tyre fitting in kitchens in residential areas often at night, compressors are such a non-starter I never even seriously priced one.

So far every WTB TCS tyre I've fitted to a TCS rim has gone straight up with a track pump as easily as putting air in a tube. No frantic pumping or heroic efforts. Proper UST wheels are the only thing I've seen come close to this.

Airshot is a nice wee thing (and can be cheaper if you get the schwalbe branded one). Not sure I see the point in the pumps since they're more expensive than an airshot and a pump...

But that's not best. For the home, a compressor is best. And for away from home, my fire extinguisher kicks the arse of an airshot, by virtue of having massively more capacity and therefore run time, and it cost me about £20 to make. It takes forever to pump it back up, mind, maybe I should have used a smaller can.

Yep. Mavic UST system. With a mavic tyre on a cross max rim you just inflate like normal with any pump. They just inflate on the rim like your blowing up an innertube. It does show that if tyre and rims are fully engineered to work together, it can be seemless. My pulse tyre is light too, no seepage and stayed up. Wheelset didn't need taping, and came with all adapters, compatible sealant and valves. Bliss.

Another vote for airshot. Great bit of kit. Plus it's nice to support a home grown company

But that's not best. For the home, a compressor is best. And for away from home, my fire extinguisher kicks the arse of an airshot, by virtue of having massively more capacity and therefore run time, and it cost me about £20 to make.

My front tyre to took 3 people to inflate it, one operating the compressor and the other two holding the tyre in contact with the rim. It wasn't easy! I suggest that someone using a track pump would have failed (as did my airshot).

BETO inflator from merlin, not failed to seat a tyre first time yet - whether it be road or phat mtb. Very solid and well made, feels bomb proof.

https://www.merlincycles.com/beto-cja-001s-tubeless-air-tank-inflator-98943.html

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molgrips - Member 
Honestly, if you think it's as easy as using fairy liquid, then I can only say you've been lucky so far.
Some combinations go up easily with a track pump, some really don't.

Knack. I used to struggle a lot doing it with a track pump and resorted to CO2 (which is really quick, but you have to do it first to seat, then deflate and put sealant in, then pump back up).

But one time thought I'd give the track pump a go again and just went crazy with the bubbles, ensuring every possible hole is cover by a mound of foam, then just pump. Done that and it works almost every time now and done nearly a dozen like this. Doesn't require furious pumping either.

I'd say it is made easier with wider rims which seem to seat better, and TR tyres probably help. On the other hand pumping up an old non-TR on an old rim, and still could do it with a track pump now.

One of the newer rims I had and a new TR tyre just went up first time dead easy without any bubbles at all.

Other thing is I only do Maxxis.

But one time thought I'd give the track pump a go again and just went crazy with the bubbles, ensuring every possible hole is cover by a mound of foam, then just pump. Done that and it works almost every time now and done nearly a dozen like this. Doesn't require furious pumping either.

resorted to CO2 (which is really quick, but you have to do it first to seat, then deflate and put sealant in, then pump back up).

No, you don't!

Other thing is I only do Maxxis

So when you said 'any combination' you only meant Maxxis?

You will be better off with the track pump and something like the airshot or beto, as using a combi pump as a normal pump is annoying if the main airway is through the large cylinder as well, as basically you have to inflate that as well as the tyre.

If you take care to shut down the chamber before disconnecting the pump then it is less bad but there is still a hysterisis effect to the pumping, which is annoying.

The beto looks like it might be a better solution but not as neat or portable as the airshot.

A track pump & fairy liquid is brilliant until that day that it doesn't work & you are an angry sweating mess after 20 minutes.
A 16gram co2 inflator has never failed for me so far.. & in bulk are only about 60p each.
I would have to change a lot of tyres to justify the price of an airshot. If they were £30 or so I would get one but £50 is too much.

What about a £20 soda stream bottle and £5 worth of attachments?

I dont fancy the coke bottle / bomb idea myself but would make my own with a metal cylinder.

I reckon I've spent more than £50 on CO2 bought from bike shops and such over the 10 or so years I've been using tubeless. Airshots weren't around when I started though - if they had been I'd have had one there and then.

Do Stans still recommend not using CO2 as it affects the liquid?

Another vote for the BETO from Merlin at £42, seemed a bit of unnecessary purchase when I got it. But having a life where time phaffing equals less time riding, this has been worth every penny. Seems absolutely bombproof to, think I'll be handing it on to my kids when I'm brown bread.

They said it might not last quite as long - and they also said have the valve at the top and the liquid at the bottom when you do it. Quite hard to get this the wrong way round tbh 🙂

mikewsmith - Member

Given you have to put about the same amount of air in both Airshot seems to be the winner unless your doing a hire fleet.

The point of high capacity isn't about doing lots of tyres, it's about bad tempered tyres- being able to gas it for much longer while you fanny about makes a big difference.

molgrips - Member 
No, you don't!

Yes you do. Unless you want Stanimals 😉

CO2 + Stans, doesn't mix.

So when you said 'any combination' you only meant Maxxis?

Find where I said "any combination" 😉

I just replied to your assertion that we must just be lucky getting them to inflate with track pump and fairy liquid, with my experience.

Actually I will add Schwalbe Hans Dampf and a Geax Goma to the list. Just they came with a bike and since replaced with my normal Maxxis choices, but had no issues doing them tubeless also.

Ghetto inflator.

Would you like me to post the photo of what happens when it splits?

Airshot is good.

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/article/how-to-make-a-tubeless-inflator-44290/

Would you like me to post the photo of what happens when it splits?

Ohh yeah!

I just use a 5 litre garden sprayer with the wand removed, molgrips pinching the hose to hold the air back, then push the hose over the valve, and undo the molgrips. Never fails.

Do you seal up the blow off valve first?

Yes you do. Unless you want Stanimals

CO2 + Stans, doesn't mix.

Stanimals are caused by the the sealant fixing punctures aren't they? I had none in the tyres that I just removed, I had about 1/2 the latex remaining after a year of being on the bike. They were inflated with CO2.

Are your warnings against CO2 perceived wisdom or actual experience?

Hi,

Splashed more than inflator, as I bought Topeak Booster. Proved to be worth every penny as Tuesday night we set up 6 wheels in a row with friend of mine.

On top of that it is bloody good track pump.

Hard to find cheaper than that me thinks...

[url= http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOBATUPU/barbieri-tubeless-220psi-pump ]Barbieri Inflator[/url]

Cheers!
I.

Coke bottle. Free from most good bins. Also lightest on the market.

molgrips - Member

Are your warnings against CO2 perceived wisdom or actual experience?

I have actually experienced it after using CO2.

molgrips - Member 
Are your warnings against CO2 perceived wisdom or actual experience?

Manufacturers don't recommend it. Though fine for getting home. Just it's not good for lifespan of the sealant.

http://www.velonews.com/2014/12/bikes-and-tech/technical-faq/technical-faq-tire-sealant-questions_355499

I've removed some sizeable stanimals before. Not entirely sure if I used CO2 with sealant in those tyres, but possibly as have done it on the trail from time to time. I've stopped doing that and now carry a pump. I still carry CO2 but use it as last resort, for popped bead that needs reseat or to quick inflate a tube. Though it's all pretty rare.

Ohh yeah!

Gah, photobox hosting! Anyway, the guy severed tendons in his fingers.

+ for a compressor, it's just less faffy.

And before someone suggests you can't take that with you in a car*, you could buy a cylinder of nitrogen for less** than the cost of an airshot and it would probably last you until the next big thing in tyre inflation comes along.

*van with an inverter?

**you'd need a regulator as well though.

The Airshot, whilst not cheap, is superb. I guarantee you will not regret the outlay once you've bought one. Effortless. If I were to improve it, I'd add easier attachment to a track pump barrel using the neoprene sleeve.

Very satisfied for road, mtb and cross.

If stans recommends not using Co2 as it reacts with the sealant. Could you not get the tyre onto the bead using soapy water to help seat the tyre. When it's on you can remove the valve core and pour sealant in there. Use a regular track pump to get to desired pressure.

The seating of the tyre isn't the issue. The air leaks straight out as fast as it goes in because the tyre isn't tight in the well of the rim. If you get a tyre/rim/rim strip combo that is tight, then it doesn't leak out and goes up straight away.

I have actually experienced it after using CO2.

Experienced what exactly?

I've only ever used Stans & CO2, the Advantages on my Crest rims are slack as can be & a track pump doesn't work.
Must be 2 years since I changed the sealant.

Must be 2 years since I changed the sealant.

[quote=TroutWrestler ]I just use a 5 litre garden sprayer with the wand removed, molgrips pinching the hose to hold the air back

Yeah, but what if he's not around?

Ghetto inflator here - I'm using it below the pressure a lemonade bottle is designed to take and it's reinforced with gaffa tape - it works fine IME (and should work better than CO2 as it can deliver more volume of gas).

slight return - Member 
Could you not get the tyre onto the bead using soapy water to help seat the tyre. When it's on you can remove the valve core and pour sealant in there. Use a regular track pump to get to desired pressure.

If I use CO2, that's what I do. Soapy water not required. The bead will seat fine with CO2. May not stay up, though with TR tyres I find it will hold, but need sealant for punctures. But then deflate, valve core out, sealant and inflate with track pump. Or even pop the bead enough to pour in sealant works.

But you can just use loads of soapy water and a track pump. Now I've worked out how to do that reliably, it's much easier and quicker.

I'm very fond of my Lidl compressor...

That's not Lidl, it looks quite large.....

DrP

We have one of the Aldi ones, that comes with the accesories needed, mounted to the garage wall. Its been so good that we bought another that stays in the camper. both were less than £30 each when bought in their sales. Never failed to do a tyre with it in seconds.

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Are CRC selling any of these, other than the Lifeline trackpump thing?
I have vouchers for there and would like to buy an Airshot style inflator

Experienced what exactly?

Either getting a ball of sealant, or the sealant breaking down where the latex (or whatever) dries on the inside of the tyre and you're left with a clear oily fluid that doesn't seal anything and just runs out.

Since ditching the co2 over a year ago I haven't had the problem return

Odd - never seen that. I've seen latex dry out after a year or so. I've had a few balls of it, but that seems not to matter.

Could you not get the tyre onto the bead using soapy water to help seat the tyre.

How do you do that?

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With Stans Crest, Arch and DT Swiss rims, a lot depends on the tyres. I find the newer ones better.

I've struggled with non-tubeless Continental (a visit to the garage and 50p well spent) and Kenda.

Maxxis non-tubeless were better. Schwalbe and Maxxis tubeless-ready have been fine.

I always inflate them dry.

I got the bits together for a coke bottle inflator, but since I bought a Lezyne Digital Overdrive pump, I haven't needed to put it together. I had an Edinburgh Bicycle Revo before, but the Lezyne shifts more air and is better built.

lol @IvanMTB, mine only look like that when I'm coming into Aus/NZ for quarantine checks, little spray bottle with a mix in it sprayed around the bead and your away, saves leaving bubbles in every puddle you hit