Used it for the first time today and it worked like a charm. Everything work just fine. The fact that you can use a dial to control the inflation is really useful. My last CO2 device is push pressure based and it was hard to use in practice. Another great touch is the cartridge sleeve that it comes with, you really need to hold the freezing cartridge.
This is one of those devices you don't use often and when you do need it you want it to just work.
This year Ive suffered 4 flats so far.. and of course when riding in a group we get them too.. Ive used the cheaper inflator head before and its a hit and miss, difficult to control. With this gadget, you get to inflate to your option.. slow or fast. One mistake I had was I forgot to close the valve after I used it so when you put the CO2 it spurted out and generally wasted half of it. Other than that, it was easy to use.
This is simply the best CO2 inflator out there. It threads on easily and securely every time, it's very lightweight and compact, and the control valve works beautifully. You can add just a little air to your tires should the need arise mid-ride when conditions/terrain change and save the rest for later, you can control the speed of inflation to protect your tires and wheels, and it prevents you from accidentally expending your entire CO2 cartridge as can happen with some trigger inflators.
The last thing you need to worry about during a roadside repair is if you have enough CO2 to re-inflate a tire. This precision device seals over the inflator valve and allows for complete control of flow rate - no worries!
Thread on a threaded 16g co2 cartridge. Press the control valve onto your tubes valve stem. Open the control valve slowly until you hear air go in, then open the valve all the way. When your tire is inflated turn the control valve shut. I used this in my garage for practice. First time on the road, I went kinda brain dead. I forgot to turn the valve off after my tire was inflated. I lost a little bit of air. Second, it was a cold day and the control valve stuck to my presta valve and I had to yank it off.
It comes with a sleeve to put on a cartridge so your hands won't get frost bite and stick to the co2 cartridge (ouch).
Only downside is that is takes two hands to use this. You have to lean your wheel against something, or put your wheel on your bike and tip it upside down, then you can use two hands. Just make sure your tire is completely seated. Another thing is this thing is so small I worry about losing it.
Kinda pricy for it's size. But it's worth it when you are standing on the side of the road with a dreaded F.
I own a few of these for each of my bikes. Fits neatly in my bag. Has cover so hands don't freeze. and has an adjustable release valve so you can shut off when tire is full and keep whatever is left in canister for use later.
Follow the instructions and it works like a charm. Be careful you don't over-inflate the tube like I did. The 16g cartridge fills a high pressure tire, but you don't need all of it for a hybrid or mountain tire. Be ready on the valve.
Very satisfied with size that easily fits in small saddle and easy to fill tire. Others I have had were cumbersome. Good price and shipping...bought another for our mountain bike.
I just made the switch from carrying a pump to having a CO2 system. This is super convenient! It's compact, the pressure can be varied using the dial, and makes changing a flat go much quicker. The neoprene sleeve for the CO2 canister is nice too, as it keeps the fingers from getting zapped by the cold canister.
I like this because (1) it is reasonably small so it fits nicely into my saddlebag, (2) being able to regulate the CO2 flow is a plus, (3) the neoprene sleeve keeps you from freezing your fingers to the CO2 cartridge when it gets cold as the gas flows out, and (4) it's not too heavy. Hard to imagine what else one could want from an inflator. I got the opportunity to test mine when a 1 self-tapping screw threaded itself through my rear tire, tube, and inner surface of the rim the other day, and it worked perfectly.
I found this every easy to use and not risk filling up the tubes to quickly and risk blowing them up. It easily fits into a pocket on by seat bag, but is also easy to carry for shorter daily rides. Compared to the previous brand I owned, this is a immensely better.
I don't get many flats, but when I do this product provides me with great peace of mind and I don't have to carry extra cartridges because I know it will work the first time.
I have been using the Lezyne Control Drive since they came out. I have one on each bike. You get controlled, predictable CO2 delivery. No more wasted cartridges, no more frustration. After being disappointed using many other CO2 devices, the Control Drives work perfectly, every time.
