Dan's Tubliss Adventure
Why I chose the Nuetech system
I wanted to try something different with my new motorcycle. I intended to ride in remote areas and wanted a tire system that provided the best chance of "no flats" and that was easily repairable in the field if it does go flat. I had four (maybe five) choices:
Conventional tire and tube
PROS: cheap and easy to install and repair
CONS: when it fails allows the tire to wander on the rim, requires a new tube or patch to repair. Tire sealants not always effective on tubes.
Bib Mousse (a semi-solid rubber insert in the tire)
PROS: will not go flat (unless it overheats and melts)
CONS: expensive, extremely difficult to mount and dismount, gets softer with use, tire feels "dead", doesn't rebound normally, when it fails allows the tire to wander on the rim. Requires regular lubrication to prevent overheating and melting.
Mousse update: some brands are now available in pre-cut sections. This allows you to vary the density of the mousse by changing how many "chunks" or sections you install and in so doing, change the "pressure" or "feel" of the tire. And should you damage part of the mousse, you can just throw away the bad section and stick in a new chunk. So it's now like a tire ball system that won't deflate.
Tire Balls (tire inflated by numerous individual plastic cells or balls)
PROS: one or more cells can lose air and tire is still inflated
CONS: expensive, extremely difficult to mount and dismount, cells require lubrication to avoid overheating and melting, when it fails allows the tire to wander on the rim, overheating and friction between the balls is a problem
PROS: can normally be repaired with a plug, locks tire to rim; even if flat. Allows sealant to work properly to avoid flats. Can be safely used with extremely low tire pressures (even flat). No danger of a "pinch flat." The bike can often be ridden out in the event of a flat and the tire feels and performs like a conventional tire.
CONS: expensive, installation is a hassle; (leaks, and getting everything to seat properly). If you damage the rim the tire will not seal. It is important to check both the high and low pressure sides of your tire before each ride.
T-Lock system - this is a new product not yet available in the USA. It is very similar to the Nuetech system but has only one valve stem and no rim lock is used. The tire is inflated (and deflated) by puncturing the tire with a needle. Sealant applied during the installation process seals the hole as the needle is withdrawn.
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25 September, 2011