Do foam inserts for tires work?
04-23-22, 09:09 AM
#26
Senior Member
In the spirit of "flat prevention", which I think may have been the OP's motivation for asking about tire inserts, I have a possibly interesting case report.
In Post #15 I mentioned a "significant failure" of a Schwalbe "Marathon Plus" tire. About 2 weeks prior, I had the first flat ever on one of these tires, which had been in service on Chicago streets for at least 3,000 miles. I found a solitary puncture that breached the blue gel layer and the kevlar carcass. I placed a new tube and a Mr. Tuffy tire liner, which I thought was a bit of over-kill, but not unreasonable since this is my commuter bike. About 2 weeks later, I noticed a "thumping" feeling while riding or walking the bike. I traced this to a swelling on the tread of the rear wheel. I reduced the tire pressure somewhat to get home, and changed the tire.
The bulge seemed to be in the same area as the prior penetration, which was still apparent (see image). However, on the inside of the tire there was much more extensive damage (see images). I am not sure how an object that made a simple puncture, albeit good sized, could rip the inside of the tire this way. At any rate, I think I was lucky to have the tire liner in place. I transferred it to the replacement Marathon Plus... again, probably over-kill.
Submitted for consideration!
This is a view of the bulge, seen on the way home after I lowered the pressure. The old puncture is visible.
Here's a side view of the tire bulge and the original perforation. It's interesting that the bulge is on the side, not in the center where the defect is.
Here is the hole left by the object, which I never found. It's a pretty good size, but otherwise nothing too extreme.
This is the inside of the tire. The damage extends a centimeter or so. See the next image...
Here's the damaged area everted slightly. If the tire liner had not been present, I think the tube might have herniated through this large of a hole.
In Post #15 I mentioned a "significant failure" of a Schwalbe "Marathon Plus" tire. About 2 weeks prior, I had the first flat ever on one of these tires, which had been in service on Chicago streets for at least 3,000 miles. I found a solitary puncture that breached the blue gel layer and the kevlar carcass. I placed a new tube and a Mr. Tuffy tire liner, which I thought was a bit of over-kill, but not unreasonable since this is my commuter bike. About 2 weeks later, I noticed a "thumping" feeling while riding or walking the bike. I traced this to a swelling on the tread of the rear wheel. I reduced the tire pressure somewhat to get home, and changed the tire.
The bulge seemed to be in the same area as the prior penetration, which was still apparent (see image). However, on the inside of the tire there was much more extensive damage (see images). I am not sure how an object that made a simple puncture, albeit good sized, could rip the inside of the tire this way. At any rate, I think I was lucky to have the tire liner in place. I transferred it to the replacement Marathon Plus... again, probably over-kill.
Submitted for consideration!
This is a view of the bulge, seen on the way home after I lowered the pressure. The old puncture is visible.
Here's a side view of the tire bulge and the original perforation. It's interesting that the bulge is on the side, not in the center where the defect is.
Here is the hole left by the object, which I never found. It's a pretty good size, but otherwise nothing too extreme.
This is the inside of the tire. The damage extends a centimeter or so. See the next image...
Here's the damaged area everted slightly. If the tire liner had not been present, I think the tube might have herniated through this large of a hole.
bad luck I suppose. I've had two experiences where I had a long nail and another time with a different tire, a long shiskabob type metal skewer thing go through fairly new tires (regular marathon, and a marathon supreme) but in both cases, the puncture was clean and the inner tire hole was as small as the outer hole, ie no ripping etc. Both tires went on to very very long and fruitful lives, with probably up to 10,000 kms on each.
the important thing to take from all this is that situations like yours are very rare generally.
so the person here should concentrate more on proper tire choice, proper pressures and using good judgement in riding style and how one goes over stuff at X speed.
04-23-22, 01:30 PM
#27
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+1 and I'll ask again. rbrides, what are you trying to achieve? Fewer puncture flats or protection from pinch flats or both? We're all just guessing at this point and could answer your question better knowing what you're looking for. Also, check reviews on Amazon, web bike sellers, etc., of some of the inserts available. After reading many of these I decided none were for me as they all seemed to have some drawbacks that would have been made them worse than just getting a stiffer sidewalled and more puncture resistant tread tire even if it was on the heavier, slower rolling side but still rode better than any tire with inserts.
Last edited by rbrides; 04-23-22 at 01:41 PM.
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04-23-22, 01:40 PM
#28
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Sy, just trying to learn if there are any true advantages to using foam inserts. The overwhelming sentiment thus far is that they are not great in any particular way. I was curious if they provided better handling, traction or safety, particularly with heavier loads while backpacking.
04-23-22, 03:19 PM
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Sy, just trying to learn if there are any true advantages to using foam inserts. The overwhelming sentiment thus far is that they are not great in any particular way. I was curious if they provided better handling, traction or safety, particularly with heavier loads while backpacking.
04-23-22, 03:20 PM
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If I were concerned about flats, I would probably install tire *liners* (eg, "Mr. Tuffy"). I have heard others comment that these cause flats independent of punctures, but this has not been my experience. I also have not noticed a difference in rolling resistance, though I would accept some slight increase in exchange for a decreased chance of a puncture.
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04-23-22, 05:16 PM
#31
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Sy, just trying to learn if there are any true advantages to using foam inserts. The overwhelming sentiment thus far is that they are not great in any particular way. I was curious if they provided better handling, traction or safety, particularly with heavier loads while backpacking.
I am hoping to do a bikepacking trip this year in an area where it will be somewhat remote, and all the stuff I've written down is pretty much what I'll be keeping in mind--specifically, being careful, watching and feeling what tire pressures are good, and being conservative when there is chunky, sharp stuff--ie, getting off and walking for a bit rather than risking cutting a tire (touch wood, touch wood)
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