My XB500-clone has been of the road for months due to problems with the rear tyre - I can't seem to get the right combination of tube and tyre, and the result is punctures or leaks. I have been experimenting with 16 inch e-Bike tyres and tubes, plus 12x3.00 motorbike tyres to find a durable combination as during summer (in Australia) one hot day I even had a tyre blow-out. Also I get frustrated as tubes split during installation.
Has anyone tried 16 x 2.25 airless solid tires on their XB500 (or similar)? I have discovered there are various brands available in the US, and Green Tyres is a UK brand - they aren't available in Australia yet. Some brands allow the purchaser to nominate a 'pressure' in psi (a way of expressing 'hardness'), so they appear reasonably sophisticated.
And as they can't be punctured, should be safer and more convenient.
Airless Tyres for rear wheel???
Thu, 05/13/2010 - 06:51
#1
Airless Tyres for rear wheel???
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I put airless tires on my mountain bike several years ago. They were rated at 55psi, and they were a BEAR to get on. It took 2 hours per tire and several swear words. Plus a vehicle jack and floor jack. I bought the Chen tires for my 700li, and even they were not easy to get on. I cannot imagine putting them on with a fully inflated tube. You have to be so careful not to damage the hub motor shaft.
There's a real simple way to install tires. PLEASE! I'm not trying to make anyone feel stupid alright. As with bicycle tires the rim has a smaller dia toward the center of the wheel. This means a much smaller circumferance right. So first, as everyone probably does already they put one entire side of the tire on the rim. Then put your tube in with thenipple inserted in the rims hole. Starting there always, Then you put on as much of the other side as you can . Now with your empty hand pinch the tire in towards the center of the rim beginning at the point where both sides of the tire is already on the rim. This should be at the nipple area right. While still pinching hard slide your fingers up toward the part that still needs to go on the rim. You will know your pinching hard enough because the friction will start to burn. This will give you more 'slack' on the tire so with the other hand work the tire on the rim more. Do this with the other side and repeat. This method requires no tools, it does take strength and time. This works because like I said the rim has a muchs maller circumference in the center.
Another trick I use is to put some corn starch in a plastic bag and place you tube in there and shake it. This puts a coating on the tube allowing it to slide off the rim easier and makes it lease likely to rip or punchure.
Of course this becomes very difficult in cold weather. Damn near impossible! Keep your tires in a cool damp area. I read that lance armstrongs mechanic keeps his tires like this for several years before using them. So I do this with my bicycle tires, but only for one year before use. I can't say they ride better but they certainly go on the rim easier.
I hope this helps.
Dave C. Stout
STOUT PRODUCTIONS
Low Carbon Products
Another trick is to put a piece of 1/2" dia. cable between the tire bead and the rim as a spacer to make sure it can fall into the center "valley" of the rim on the side opposite where you are getting the bead over the ledge:
It's still a tough job. Use lots of dish soap and good tire irons. Make SURE you don't put any weight on the motor wires!
I would not recommend the airless tires, purely on efficiency grounds. Solid tires were state of the art in bicycle racing when John Dunlop invented the inflatable tire. The switch was immediate.
One does have to be very careful about tire irons to install a tire. They make it VERY easy to pinch your new tube. The use of any other tool as a substitute is just insuring a puncture. I'm actually a big fan of the tool free tire install, even though it may seem harder, with patience, it can be done on "bicycle grade" wheels. I've never tried that approach with a "motorcycle grade" wheel and tire, so I leave room for those to call for a different approach.