Hello everybody. i had a thread ,last week i think about good wheels for an over 300 pound rider.
and i believe that i have the wheel part,taken care of.
the inner tube and,tire part,im not so sure about.
it being a lovely day and,not having to go in,i decide to go forth into the city. im loving it, im trying out my new triple crank which i installed myself.new wheels are holding up fine. im spinning, instead of mashing with leg strength, like was suggested. THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEBODY FIRED A SHOTGUN AT ME AND, I HAVE A REAR FLAT. This is exactly what happened to me before. so i end up, WALKING, a few miles home. luckily, i was on my way back towards the beach,which is back towards my side of town.
so i turn to google and,find -AIRFREE TIRES.I email this hugh guy,he answers me right back,says they can formulate a denser tire for my needs.
a few reviews i have found say,that they are much better than old time solid rubber tires,which i know nothing about. as a matter of fact, i didnt see a negative review. ALTHOUGH,I AM SURE THAT THERE IS ONE.
What i was hoping for was maybe someone has already tried them , Who is a fellow clydesdale.
im leaning 98.5% towards getting an airfree tire for the back wheel.that way i could just enjoy riding without worrying about being stranded. or worse yet,being physically insured from suffering a blowout at a bad moment.
iif knowone has any experience with the airfree tire brand, I GUESS I WILL BLAZE NEW GROUND FOR ALL CLYDESDALES.
A nyone have any experience with - AIRFREE TIRES. of any formulation, if so what size were they.thank you in advance for any responses.
JumboRider
06-19-07, 01:30 PM
I am afraid of the tubeless and airfree tire thing. I am willing to have my mind changed, but right now I would rather stick with what I know. I will be watching this thread with ya.
barba
06-19-07, 01:32 PM
nay
http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_aa-l.html#airless
bdinger
06-19-07, 01:33 PM
I know a guy in the higher 200s that had those, and they just sagged bad under his weight. Like,t hey looked like mine would have at 40 or 50 psi kind of bad.
Now I don't know if they are the same brand, but YMMV. Definitely let us know if they are good!
Terrierman
06-19-07, 01:36 PM
No personal experience but I suspect NAY. If it was YAY, they'd be common as dirt.
Tom Stormcrowe
06-19-07, 01:40 PM
Rough ride and a lot of resistance....they feel like a half flat tire!
brodie
06-19-07, 01:45 PM
this is supposedly something that isnt the same thing as before. if that makes sense.
but they say they can make different compounds to simulate high psi, or low rolling resistance. different stuff. so he says thay can do a tire for me,that wont holler - MERCY - once i hop onto the brooks saddle.
but he did say that it would be - EXTRA STIFF - and that it would be pretty difficult to mount, so i would need an especially good wheel,that could withstand the rigors of mounting a tire for my needs.
thats pretty much exactly what the email said.
Halthane
06-19-07, 04:34 PM
Airless tires are a bad idea. I imagine that at heavier weights the would be horrible for rims and your body. The sheldon brown article above says it all. Just get an appropriately sized, quality tire 700x28-32c probably and learn to mount the tire and tube (see sheldon's website) and you won't have any problem at all.
Paul
P.S. If tom didn't need airless tires... you don't
jaxgtr
06-19-07, 04:51 PM
I looked at those, but decided to stick with the tried and true.
bigboybiker2007
11-20-07, 06:56 PM
I ordered a set of air free tired 8/29/07 and I am still waiting on them in Late November. Although I told him my weight, and that I wanted something firm, he said it would take a little while longer to make them, I am still waiting. Once I get them and get to try them out, I will let everyone know. My plan is to just put one on the back and see how it goes. If I like it, then go ahead and put one on the front as well.
Air
11-20-07, 07:18 PM
Mattyknacks and I went on a ride - he's got Deep V's with 23 mm tires on them and broke through that 300 mark not too long ago. Some of the potholes he hit were impressive - wheels were still true and the tires/tubes held up. I became a believer.
DieselDan
11-20-07, 07:18 PM
NO. I had a set installed on a bike at my old job (bike rental manager) compliments of a vacationing sales rep. These things were a nightmare! I never felt the control and comfort that pneumatic tires and tubes have. Every turn felt like I was riding on two flats. The bike was slower and harder to pedal. I told him, and my boss, NO.
Here are some tips:
Inflate tire to the maximum pressure printed on the tire.
Make sure tube is seated inside tire.
Carry a spare tube, tire levers, a wrench, and a pump. Learn to change a flat.
Use flat resistant tires and thorn proof tubes.
Listen to seasoned bicycle mechanics.
dirtbikedude
11-20-07, 07:46 PM
. . . THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEBODY FIRED A SHOTGUN AT ME AND, I HAVE A REAR FLAT. This is exactly what happened to me before. . .
Seeing how the riders who have said they tried the airless tires stated the tires rode like poop, I would investigate why you are getting blow outs. I used to ride 700 x 23's when I was 320# (I still ride the same size tires but now I am lighter) and I never had a "blow out". Well, I have with tubulars on extremely hot days but that is another story.
I will just say ditto to what Dan said above because a properly built wheel, a good tube/tire combo should not be having blow outs just from riding around, even at your weight.
DBD:beer:
ChunkyB
11-20-07, 07:54 PM
They can be murder on your wheels, especially if you're a big dude. As was mentioned, the ride isn't nearly as smooth/fast, but if you hit a pot hole or something, you can seriously jack up you wheel because there's not as much give. I know it's counterintuitive because the airless tire actually has more overall give, but if you hit a pothole on a normal tire, then the air is just displaced to other parts of the tire, and it's able to absorb the shock better. Just my $0.02. If you're worried at all about your wheels, I'd stay away from airless.
jaxgtr
11-20-07, 08:15 PM
I know a guy in the higher 200s that had those, and they just sagged bad under his weight. Like,t hey looked like mine would have at 40 or 50 psi kind of bad.
Now I don't know if they are the same brand, but YMMV. Definitely let us know if they are good!
Bdinger.... long time no write. ;) How the marriage treating you these days? I was just thinking to myself that I had not seen a post from you in a while. Of course it might be that you are in some other forums too.
As far as the tires. Nay from me as well.
Tom Stormcrowe
11-20-07, 08:17 PM
Bdinger.... long time no write. ;) How the marriage treating you these days? I was just thinking to myself that I had not seen a post from you in a while. Of course it might be that you are in some other forums too.
As far as the tires. Nay from me as well.
That was an old post ;) From 6/19 :eek:
jaxgtr
11-20-07, 08:17 PM
Yea, I just picked up on that. Duh.
Tom Stormcrowe
11-20-07, 08:23 PM
Yea, I just picked up on that. Duh.
It happens......
I accidentally issued an infraction on a 2 year old post once because of a p0rn link. It turned out the site linked had changed ownership, and was no longer a Single Speed Sales site and had turned into a prno site. I had to get Brian to reverse the infraction! :eek:
Always look at the date on a post if you're going to nail someone on the link in it ;) It might have changed content since they posted it.:eek:
My experiences with air-free tires were on a rental cruiser, and they sucked. They felt flat, wiggly, and unpleasant to ride. Granted, there probably are higher quality ones around.
I'm 300lbs, and ride 23mm tires inflated to 110psi, on Weinmann DP-18 rims (velocity deep-v clones). I make sure to keep the tires inflated correctly, and never ride with them low. I rarely get flats.
I'd trust Sheldon's opinion, based purely on the fact he's much heavier than Felix. ;)
DieselDan
11-21-07, 06:30 AM
wow, so much ignorance in this thread :(
It is crap like this that ticks me, and other experienced mechanics, off. We've done it before you, repeatedly! Would you call your auto mechanic or physician ignorant? Watch your words, they mean something.
adrien
11-21-07, 11:27 AM
Nay.
not so much because they don't work (can't say i know enough), but because of adjustability. I play with air pressure all the time -- a little less for the dirt roads, adding some when it gets cold, etc.
If the tires are built up to simulate a certain air pressure, what happens when it's 40 degrees out?
I'd suggest 2 things. First, learn how to fix a flat and carry 2 spare tubes. it's not a big deal once you know how. Second, get some flat-resistent tires.
bigboybiker2007
11-21-07, 07:15 PM
so you are sayin its ok to inflate my tires to 110 lbs?
urban_assault
11-21-07, 08:08 PM
so you are sayin its ok to inflate my tires to 110 lbs?
Yes, I inflate mine to 110 psi on the road bike.
I might have missed it. What wheel/tire combination are you using?
urban_assault
11-21-07, 08:12 PM
I ordered a set of air free tired 8/29/07 and I am still waiting on them in Late November. Although I told him my weight, and that I wanted something firm, he said it would take a little while longer to make them, I am still waiting. Once I get them and get to try them out, I will let everyone know. My plan is to just put one on the back and see how it goes. If I like it, then go ahead and put one on the front as well.
3 months?? Just curious, how many flat tires have you had since you ordered the air free tires?
If less than 2, cancel the order immediately.
Between 3-5, you should be pretty good at fixing a flat by now. Cancel the order.
5 or more, you are doing something wrong or the debris causing the flat is still in the tire. If the air-free tires have not arrived in a week, cancel the order.
;)
jaxgtr
11-21-07, 09:20 PM
so you are sayin its ok to inflate my tires to 110 lbs?
I run my 23's at 120 psi.
ScrubJ
11-22-07, 11:07 AM
I'm running Serfas Secca RS tires on my bike at 120 psi. I've never had a problem with them flatting in over a years riding. Started riding them when I was well over 200 pounds.
v1k1ng1001
11-22-07, 11:24 AM
this is one of the worst scams ever, you're better off emailing your bank account info to Nigeria
Just spring for a decent set of tires. I recommend the Michelin Krylion Carbons that are very puncture resistant and last forever. Run 'em at 130 psi. Also invest in some gear so that changing a flat is quick and painless.
bigboybiker2007
01-16-08, 04:51 PM
Here it is January, and my order from 8/26/07 hasn't arrived yet and they keep saying they are behind. I would stay away from this outfit to anyone out there tempted to try them.
coldfeet
01-16-08, 06:35 PM
Nay. Just doesn't feel right when I think about it.
In Summer, I always inflate to the max shown on the tire, sometimes 10 or 15 over. Never had a "blow out." I weighed 225 at one point, and have hit potholes hard enough to hurt.
When fitting tires, do it in good light to make sure you aren't pinching the tube under the bead.
ken cummings
01-16-08, 08:02 PM
I was barely a Clyde when my wife surprised me by having an LBS install solids on my commute bike. All I got were broken spokes, about one a week and even five once on one ride. The bike shop got lots of cash for replacing spokes and replacing the tires, After 6 months I quit using them. Think tandem and higher type wheels; a single wheel on a quint bike might be carrying 400-500 pounds. Go to wider tires,
urban_assault
01-16-08, 08:26 PM
Here it is January, and my order from 8/26/07 hasn't arrived yet and they keep saying they are behind. I would stay away from this outfit to anyone out there tempted to try them.
Please refer back to my post on 11/21/07.Sorry to hear about the problems you are having.
StephenH
01-16-08, 10:31 PM
I got my new bike back in the fall, with 26x2.125 tires. Not too long after I got it, I went on one ride and came back with 2 flats and thought "Oh no, this could be bad!". But it's funny, I haven't had another flat since then. Moral: Don't be too quick to judge how your tires are going to work.
Way back when, I got one of the Walmart airless tube thingies for my kid's bike. I must have spent two hours trying to get that thing on and finally took it back and got my money back on it. That's my experience with airless tires. That was maybe 20 years ago.
teacherbill
01-17-08, 04:57 AM
After all of the reading of the "nays", I almost didn't respond. I ride a OCR2 with tire pressure about 100 psi. I check pressure about every 3 or 4 days. I have had the "gun" go off in various places and am getting ready for a really long distance ride. Things had progressed well until I had the gun go off twice within a mile of the first flat. I did a bit of research as many have suggested, ordered, received and installed on my bike a set of airless tires. I have had to change the gearing to adjust to the new feel of these tires. That is ok, because now I do not have to worry about changing my blown out tubes during a dark Florida ride.:D:D It is dark at 5:30 in the morning when I leave for school and to add insult to injury, I have eliminated all of the super light bike-lights in favor of a 3 "d-cell" Maglite. I want to see what is in front of me and be seen by those who are around me.
I would not buy or order the airless tires from the company in Florida, but go directly to the organization that makes the tires outside of Denver, Colorado.
Added thought.... Do you know how difficult it is to ride your bike, eat a danish and drink coffee on a bike commute? It can be messy.
Bill
KingTermite
01-17-08, 10:04 AM
Never used them, but I've heard nothing but bad things about them. First and foremost, the solidity of the tire gives REALLY BAD handling.
Wogsterca
01-17-08, 05:18 PM
Never used them, but I've heard nothing but bad things about them. First and foremost, the solidity of the tire gives REALLY BAD handling.
I think it would depend on the pressure equivalence, for example you get very different handling from a standard pneumatic tire at 50PSI, 75PSI and 100PSI. The problem with air-free tires, is the harder the material, the harder it is to get onto the rim, so they probably emulate a 50-75PSI tire, fine on a mountain bike, not so good when you have a road bike, with an ũber Clyde on board.
bigboybiker2007
01-18-08, 06:59 PM
Thanks for the info. I just filed a complaint with Better Business Bureau and it looks like there are several other complaints. Just want everyone to stay away from this scam. Next time I am in Florida, I think I'll pay him a visit.
teacherbill
01-18-08, 08:54 PM
I would not waste my time looking for the shop, etc. It would just add to the frustration of the matter. Life is too short.
As I remember, I had left many messages, both telephone and email. I finally got in touch with the manufacturers and they even know that the Florida company is lacking. But on the good side, I have my tires and trying to wear them out. I purchased a Trek trailer/bike for my younger son. Will be transforming it into a single tired trailer to drag behind my OCR2. If my airless tires hold up and prove themselves I will be putting one on it so I do not have a flat problem.
On a side note, you can order the airless tires for a higher pressure feel. I believe they said they could engineer the higher pressure feel to be upwards to 110 or 125 psi according to the specifications they are given. They do create one tire at a time unlike normal vulcanization methods.