The Birzman E-Grip 16g CO2 Inflator is a compact and generally likeable design, which allows progressive and efficient post-puncture inflation. The threaded system is not only reliable, it’s proven compatible with unbranded, generic cartridges. Aside from having readily available spares, this means you can plug in big cylinders for rapid resurrection of touring and gravel tyres.
For your £14.99 you get a nicely CNC machined, anodised aluminium alloy head with laser-etched detailing. The head is designed to accommodate both Presta and Schrader valves – useful if you have road and mountain bikes, and could come in handy for rescuing a riding companion, or if you’re riding a road-biased build with a trailer/tagalong behind.
> Find your nearest dealer here
The head is a press-fit design, which some will argue is less secure than the threaded type, but it overcomes two major difficulties: the risk of unthreading a removable valve core, and the pain (literal and metaphorical) of having to touch and uncouple the inflator head.
As with most designs, it employs controlled release, so pressure is easily regulated. I’ve never blown a 700×25 or a lower pressure, big volume tyre using a 16g cartridge. Nonetheless, blowing a new tube to smithereens defeats the object somewhat – especially on a cold and rainy November night.
In some respects, the Birzman’s performance is on a par with other systems, but the detailing means it’s a notch or so nicer to use than some otherwise adequate budget models.
Using the stock cartridge, it raised a 700×26 tyre from flat to 110psi in three seconds. Switching to an unbranded 16g cartridge it took under five seconds to get a 700×32 to 70psi (10psi short of its maximum recommended pressure).
> How to choose the best tyre pressure
A bigger 25g cartridge breezed a 700×38 tube to 85psi in four seconds and a 26×2.0 tube to 46psi (14psi within its maximum), albeit at a more pedestrian nine seconds – but that’s a whole heap faster than you’d ever get using a mini pump.
The Birzman’s neoprene sleeve feels a little thin compared with some, but protects palms and fingers perfectly well, even after having to stretch it (in warm water) to fit 25g cartridges.
Canister size has more influence upon pressures achieved, but a head offering consistent, efficient delivery gets the best from them. The Birzman’s design is pretty foolproof on the unintentional discharge front, too, provided you don’t screw the cartridge fully home. In my experience, some budget inflators heave a less precise thread which can lead to accidental release; hence I keep the cartridges uncoupled until I need one.
> Step by step: How to fix a puncture
One thing to bear in mind: while CO2 will rescue you by the road/trailside, it will quickly leach out from the tyre/tube, so it’s a good idea to deflate and refill it using your track or hand pump when you get home. Otherwise you’ll think you’ve another, slow puncture the following morning…
Value
At £14.99, the Birzman is certainly at the lower end of the price point. Muc-Off’s CO2 Inflator Kit is a screw-on design and includes a second canister but costs a tenner more – as does Lezyne’s Control Drive CO2 Inflator.
Genuine Innovations’ Ultraflate CO2 Inflator costs £19.99 but does come with a 20g canister and is quite innovative, albeit a bit heavier.
Conclusion
I’d never want to rely solely on a CO2 inflator and always carry a mini pump and Presta/Schrader adaptor (in case I need to use a garage airline). Nonetheless, for £14.99, the Birzman is a neatly executed and seemingly reliable inflator kit with decent features.
Verdict
Nicely engineered inflator that’s effective and pleasant to use
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road.cc test report
Make and model: Birzman E-Grip 16g CO2 Inflator
Size tested: 4.2 x 2.3 x 1.4cm (valve head)
Tell us what the product is for and who it’s aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Birzman says: “Made of CNC machined aluminium for long-lasting and regular use, the E-Grip CO2 Set will work with Presta and Schrader valves for an efficient and effort-saving experience.’
It’s pleasant and efficient to use, as it says in the blurb.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Birzman lists:
Material: CNC machined aluminium (valve head), Neoprene (grip).
Size: 4.2 x 2.3 x 1.4cm (valve head).
Weight: 15g (valve head).
Includes: 1 x 16g cartridges & 1 neoprene grip.
Solidly made, comfortable to use.
The head’s release ensures controlled, consistent delivery of CO2.
Seems well made, with little sign of potential weak spots.
The neoprene sleeve prevents painful digits during discharge.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Using the stock cartridge, it raised a 700×26 from flat to 110psi in two seconds. Switching to unbranded 16g cartridge raised a 700×32 to 70psi (10 psi short of its maximum recommended pressure) within five.
Using 25g cartridges breezed a 700×38 to 85psi in four seconds and a 26×2.0 to 46psi (within 14psi of its maximum), albeit at a more pedestrian nine seconds.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Neatly finished, effective and reliable.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing of particular note.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
It’s at the lower end of the market: Muc-Off’s CO2 Inflator Kit is £25, as is Lezyne’s Control Drive CO2 Inflator, while Genuine Innovations’ 20g Ultraflate CO2 Inflator costs £19.99.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Generally speaking, yes.
Use this box to explain your overall score
It’s good: nicely engineered, reliable system and favourably priced.
About the tester
Age: 46
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I’ve been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
11 thoughts on “Birzman E-Grip 16g CO2 Inflator”
I buy cheepo CO2 cartidges
I buy cheepo CO2 cartridges and use bits of an old innertube to make sleeves to protect me from freezing and to stop rattling in my saddle bag. The sleeves can be reused.
I too carry a Presta/Schrader adaptor, but not a minipump.
The only problem with CO2 is that part-used cylinders are always flat when you go to use them again
These cyclinders are a
These cyclinders are a significant addition to litter, which I see in roads in town and remote country. I won’t be using them, as the Aldi mini pump costs about £4 and lasts for years. Not as quick, but not bad.
It’s a fair point, but are
It’s a fair point, but are you sure that you’re not confusing CO2 cannisters with the piles of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) cannisters that are commonplace in certain areas….like outside my front gate in Central London (not my doing, I might add).
So, you refuse to use them
So, you refuse to use them because other people litter with them… crazy logic.
Certainly debateable, but not
Certainly debateable, but not crazy. Why would you help to support an industry that contributes to litter, when there is a perfectly reliable no litter alternative?
Just for the sake of argument
Just for the sake of argument, it would seem a bit odd, for example, to say you’re refusing to use a mattress because you often see them fly-tipped at the side of the road, and there are alternatives (an airbed, sacks stuffed with straw…).
My point was that describing
My point was that describing wtjs’ decision as crazy was wrong. Taking a principled stand on what industries to support (regardless of what others do) I believe is to be applauded. Whether it is misguided, or fruitless may be debated, but I don’t see it as crazy.
Matresses certainly have an end-of-life disposal problem that (I don’t believe) is adequately answered, evidenced by amongst other things the fly tipping issue. If an indiviudal sees this issue as at least in part the responsibility of the manufacturer, they are perfectly at liberty to choose a product that fits with their ideals.
Is this not the same principle that at least partly drives critiscism of Ineos for their environmental record?
Fair enough, but kevvjj didn
Fair enough, but kevvjj didn’t describe it as ‘crazy’ – they said it was ‘crazy logic‘ – i.e. it was just a colloquial way of saying it was illogical.
(Although personally I would steer clear of the word ‘crazy’ in the first place, as it’s pretty problematic.)
Okay, I don’t want to get
Okay, I don’t want to get into the semantics of the fine line between crazy decision, and crazy logic.
I think w’s stance is a reasonable one. I take a similar one on bottled drinks. I don’t want to support this incredibly wasteful and pointless industry. Is that stopping other folk littering? No. Am I consistent? No, I have several matresses
. Will I then abandon considerations or principles regarding environment or other ethics cos I’m not very good at it? No – and others will no doubt cast judgement as to whether I’m “crazy”
So you think those littered
So you think those littered cylinders are from teenagers in car parks having late night tyre changing competitions?
Is that a question or an
Is that a question or an accusation?
If the former it is irelevant, if the latter it is baseless.
Comments are closed.