tireballs
 

anyone used these, good/bad?

http://www.tireballs.com/TBapps.htm

This is wicked... I'd like to learn more about this product as well!

I googled "tire balls reviews" and got a lot of interesting hits... I've got lots of reading to do.

My first thought is that deflating and inflating tires due to changes in terrain would be a pain (for instance when going from a hard surface to sand). I'd also guess that even though a puncture to one of the balls would allow you to complete the day's, or meybe even the week's distance before needing to do repairs, that a puctured ball would also need to be changed in the end. My guess is that your number of innertube/tire ball changes/repairs would be unchanged, only more flexible in terms of time and place for when repairs needs to be undertaken. I'd also bet that repairs and tire changes would be a greater pain with these balls than with innertubes.

However, the tireballs might develop less heat through reduced friction, or distribute or dispate heat generated from friction more efficiently, greatly reducing the risk of puncture. Maybe tire balls will even reduce the risk of the tire slip on the rim, reducing wear on the innertube even more. However, I have no idea... the effects may be adverse for all I know.

I am waiting in anticipation for the posts that follow...

their theory is that the balls are made of tougher rubber than inner tubes, so you don't get punctures in the first place. Overlanding on an overloaded bike, I never altered my tyre pressures (except when blowing them up again after punctures), seemed pointless.

They might not be ideal for the more enthusiastic dune-lovers. But (if they work, and if you can bear the cost) they might be great for people who want puncture security, at the expense of being able to meddle with tyre pressures. Then again, Deserts filled with Ultraseal seems to work, and would be cheaper.

It says on the site that use over 50mph on pavement isn't recommended due to heat build up.

The product `Slime' in bicycle tubes has seemed to work great for me for years in my mountain and road bike tires. Or maybe I'm just on a really long lucky streak... I'm going to try it in my KLR's tires though. Can't hurt.

Well, that settles it for me. No tireballs with those speed limitations.