I got around in December, 2009 to getting a C02 inflator. As I had a gift voucher for TBE, Osborne Park  I used it to pick-up a Planet Bike Red Zeppelin inflator for AU$29.95. It comes supplied with two 16g threaded CO2 cartridges and a insulation sleeve.

The manufacturer describes the inflator thus:

• Precision-machined body and head with Airflation Control^TM knob for 100% reliability
• Insulated cartridge sleeve to prevent frozen fingers
• Fits Presta and Schrader valves without adapters
• Includes two 16g CO2 cartridges & insulator sleeve
• Can control inflation

and they advise that a 12g cartridge will inflate a 26” tube to 30 psi and a 700c tube to 90 psi and a 16 g cartridge (which is what I have) will inflate a 26” tube to 40 psi and a 700c to 120 psi.

Well on January 23, 2010 I got a puncture in a Vittoria Zaffiro which is fitted to the front of Froggie, my Look 555. As I was in a hurry to get to the Freo Wheelers group ride I thought it was a good opportunity to put the inflator to the test.

As it was my first use, I used the pump to put a little air into the tube for installation, but in hindsight I could have used the Red Zeppelin as I quickly found it has good control on the gas flow.  Once I had the tube installed, I fitted the inflator which easily connected to the valve and open it up. With seconds I had a rock solid tire, easily inflated to ~120 psi. Hard enough for me, for sure.  I would have to say this was the quickest tube change I have done and I am impressed with the inflator. I am sold!

It was easy to use, fitted the valve well and had good flow control. Now that I have a better handle on its use I would use if a partial inflate and the a full inflate in future.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Tags: CO2 Inflator,Planet Bike,Pumps,Red Zeppelin
Categories: Bicycle gear reviews
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Having just got home from shopping at my local bike shop (LBS), The Bicycle Entrepreneur (TBE), Osborne Park I felt I need to ask myself that question. I went to TBE because I had very kindly been given two gift vouchers for at a total $225.00 and one was expiring soon. I am also a customer of the store having purchased Froggie from them and Anne brought her bike there as well.

So I thought this is a great time to grab a new pair of mountain bike shoes and a CO2 pump, both items a bit harder to buy online and I thought a good use of the gift vouchers.

The purchase price for the shoes and pump came to $184.90 leaving me with $40.10 to spend on the vouchers. Well I also needed a new pair of gloves and TBE has Sugoi gloves so why not splash out so to speak. The gloves added another $44.95 to the order; all up a total of $229.85.

The young person serving me was nice and helpful and whilst he was putting through the transaction we chatted. When the transaction went through he mentioned that another $29.85 was payable and without thinking I paid it, not really registering what he said. It was then he realised that he had not processed the second $25 gift voucher. No worries, mistakes happen right. We can easily fix this can’t we.  He calls over the senior staff member who tries something with the computer, stares it and then says he can’t do anything about the error … if he tries to reverse the transaction and include the second gift voucher it will cause the till to be out of balance. What has this got to do with anything? Surly it can be easily explained, right? Furthermore  what has this to do with me as the customer? This is a store issue, not a customer issue or so I thought. How wrong was I. 

The best they could offer was (a) leaving all the items with them and they will fix it up “next week” when the store manager is back (vague on when the store manager was actually coming back) or (b) take the items, we will keep a copy of the sales invoice, and will see what the store manager says “next week.”  I took option (b) and It will be interesting to see what comes of this.

What got me about all this was:

(1) Okay things happen, mistakes get made. That was no big deal and it didn’t bother me, UNTILL they couldn’t sort it … that was not impressive at all and not good customer service in my view;

(2) No discount was offered on the purchases irrespective of the gift voucher and before they new I was paying for the purchases with them. This was disappointing because I am a known customer (they retrieve my details to process the sale) who purchased Froggie from them and Anne got her bike there as well and was lead to believe that we would get 10% discount as a continuing customer much like what Fleet Cycles does;

(3) The general prices of the items in the store. That same $200 gift voucher at Wiggle or the likes would have gone much further in my opinion.

On the subject of prices.  The three items purchased where and for interests sake, some comparison prices.

Specialized Taho MTB shoes – AU$154.95 – MTBR Reviews RRP – AU$78.79

Planet Bike Red Zepplin CO2 Inflator – AU$29.95 – Phantom Cycles (AUS) – AU$25.95 – JensonUSA – AU$22.45

Sugoi  C9 Gel gloves – AU$44.95 – Campor US RRP – AU$33.75 – Seen them online for AU$16.00

Had I shopped at Wiggle I wouldn’t have got the CO2 inflator and would have possibly brought over brands or models but the above gives an idea on the pricing variance. For example from Wiggle I could have got Northwave Lizard Pro SBS MTB shoes with better fasteners for starters for $143.20

For me the moral of this experience for me is that looking around TBE pricing is still high compared to overseas, the range of items was limited (I was struggling to use up my $225.00 by getting things either I would like to try on or can’t easily get overseas), that even though I had brought previously a mid range priced (at the time) bike (over $3,000) and Anne brought her $2,000 bike there as well, it doesn’t make me a valued customer and that when they muck up, the hassle is the customers, not theirs.

So for me, shopping online from the comfort of my office chair continues to win out.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Tags: LBS,Planet Bike,Shopping Online,Specialized,Sugoi,TBE,Wiggle
Categories: Bicycling
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