Author Topic: Air Compressors (Read 11128 times)

Whizz · « **on:** November 21, 2012, 10:42:34 AM »

Gents, I'm in the market for a small compressor to carry on the bike just in case, and have been looking at the Slime range, but have read a couple of reviews that basically said they were crap; slow, noisy vibrate a hell of a lot and take a fortnight to get the tyre up to a riding pressure.

I have also read some really good reports about a compressor called an Airman Tour60, but I'm having trouble find them in Aus. Amazon carry them but won't, for some unspecified reason, ship them to Aus.

So;

1) Does anyone have any comments on the reviews I've read, either for or against?
2) Can anyone tell me if the Slime is really as good (or as bad) as some people seem to be saying
3) Can anyone tell me where I can get a Tour60 in Aus; or
4) Can of our UK members get me a Tour60 from there and ship it to me?

Brock · « **Reply #1 on:** November 21, 2012, 10:58:47 AM »

I have a Slime, yes its slow, but faster than a foot pump, and a lot cheaper the 4 or 5 CO2 cartridges (if you found all the leaks). Vibration?? suppose so, but mine was sitting on the ground when I used it and doing other things like putting away the tools while inflating the tyre.

The pump doesnt need to be all that quick, after all you arent re airing a 4x4 after a session on the beach, you are doing an emergency repair inflation and it works. If it fails after 6 or so uses, then replace it its cheaper than 1 tow out in the middle of no-where.

I only have things on my bike that work....

OK, we wont go there!!!

Abe · « **Reply #2 on:** November 21, 2012, 11:03:23 AM »

Hi Whizz,

I just bought these and they fit nicely in the tail of the 1100. They are situated on the NSW Central Coast.

https://www.tomcatdistribution.com.au/tire-inflation-devices/tomcat-mini-air-compressor

https://www.tomcatdistribution.com.au/tire-repair-kits/stop-go-pocket-tire-plugger

Cheers
Dave

Whizz · « **Reply #3 on:** November 21, 2012, 11:29:13 AM »

Thanks Vega

Hey Brock, I totally agree, I only want things that work too, hence the questions. When you used yours did you get a sense of how long it took to get the tyre up to pressure, because one of the reviews I read said that a foot-pump was actually quicker!

If the consensus of opinion is that the Slime is OK then it would be far easier to get one here than to try to get a Tour60 from UK...and less expensive too, but only if it does the job properly.

Brock · « **Reply #4 on:** November 21, 2012, 11:50:16 AM »

It took about 10 min to reinflate the rear tyre (see how to use the tyre plug kit thread). You have to remember, that because of its size, the compressor piston is tiny so it takes some time to get the volume of air in. At home I would use the big compressor (tho it takes about 10 min to charge the resevoir as well) or my 4x4 compressor which would do the job in about 10 seconds. The idea of course was to try out the Slime.

For its size, cost and convenience it does the job. The aim is to get back on the road, and to the RTE with minimum downtime after all. Its readily available, cheap and fits in the ducks arse under the seat with the puncture kit and jumper leads.

Dick B "Yewie" · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2012, 11:50:53 AM »

Hi Whizz,
Like Brock, I have Slime and have had cause to use it twice after fixing punctures on the side of the road. It is a little slow as Brock says but no slower than the cheapie Repco one I have in my car. It worked fine both times. I also like the compact case it comes in and have set up a connection point under the seat (no doubt Brock has something a bit more sophisticated) I also use it to top up my tyres before going out on a ride as I can do it in the garage when they are cold and it is a lot easier to get onto the valve stem than the servo hoses.
As far as I am concerned the Slime is a good unit and does what it is designed to do.
Cheers
Dick B

Brock · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2012, 11:55:11 AM »

Quote

connection point under the seat (no doubt Brock has something a bit more sophisticated)

not really, I have a powerlet connection on the left side of the bike, and just plug in there. Its an idea to let the bike idle while pumping, and the compressor uses a few amps. Dont want to have a round tyre and flat battery

saaz · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2012, 03:21:12 PM »

I concur with Brock and Dick. When I first got the slime I inflated a flat tyre just to see. I have an accessory cigarette plug that I use to power it, as well as anything else that needs power (eg recharge the mobile when the wall charger fails on a trip! and to power a fluro light I have used for many years while camping - should get an led one I suppose as the fluro is 30 years old) I also top up the pressures on the bike sometimes just to make sure it is still working.

Whizz · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2012, 03:43:58 PM »

OK gents, I have been convinced. I have just been to the local Mitre 10 and bought a Slime Smart Spair kit which I will try out this arvo in the garage, just to see that it works, then I'll put it on the bike and hope that I never have to use it again!!

Thanks for all the good advice, that really is why we all frequent this site...isn't it???

ruSTyEB · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2012, 04:38:03 PM »

Just used my newly bought slime for the first time. it will do and was the right price.

atoyot · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2012, 05:55:49 PM »

I picked up an Airman Compact on eBay a couple of weeks ago from the UK, delivered for less than $30. They are the same as what you were looking for, but probably not much point in following up. I've heard both good and bad about the Slime, and just decided I'd try one of these as it was cheap, gets good reviews, and is pretty small. Good quality fittings, guage, leads etc, and I've plugged it in and fired it up, but I haven't used it in anger yet.

Sabie · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2013, 10:28:18 PM »

OK, after reading all the posts here, was there an outcome as to which compressor was the better, Slime or Tomecat? I need to buy one before the rally...

Thanks Guys

gaz · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2013, 03:27:52 AM »

I bought a big one ( thats what she said)

from Bunnings

for about $100

Brock · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2013, 08:22:17 AM »

I dont know that there is a better as such. As long as its small, and fills the tyre in a reasonable time then its ok.

Maybe we need to do a test of every minipressor on the market, come with an OZSTOC Standard and see what meets it.

Gavo · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2013, 02:30:14 PM »

I got one of these baby's

http://www.pashnit.com/product/cyclepump.html

Tackleberry · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:25:49 PM »

Just thinking about a crazy idea, after sitting on the roadside for 2.5hrs waiting for a tow truck to pick up the work bike the other day (DON'T ASK), and recently purchasing the Stop'n'Go plug system posted by Abe, and then finding this thread on compressors. My Question:

Has anybody used the air pump from an air horn as a tyre pump?

I have a failed Stebel horn (2nd one) where the silver air pump works fine, and I was wondering weather anybody has converted one of these into a tyre pump - eg nice and compact and transportable. They are small, easily installed in smaller areas, can be wired into a switch on the bike and a good way to re-use something that is about to be thrown out.

I know it does suck a few amps, but if it gets air in reasonably well you could run the bike for a few minutes, and then cover a few extra km on the way home to put back the electrickery in the battery. I haven't tried this myself yet, but will report back when it is tried in the next few weeks if nobody has done it.

Sabie · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:31:34 PM »

Tomcat purchased and plug puncture kit (mushroom type)

Back rest on order from USA

Wet weather kit - currently looking for one.

Malcolm6112 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:36:04 PM »

I looked at the Slime range for quite a while, reading reviews and the like. Eventually I bought the Slime compressor with the preset pressure.

Having set the pressure to 42.5, I check the tyres before I ride. My cig lighter is constant power in the fairing pocket.
The unit would be 200 x 150 x 60. Yes it is slow if the tyre is really flat, as Brock mentioned, I too use a large home compressor.

It all comes down to what you want to pay and how big/ small you want it to be.

Brock · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:45:51 PM »

Quote

Has anybody used the air pump from an air horn as a tyre pump?

The horn pump isnt up to the load Tack, and isnt designed to run for 10-20 minutes under that load and doesnt have a non return valve to hold the pressure as you remove the connector.

Tackleberry · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2013, 11:37:00 PM »

Thanks Brock. I thought this may be the case.

alans1100 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2013, 12:38:30 AM »

I bought one of these from Kmart Port Hedland back in July 2008 but I need to find more slime for it.

Pumps both car and bike tyres rather quickly for it's size

http://www.dynacorp.co.in/products/airman/airman.htm

Tackleberry · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2013, 09:09:06 AM »

Just ordered me on of these babies after reading several reviews.

http://www.ridermagazine.com/gear/airman-sparrow-compact-air-compressor-review.htm/

ruSTyEB · « **Reply #22 on:** May 30, 2013, 11:04:36 AM »

UPDATE:

Well the Slime failed spectacularly, making one hell of a racket as it's insides tried to escape through the cheap plastic case. I had only used it a handful of times so promptly got a refund from Repco. The manger didn't question the return, so I asked if they failed regularly. He said too often!

So I've just ordered the Airman Sparrow. $36.25 plus $10 delivery from Hornsby.

http://procycles.net.au/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PC&Product_Code=8600265&Category_Code=

Sicman · « **Reply #23 on:** May 30, 2013, 11:11:51 AM »

Wow - My slime has worked perfectly for over 3 years now. I make sure I dont use it for longer than 8 mins as it suggests.

Cheers

Down Under · « **Reply #24 on:** May 30, 2013, 08:43:49 PM »

I carry a high pressure bicycle pump. It's only about 20cm's long and fits easily under the seat. They're surprisingly effective and I don't have to worry about an electric compressor failing in the middle of no where.

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Author Topic: Air Compressors (Read 11128 times)

atoyot