Innovations Air Chuck Elite Inflator

I flatted this morning, and attempted to use this item to reinflate after changing my tube. I am familiar with these and how to inflate a tube, as I am a bicycle mechanic. This unit blew apart in my hand, leaving me with a very sore index finger, and a tube with no air. This seems to be a recurring problem with these units, though they are mostly well reviewed. Attempts to contact Genuine Innovations all went unanswered. I will look elsewhere for a new inflator.I gave this unit a 1 star review, only because there is no way to leave a 0 star review.Addendum - After contacting GI about this issue, the company stepped up and replaced the defective unit. Not only that, they paid postage to return the defective unit so they could determine what went wrong. They sent not just one but TWO of the Air Chuck Elite PLUS inflators, as well as a box of six 20g cartridges. They immediately stood behind their product, and for that I am making a clear addition to my initial review that while the one unit fell apart, they stood up and remedied the situation.

It blew apart on the first use. Had a flat this morning. Pulled the thing out after changing out the tube and it flew apart in seconds, filling my tube just partially. I don't recommend this product. It let me down when I really needed it.I gathered all the parts I could find for the pic, the rest may be in orbit.

As other reviewers have reported, I too had the air chuck explode on my first use! The green aluminum head is glued in with subpar adhesive, causing the head, o-ring, and washer to fly off onto the presta valve and spewing liquid CO2 all over my hand. Thank goodness I was wearing gloves! I may need to contact CPSC to report this issue as it is a safety issue that can cause serious burns. Buyer beware.

I love this device! It's easy to operate, great-looking, light and, compared to the inflators that completely enclose the cartridge, extremely small. Place the cover on the cartridge, firmly screw on the inflator, place the inflator on the valve and press! No switches to operate, no twist-to-inflate. Just press to inflate.In early 2012 I stopped to help a rider whose tire had flatted. She said she didn't need my inflator as she had one (also by Genuine Innovations). It was a type that had a valve switch on it. But before attaching the cartridge she had guessed wrong on the proper switch position and all of the CO2 gas vented into the atmosphere. I lent her my Air Chuck Elite to use on her second cartridge and after using it she was totally sold!Some operating tips:--Keep it on the valve for 6 seconds to fully empty the cartridge contents. Don't be timid, jam it on there!--The inflation pressures claimed by Genuine Innovations appear to be wild exaggerations. In warm weather, a 16g cartridge might get a 700x23 tire up to 90psi, depending upon how much tube volume the rim profile permits. In cold weather, perhaps only 75-80psi. Depending upon rider weight that could be sufficient for the front wheel and enough to prevent pinch flats on the rear wheel. In below-freezing weather...it's best to also bring a pump. Note that SRAM only advertises a 100psi inflation result for 700x23 tires for its (larger) 20g cartridges, which I believe is more realistic.--When inflating, positively keep your hand off of the "black dot" at the back of the chuck head. If you apply any force to this dot then you'll be fighting yourself, simultaneously applying force to both the chuck head and the cartridge port (only the latter should be pushed). In other words, place your hand on the cartridge and the conical portion of the chuck head only.UPDATE:--For road cyclists, for air temperatures below 45°F, I recommend packing the 20g cartridges available from SRAM and Genuine Innovations. They're pricey. I swap out the 16g cartridges 20g cartridges in the fall and then re-swap in the spring. I know one road cyclist who packs the 20g size year-round.--I don't often get flats, but I have noticed that I tend to use this device twice to assist other riders with their flats for each time I use it on my own bike. Such is the burden of carrying a CO2 inflator....

Small and easy to pack, this little air chuck is absolutely necessary out on the trail. I found the 16gram to be JUST enough to get a tire up but I think a 20gram is the most valuable. Definitely would suggest carrying 2 or more of them. My only issue with it is the way it actuates. When you put the chuck onto the stem you have to push the silver part of the chuck down onto the spring to engage. Awkward if you ask me but hey, it's fairly minor.Ride on!

Original review - Have had to use twice since buying. Works better than my last inflator and it’s so small.Update - I had 2 flats coming home from a ride. On the second flat as I start to inflate, there is a loud noise and I notice the rubber washer that was previously inside the inflator is now around my valve stem by itself. I had to ride the last 4 miles home very carefully on what turned out to be 45-50 psi on the front tire. When it works, this device is great. But if it's going to fail after a few uses it provides no peace of mind that you'll be able to properly inflate a tire in the event of a flat. I'm just glad I wasn't 30+ miles away.

I ride 150-200 miles a week, and have punctured tires more often than I would have liked. This thing has gotten me home every time. It's perfect, esp. for serious road riders who want as little weight/wind resistance (and dorkiness) as possible, and who know that you don't need a 1500cc rack bag to hold a bunch of tools you'll never need. If your bike is properly maintained, you'll only need the essentials: inflator; cartridge; spare tube. This set-up is small (everything just fits into a minimalist under-saddle bag). It's ultra lightweight, with simple/sturdy construction, and is easy to use. But be sure to stagger the output in short 'bursts', esp. with the larger, 20g cartridge re: road (19-28mm) tubes, as it might be too much volume. It could blow the tire off the rim or even blow the tube itself. Also, the cartridge body gets cold--really cold when it's in use. GI makes a larger, more expensive model that comes with a sort of holster/hand grip, for this reason. Highly recommended.