DuctTapedGoat
Active Member
Amerityre makes a solid tire (not solid tube, solid tire, one piece, tubeless), and while it is cost effective, easy to install, and easy to remove, there are some drawbacks I have found. Thus, the Pros and the Cons.
::::: PROS :::::
*Flats no longer exist... unless someone takes a propane torch to it.
*Very easy to install and remove - no tools, no broken fingers, no bandaids.
*Incredibly cost effective (25 dollars per tire at local Les Schwab)
*This is a hard core rubber. It is NOT that crappy soft core WalMart special solid tube that makes it feel like you're riding on flats. It feels as though the tires are pumped to ~75 lbs.
*It is hard to get flat spots on the tire. In the event of an emergency 40 mile an hour stop, the tire will actually spin inside the rim, slowing you down without skidding. Very similar to antilock brakes. This is not an intended design, this is one of those things that just is the way it is. (which has saved me from taking out a convertible who ran a red light one day, still grateful.)
::::: CONS :::::
*Though flats don't exist, if you're a serious rider, your tread won't exist long. Due to the higher RPM of the wheel, the torque your wheel and tire recieve from the chain drive, and the added weight of the motor, that back tire goes bald pretty quickly.
*This is a straightaway tire, not a hot rodding tire. If you make too sharp a turn at too great a speed, the tire will actually roll off of the wheel. (though as I said in PROS, it goes on easy enough, even mounted to the frame). After learning the hard way 4-5 times, I learned the speed at which I can turn without having this happen.
*One of the things about standard wheels is that the pressure of the inflated tube applies pressure to the spoke nuts, keeping your spokes tighter for longer. As this is airless and doesn't apply as much pressure, your spokes will need more maintenance, especially due to the stock rear drive sprocket installation setup.
::::: PROS :::::
*Flats no longer exist... unless someone takes a propane torch to it.
*Very easy to install and remove - no tools, no broken fingers, no bandaids.
*Incredibly cost effective (25 dollars per tire at local Les Schwab)
*This is a hard core rubber. It is NOT that crappy soft core WalMart special solid tube that makes it feel like you're riding on flats. It feels as though the tires are pumped to ~75 lbs.
*It is hard to get flat spots on the tire. In the event of an emergency 40 mile an hour stop, the tire will actually spin inside the rim, slowing you down without skidding. Very similar to antilock brakes. This is not an intended design, this is one of those things that just is the way it is. (which has saved me from taking out a convertible who ran a red light one day, still grateful.)
::::: CONS :::::
*Though flats don't exist, if you're a serious rider, your tread won't exist long. Due to the higher RPM of the wheel, the torque your wheel and tire recieve from the chain drive, and the added weight of the motor, that back tire goes bald pretty quickly.
*This is a straightaway tire, not a hot rodding tire. If you make too sharp a turn at too great a speed, the tire will actually roll off of the wheel. (though as I said in PROS, it goes on easy enough, even mounted to the frame). After learning the hard way 4-5 times, I learned the speed at which I can turn without having this happen.
*One of the things about standard wheels is that the pressure of the inflated tube applies pressure to the spoke nuts, keeping your spokes tighter for longer. As this is airless and doesn't apply as much pressure, your spokes will need more maintenance, especially due to the stock rear drive sprocket installation setup.