SKS Airbuster CO2 Inflator review

Getting a puncture is pain in the rear, all the faff followed by what seems like hours of pumping to get some air back in the tyre. The SKS Airbuster eliminates the latter, which is great when in a rush or if you’ve had to stop on a cold day.

After an initial confusion as the SKS Airbuster was set for Schrader valves this little inflator was super easy to use. Simply unscrew the canister to release the transport safety catch, re-screw the canister in – ensuring the top cap is turned to closed - push the nozzle onto the valve, turn the top cap to open and hey presto your tyre begins to inflate smoothly. The top cap can be used to control the speed the tyre fills at, but we advise turning it slowly to keep track of how hard the tyre is getting.

Coming with a simple cradle that can be attached to your bike using the bottle cage screws, the SKS Airbuster can be transported and kept on the bike, so it’s there when you need it. A small cap covers the nozzle ensuring no dirt gets in and blocks it. If this isn’t your style the inflator can be stowed in a pocket and with the transport safety clip engaged there’s no worry of leaking CO2 in your pocket.

One thing to be aware of with the SKS Airbuster is that the plasticy, rubber cover on the canister itself doesn’t go quite high enough, meaning it’s easy to end up holding the metal canister itself. This can be an issue and you may end up freezing your fingers, so ensure you wear gloves or be carful not to touch the metal.