Tire inflator reccomendations?

needles

needles

Well-known member
Hey-

I'm looking for a good tire pump that runs on AC to fill tires for the bike and cars. The last one I got from Amazon started to really struggle once the tire started to get to 30psi.

Any recommendations on what to buy?

Dan
 
R3DS!X

R3DS!X

Whatever that means
If you happen to have battery powered power tool you might wanna see if they make a tire inflator that uses the same battery.

I have a ryobi tire inflator that works really well and is easy to use. The battery makes it easy to move around the garage or use outside or even take to the track.
 
ST Guy

ST Guy

Well-known member
I got a cheap Sears Craftsman air compressor that does a decent job.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-g...pressor/p-00915362000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003c

In my cars, I carry this:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Slime-40...MIm_Pv7vjq5QIV2v_jBx0CDQhKEAQYBCABEgJISvD_BwE

However, it's 12 volts.

For carrying on the bike, shop at Aerostich.

But for regular top off's just before a ride, I find that a simple bicycle floor pump is more than sufficient. A few quick strokes and the tire is topped off. Heck, I even use the bicycle pump to top off my car tires.
 
D

davidji

bike curious
I'm curious what people recommend.

My home needs are typically top a tire up, adding a few PSI, or fill from dead flat. For the former I usually use a bicycle pump, for the latter, a regular air compressor which occasionally powers air tools.

A tire-specific inflater where you can set shutoff pressure seems handy. But I might want a 12v unit I could leave in my car.
 
kiwi_outdoors

kiwi_outdoors

Well-known member
Ryobi Compressor

R3DS!X said:
If you happen to have battery powered power tool you might wanna see if they make a tire inflator that uses the same battery.

I have a Ryobi tire inflator that works really well and is easy to use. The battery makes it easy to move around the garage or use outside or even take to the track.
Click to expand...

I use my Ryobi for car tires and my golf cart (push type). It would struggle to get much over 40 psi. Useless on a "donut" spare which needs 60 psi, or trailer tires (same issue). In the back country I carry a SmittyBilt compressor, which clips to the battery posts (or else use a good old fashioned bicycle pump).
 
HadesOmega

HadesOmega

Well-known member
I use those slime top off pumps when I adventure ride. I was surprised at how much punishment it took when we actually used it in Baja.
 
Maddevill

Maddevill

KNGKAW
I also use a manual bicycle pump at home. Usually the motorcycle tires only need a couple psi anyway. I also use it to top off my truck tires. Now my chest and shoulders look like Duane "The Rock" Johnson's...or a silverback gorilla's....

Mad
 
cheez

cheez

Master Of The Darkside
R3DS!X said:
If you happen to have battery powered power tool you might wanna see if they make a tire inflator that uses the same battery.

I have a ryobi tire inflator that works really well and is easy to use. The battery makes it easy to move around the garage or use outside or even take to the track.
Click to expand...

Edit: Yeah, this.

berth said:
I'm happy with this.

Runs off A/C and battery. Set the PSI and hit "go".

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-12-...tage-Air-Inflator-Power-Source-Car/1000092575
Click to expand...

Was going to recommend something similar- if you have one of the modular battery drill/driver/impact sets, most of them are making a battery operated compressor these days. Lots easier than dragging an extension cord down the driveway.

https://www.circlecsupply.com/dewal..._CPk8lF6SKjTEtx-AEW9lVO6rVbFkn2EaAvWYEALw_wcB

https://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-Portab...50&hvtargid=aud-801381245258:pla-686976038794

https://www.zoro.com/milwaukee-m12-...j8Zj-mksF_xJm3QfRAyr6C4Id9Q-b6GAaAk8aEALw_wcB
 
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auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
ST Guy said:
I got a cheap Sears Craftsman air compressor that does a decent job.

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-g...pressor/p-00915362000P?sid=IDx20070921x00003c

.
Click to expand...

i have one of these with a different logo on it, they're all the same IMO. i usually leave it at max psi, then just drag it to whatever needs topping up and recharge it as needed.

i don't generally bother using it on the car tires because it's really too small to even top up all 4 sometimes (shhhh. maybe i go a little too long between topups?)

for cars, just go to costco. free nitrogen!
 
NorCalBusa

NorCalBusa

Member #294
Timing couldn't be better- holiday sales are popping off in about 10 days. Home Depot already has terrific pricing on modest "pancake" compressors- sufficient to run some air tools and air up any tire. Start stalking models now and ID a few you'd like- then wait for the sale you know is but halfway around the corner. If all you expect to do is air m/c tires- get a 12v one that you can keep on the bike all the time (next to your tire repair kit).

Edit- I got this one a year ago; https://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-...ectric-Pancake-Air-Compressor-C2002/203162815
 
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S

sniper1rfa

Well-known member
I use onboard/portable compressors for filling tires (motopump and viair). That said, if you're willing to spend a couple extra bucks I would get a California Air compressor. https://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-series-of-air-compressor-contractor-grade/

They're a little on the pricier side, but they're really quiet and nice to use. The big pistons mean the peak pressure is a bit lower, but the noise and CFM are improved. They're *way* better than the typical craftsman or whatever consumer compressors.
 
russ69

russ69

Backside Slider
Everybody should have a small compressor and a battery charger. Pretty handy if you own a motorcycle.
 
HadesOmega

HadesOmega

Well-known member
sniper1rfa said:
I use onboard/portable compressors for filling tires (motopump and viair). That said, if you're willing to spend a couple extra bucks I would get a California Air compressor. https://www.californiaairtools.com/ultra-quiet-series-of-air-compressor-contractor-grade/

They're a little on the pricier side, but they're really quiet and nice to use. The big pistons mean the peak pressure is a bit lower, but the noise and CFM are improved. They're *way* better than the typical craftsman or whatever consumer compressors.
Click to expand...

I have one of those California air tool compressors. It so nice, its quiet too. It fills up the tank pretty fast too. I have the 6.3 gallon steel tank one. It doesn't last long but I have a larger compressor for stuff that would require a larger tank.
 
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Izzy_C

Izzy_C

Well-known member
Do some push ups and then get a half decent bicycle pump...

I also have a nice digital gauge... I check my tire pressure once a week so its never really off that much.

On a car/truck its a different story... there a bicycle pump will only get you so far.
 
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