Considering that my commute is 25 miles each way and that after 150 miles I just got my first flat...I thought..how cool to have tires that wont flat?...what do you folks think about these tires and has anyone tried them?

I saw some for the first time a few weeks ago, they are heavy!

Terrible idea. Just get a rugged tire like the Panaracer Ribmo. If you can, go up a size or two so you can lower the pressure. That also helps.

Very harsh ride, high rolling resistance, and added weight. Wouldn't consider them at all for a long commute since the higher rolling resistance would slow you down too much and they make the ride much less comfortable.

Had a friend who used them on a short commute (about a mile) figuring that they'd be worth it for not having to allow the extra time margin just in case of a flat tire. After about a year he started repeatedly breaking spokes and we think it's due to the harsher ride of the tires causing fatigue damage.

Specialized armadillos are great, no flats in over 1500 miles. As for the ribmo look at this pic

Drawbacks to solid tires are numerous:

Difficult installation
Heavy
Low shock absorption
Lower traction

They've been discussed repeatedly on the forum, and never in a positive light from my recollection.
Specialized Armadillo, Bontrager Hardcase, Schwalbe Marathon Plus, Continental Ultra Gatorskin and Panaracer Pasella TG are all much better options for flat reduction.

A long time ago I had a set of airless tires and didn't really care for them. They were extraordinarily harsh riding, and at very low speeds, like when I was playing at trackstanding, I could sometimes roll off of them. But they did work as advertised and never go flat. Once I was riding along and caught a nail that went all the way thru, came out right by the rim and was tapping the seatstay as it went around. I was by a little bait shop so I walked in and asked if they had a claw hammer or some pliers I could use to pull a nail. They guy followed me out to see what was up, and I reached down and pulled it out. I held up the nail with a smile, handed him back his hammer and thanked him, and got on and rode away. To this day I can see that man's look of disbelief.

1. Use quality tires
2. Use quality tubes
3. Use quality rim tape
4. Lower pressure a bit
5. Pay attention when you ride and avoid as much junk as you can
6. Carry spare tube, levers, and inflation. Know how to use them.

If the above is too complicated for you, the next best option is to pay a crew to ride behind you and swap wheels when you flat.

I posted this a few months back.

I guess it's as simple as this.

It appears that most of the tires on their website are approx. $30/tire (some a bit more, some a bit less). The mounting kit (which is apparently a must) is an additional $40-$50. So, you are out roughly $100-$110.

If it's junk, you've burned a C-note. If it's the answer to all of your flatting issues, and you're happy with the ride of the tires, it's the best $110 you've probably ever spent.

thanks folks...setting up for tube repair and replacement...

Not sure what to make of the pic without some explanation. It's a picture of a tire with structural damage.

I've got a pair of RiBMo's with a bit over 1000 miles on them in four months, and to this point I'm very happy with them.

Only if the pit crew is Rae Dong Chong and Alexandra Paul!

After many years of commuting on cheapo tires on a variety of terrains with and without tire liners I decided to try airless tires against all general consensus among my commuting brethern(and sistern...) including the highly regarded guru of all that is bikedom Sheldon Brown(RIP). Got my first set by going directly to the manufacturer @ Nuteck.com. I was encouraged by the OWNER of the business to up my psi, get thicker tires and the mounting tool. So, I dropped 100.00 and rode those tires for about 2 years w/very few issues.

Ordered another set for my rb and singlespeed. After about another year I just simply got tired of the grind. They ARE slower and the ride IS more harsh, but I was FLAT-FREE for 3 YEARS!

Decided to go back to pneumatics and selected Schwalbe Marathon Plus @ 700x28mm for my primary commuter. Felt like I could BREATHE again. There are those that aren't big fans of the SMPs...too heavy, rolling resistance, etc., but I was and am VERY pleased. Swapped out all the airless for SMPs and now have had over 10,000 combined commuting/utility/training/recreational miles on 3 different sets w/1 flat and 1 slow leak(both on the same tire). Since the slow leak developed I replaced the tire w/a new SMP and have well over 1000 miles on it w/no issues. The front tire is fine w/over 8000...plenty of tread left.

For about the same money I would go w/t SMPs over any airless currently on the market, simply because they're ALMOST flat free AND they roll way better. The one flat I DID get was w/a 2" self-starting screw that NOTHING would've stopped. Had to remove it w/t phillips attachment on my multi-tool.

To be completely flat-free is to know the downside before dropping your hard earned money on unfamiliar and much derided technology. I decided that it was worth the risk. I'm happy w/my experience and still have all three sets. If you go w/SMPs get a Kool Stop tire tool and know they are a B****! to mount the first time, but well worth the effort. Get good tubes and rim tape to avoid pinch flats...and use a little liquid dish soap, too. Good luck on whatever you decide!

Just say no. Instead, learn to fix a rare flat.

I hope they do get better, should I ever have to take mine off and replace. I fitted a new pair of 700x28 SMPs last week. They were MUCH harder than the 700x35s I had on a previous bike. After fretting and fuming for 20 minutes I remembered reading about using a cable tie to start them off. Did this and it wasn't too bad after that. Got the last bit in with yellow Michelin tire levers.

The ride feels different to the training type tire I had on before - but not worse. Best thing is riding around in the rain and gloom not worrying when I see glass glinting in my path.

They do. Took me an hour to mount my first one... So, when I got my first flat I was very concerned about changing the tube. I'd had them on for about 1 month. Used Pyramid tire levers and got it done in about 10 minutes. It went back together pretty easily. Have 2 sets of 25mm SMPs and if you think the 28s were tough...

Schwalbe needs to adopt this as their ad tag line for this tire.

That actually happened to one of my armadillo tires when I had my LHT. I flatted twice before I realized the hole was so big.

Why lower pressure?

Sheldon Brown says....https://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_aa-l.html

Go for it. Flats suck, if the downsides (weight, bad ride, a bit tougher on rims, and high initial cost) don't make it a deal breaker. Any and all regular tires will flat, some are better at preventing them, but they too will someday let you down.

I'm of the opinion that they're great for some people. Full body armor sucks for nearly every reason, except it saves your life. If I was in a situation that getting shot likely, I'd gladly take any and all downsides to insure I was protected. Same goes for these tires. If getting a flat is a serious issue for someone, these are the ideal solution.

MilitantPotato;

Not sure that I would agree. The OP listed his commute as 25 miles each way. If the airless tires are as hard rolling as I see claimed then they could slow him down more than a puncture repair would.

I always figured that if airless tires were very good then Dunlop's invention of the pneumatic tire in 1888 would not have taken over as fast as it did. Within 5 years or so pneumatic tires had well over 50% of the British market and within 10 years you could not buy a bike without pneumatic tires from what I have read.

Makes it harder to puncture. Don't beleive me, think of this...

Inflate a plain old latex party balloon about halfway. Push a pin into it. You have to press decently firm to pop it. Inflate the balloon to capacity. Take the same pin and the balloon pops easy.

Same thing with tubes.

Mirrors my experience. I've commuted daily for 11 years in Iowa and Heidelberg, Germany on Schwalbe Marathons (NOT Plus) @700X47mm (622-47) and Schwalbe Tubes. Approximately 55,000 miles with zero road side flats and perhaps 8-12 slow leaks that developed either at home or while at work. Only have to top up the air pressure every 3rd or 4th week.

I'm not saying the average commuter would benefit from these tires, most people wont. I'm just of the opinion that there are people in situations that would feel these tires are perfect.

They're bad tires, and perform poorly, that's a given. But, there's times when a flat is a major safety risk, or if time=money (messengers, delivery bikes, if being late costs a days pay,) then I could see these being fairly useful.

There's also people who own a bike as a tool, who can't be bothered changing a tire, don't push their handling performance to the edge, and don't care if a ride is a little bumpy. They want to get here to there without worrying about the next nail or rock that might come along.

I'm tempted to get these for my wife, as she hates changing tires, has a short commute, and just wants to get there without major problems. She uses a cheap Target bike, which weighs a ton, carries two locks, clothes, tools, etc... IMO she'd be a perfect candidate for them, if they cost a bit less.

If she was doing 20+ miles a day, that'd be another story entirely.

You have to be careful though. Too low a pressure increases the likelihood of pinch flats.