Planet Bike Red Zeppelin CO2 Bike Tire Inflator

Somehow my front bike tire lost pressure. Fortunately I had my Red Zeppelin inflator. I couldn't find a puncture, so I just used the CO2 cartridge to inflate the tire. The pressure held until I go back to my car. Later a bike shop indicated the sidewall had separated from the rim enough to let the pressure out. But the CO2 held long enough that I didn't have to walk home, which would have been a very long walk.

This is the original Red Zeppelin CO2 tire inflator that is made of metal and build to last with a tried-and-true design. It is reliable and very easy to use. I waited to put up a review until I had first hand experience with it. The inevitable came when the front tire of my gravel bike got a flat after picking up a goathead (aka Puncture Vine / Devil's Thorn) on the trail during a ride. After removing the thorn and replacing the tube, it took less than ten seconds from installing the cartridge to inflating the tire (700C x 32) using one of the two included 16g cartridge. I didn't have a tire gauge with me but based on (pinch-feel), one 16g cartridge easily filled the tire up to 60psi range which is more than enough to continue and finish my ride. Anyone looking for a compact, lightweight, reliable and simple to use bike tire inflator, look no further. This is the one you're looking for.

Small, light, and fast. After using a mini pump for a while, I was so please at the ease of using this CO2 inflation for the first time. Simply make sure the red valve is closed, screw in a CO2 cartridge, screw the chuck onto your presta valve, and open the red valve (and don't hold the CO2 cartridge because it gets very cold very quick).As others have said, the knob is just really on / off. Don't expect you can regulate flow with it. The trick is just knowing what size cartridges for your tire, so practice at home where you have access to a floor pump with a gauge so you know what you are getting. One 16g cartridge will bring my 27 x 1.25" tire from 0 to 65psi. Not perfect, but enough to get me to a floor pump and a lot better than walking. With my 700 x 25c, 0 to 100psi, almost perfect.I haven't had any issues with my inflator leaking as the tire reaches pressure and another reviewer stated, perhaps a manufacturing issue?

Halfway into an aggressive and difficult mountain bike trial, my rear tube was punctured. We had the Red Zeppelin along and it did the job well after patching the tire. While one CO2 cartridge was not enough to reach the desired PSI in my large mountain bike tire, it was enough to get me off the mountain. I don't like hauling a lot of weight and have lost and broken so many pumps, I only carry CO2 inflators now. The only negative is that this one is not as small in size as some others. It works great though - for the price and performance, I am not complaining. Tip: It is wise to always have two CO2 cartridges with you.

I used this last night for the first time. I thought I had the inflator valve shut and CO2 came rushing out. I changed my procedure to: screw inflator to tube valve, screw on CO2 cartridge, open inflator valve to inflate tire. It is very small/light weight, the red boot that is on the cartridge doesn't come off that easily, I just tossed it. You have to be careful not to touch it when cold to avoid burns, JUST like any other CO2 inflator.

This system has left me either walking or in need of rescue twice in the past week. In fairness part of this may be user error--and overly high expectations. Though it comes equipped with a "regulator" valve of sorts, in my experience it is barely better than all or nothing--about 1/8 of a turn which tends to stick with the cold. So you get what you get. Provided you know the tube won't blow at complete discharge, a quick way to inflate a flat. But no room for in between. This is an issue with the CO2 system generally, just warning those readers who see the knob and figure they can dial in pressures in whatever situation. After two bail out situations, I just bought a good frame pump. YMMV.

This handy little gem has saved my butt 3 times. It's not practical for topping off your tires before you ride (A pump is better for that) but it stows away very well for use on the road. It's true that the valve is more of an on/off function rather than a regulator type. You can regulate it a little bit if you're very careful but in reality there's really no need. A 16 gram cartridge is just about perfect to inflate a flat 700x23 tire to about 100 psi (+/-). Just screw it onto the presta valve & open it up - voila - your tire is fully inflated.Do take the time to put the little koozie thing on the cartridge before you use it. It gets really cold really fast. I found that one out the hard way. I never thought I'd end up with a frost bite like burn on my fingers on a 110 degree South Texas day. But I did.I bought mine using Reward points on my Amazon Chase Visa card so it didn't actually cost me a dime. Thanks Amazon & Chase!

I've used a couple different types of inflators for my bike and my motorcycle. I like this one better than the older ones I used to have that didn't have any valve. Those things would start releasing the air as soon as you screwed them onto your valve stem. This one is a lot easier to use.Be careful with the valve though, because it's more like a switch than a valve: it's either on or off. You can't use the valve to regulate the amount of air coming out. So be careful not to over-inflate your tire.The other thing that I LOVE about this inflator is...well...it seems kind of lame, but I love the red foam bumper that comes on one of the two C02 cartridge. It can drive you nuts when those things clink together in your seat pack. Well done! :^)

Great tool. Quick and precise control of how much CO2 you are releasing. And the foam sleeve protects you from the freezing when the CO2 releases. Not as light as other units but WAY more user friendly.

Blows my mind every time