Hi folks,
I just replaced the front tire on the A16 and everything was cool. Then I took the CB200 a little excercise, but it's front tire was low, so I started to inflate it with the bicycle pump and it failed, broke, FUBAR. So now I'm thinking about what to use instead of a bicycle pump. I looked at several 12 volt cig lighter pumps, but I know they're pretty wimpy. One that I saw looked pretty good but it was 60 bucks. For that price I might as well get a full blown compressor for the shop and be able to use it for other things as well.

On the other hand, what do you folks take along when you are on the road/trail? The CO2 cartridge system looks like the most effective and compact option. Does anyone make a reliable compact 12 volt compressor that would be reasonable to take along? Yanno, one good thing about taking a trek as a group, would obviously be sharing of common tools and such, to make more room for more important things like fishing gear and an air mattress(ooh, I may have cornered myself there).

Hopefully, I'll be getting muddy tomorrow. There's some back roads that need exploring and it's not supposed to rain, but the coast range is completely saturated, so it should be fun.

SK

I originally bought the mini blue Campbell Hausfeld air compressor from Walmart. It looked like a cheesy POS from the word go, but got praises and was inexpensive so I bought it. Yep.. Total POS! Barely inflated anything, loud, vibrates, air gauge was crap and the outlet cable was too short. I used it since I had it anyway and it blew it's wad rather quickly. Don't buy one, total waste!

Check out one of these VIAIR 70p's.
http://www.viaircorp.com/OffRoad/70P.html

Although not mini in comparison, it's not huge either. It is extremely quiet, doesn't shake itself to death and inflates amazingly fast. The gauge works, solid built and has a long power cable. I started looking at these after learning a lot of truckers use VIAIR compressors for their semi's, tow trucks and such. Sure, the more powerful ones, but all their units are built tough. I'm major impressed, for the money, it's the best pump out there for car/motorcycle tires without a doubt. You won't believe how quiet it is until you hear it or how powerful it is until you use it.

You can get these for $46.
http://www.autoanything.com/suspension-systems/69A3196A0A0.aspx


So far I'm impressed with it. I would like to find a standard air fill nozzle, because the one it has is screw on, but it's not a must. For longer fills, it's nice to be hands free, but for short blasts, be nice to stick it on, fill and go. Plenty of cord for all 4 tires on a vehicle also.

I carry the C02. Works well and is small. The thing that I like is the ability to use the hand pump part also just for adding a little air by hand to get the tube straight before spooning on the rest of the tire. I don't remember how much I paid for it, but if it broke tomorrow, I would purchase another one.

MB4

I have the slime

So, does the slime work with tube tires?

I fill a 5 gallon air can with the Black n' Decker AirStation.
That has uses all over the place then. This way I don't blow 75 cents every time I refill it. The first unit failed the 4th time I used it. Free replacement doing fine.
I fill the can to 100 psi. That does two cage tires or tons of smaller stuff per fill.
I carry it in the car trunk.

Riding on the bike, CO2 cartriges to get it home or to a servicable area to patch up.

Yes, it'll work on bikes and cars.

Think Paulo is referring to the Slime branded compressors. Some of us picked them up last year when they had a good rebate going. IIRC it netted out at about $20. Got two - both work fine for bikes and swim tubes and stuff. Haven't had to do a truck or care tire. They're compact, come with good accesories (including a lock-on connector).

BTW, check the amp draw before you buy. Some of the cheap ones draw a bunch.

Slime compressor. That little thing is the best..got me thru ten states on dirt last September...no flats but quite a few tires. The bottom line on any compressor is max pressure that it will put out for seating tire beads, the Slime pump will put out an honest 120 PSI. I've had mine for a number of years now and it's been very durable.

I do pretty remote stuff alone and carry Co2, the Slime compressor and a hand pump..best to be prepared.

I have the Hausfield and Slime compressors. I have never used them for more than topping off tire pressure. When I purchased the Slime compressor some CO2 cartridges were included. The Slime is in the V-Strom and the Haus is available for KLR travels. AAA and Progressive roadside service is also available.