Originally Posted by
bicyclridr4life
I rode with "No-Mor-Flats" tubes for a couple years .. never had a problem with the rims or spokes.
"Solid" inserts are quite different beasts. Clincher tires rely on parts of the bead being able to fit/slip into the deepest section of the rim to get the last bit of the bead over the edge of the rim. With pneumatics, no big deal. But with "solid" inserts, the bead needs to be PULLED under the insert to free up enough bead to allow the tire to be mounted. This leads to a not always happy compromise between firmness, tire fill and the ability to mount the tire with reasonable force.
Originally Posted by
bicyclridr4life
Airless tires or tubes do weigh considerably more than a pneumatic tube and tire.
For mtb/hybrid widths, sure. Once you get to road bike widths, the equation changes. Far less volume there. Once you consider that you won't need the flat-fixing stuff anymore, the weight penalty is pretty much gone.
Originally Posted by
bicyclridr4life
The added weight did not bother me while riding, nor did the additional rotational weight.
Wasn't a big deal for me either.
Originally Posted by
bicyclridr4life
I think it is Green Tire that makes airless tires you can have custom made to a density that will "give" the same amount as a pneumatic tire at whatever air pressure you want, at no additional cost.
Yeah, or at least did. That's where I got mine. Extra firm.
One thing to consider, particularly with the greentyre brand, and probably with all polyurethane tires/inserts, is that they change firmness with temperature. Mine (extra firm) rode OK in 3 seasons. But below freezing, it felt like riding with a fan belt wrapped around the rim.