I tested out Tannus tires a while back on my road bike. They were tough to mount, but doable. They were harsh riding, like I had my regular tires pumped up to 120. Not unbearable, but you felt it. They were also 7 percent slower. Tested with my power meter/Garmin many times, it was 7 percent just about on the money in terms of more power needed to do same speed. But, the peace of mind of not worrying about flats was actually refreshing. I carried barely anything to go for a ride, no tube, pump, nothing. The tires stayed hooked and all of that, no real issues, they did grip fine from what I tested. But, they are slower, and harsh riding.
Why not just buy polyurethane solid tires, instead of doing all that fuss for 90 seconds, polyurethane tires are already produced ready made, it behaves like a real inflated tire, but does not puncture because it is solid to the core, weight issues though, a piece weighs about 400 grams, 800 grams for both tires, but hey, no more punctures, and they come with different rainbow colors to choose from aside from plain black, there are yellow, red, green, sky blue, purple, white, brown, black, etc
I have not even finished this video and already I know this guy is a great presenter, who is not overly cheeky. He delivers the message. It is appreciated.
I used to work with a similar product, and I know that while it expands a lot and sets up very quickly, it's also pretty fragile. So maybe a denser, and slower setting material would be better.
I have the Tannus airless tyres on my eBike. They were almost impossible to fit and their rolling resistance sucks but the freedom from punctures is brilliant! I like your experiment but the rolling is probably going to be bad and the extra weight not great either...
I use two part foams all of the time in marine applications. One problem with these foams are that they do not give 100% rebound, they deform (air cells are crushed). If you hit a rock, pot hole or other, then a permanent deformation can be formed leaving you with a lumpy tire. I think the answer is self healing tires.
Get a can of construction foam (Many different brand names...nick name 'in the trades' is Mr.Foamy). Measure diameter of the rim and procure plastic tubing that will fit Mr. Foamy applicator. Drill hole into tyre that allows tube to be inserted to the bottom of the tyre. Fill with Mr. Foamy, withdrawing the tube as you spray. Repeat in the opposite direction. Fill the hole with a car tire plug, Cut the plug and sand lightly. Lot of fun suggestions here. Nice to show the learning experiance. Thanks Alex/Dr. Bridgewood. I think you should try several of the suggestions in the next vid. I'll probably spend the balance of the day here reading them....
I feel deceived. Can't say was click bait but I feel that way. Was hopping for you guys to finally make a video about airless tyres. I've being using tannus airless tyres for almost a year now but I don't have tools or ways to measure how slower they are. I can say though I'm not using regular tyres ever again, they are so bloody convinient, not only is there puncture proof, reason why I got them but more benefits as well like not having to worry ever about putting aire in your wheels, checking pressure, cornering safely in wet, lighter than many tyres + sealing liquid or inner tube combo, removes the need to carry pump, spares, tools etc saving you more weight etc. They are harsh, aka not comfortable and they are slower, not everyone will endure them I'm aware but if you will, won't let you down. Oh by the way, they have another hidden pro, you'll become stronger. I was slower when I did put them, but sooner than later I got my speed back meaning I got stronger and faster overall. If I got a regular racing bike now I probably could fly 🤣
@@starkparker16 I did notice the extra rolling resistance even at low speeds. Climbing mountains or fast in fast descends, is always there. Anyhow as I said, it totally worth for me!
Truly usable airless tyres, one word: Tannus. Had mine on since 2017 without changing - perfect, no stopping for punctures or having to periodically inflate, no need for pumps, repair kits, spare inner tubes, tyres, CO2 canisters or slime. Simply brilliant and feel no different from my previous much heavier Swalbe Marathon Plus tyres.
I also swapped to them. They feel like they have a mind of their own but you get used to it. Maybe more so on the 26" x 1.75" ones I'm using, as opposed to roadies that are typically on the 23mm or 25mm ones. This video putting foam in is just absurd to me but there it is.
@@yute-hube779 mine are equivalent to 23C size and I can't feel any significant difference from the clincher tyres previously fitted other than being a slightly harder ride (much like inflating pneumatic tyres to 120 psi).
Our first question was, why isn't Ollie the literal scientist doing this?? Then we realized that Alex would better simulate the everyman trying to do this at home. Either way, we were cracking up, and would love to see Alex try again. 😄
How about adding the two liquids one after another through the valve, like tubeless sealant? That means the timer will start once both are already in. The mixing process will be a bit different, but 1 Pour in liquid 1 2 Pour in liquid 2 3 Install valve core 4 Shake the thing like mad sounds like a good game plan to me.
Have you thought about how long it could last? Based on previous expanding foams I’ve used to isolate small gaps, those compounds get very dry and brittle after a few months. Considering it will be taking a beating from roads, potholes etc I think you will be left with some chemical sand inside a very flat tire that’s almost glued to the rim.
I build wheels, from spokes, nipples, and rims that are manufactured by reputable makers. While I applaud your initiative, I feel certain you're on a fools errand. I prefer air pressure in my tires and prudence in my head when I ride, especially since bandages look even worse on my 68 year old skin than when I was your age.😅 I love your videos, and wish you good luck with your endeavors 😊
Get one of the spray expanding foam. You can shove the long tube all the way down 1 hole until it fills most the way, then go other direction same thing, then pull out (lol) whilst spraying (lol) then seal the tire. Then for a few hours get the wheel mounted amd spinning until its fully set
Do it again. Get a old rim, use a hole cutter and make a hole, few threads on the side of the hole and make a plug to pour your sealant in. A Bit like how the aprilia rs125 motorbike rotax engine has a few hex key plugs on the side for changing oil etc.
I’m just about to splash out on tubeless tyres and airliners as I’ve had almost 1 puncture a week with tubes lately on my glass strewn commute, came across this whilst looking for videos about how to install airliners and now I’d love to see a proper job done. I’ve thought about tannus tyres but most reviews don’t rate them on grip very well.
Suggestion. After inflating the tubeless tire, remove the valve. Put holes on the sidewalls on the opposite side of the valve and once the foam has been inserted. Attach it to bike and spin it horizontally and flip it every 5 seconds until it cures
Very entertaining. Possibly the tyre of the future. Having developed/worked with urethane foams, you need a mixture with longer pot-life / working time before it cures / foams / sets say 4-8 mins - gives better mixing time, time to fill and distribute around tyre. Perhaps tyre left horizontal after filling to avoid the big flat spot? Perhaps a lower viscosity mixture to inject easier / quicker / flow more evenly around tyre. Cooling the mixture will give you more working time but make viscosity higher, harder to flow round inside. You could use a high pressure injector to inject through the valve opening perhaps have an escape hole to let air out other side as it fills.
Ok, I think this is just silly fun. But, after a little thinking, this is how I'd do it. 1. Calculate the volume of the filled tire. 2. Using the claimed expansion rate, calculate the amount of expanding foam, plus 10-20% 3. Build a powered injector. Probably pneumatic. Think of a cylinder with piston in the middle. Air fitting for the air compressor on one side, injector for foam on the other. 4. Mount tire as normal. 5. Remove valve core. 6. Mix and load foam into injector. 7. Connect injector to valve stem. 8. Inject it ALL. 9. Keep tire spinning as it expands. High speed at the start, to spread, then slowing. 10. Never plug the valve stem to let stir escape.
Going with the injector idea, try loading the mixed goo into a high pressure grease gun. Then remove the presta valve and inject through there, with vent hole. I think injecting the wheel horizontally would help with dispersal.
Not even one puncture on my tubeless setup on my road bike this summer. I'm really impressed with wih tubeless tires, I will never go back to tubes again.
I've heard talk that the biggest problem with airless tyres is an increased incidence of rim failure. When you hit a bump, an airless tyre instantaneously changes its geometry, which absorbs a lot more of the shock. On top of that, the inflatable inner strongly favours being in a circle, and so resists the rim's attempt to distort to an ellipse during the impact.
I think this serves as a good summary of all the reasons foam filled tires haven't been popular. If you want to try again, my suggestion would be to fully seat one side of the bead. Then using a 2 barrel syringe with a mixing tip to run a bead all the way around. That should only take a few seconds, leaving time to flip the second bead on. The expansion of the foam should seat the second bead if you've used enough foam.
Structure tire interiors can work on cars because weight is not so much of an issue. On a bicycle, I doubt there's a way within our current grasp to make this light enough to be feasible.
I looked into this 2 part closed cell foam to make a protective bespoke battery case for my Bosch PowerPack spare battery for my "other" bike the KTM FS E-MTB (Think a cylinder shape, split down the middle with the imprint of half the battery on each side, idea being to carry it in a bikepacking roll bar bag setup). Generates a tonne of heat (Hence the reason I'm not using my actual battery to proceed...if I can be arsed I'll need to make a replica out of something first).
Having used polyurethane expandable foam for its intended purpose I would doubt that this would hold up over time. I think it would deteriorate very quickly, but this video was a lot of fun to watch.
Is this a solution looking for a problem? I ride clinchers with tubes and years go by without a puncture I'd rather never have one but it's not a big deal. I would hate to try and clean that wheel out, destined for the bin?
Group ride this morning and we had 3 separate punctures (everything in Arizona has thorns). I would love to have a decent alternative to tubed or tubeless tires.
I know with sealant that covers punctures, a fundamental method of the working is that the wheel needs to be spinning. Could you fill the tyre then spin it rather than slowly rotating it to get an even coating. The spinning could help distribute it more evenly and remove that dead spot. Also, funnel?
I got Tannus tyres for my Brompton after repeated punctures really early in the morning cycling to work (with the Schwalbe marathon plus tyres on). They do make the hard ride even harder and possibly feel a bit slower, but I'm no racer & being able to not worry about punctures when getting around is amazing! Totally worth the cons.
Same here on my eBike. As for the ride being harder, it's not because I've got a suspension fork and a Suntour NCX seatpost. The drag... don't care, the motor handles that. 🙂
On my eBike the Tannus tyres have reduced my range so getting to work and back is now a bit dodgy! Annoying! It used to be pretty easy but now I have to be careful.
Put take over the pressure relief hole. Add first one chemical thru the valve, spin the wheel to ahead or around, then add the second. Mix the two by spinning back and forth.
Nice experiment Alex! I think if we can use 3D printed construction with hardy yet flexi material much like stuff we see on new-tech saddles today or the foam technology used on running shoes to fully build a punctureless tyre. Include a good 'loctite" solution to allow such pre-formed tyres to be easily fitted and replaced.
The problem with the materials used in saddles and shoe soles is they are made to dampen impacts, while bike tires need to spring as much energy back as possible.
lol , watching this during my lunch break .. then back to driving a Fork lift ( with solid tyres & an air-sprung seat ) .. agree , could be an interesting idea for commuting bikes
there was a francis cade video a while back about a (Basically) puncture proof tire. they stuck a tubular tire inside a clincher, and inflated the tubular as the tube to fill the clincher. it was heavy and felt dead. but its puncture proof. you'll have to compare it to the weight of all this expanding foam.
You calculate the volume of the chamber, then inject one part at the time for the estimated volume of foam needed. I would assume that straight after injecting both parts if you rotate the wheel really fast creating a centrifugation kind of effect maybe that will be enough to mix it toughly. Maybe apply the foam in the rear wheel to enhance the nixing capacity. And no cut and holes in the tyre would make it a neater job.
Make a better one. Must be possible. I'm going to say something weird now: use air because of the weight. So get foam with air bubbles or airchambers in it. Maybe even put a 3d printed skeleton in and fill around it with the liquid foam.
@@feedbackzaloop Duh.. everyone has seen the video, so ofcourse that IS liquid foam. But that makes it heavy. Therefore I suggest a part inside the tube that acts as a core of air which would be sealed on the outside with a thinner layer of the same foam.
@@leonbroekx you rather proposed a carcasses, which in itself does not add air structure, but only helps sustain the bubbles. I'm not a chemist, but guess that won't make a significant difference, since size of bubbles is mostly governed by polymerization reaction. OH, and you know what is a core of air, sealed from the outside? An inner tube!
@@feedbackzaloop something like an inner tube, but not hitting the rim and the tire. With large airchambers. It's hard to explain in a YT-comment, because I can't post images and the audience consists of people of all sorts of intelligence. Think of it as a small o floating inside a big O.
I've got a great idea, proven millions of times: Pneumatic tires (tyres). Oddly, even under pressure, air weighs next to nothing. And the overall structure of the device has maximum spring and compliance to need.
In theory a good idea but it still needs further improvement.You mentioned F1 in the video, maybe the likes of Pirelli or Michelin could devise a tyre that has puncture resistant properties. I think for the time being we need to remember to keep the tyres pumped up and a spare tube to hand. Maybe in the next few years we will see this become a reality.
Wounded Alex doing foam chemistry and then giving it to a PhD chemist to get a doctorate for his work! As we know the reaction is happening after "PART-A" is added to "PART-B", my suggestion would be to apply the Mr. Bean technique of making tea inside his body - 1. Insert required amount of "PART-B" first into the tyre and then rotate wheel for uniform distribution 2. Insert required amount of "PART-A" into the tyre and then rotate wheel for uniform distribution 3. Cross your fingers and hope that it works!
take the stem out of the valve and pump the mixture into the tire that way . still drill a hole into the tire . work fast and as soon as You have the tire full , spin the wheel fast . ~~~~ PS - Heard of a guy pumping fix-a-flat into an outdoor court basketball . Good Luck
Alex covered in bandages: "PUNCTURES SUCK!" Me, at home drinking coffee: Are we talking about your body or that tire? You're covered in patches. It's hard to tell. PS: There can only be one glasses wearing, lab coat nerd on this channel but you did need some protection for the foam.
Well, you could fill a clincher with that stuff and a clincher rim too, then put the wheel together. These halves will compete a bit from the same space so might work. On the other hand, I'd like you to try leaving both sides half empty and adding a lot of strong small magnets on both sides to repel each other, just for fun. :D
It a great idea, cars have a run flat but with that the side walls might be to hard I think for a bike. How hard will it be to clean up when you change tires with the foam as well will be the question.
My grandpa used to fill my bmx tubes up, with fix a flat foam, when I was just a lad. He patched my tube first, then filled that tube, as well as the other. It was not absolutely invincible, I don’t think? But it was quite effective. I don’t know what effect, if any, it had on my rolling resistance.
Same problem with normal airless tires I guess, too heavy. The ride-sharing bikes we had here used these solid tires with circular cutouts going around to make them act like proper tires like those automobile ones. But still heavy and those cutouts probably screw with the horizontal rigidity. We will probably get better ones in the future.
Why reinvent the “wheel” when Vittoria already makes foam inserts. If you are so possessed to make foam inside the tires, my suggestion is to make a mold for the foam, and then insert it after it has formed in the mold. (? Use an old tire or an inner tube over a frame)
If you have to use expensive tubeless tyres and mess on like this there's no advantage over Tannus tyres. And performance wise, the weight alone counts it out! But great that you try things so we don't have to. And definitely a good laugh!
I tested out Tannus tires a while back on my road bike. They were tough to mount, but doable. They were harsh riding, like I had my regular tires pumped up to 120. Not unbearable, but you felt it. They were also 7 percent slower. Tested with my power meter/Garmin many times, it was 7 percent just about on the money in terms of more power needed to do same speed. But, the peace of mind of not worrying about flats was actually refreshing. I carried barely anything to go for a ride, no tube, pump, nothing. The tires stayed hooked and all of that, no real issues, they did grip fine from what I tested. But, they are slower, and harsh riding.
Not worried about the tire, but the Dura-Ace rim might be wasted. Make second video and show us how you clean up the rim!
exactly my thoughts
Why not just buy polyurethane solid tires, instead of doing all that fuss for 90 seconds, polyurethane tires are already produced ready made, it behaves like a real inflated tire, but does not puncture because it is solid to the core, weight issues though, a piece weighs about 400 grams, 800 grams for both tires, but hey, no more punctures, and they come with different rainbow colors to choose from aside from plain black, there are yellow, red, green, sky blue, purple, white, brown, black, etc
@@johnnyboy3357 i would not use them, too solid is bad for the spokes and bad for cornering aswell, it might just slid off the wheel
I have not even finished this video and already I know this guy is a great presenter, who is not overly cheeky.
He delivers the message.
It is appreciated.
I used to work with a similar product, and I know that while it expands a lot and sets up very quickly, it's also pretty fragile. So maybe a denser, and slower setting material would be better.
Hilarious when Ollie discovers the flat spot while riding the bike. I needed a good laugh this morning.
I have the Tannus airless tyres on my eBike. They were almost impossible to fit and their rolling resistance sucks but the freedom from punctures is brilliant! I like your experiment but the rolling is probably going to be bad and the extra weight not great either...
Before Dunlop invented the tire we already had punctureless wheels
Intruducing solid wooden wheels *^*
@@edupurposes444 Cycling marketing would obviously say. 'Natural Composite wheels'
Original tyres were metal and they tie a wooden wheel together, hence the name.
So did the Flintstones.
Then Tannus came along and made them viable. 😎
I use two part foams all of the time in marine applications. One problem with these foams are that they do not give 100% rebound, they deform (air cells are crushed). If you hit a rock, pot hole or other, then a permanent deformation can be formed leaving you with a lumpy tire. I think the answer is self healing tires.
I bought some online and they’ve been amazing for three years now still got grip
Get a can of construction foam (Many different brand names...nick name 'in the trades' is Mr.Foamy). Measure diameter of the rim and procure plastic tubing that will fit Mr. Foamy applicator. Drill hole into tyre that allows tube to be inserted to the bottom of the tyre. Fill with Mr. Foamy, withdrawing the tube as you spray. Repeat in the opposite direction. Fill the hole with a car tire plug, Cut the plug and sand lightly. Lot of fun suggestions here. Nice to show the learning experiance. Thanks Alex/Dr. Bridgewood. I think you should try several of the suggestions in the next vid. I'll probably spend the balance of the day here reading them....
I feel deceived. Can't say was click bait but I feel that way.
Was hopping for you guys to finally make a video about airless tyres.
I've being using tannus airless tyres for almost a year now but I don't have tools or ways to measure how slower they are. I can say though I'm not using regular tyres ever again, they are so bloody convinient, not only is there puncture proof, reason why I got them but more benefits as well like not having to worry ever about putting aire in your wheels, checking pressure, cornering safely in wet, lighter than many tyres + sealing liquid or inner tube combo, removes the need to carry pump, spares, tools etc saving you more weight etc. They are harsh, aka not comfortable and they are slower, not everyone will endure them I'm aware but if you will, won't let you down.
Oh by the way, they have another hidden pro, you'll become stronger.
I was slower when I did put them, but sooner than later I got my speed back meaning I got stronger and faster overall. If I got a regular racing bike now I probably could fly 🤣
I ride tannus and they work great for speeds below 35k, which is all my commute ever sees.
@@starkparker16 I did notice the extra rolling resistance even at low speeds. Climbing mountains or fast in fast descends, is always there. Anyhow as I said, it totally worth for me!
Maybe try injecting both chemicals seperatly and for mixing it up you could spin your wheel very fast?
I thought of that but both components are quite thick. Not sure you would get a good mix
Wouldn’t work because of fluid dynamics, there is not enough friction/movement for mixing the components together.
Pouring the mixture in BOTH directions from the point of entry would prevent the foam-less space, I think.
@@cybermbebe then how will the air escape?
@@stevek8829 Haven't thought of that.
Truly usable airless tyres, one word: Tannus.
Had mine on since 2017 without changing - perfect, no stopping for punctures or having to periodically inflate, no need for pumps, repair kits, spare inner tubes, tyres, CO2 canisters or slime.
Simply brilliant and feel no different from my previous much heavier Swalbe Marathon Plus tyres.
I also swapped to them. They feel like they have a mind of their own but you get used to it. Maybe more so on the 26" x 1.75" ones I'm using, as opposed to roadies that are typically on the 23mm or 25mm ones. This video putting foam in is just absurd to me but there it is.
@@yute-hube779 mine are equivalent to 23C size and I can't feel any significant difference from the clincher tyres previously fitted other than being a slightly harder ride (much like inflating pneumatic tyres to 120 psi).
I love it when GCN does Failure.
I know people who have these wheels in a bag and only use them for racing ! Alex just experiment with them ! Nice !
my bank account hurts watching this
I enjoyed Ollie’s honest reaction to it.
Our first question was, why isn't Ollie the literal scientist doing this?? Then we realized that Alex would better simulate the everyman trying to do this at home. Either way, we were cracking up, and would love to see Alex try again. 😄
Back to the drawing board!
How about adding the two liquids one after another through the valve, like tubeless sealant? That means the timer will start once both are already in. The mixing process will be a bit different, but
1 Pour in liquid 1
2 Pour in liquid 2
3 Install valve core
4 Shake the thing like mad
sounds like a good game plan to me.
No valve needed I think
@@MaximilianYpplm Yeah, you might be right on that one.
Have you thought about how long it could last? Based on previous expanding foams I’ve used to isolate small gaps, those compounds get very dry and brittle after a few months. Considering it will be taking a beating from roads, potholes etc I think you will be left with some chemical sand inside a very flat tire that’s almost glued to the rim.
Almost certainly. Can't wait to see attempt 2 for that reason 🤣 The glory of success followed by the pain of failure *chef's kiss*
😂 Ollie's reaction was priceless.
I have used tubeless tires for 4 seasons now with a total of 1 flat only!!!!! No need for this lol. Great video!
I build wheels, from spokes, nipples, and rims that are manufactured by reputable makers. While I applaud your initiative, I feel certain you're on a fools errand. I prefer air pressure in my tires and prudence in my head when I ride, especially since bandages look even worse on my 68 year old skin than when I was your age.😅 I love your videos, and wish you good luck with your endeavors 😊
Get one of the spray expanding foam. You can shove the long tube all the way down 1 hole until it fills most the way, then go other direction same thing, then pull out (lol) whilst spraying (lol) then seal the tire.
Then for a few hours get the wheel mounted amd spinning until its fully set
Alex is the hardest working bloke on your network. I hope he’s paid accordingly.
Do it again. Get a old rim, use a hole cutter and make a hole, few threads on the side of the hole and make a plug to pour your sealant in. A Bit like how the aprilia rs125 motorbike rotax engine has a few hex key plugs on the side for changing oil etc.
I’m just about to splash out on tubeless tyres and airliners as I’ve had almost 1 puncture a week with tubes lately on my glass strewn commute, came across this whilst looking for videos about how to install airliners and now I’d love to see a proper job done. I’ve thought about tannus tyres but most reviews don’t rate them on grip very well.
Suggestion.
After inflating the tubeless tire, remove the valve.
Put holes on the sidewalls on the opposite side of the valve and once the foam has been inserted. Attach it to bike and spin it horizontally and flip it every 5 seconds until it cures
Springs could provide structural support as well as a lattice for the foam to adhere to! Give it another shot
Thanks for showing the fully DuraAce upgraded Endurace Al… :)))
Very entertaining. Possibly the tyre of the future. Having developed/worked with urethane foams, you need a mixture with longer pot-life / working time before it cures / foams / sets say 4-8 mins - gives better mixing time, time to fill and distribute around tyre. Perhaps tyre left horizontal after filling to avoid the big flat spot? Perhaps a lower viscosity mixture to inject easier / quicker / flow more evenly around tyre. Cooling the mixture will give you more working time but make viscosity higher, harder to flow round inside. You could use a high pressure injector to inject through the valve opening perhaps have an escape hole to let air out other side as it fills.
Ok, I think this is just silly fun. But, after a little thinking, this is how I'd do it.
1. Calculate the volume of the filled tire.
2. Using the claimed expansion rate, calculate the amount of expanding foam, plus 10-20%
3. Build a powered injector. Probably pneumatic. Think of a cylinder with piston in the middle. Air fitting for the air compressor on one side, injector for foam on the other.
4. Mount tire as normal.
5. Remove valve core.
6. Mix and load foam into injector.
7. Connect injector to valve stem.
8. Inject it ALL.
9. Keep tire spinning as it expands. High speed at the start, to spread, then slowing.
10. Never plug the valve stem to let stir escape.
But, how would all the air escape from inside? You couldn't fill it if air were trapped.
@@stevek8829 I guess let it "burp" every now and then.
I love when we hear Ollie's answer the call, it cuts, like a 'say no more'
Going with the injector idea, try loading the mixed goo into a high pressure grease gun. Then remove the presta valve and inject through there, with vent hole. I think injecting the wheel horizontally would help with dispersal.
What about when it’s time to take the thing apart and replace the tire?
Get scraping lmao
Not even one puncture on my tubeless setup on my road bike this summer.
I'm really impressed with wih tubeless tires, I will never go back to tubes again.
Not all of us are as lucky. Had 5 totally trashed tubeless tyres in 18 months. Back to tubes and never back to tubeless for me!
I've heard talk that the biggest problem with airless tyres is an increased incidence of rim failure.
When you hit a bump, an airless tyre instantaneously changes its geometry, which absorbs a lot more of the shock. On top of that, the inflatable inner strongly favours being in a circle, and so resists the rim's attempt to distort to an ellipse during the impact.
I never laughed so hard in a long time! Thanks for that! 😂
I think this serves as a good summary of all the reasons foam filled tires haven't been popular.
If you want to try again, my suggestion would be to fully seat one side of the bead. Then using a 2 barrel syringe with a mixing tip to run a bead all the way around. That should only take a few seconds, leaving time to flip the second bead on.
The expansion of the foam should seat the second bead if you've used enough foam.
Structure tire interiors can work on cars because weight is not so much of an issue. On a bicycle, I doubt there's a way within our current grasp to make this light enough to be feasible.
I looked into this 2 part closed cell foam to make a protective bespoke battery case for my Bosch PowerPack spare battery for my "other" bike the KTM FS E-MTB (Think a cylinder shape, split down the middle with the imprint of half the battery on each side, idea being to carry it in a bikepacking roll bar bag setup). Generates a tonne of heat (Hence the reason I'm not using my actual battery to proceed...if I can be arsed I'll need to make a replica out of something first).
Having used polyurethane expandable foam for its intended purpose I would doubt that this would hold up over time. I think it would deteriorate very quickly, but this video was a lot of fun to watch.
Is this a solution looking for a problem? I ride clinchers with tubes and years go by without a puncture I'd rather never have one but it's not a big deal. I would hate to try and clean that wheel out, destined for the bin?
Wow, you are calm! Good work!
this video is wild ... and I absolutely love it!
Group ride this morning and we had 3 separate punctures (everything in Arizona has thorns). I would love to have a decent alternative to tubed or tubeless tires.
This was one of the most entertaining videos you’ve ever done 😂
1: Labcoat becaus sience
2: what up?
Funny that as soon as he listednall the people he tried to reach, i knew it was ollie who would do it :D
I know with sealant that covers punctures, a fundamental method of the working is that the wheel needs to be spinning. Could you fill the tyre then spin it rather than slowly rotating it to get an even coating. The spinning could help distribute it more evenly and remove that dead spot.
Also, funnel?
I used the Tannus airless tyre, it's great because it's safe, but the rolling resistance is high... You have to consider that!
I love this one! I hope you continue this experiment.
Oh dear, I have some of that exact foam left from a project.
Luckily no tries to try it on or id probably be dead today haha.
I got Tannus tyres for my Brompton after repeated punctures really early in the morning cycling to work (with the Schwalbe marathon plus tyres on). They do make the hard ride even harder and possibly feel a bit slower, but I'm no racer & being able to not worry about punctures when getting around is amazing! Totally worth the cons.
Same here on my eBike. As for the ride being harder, it's not because I've got a suspension fork and a Suntour NCX seatpost. The drag... don't care, the motor handles that. 🙂
On my eBike the Tannus tyres have reduced my range so getting to work and back is now a bit dodgy! Annoying! It used to be pretty easy but now I have to be careful.
Put the liquid in like you would normal sealant with the tyre off the rim in one section. Worth a shot.
I want to thank you as I had the same idea and was planning to don the labcoat and fill my bike tires with foam.
Not a knock on Alex, but you should've let an actual doctor of chemistry do this.
Put take over the pressure relief hole. Add first one chemical thru the valve, spin the wheel to ahead or around, then add the second. Mix the two by spinning back and forth.
Nice experiment Alex! I think if we can use 3D printed construction with hardy yet flexi material much like stuff we see on new-tech saddles today or the foam technology used on running shoes to fully build a punctureless tyre. Include a good 'loctite" solution to allow such pre-formed tyres to be easily fitted and replaced.
The problem with the materials used in saddles and shoe soles is they are made to dampen impacts, while bike tires need to spring as much energy back as possible.
This needs a Part 2!
I think if it was actually dispersed correctly, it would be heavy, but I think it would work really well.
lol , watching this during my lunch break .. then back to driving a Fork lift ( with solid tyres & an air-sprung seat ) .. agree , could be an interesting idea for commuting bikes
there was a francis cade video a while back about a (Basically) puncture proof tire.
they stuck a tubular tire inside a clincher, and inflated the tubular as the tube to fill the clincher.
it was heavy and felt dead. but its puncture proof.
you'll have to compare it to the weight of all this expanding foam.
Use tubular decade's riding 2 puntures, fixed instantly with sealer fluid
You calculate the volume of the chamber, then inject one part at the time for the estimated volume of foam needed.
I would assume that straight after injecting both parts if you rotate the wheel really fast creating a centrifugation kind of effect maybe that will be enough to mix it toughly.
Maybe apply the foam in the rear wheel to enhance the nixing capacity.
And no cut and holes in the tyre would make it a neater job.
Shall I count you as a no? Hilarious. This is the kind of stuff that made me fall in love with gcn
Hack or Bodge? Do we really need to answer that....Mahoooosive Bodge 🤕
Make a better one. Must be possible. I'm going to say something weird now: use air because of the weight. So get foam with air bubbles or airchambers in it. Maybe even put a 3d printed skeleton in and fill around it with the liquid foam.
That thing Alex poured IS kind of liquid foam. Question is what airation proportion are we talking about
@@feedbackzaloop Duh.. everyone has seen the video, so ofcourse that IS liquid foam. But that makes it heavy. Therefore I suggest a part inside the tube that acts as a core of air which would be sealed on the outside with a thinner layer of the same foam.
@@leonbroekx you rather proposed a carcasses, which in itself does not add air structure, but only helps sustain the bubbles. I'm not a chemist, but guess that won't make a significant difference, since size of bubbles is mostly governed by polymerization reaction.
OH, and you know what is a core of air, sealed from the outside? An inner tube!
@@feedbackzaloop something like an inner tube, but not hitting the rim and the tire. With large airchambers. It's hard to explain in a YT-comment, because I can't post images and the audience consists of people of all sorts of intelligence. Think of it as a small o floating inside a big O.
Did he just say. "Dan didn't pick up his foam?" 😂
I've got a great idea, proven millions of times: Pneumatic tires (tyres). Oddly, even under pressure, air weighs next to nothing. And the overall structure of the device has maximum spring and compliance to need.
They go flat entirely too often. They're like car tires from the 1920's. why are they still so shit?
Ollie may hold the Engineering Degree, but Alex has a High degree in Curiosity!
In theory a good idea but it still needs further improvement.You mentioned F1 in the video, maybe the likes of Pirelli or Michelin could devise a tyre that has puncture resistant properties. I think for the time being we need to remember to keep the tyres pumped up and a spare tube to hand. Maybe in the next few years we will see this become a reality.
Well, some potential there for the right use case.
Understatement of the year: "Slicing the tire open is not great"
I just witnessed alex punching a screwdriver straight into a set of dura-ace rims before questioning it being a good idea on behalf of the tyres. Wild
Maybe try applying it before you put it on the rim but you have to be a bit quick just so it doesn’t fill up while you try to put it on the rim.
Wouldn't the foam just crush to compact dust after a bit of use?
The bottle says flexfoam so perhaps not
@@youngmoney9041 So, it's after some use, not just a bit.
Jon Cannings would be proud, this is classic old school GCN 🤣
Wounded Alex doing foam chemistry and then giving it to a PhD chemist to get a doctorate for his work! As we know the reaction is happening after "PART-A" is added to "PART-B", my suggestion would be to apply the Mr. Bean technique of making tea inside his body -
1. Insert required amount of "PART-B" first into the tyre and then rotate wheel for uniform distribution
2. Insert required amount of "PART-A" into the tyre and then rotate wheel for uniform distribution
3. Cross your fingers and hope that it works!
I had a drill exactly like that. It caught fire. Literally
You can see airless tires on construction vehicles, you can see a kind of honeycomb structure that I guess is supposed to give suspension
Insert the two components through a modified valve core *separately* while the tire is spinning and let them mix uniformly INSIDE the tire.
Just to point out that "foam inserts" are a thing - same advantages, without the downsides.
foam liners are supposed to be ridden with air and you can still get flats fit foam liners
The foam inserts are to prevent pinch flats and allow you to run lower tire pressure without rolling the tire off the rim.
take the stem out of the valve and pump the mixture into the tire that way . still drill a hole into the tire . work fast and as soon as You have the tire full , spin the wheel fast . ~~~~ PS - Heard of a guy pumping fix-a-flat into an outdoor court basketball . Good Luck
Stabbing that DA rim had me… never mind 😅✌️. I hope it’s okay
Hahaha hilarious watching you say you don’t know what to do
Alex covered in bandages: "PUNCTURES SUCK!"
Me, at home drinking coffee: Are we talking about your body or that tire? You're covered in patches. It's hard to tell.
PS: There can only be one glasses wearing, lab coat nerd on this channel but you did need some protection for the foam.
I thought Alex had biceps, but now I know he's a regular cyclist.
If there's something strange
In your neighborhood
Who you gonna call?
Ollie!
"Avoid that bit". LOL
Well, you could fill a clincher with that stuff and a clincher rim too, then put the wheel together. These halves will compete a bit from the same space so might work. On the other hand, I'd like you to try leaving both sides half empty and adding a lot of strong small magnets on both sides to repel each other, just for fun. :D
It a great idea, cars have a run flat but with that the side walls might be to hard I think for a bike. How hard will it be to clean up when you change tires with the foam as well will be the question.
Try liquid flex seal for the next experiment
My grandpa used to fill my bmx tubes up, with fix a flat foam, when I was just a lad. He patched my tube first, then filled that tube, as well as the other. It was not absolutely invincible, I don’t think? But it was quite effective.
I don’t know what effect, if any, it had on my rolling resistance.
"Keep your helmet on." LOL
If you could get it in a CO2 cartridge to use to fix a flat when racing it could be a game changer
Try using FOAM-iT's silicone expanding range it may work better!
Same problem with normal airless tires I guess, too heavy.
The ride-sharing bikes we had here used these solid tires with circular cutouts going around to make them act like proper tires like those automobile ones.
But still heavy and those cutouts probably screw with the horizontal rigidity.
We will probably get better ones in the future.
pretty sure if this was a workable solution, it would be in production by now by one of the big brands.
Why reinvent the “wheel” when Vittoria already makes foam inserts. If you are so possessed to make foam inside the tires, my suggestion is to make a mold for the foam, and then insert it after it has formed in the mold. (? Use an old tire or an inner tube over a frame)
If you have to use expensive tubeless tyres and mess on like this there's no advantage over Tannus tyres. And performance wise, the weight alone counts it out! But great that you try things so we don't have to. And definitely a good laugh!
Did you try injecting part one, sloshing it around. Then inject part 2 and shake it. Maybe add a ball bearing to help
mix it.
Yes, I would like to more experiment and punctureless tyre will be life saver