Size does matter. But holy crap, a 20-30 gallon just for tires?If it will only be for tires and not paint or tools, low hp is alright. Tank size is more important. I would stay in the 20-30 gallon size with a good ball-valve shut off. Harbor Frieght sells a few decent bang-for-buck models depending on the price range.
As I recall, mine came with a thread-on schrader attachment, but I bought a quick coupler to install on the hose instead, then got a quick coupler schrader fitting, lock-on schrader (for the sprinkler system), and a blower.20+ gallons does seem like overkill for my needs, plus I'm looking for something on the smaller side and I'd like to keep it under $100 if possible. I'm just tired of blowing through CO2 canisters while maintaining a few bikes of my own, the girlfriends, and even some friends.
Tom, did yours come with the necessary attachments for the tires/valves, or did you have to purchase them separately?
Good point, you probably aren't going to find many native presta fittings. I just keep one of these around:
Thanks for sharing this DIY link. A trip to Harbor Freight might be in my near future. Those Presta/Schrader adaptors drive me nuts. It's probably just my mechanical ineptitude, but I have a hard time getting my compressor to blow a steady stream of air through the adaptor.
That's a good deal. I went for the cheapo dry setup just because I couldn't justify paying enough for an oiled one. If you have an oiled one, oil it once in a while!I've got a 3 gallon Craftsman with an OILED air compressor piston. The oiled (vs. oil-less compressors) are much nicer, quieter and longer lasting.
I'd sell mine for $75 (1 year old) as I need to get a larger capacity compressor for running air tools in the garage.
PM me. I'm in Arvada.
AirBob? It might cost as much as a compressor, but it makes filling up presta and schrader valves fast and easy. I spent far too much time trying to trigger the little pin on my old compresser valve to fill up a presta tube through an adapter. Now it's a matter of a minute to air up the family's mixed-valved bikes. (Amazon.com: Problem Solvers Air-Bob Universal Tire Inflator: Sports & Outdoors)Agreed it may be overkill, but I have had many gripes with stubborn units that were smaller. The cost margin of a 20 gal vs smaller is actually pretty minimal if you look around. Like with many things, bigger opens options for later.
There is a company advertizing in Mountain Bike Action in one of the small ads in the back that makes a tire inflator attachment with a gun and guage for presta. If I could recall what it was called I would send a link, but its out there.
Not a bad idea but you are one flat(that requires you to swap to a tube temporarily) away from having to hit the bike shop again. Air compressors really make life in the garage so much better. That injector is the tits though.I've considered a compressor, but it's easier to let me LBS do the initial set up for a few bucks and then use an injector for maintenance down the road.
2oz Tire Sealant Injector