Werehatrack <
[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> On Mon, 29 Sep 2003 13:06:29 GMT,
[email protected] may have said:
>
>>I've been looking at some product literature for puncture proof inner tubes. Specifically the ones
>>I've been looking at are made by cyclo manufacturing.
http://www.nomorflats.com/ Has anyone used
>>this product, or something similar? What do you think?
>
> Haven't used it; the idea is unappealing for a couple of reasons, and I'm sure there are other
> drawbacks I haven't thought of.
>
> A few key observations about things taken from their FAQ:
>
> "Q: Is it difficult to install?"
>
> "A: Each NO-MOR FLATS® inner tube comes with complete installation instructions. However, if you
> prefer not to install this product yourself, your local professional bicycle dealer can provide
> this service at nominal cost."
>
> Translation: If the product is the right size for your tire, installation is no picnic. If
> installation is easy, it's not the right size. Imagine trying to install the tire in between the
> tube and rim *with the tube inflated*, if a tube existed that would permit such a procedure.
> That's what you're doing if the thing is really designed to maintain the same level of effective
> inflation tension on the tire bead as would be produced by conventional methods. Part of the
> reason that the tension is needed there is to keep the tire from squirming out of the rim. If they
> don't maintain that tension, what's likely to happen? If they *do* manage to make it work, then
> getting the tire on to the rim is going to be interesting. Remember that with the regular tube
> deflated, what eases the process of getting the tire onto the rim is the fact that the tire bead
> can drop into the spoke head area in the rest of the circumference to allow a bit more room to get
> the last bit over the edge of the rim. That's not likely to be possible with these.
>
> For additional illumination, ask your lbs about their opinion of the product *before* you buy it.
>
> "Q: How much does it weigh?"
>
> "A: NO-MOR FLATS® weighs only about 14 ounces more than a normal thorn-proof inner tube (depending
> upon the tube size). A normal bike lock and cable, a briefcase, or schoolbooks add far more weight
> to the bicycle than NO-MOR FLATS®."
>
> In other words, a pair of these adds almost two pounds of weight to the normal bike. This isn't
> really all that much for somebody of my mass, but for some it's a real consideration.
>
> And then there's the bit of what looks to me like grammatic obfuscation:
>
> "Q: Is it fitted with a foam or gel sealant?"
>
> "A: NO-MOR FLATS® is a revolutionary bicycle inner tubes contain no foam or gel sealants."
>
> Ahhh, the ambiguity of the English language. Many, if not most, will read that as meaning "contain
> no foam, or gel sealants", implying that the design doesn't use a foam interior. What it says,
> however, is that it contains no foam *sealant* or gel sealant. In other words, it's a foam noodle
> with a non-foam resilient cover, but there's no sealant inside.
>
> In its defense, I think it's an excellent product for use on wheelchairs, very small kids' bikes,
> garden carts and the like, where speeds of travel will be low. In fact, I might even pick up a
> couple to use on the garden cart I plan to build, while they are still in stock at Wal-Mart. But I
> won't be using them on any of my bikes.
>
>
>
IMHO, there's really no such animal as a completely puncture proof innertube. The "punchure
resistant" tubes are merely heavier tubes with thicker walls, sometimes with fix-a-flat, slime, or
some other sealer added. Then you got things like Mr. Tuff, the nylon tape stuff that goes between
the tube and the tire; that'll improve your chances, but still a nail, bit of glass, hard enough
thorn, ect hitting at the right angle will poke through
it.If you really want to put an end to flats - and endure a far harsher ride, not to mention being a
******* to install - then go with a set of "tubes" made of foam rubber.
