Lezyne Control Drive CO2 Inflator

Lezyne's new Control Drive CO2 Inflator makes it really easy to get any Presta or Schrader inner tube fully inflated. It provides easy control of the flow of gas and has a jacket to protect your hands from freezing to the canister during use.

CO2 canisters are very popular with cyclists who want to minimise time spent by the road repairing a punctured tube, providing super quick inflation. The canisters themselves are largely standard, but the market is awash with different adapters that screw onto the canister to manage the airflow.

Some are really fiddly to use for a device that is on the surface very simple. The Control Drive is as simple as they come, is very nicely designed and works effectively. That's a relief when you're on the side of the road, in the dark and pouring rain, trying to conduct a quick inner tube change.

The dual head screws onto any standard threaded CO2 canister and provides Presta and Schrader compatibility. You simply push the Control Drive onto the valve, and turn the inflator head to release air. The knurled ring provides good grip and there's a little graphic on the end of the head to indicate the rotation direction to open and close the inflator. You can open it a little for a small release of gas, or open it fully to get the full beans.

The compact head, when attached to a canister, doesn't take up much space inside a saddlebag or jersey pocket, and there's no risk of accidental deployment. A neoprene sleeve fits over the CO2 canister to protect your hand (CO2 canisters get extremely cold, to the point of freezing, when used - your hands will stick to a bare canister). You might still want to use a pair of gloves when using it though.

The supplied 16g canister provides ample gas to inflate tyres back up to around about 100psi, certainly enough that you can continue your ride without running a lower pressure than when you left your house.

The new Control Drive is a big improvement on Lezyne's previous Trigger Drive, with easier operation and better ability to tune the release of the gas. It also serves both valve types as well, and it's a compact design and is easy to carry in a jersey pocket or saddlebag.

Verdict

Simple, well designed CO2 inflator with Presta and Schrader valve compatibility and easy flow adjustment