‘Mountain Biking’ means a lot of different things to different people, and, it’s important to acknowledge this in any discussion of gear. For example, I’m fond of saying “Level brakes are for level ground” and, sure enough, not one person who’s risen to their defense has lived somewhere with steep, rough, trails. If you ride trails where saving weight is a key factor in your brake and rotor selection we’re likely coming at the activity from very different perspectives.
Likewise, I’ve been mocked on the bikerweb many times for my claim that 30x22t is an excellent gearing choice for single-speeding in the North Shore mountains. When someone tells me that they run 34x17t on their 18lb 29’er I know we’re not having the same conversation.
In the same vein, indeed, many frame-mounted ‘tool wrap’ and water bottle cage tool-storage systems have provisions for mounting CO2 cartridges to them. Generally at their most outboard, and exposed points. And, in pointing out that it’s not a fantastic place to keep a high-pressure vessel on a machine that is going to definitely be crashed into rocks I’m always prepared to receive some pushback.
I wanted to address some of the rebuttals I’ve heard as a handy future reference point.
- No, CO2 cartridges do not hold “only about 100psi.” Sure, a 16g cartridge can inflate a 700x23c tire to 100psi but consider the difference in volume between the steel cartridge and the rubber casing. That cartridge is charged to 800psi+.
- Yes, the cartridge is made of thick steel. Yes, I’ve also seen a few dented cartridges that didn’t puncture. No, I’ve never yet seen a cartridge fail from an impact on the trail. I have seen all manner of dented and broken bicycle parts, including more than a few that have met the pointy part of an immovable object, which I found shocking based on my experiences with them. Mass and momentum do amazing damage.
- Yes, I have seen cartridges get accidentally punctured by their regulators, releasing all their CO2, when not in use. Hilarity ensues. Especially in a backpack. No one wants that to happen right before their eyes.
- Yes, I understand that these cages and tool rolls are designed for quick and easy access to the CO2 cartridge in the event of a puncture. You’re on a group ride, chill. It’s going to add 15 seconds if your cartridge is protectively wrapped in your tube or emotional support jacket (ESJ). For that matter, why not just carry a pump and cut down on the cost and waste?
- To the above point, there are any number of mountain biking accessories that don’t make sense on a bike that’s going to be bailed. Do you mount your cell phone to your handlebar before dropping into aggressive trails?
Anyway, I’ll be certain to add if I experience any more ripostes worth mentioning. But in the meantime, if you’re going to ride aggressive trails and carry CO2 cartridges despite all the advantages of a pump, please store it on your bike or in your pack in a way that reflects ‘contents under pressure’ is an understatement.
If you haven’t had the chance to see a CO2 cartridge explode, well, then thank goodness for bored teenagers. For the record, it can be accomplished with one swing by someone with power and aim:
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