Portland Design Works Shiny Object CO2 Inflator Head

It's a great idea...a valve on the stem.Brace yourself for the freezing plume of Co2 as you screw down and pierce that brand new cartridge...before you get a chance to put it on the tube. You tell yourself that you are stupid. You did this last time and you won't do this next time. But you will. You will pack two cartridges, because you know you will.Engineers: A self-closing valve that would re-set itself after each cartridge removal would be helpful for those of us who are too high or too rushed to remember to close the valve. Thanks.

I ordered 4 months ago so I can't return, even though I had not used it until last weekend, when it left me stranded. I got a flat, pulled a nasty wire out of the tire, changed the tube, and hooked up my CO2 inflator. This CO2 inflator briefly inflated, but the internal rubber quickly blew out. It sounded like a gunshot and scared the crap out of me. The CO2 spewed everywhere (except in my tube). and left me with no way to inflate the tube. Luckily I had cell reception so I called my lovely wife, who, understandingly, was a little miffed at wasting a good part of her afternoon picking me up, 40 miles from home.If you buy this CO2 inflator, buy another brand at the same time, and keep both in your seat bag.

I've written a review for this product in the past, but after yesterday I have to write another one. Let Me Explain!I bought several of these over the past years. I rarely get flats, but when I do I WANT AN INFLATOR I CAN TRUST and these let me down every time, so I fired Portland Design and went with another brand that so far has come through. Over time these inflators can corrode in the saddle bag. Mine would sit in my saddlebag for a year or so before needing it and when it was time it would fail. Bought another and when it came time to use it, it failed. Bought a third one.....FAILED! During this period I recommended this product to my daughter. She bought one and it has sat in her saddlebag until Last night we were together and she had a flat. BIG FAIL! We used the inflator I now own (not available on Amazon. Bought it in a local bike shop, make and model I can't remember) and it worked flawlessly. My current CO2 inflator has been sitting in my bag for over a year. GOODBYE PORTLAND DESIGN and the uncertainty your product gives. I RECOMMEND AN INFLATOR THAT HAS THE LEAST MOVING PARTS AS POSSIBLE. Nothing that screws open and closed, though that feature is excellent in controlling inflation flow rate, but when it doesn't work does that matter?

I got a flat real early on my ride this weekend and had my 1st opportunity to break it out. Luckily I brought 2 cartridges because the tire wasn't in right when I 1st inflated and I had already used too much air from this canister so I had to bust out the 2nd.I usually ride about 130 PSI and I wasn't able to get it up that high; turned out I had more like 90. I liked having the regulator on here; I've used some before without it and it's not as easy. Make sure you've cut an old piece of inner tube or have something else because it's going to freeze, Everything is ice cold and you've got to wait a little until it unfreezes from the tire stem so you don't damage it when removing.

I've had my shiny object for over seven years. It works flawlessly. A few weeks ago, not realizing a cartridge wasn't empty, I started unscrewing the inflator head from the co2 cartridge and "pop", sort of exploded. The o-ring was damaged. This was totally user error. I noticed that gas was escaping when I punctured new co2 cartridges. Total bummer. Thinking I would have to replace, I started digging around for the next inflator head. However, that's when I discovered Portland Design Works makes a rebuild kit for about $4. After replacing the "O-ring" gasket near the puncture pin, the inflator was good as new. I fully expect at least 7 more years from my rebuilt inflator head, probably longer since the only reason I have issues was my own fault. I'm literally stunned. This thing is worth every single penny.

Gasket failure after opening and closing the valve for a few times results in leakage that makes it unusable. I have purchased 3 of these over the last year or so. They work fine for a few uses of opening and closing the valve but then develop a leak that only gets worse and makes it unusable. Maybe I am closing the valve too tight compressing the gasket? When this item works it is really great as I use with a schrader valve and there is no leakage at all when opening the valve to inflate the tire. The problem comes with repeated daily use over a few weeks and seems to be the gasket with the opening and closing valve that fails. I find that plastic ones break and this one is just too unreliable to count on and constantly replace so I will look for something more robust.

Used it literally once and the gasket blew out of it rendering it useless. Luckily after the tire had been filled, but had I been in a remote location I would be in deep (literally) with no way to inflate. Not a very good design. There is a lifetime warranty, but who really wants to roll the dice and trust the next one will perform reliably.

Lightweight, easy to use, and with a 16g cartridge inflates my 700x23 tires to 110 psi, right where I run them anyway. Way more fun than working a tiny little hand pump on the side of the road. Worth every penny. The valve is easy to work while you are trying to hold it in place. You can even give a tiny-quick "on off" blast to pre-inflate your tube a bit, although I had to let out some air. Maybe with more practice I'd be better but hopefully won't have to use it often. I ride solo a lot in areas with no cell reception, and this is a Must Carry item in my bag.

All metal build avoids reduces chances of failure that has happened to me with cheap plastic inflators.

This CO2 inflator is the dogs ******, so easy to use & fits in one hand easily. Love it!

The design of this is really nice and minimalist. It can easily pack away with a Co2 cartridge and the metal materials area really nice.Like a few other reviewers, on my first use of this pump, there was a loud POP sound and the little rubber seal shot out of the pump. It was pretty scary and at first, I was quite upset thinking it was broken.However, it is NOT broken.The side tube where the rubber seal came out of can actually be screwed off, and the seal can be placed back in. I actually put the seal back in upside down, and I found it works better for a Presta valve and has not blown off since. I hope this helps others!

Inflator works well once the C02 cartridges finally showed up. Canada Post is overwhelmed by Covid . The inflaor head arrived in 3 days from one vendor, the cartridges finally showed up 2 weeks later. Hard to see value in Amazon Prime if it continues to use Canada Post

great, super high quality valve, perfect for the minimalist roadie