Folding Bikes - Air Free Tires - Any good ?

Hi all.
I was wondering if the air free tires would enhance the longevity of the bike , especially for people who go touring.. would be nice to have tires that wont go flat in the middle of no-where.

Apparently they are the same weight as traditional tires.

Here is the link http://www.airfreetires.com/

Dahon is listed on it -- wonder if Downtubes 16in would take these tires ?

Making a long story short, air free tires are less good than pneumatic tyres.

My wife got me a set of air-free AKA solid rubber tires while I was away on a business trip. I had complained about flat tires. After six months with them and repeated trips to the shop to replace broken spokes I went back to air filled tires. The turning point was when I broke 5 spokes on the rear wheel in one 20 mile ride.
Solid tires come up on BF every 5-6 months and the "net" feeling is not for regular bikes. Wheelchairs and tots trikes are built with completely different wheels and solids work fine there.

Another issue for you weight weenies is they usually are HEAVY!

I have to say despite the earlier comments I'm intrigued by them. I didn't know they were still available.

For the ultimate in flat prevention, I should patent my idea of an inner-tube with 5 independent chambers in some sort of plaited formation, so that when you get a 'flat' you only actually lose 20% of airpressure. The valve is the complicated bit but borrowing the idea from unsinkable cargo ships seems to me to be an unmined seam of innovation in inner-tube design.

Check out sheldon brown's website for all the logistics, but basically, his argument that there's a reason all heavy use tires from bikes to bull-dozers use pneumatics, they're just plain better. I haven't tried out the airless, but have read many who say they're horrible for cornering. If you're worried about flats, get Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires with Mr. Tuffy tire liners.

I have the airless tires from that company that someone listed up top on my Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra. I have the 170psi version. I actually like them. You would think they ride hard, but with the front suspension of my bike they feel great. Also since I weigh 220+ pounds most other regular 100-120psi tires deformed under my weight. With these rated at 170psi, they feel rock hard, and actually feel faster, though I do not have any scientific evidence to back it up. Hope this helps. God Bless :)

Another issue for you weight weenies is they usually are HEAVY!



Actually the 700c ones that I have feel like they are the same or lighter than the tire and tube combo that they replaced. God Bless :)