This is not the smallest inflator but is does work better. i started packing a
smaller valved unit and miss fired 2 cartridges because of the tiny seal that grabs
the stem is compromised trying to save weight and space. I had to borrow a pump after walking
for 20 minutes . i am buying 1 of these for gravel bike now.
I've tried a bunch of these over the years. Some look good, but break quickly. This one is small, simple and tough. It works when you need it.
I have two of these, one for each bike. Super easy to control the inflation rate with the open/close valve knob.
Very nice tool when the chips are down due to a flat along the road. I trust it completely.
This inflator is an improvement over my old one - it does all the old one did at a tiny fraction of the size. I was using an enclosed-cartridge inflator that used cheaper threadless CO2 cartridges. I realized at 2-3 flats per YEAR, the savings weren't worth carrying my old bulky inflator.
Haven't *needed* to use this inflator yet, but like all ride-critical tools, I home tested it, "wasting" one cartridge. It worked just fine. The valve on the inflator was easy to operate. The cartridge DOES get seriously (dangerously?) cold, but wrapping it in a cycling glove solves that problem.
the best i have ever owned small design and easy to use, you have full control of this inflator, solid and very light, a must have on your rides.
My rear tire lost air eight miles into a ride, so I had an opportunity to use the Shiny Object. I was really impressed by the control the device afforded. Got the tire re-inflated to the exact point I wanted, and got home without more drama. I think the control the head offers is well worth the price.
This is a solid light weight inflator to keep in your bike bag. I used to have a pump on my downtube for my CO2 cartridges. This was easy to use when I needed it to inflate a tire after a blowout.
i've been using these since 2013. in that time i've had 2 warranty issues which PDW replaced or repaired them. one time the center pin blew out and thus wouldn't puncture the cartridge. the second one was the dial would just spin and not move the stem. so in 6 yrs 2 failures in 50k miles. it doesn't seem that unreasonable, but if you've found a more reliable one, please share it. i love being able to slowly regulate the flow and partially inflate a tire and make sure it's seated and check for add'l leaks rather than blowing the load in one go. i also don't need the full 16g cartridge for 25mm tires, so saving a bit in the cartridge and throwing it in a jersey pocket with some extra is nice. if it had a pressure gauge, i'd give it another star.
What a great product. Rugged, yet small and light. Allows one to gradually add flow from CO2 cartridge to a deflated tire eliminating risk of over inflation. I've tried other CO2 cartridge inflators. Hands down, this is the best.
On the road in a pinch (pun intended) I like the controlled CO2 release.
This shiny object works great, it is so easy to regulate the flow and it will hold the leftover CO2 for days. Its small and light. You can't ask for anything more.
I have a Lezyne and Innovations valve inflators, but have replaced both with the PDW inflator. The PDW is the easiest, quickest, and fail-safe nozzle compared to the other 2. I inflate in 2 steps. At step 1, my PDW allows me to have very slow, controlled release (twist the valve knob) to minimally inflate the inner tube, but with enough air control to see the tire is properly seeded inside, around the rim. My Lezyne and Innovations is simple push, but each push comes in full bursts. I found these bursts are more difficult to control in my step 1. Step 2 is my more robust, but still controlled, release to reach my desired PSI. There are certainly experts using Lezyne and Innovations, but I'm not one of them. I don't flat that often. But, when I do, the PDW has ridden me of all my previous fumbling and frustrations I had with the other 2 brands.
This is simple, small and reliable. Well designed!
Having control of air flow is what it is about! Slow or fast inflation is crucial, and this Shiny object allows this.
This Portland Design Works inflator is so easy to use it makes me want to have a flat tire!
This is the only valve I've ever used that actually holds pressure after it's pierced the C02 cylinder. I've used the partial pressure after a couple of months of initial use. I use it and several friends use them as well, all have had the same good luck with these valves.
This can be throttled to a minimal flow for gentle control of inflation.
It works as described. I had a flat yesterday and busted out the Shiny Object. I screwed in a CO2 and inflated the tire without the internals freezing up and with super control over the CO2 flow into the tire. There also a pressure relief hole so once you back out the cartridge it doesn't want to take off like a rocket. It slowly and safely bleeds off the excess CO2. Worth every penny.
bought this in Jan 2015 - Used 3 times. First use - worked as advertised. Second use - had difficulty with turn knob and burned 2 co2 cartridges to inflate tire. rd use - knob kept turning and never disbursed CO2 - never got my tire inflated. I went through another 2 cartridges and still had a mostly flat tire. Luckly a buddy had another inflator which worked by twisting the cartridge to engage rather than a knob which just spun (open or closed).
