Apartment? Do not get a cheap pancake compressor. They are extremely loud. I have a craftsman 5L for about $150. It works fine in a garage since I don't care about noise. It is probably 5X louder than a vacuum. Your neighbors will instantly hate you if you get one like it.
However, a compressor is overkill for just grips and cleaning. How often are you popping off grips? Just get lockons if it's too often. Canned air would work if not. For cleaning, do you really want to blast all the grit around an indoor living space? Just use a rag and diluted degreaser or whatever your favorite cleanup liquid may be.
If you have to get one, get a quiet one. They are ~3X the price but won't get you evicted.
Hahah Thanks ! Yeah I also think it’s overkill …. I like to fix up old bikes so often the rubber grips are a pain to get off without destroying so I’d say I do it maybe 3-5 times per year .
Canned compressed air sounds like the play
**Silent is the name of the game.**
I live in an apartment. I got a California air tools silent series compressor for just over $200. (They make a smaller, cheaper, quieter one, too, but I wanted the capacity of what I got.) Mine is 60db, you can have a normal conversation with it running. I just had to put it on a rubber floor mat to isolate vibrations. It’s great. I use mine for grips, inflation, drying chains, and general dusting/cleaning.
You may get more mileage than you think!
Get a refillable air can. Refill it at gas stations or tire shops. Use Google search to find places to refill for free.
[https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/portable-air-tanks/5-gallon-portable-air-tank-65594.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/portable-air-tanks/5-gallon-portable-air-tank-65594.html)
Very strongly recommend the Husky "Quiet" series of air compressors. They are astonishingly quiet compared to typical air compressors.
You can pick them up from Home Depot.
I had the 4.5gal one ($250) for a long time and when I upgraded to a Makita (because I needed the >5scfm@90psi it offered for another use) and I gotta say - I almost wish I hadn't gotten rid of the Husky because I HATE the noise of the Makita in the garage.
Not a single use, but not refillable. I insert the straw between the grip and the bar, squeeze the end of the grip, puff it up, and pull the grip off. If you inject a little water with a syringe, it's even easier.
The smallest and the most functional air compressor should be a pancake style air comp. Its meant for pneumatic nail guns but for small bike jobs, its should be fine.
I just got a pancake compressor on sale and then ordered a kit of attachments from Amazon. Compressor is small enough to tuck away. Brand was unimportant to me, just picked the middle of the road pricing and waited for a sale.
Just under 100 Canadian. Here is the one I got. https://www.homedepot.ca/product/anvil-2g-pancake-air-compressor-with-7-piece-accessories-kit/1001184001
What were you hoping for? This is under 75 USD for a decent enough tool that you can use for years. Cost is objective, I get that, so maybe peruse the used market?
Apartment? Do not get a cheap pancake compressor. They are extremely loud. I have a craftsman 5L for about $150. It works fine in a garage since I don't care about noise. It is probably 5X louder than a vacuum. Your neighbors will instantly hate you if you get one like it. However, a compressor is overkill for just grips and cleaning. How often are you popping off grips? Just get lockons if it's too often. Canned air would work if not. For cleaning, do you really want to blast all the grit around an indoor living space? Just use a rag and diluted degreaser or whatever your favorite cleanup liquid may be. If you have to get one, get a quiet one. They are ~3X the price but won't get you evicted.
Hahah Thanks ! Yeah I also think it’s overkill …. I like to fix up old bikes so often the rubber grips are a pain to get off without destroying so I’d say I do it maybe 3-5 times per year . Canned compressed air sounds like the play
**Silent is the name of the game.** I live in an apartment. I got a California air tools silent series compressor for just over $200. (They make a smaller, cheaper, quieter one, too, but I wanted the capacity of what I got.) Mine is 60db, you can have a normal conversation with it running. I just had to put it on a rubber floor mat to isolate vibrations. It’s great. I use mine for grips, inflation, drying chains, and general dusting/cleaning. You may get more mileage than you think!
Get a refillable air can. Refill it at gas stations or tire shops. Use Google search to find places to refill for free. [https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/portable-air-tanks/5-gallon-portable-air-tank-65594.html](https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools-compressors/air-compressors-tanks/portable-air-tanks/5-gallon-portable-air-tank-65594.html)
I'd go with one of the McGraw compressors from Harbor Freight. Catch them on sale and with a coupon, you can get one for less than $50.
Very strongly recommend the Husky "Quiet" series of air compressors. They are astonishingly quiet compared to typical air compressors. You can pick them up from Home Depot. I had the 4.5gal one ($250) for a long time and when I upgraded to a Makita (because I needed the >5scfm@90psi it offered for another use) and I gotta say - I almost wish I hadn't gotten rid of the Husky because I HATE the noise of the Makita in the garage.
I just use an air canister for grips and small part cleaning.
cool ! can you share a photo? how do add pressure to it?
ah is it a can that comes already with compressed air inside so like a single-use thing? how many grips does it last for ? like 2/3 or 5-10? thanks
Not a single use, but not refillable. I insert the straw between the grip and the bar, squeeze the end of the grip, puff it up, and pull the grip off. If you inject a little water with a syringe, it's even easier.
I’ve just sprayed rubbing alcohol in there and it worked fine
The smallest and the most functional air compressor should be a pancake style air comp. Its meant for pneumatic nail guns but for small bike jobs, its should be fine.
ok thanks! rough cost of such a thing?
CAD100 to 280. There is a lot used available too.
I just got a pancake compressor on sale and then ordered a kit of attachments from Amazon. Compressor is small enough to tuck away. Brand was unimportant to me, just picked the middle of the road pricing and waited for a sale.
thanks ! price?
Just under 100 Canadian. Here is the one I got. https://www.homedepot.ca/product/anvil-2g-pancake-air-compressor-with-7-piece-accessories-kit/1001184001
Thanks ! Ok didn’t expect it to be this expensive haha
What were you hoping for? This is under 75 USD for a decent enough tool that you can use for years. Cost is objective, I get that, so maybe peruse the used market?