Air compressor

[pmcdonald]

After my last couple of struggles beading new tires I'm toying with the idea of buying an air compressor. They're quite cheap used and a use or two pretty much pays back the cost of taking it in to the bike store for them to mount.

Anyone running one for this type of use? Anything I should look for or be aware of? I've heard a 40L tank is handy. I'll also need a good presta attachment.

 

[kevinmccune]

Generally the more storage the better, these small compressors tend to be rather noisy so keep that in mind,I bought a 21-gallon Harbor freight compressor around 6 years ago, which serves my needs, however, I have it situated in an adjacent room to my shop which really cuts down on the noise I have to endure.

 

[Gionnirocket]

After my last couple of struggles beading new tires I'm toying with the idea of buying an air compressor. They're quite cheap used and a use or two pretty much pays back the cost of taking it in to the bike store for them to mount.

Anyone running one for this type of use? Anything I should look for or be aware of? I've heard a 40L tank is handy. I'll also need a good presta attachment.

The only way to set a tire.
Also good for blowing the bike dry after a wash, blasting break calipers clean, removing excess lube from a chain... etc... etc... etc...

 

[pmcdonald]

Generally the more storage the better, these small compressors tend to be rather noisy so keep that in mind,I bought a 21-gallon Harbor freight compressor around 6 years ago, which serves my needs, however, I have it situated in an adjacent room to my shop which really cuts down on the noise I have to endure.

Good point. I'd likely just run it outdoors in the yard.

I run tubeless now on both my bikes so it's only going to be a handy tool in the future. I've been lucky thus far that three of the four tire installs have worked with my hand pump but moving to heavier casings was a bridge too far for that setup. It was watching how easily the bike store installed the tire on that showed me the light. 3 seconds and pop pop pop!

Any decent presta attachments people swear by?

 

[fooferdoggie]

The only way to set a tire.
Also good for blowing the bike dry after a wash, blasting break calipers clean, removing excess lube from a chain... etc... etc... etc...

I use a cordless leaf blower for that job.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I use a cordless leaf blower for that job.

I'd like to to see the Schrader / Presta adapter

 

[kevinmccune]

Good point. I'd likely just run it outdoors in the yard.

I run tubeless now on both my bikes so it's only going to be a handy tool in the future. I've been lucky thus far that three of the four tire installs have worked with my hand pump but moving to heavier casings was a bridge too far for that setup. It was watching how easily the bike store installed the tire on that showed me the light. 3 seconds and pop pop pop!

Any decent presta attachments people swear by?

You could check out the ingenious ways some people have adapted "Schrader" valves to the tubeless.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I'd like to to see the Schrader / Presta adapter

for blowing off the bike silly.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Good point. I'd likely just run it outdoors in the yard.

I run tubeless now on both my bikes so it's only going to be a handy tool in the future. I've been lucky thus far that three of the four tire installs have worked with my hand pump but moving to heavier casings was a bridge too far for that setup. It was watching how easily the bike store installed the tire on that showed me the light. 3 seconds and pop pop pop!

Any decent presta attachments people swear by?

 

[pmcdonald]

I build up the gorilla water proof tape around the inside of rim for tubeless setup. I make sure that lips of Tyres are touching the rim and I inflate it with manual floor pump.
I inflated my 37 psi Eddy Current Tyres to 45 psi to hear the popping sound of beads seating onto the rim.

That worked for my commuter Pathfinders and one of the Minions but the Assegai defeated me. Spent two hours and every technique I could find wrestling with that tire! I swore that was the last time I'd put myself through that.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I just used good rim tape easy to use and will be easy to remove when needed. plus it's thinner so it keeps the thickness down.

 

[Gionnirocket]

One thing I done before installing new tires was to let it sunbathe for 2-3 hours prior to installing. It is more pliable when it's heated.

Heat & Lube have many an application.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Heat & Lube have many an application.

especially in the bedroom.

 

[Gionnirocket]

especially in the bedroom.

My lady gets upset when I bring the bike inside.

 

[fooferdoggie]

My lady gets upset when I bring the bike inside.

you have to choose your ride carefully.

 

[PDoz]

I've got a small compressor that is more mobile / compact than my old traditional high volume monster, It's labelled as 1 hp / 8 litres and about half the size of the average compressor. It manages tubless bike tyres but struggles to seat tubeless 4x4 tyres ( so I drag the beast out for them ) . . I literally can't get to the big monster at the moment because it's burried in shed stuff - which shows how ling since I last used it. The little unit is good enough for blowing woodwork dust around....cleaning out carbies etc. Not really enough volume to paint with, which is a really good excuse to get someone else to do that.....

No need for a fancy attachment when seating the tyre- I just use the hand blow gun ( with the presta core removed) ,

As for valve stems - I swear by the chris kings ones - they are the only stems that reliably seal on my daughters alex rims, and they have been trouble free on our giant, scott, specialized, norcos. I despise the ones with rectangular rubber - they have an annoying habit of twisting / breaking the seal at the furthest possible distance from help...... The chris kings also come with really neat caps that help with removing the insert

Peaty's x Chris King Mk2 Tubeless Valves

With design, sustainability & quality running right to the core, Chris King and their stunning colourways have your bike in for a real treat for years to come. Still made from lightweight anodised 7075 aluminium as standard, their new mk2 tubeless valves are now compatible with all rim inserts...

www.mtbdirect.com.au

 

[AHicks]

Back on topic......
I'd second the home compressor plan. You'll find countless uses for it. I'd also recommend an inexpensive oilless direct drive type. They ARE noisy, but can often be made much quieter with how/where they're located. AND they're cheap! You don't need a great big tank either. Maybe check out a couple of possible locations where it can be hidden in a cabinet and shop for something that will fit. The ones contractors use for trim work and other small projects work just fine. You don't need one of those big vertical types for sure! A hundred bucks should do it easily - and will last you a LONG time.

 

[PDoz]

That worked for my commuter Pathfinders and one of the Minions but the Assegai defeated me. Spent two hours and every technique I could find wrestling with that tire! I swore that was the last time I'd put myself through that.

Vengeance " I'll show you what tire means"

sorry if that triggers another bedroom diversion.

It's "TYRE" for those of us who don't want to get tired or tie her...call yourself an Aussie?

 

[fooferdoggie]

As for valve stems - I swear by the chris kings ones - they are the only stems that reliably seal on my daughters alex rims, and they have been trouble free on our giant, scott, specialized, norcos. I despise the ones with rectangular rubber - they have an annoying habit of twisting / breaking the seal at the furthest possible distance from help...... The chris kings also come with really neat caps that help with removing the insert

Peaty's x Chris King Mk2 Tubeless Valves

With design, sustainability & quality running right to the core, Chris King and their stunning colourways have your bike in for a real treat for years to come. Still made from lightweight anodised 7075 aluminium as standard, their new mk2 tubeless valves are now compatible with all rim inserts...

www.mtbdirect.com.au

les then some I have seen. I should have asked my Chris King guy that came by my shop today.

 

[PDoz]

Btw, super scabby have my compressor on special at the moment with the tool kit included. At $159 it's still a bit more than their usual sale price ( around $100 without the tools when on sale), but the tools cost about $40 normally ( admittedly those are low quality attatchments)

Supercheap Auto Australia | Current Promotion

www.supercheapauto.com.au

But now you've made me look at the rest of their range and I want to buy this - my shed runs on solar powered 12 v and mid winter the battery / inverter struggles to start up my 240 v unit. And one can never have too many pumps...I particularly like the removable tank, I might see if the tank will fit my other air pumps

Ridge Ryder Air Compressor with Removable Tank 12V

Ridge Ryder Air Compressor with Removable Tank 12V

www.supercheapauto.com.au