Solid tyres making a comeback?

[Kell]

Maybe?



http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/re...

[mad4amanda]

Hmmm they did something similar in the 1990s, green tyres but they rode like a flat tyre and they were no where near that price!
Needless to say they were a flop!

[GarryDK]

Hmm, I wonder how harsh the ride is? maybe good for a commuter.

[TonyHetherington]

I saw those too - was seriously tempted for commuting. They offer two types, which are meant to feel like different pressures; one was about 80psi, the other about 110 i seem to remember

[Watchman]

But why not gatorskin hardshells instead for a fraction of the price? I've not had a single puncture in mine since fitting them over 2K miles ago.

[Kell]

Watchman said:

But why not gatorskin hardshells instead for a fraction of the price? I've not had a single puncture in mine since fitting them over 2K miles ago.

I'm not advocating them per se, but they're only twice the price of Gatorskins and the bumph reckons that each tyre will last 9,000 miles puncture free.

I don't get loads of punctures, but I've had two this year in a little over 1,000 miles of commuting. My mate (who's just fitted gatorskins) has had 4 in two weeks. Reckons they must be snakebites as he says he's hit numerous potholes that you couldn't see under the puddles.

Edited by Kell on Wednesday 12th November 16:26

[P-Jay]

Once tried a solid MTB tyre a long time ago, it was really appalling - IMO they need a complete wheel redesign to work - anything that's flexible enough to be able to force over the side of the rim just won't work.

They'd be better off using a hybrid of sold tread over a standard body.

[Mr Will]

Solid tyres are a really silly idea that ignores the laws of physics. They always have been and always will be a dead end.

[Watchman]

Kell said:

Watchman said:

But why not gatorskin hardshells instead for a fraction of the price? I've not had a single puncture in mine since fitting them over 2K miles ago.

I'm not advocating them per se, but they're only twice the price of Gatorskins and the bumph reckons that each tyre will last 9,000 miles puncture free.

I don't get loads of punctures, but I've had two this year in a little over 1,000 miles of commuting. My mate (who's just fitted gatorskins) has had 4 in two weeks. Reckons they must be snakebites as he says he's hit numerous potholes that you couldn't see under the puddles.

Edited by Kell on Wednesday 12th November 16:26

Are you using the "hard shell" versions of the gatorskins?

To be honest, they're not a plush ride. There's very little compliance and feel as though they are lined with steel. But they appear to be nearly indestructible. I'm 102Kg - fat. I give my tyres a bit of a punishing because of that - and that I ride on shale-covered greenways and paths with that bike. My gators are holding up well, and I only paid £18 each for them originally.

I don't get snakebites likely because I am on 28mm versions. That gives me a little "extra" to protect the rims.

[TwistingMyMelon]

lol reinventing the wheel!

I haven't had a puncture in a few thousand miles, although I appreciate some arent so lucky

Even if one happens they are easy to fix, I bet solid tyres solve one issue, but introduce new ones: What happens if you lose a chunk of it? What happens when it wears UN equally?

Would like to try one, but they solve an issue I don't have

[Kell]

Likewise, I'd have to try one to be convinced.

I'm old enough to have ridden a bike with solid rubber tyres and the rubber had pretty much gone rock solid, so I heard about them and immediately thought they'd be st... but you never know.

I can certainly see the benefit for commuters.

[Mr Will]

Kell said:

I'm old enough to have ridden a bike with solid rubber tyres and the rubber had pretty much gone rock solid, so I heard about them and immediately thought they'd be st... but you never know.

That's the problem with all of them. A pneumatic tyre uses it's entire volume to absorb shocks and bumps. Any form of solid tyre is only able to use the material directly between the rim and the ground. They either have to be uncomfortably hard, excessively draggy or both. Even if you managed to somehow overcome those laws of physics, you'd still be dragging around a whole load of extra rotating mass doing nothing useful.

Good puncture resistant tyres exist. Effective sealant kits exist. Solid tyres are a non-starter.

[donfisher]

Would this type of thing be good for the turbo?