No More Flats?

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. nomorflats.comnomorflats.comOpen ↗ 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.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail. Yes, I have a killfile. If I
don't respond to something, it's also possible that I'm busy.

Werehatrack <[email hidden]> wrote in :"]news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

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. nomorflats.comnomorflats.comOpen ↗ 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
*[censored]* to install - then go with a set of "tubes" made of foam rubber.

Traveller v.116' may have said:

If you really want to put an end to flats - and endure a far harsher ride, not to mention being a
*[censored]* to install - then go with a set of "tubes" made of foam rubber.

That's what the OP was asking for opinions about here. I hadn't known about the harsher ride, but
it figures.

I think I'll stay with tubes.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail. Yes, I have a killfile. If I
don't respond to something, it's also possible that I'm busy.

If these are some sort of plastic inner tubes that take the place of an inflated tube, they were
around in the late 70s and died. The effect is to eliminate flats but they're hell to get on and
off, actually dangerous once you soap them up and start using brute force tools, when you slip.

The outer tire wears through, incidentally, and that's what makes you take them off. The ride is
rough, and I broke a couple of hubs from the increased shock and vibration.

Stay with air, if these are not.

You can eliminate most flats by moving to Ohio. I get one every 4,000 miles out here. It was one
every 200 miles in NJ.

They're so infrequent in Ohio that I no longer carry flat tools, and just walk home twice a
year instead.
--
Ron Hardin [email hidden]

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message 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. nomorflats.comnomorflats.comOpen ↗ Has anyone used
this product, or something similar?

I've used something similar. It's the tail end of thorn season here, and my child bikes a few miles
to school. After I got tired of patching tubes every day or so, I installed pre-slimed tubes. I
think they were 4 for $20 from Cambria.

They aren't perfect, but if you want very good puncture resistance, at close to an ordinary tire
performance/weight, it's a pretty good compromise.

David

Ron Hardin said:

You can eliminate most flats by moving to Ohio. I get one every 4,000 miles out here. It was one
every 200 miles in NJ.

They're so infrequent in Ohio that I no longer carry flat tools, and just walk home twice a
year instead.

I'm in Indiana. Probably about the same.

Quoted message said:

Stay with air, if these are not.

Ok you guys have talked me into it. Thanks for the advice. There seems to be a wealth of
knowledge here. Jim

gumbo5_99 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. nomorflats.comnomorflats.comOpen ↗ Has anyone used
this product, or something similar? What do you think?

These things pop up every few years and then go away a few years later.

As we all know, nothing beats Dunlap's Pneumatic Tubes for comfort and control. (In other words, you
want tires that just have air in them!)

If you're really worried about puncture resistance, get yourself some great tires to wrap
around those tubes. I'd personally recommend both the Specialized Armadillos and Continental
Gatorskin tires.

And if you can't get that, at least throw a Mr. Tuffy between your tube and tire. That'll take care
of everything but the pinch flats.

Enjoy. Elmo King.