Reverence: Lezyne Trigger Drive CO2
More than crashes or the myriad other problems anticipated before embarking on a ride, the threat of a puncture is the most tangible. I could be persuaded to leave for a ride or start a race without my trusty multi-tool or even my bidons, but never without at least one tube and a means to inflate it in case of un pneu crevé.
Those of us observing Rule #29 carry a minimum number of tools, each carefully selected for their versatility, weight, and size. Our machines are meticulously maintained, thus roadside repairs are rarely required. Chain tools and box-end wrenches are superfluous and need not feature in the Velominatus’ road training toolkit. A multitool, a spare tube or two, a simple tire lever, and a means to inflate a tire are all that is required.
The means by which we choose to inflate our tires on the road is determined by reason or whim; small, lightweight means of inflation both pump and Cartouche CO2 are readily available for all budgets. My preference is to carry a small C02 inflator with two cartridges and to distribute the weight between my three pockets. I use a rubber band to bind the cartridges together with the tire lever and put them in the center pocket; the inflator and multi tool each go in a side pocket (the mulitool goes on the right, for obvious reasons.)
Made of brass and plastic twist valves, most CO2 inflators suffer from KFC regret and are cumbersome and unnecessarily heavy. Always one to appreciate a simple, minimalistic design, it was love at first sight when my gaze passed over the Lezyne Trigger Drive CO2. Meticulously constructed of CNC-machined aluminum, it is ridiculously lightweight and possesses the soft polished glow reminiscent of the gleaming metal bits Campagnolo produced in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I almost yearn for the hiss of air escaping from my tire, just for the excuse to use it.
In the hand, it feels smooth and perfectly weighted – the folks at Lezyne do the work of a Velominatus. The cartridge threads into it perfectly, without allowing the escape of any air from its compressed confines. It threads perfectly onto the valve stem; the action required to unleash the pressurized gas is both effortless and controlled.
I am not too proud to say I carried it with me everywhere I went during the first two weeks I owned it. Magnifique.
@Gianni
Jacky Bobby – Gold! Wait until 2013 after he stops focusing on the track – where “rubbin’s racin'”. Shake n bake baby.
@Oli Brooke-White
Done it! I was demonstrating to a new cyclists how to wipe off the rear tire (while going down hill) and my hand got jammed between the tire and seat tube. The rear wheel locked and the bike skidded to a stop. I had to back up the bike to get my hand out. Dooh! Luckily the only damage was to the tire and my pride.
I’m bully on tire wiping still, I don’t know if it helps but it can’t hurt unless…
I just picked up a Trigger Drive after my Crankbrothers mini pump failed to deliver during a recent flat. I couldn’t get more than about 50psi out of it.
The Lezyne is indeed a work of engineering, art, and user interface. My other choices were black and neon green monstrosities that didn’t even have threads for the tube’s valve.
My Lezyne trigger drive and floor pump are in the mails!
Where are some of you carrying your phone and wallet? I ride with those as well.
I have phone/wallet in a SciCon waterproof bag in center jersey pocket, multi-tool in one outer pocket, tube + lever in the other with CO2 + GI chuck head.
Just curious.
Ha…as soon as I wrote that came across the Lezyne Caddy Sack article. I get it now.
I too like carrying as little as possible.
Never, ever did I imagine I’d have upgrade-itis for a trigger drive. Well, now I realize I clearly need to replace my Genuine Innovations drive with a Lezyne one. Thanks a lot, Frank.
Inspired by this piece, I’ve just taken delivery of one of these. A thing of real beauty.
If CO2 isn’t your thing, I recommend one of these – Lezyne hand pump
I have the small one (170mm) and unfortunately I already know that it gets a tire to 100 psi without too much trouble out on the road. Rated to 120 psi.
Still wondering if the roofing nails scattered on the downhill side of an overpass bike lane were deliberate or not.
@itburns
The link goes to the wrong product in the embedded window. The “View Full Version” goes to the correct product. It’s the Pressure Carbon Drive.
http://www.lezyne.com/hand-pumps#panel-3
The product shown in the “embedded” window is rated to 120 psi but doesn’t come in a jersey pocket friendly size.
@itburns
“embedded” window product rated to 160 psi. Walking away from keyboard now.
I’m fortunate enough to have the best of both worlds. Check out:
http://www.genuineinnovations.com/bicycle/commuter-touring/second-wind-road-carbon-mini.html
A carbon mini pump which can also use CO2 so if you are unfortunate enough to get to that third puncture stage you can still inflate your tyre.
アウトレット prada
I use a Lezyne frame mounted pump (ya I know Rule #30)…its damn sexy and severs its purpose wonderfully..In my own defense it does match my paint work so as not to be too obvious….I do have a c02 setup…for my mountain bike….