Here are pictures of a wheel with solid PU tyre used on lower-end models of A-bike Smart: AS530L and AS530S.

The manual of the Abike Plus reads:

The tyres of the A-bike Plus contain a special gel that automatically seals any small holes so hopefully punctures will be minimal.

Indeed did I find some gooey droplets in the nozzle of my shockpump after pumping the tyre, so it's there allright.
Nice improvement, that will keep us biking instead of pumping!

Job

Hi.

From far away in Southamerica. 4 days ago a adquired a new asian copy of the originaI a-bike. Had some air in the wheels.

I tried a ride, and was shoked! The bike gave me the impression that it was fixed to the ground, a big disappointment! Then I checked all bearings, everything new and fine. Also the chains where OK.

I read again the technical data and discovered tha the tires require almost 90 PSI. That was the beginning of the second chapter in the tragedy. Lost the rear tube due to the hidden position of the valve.

No spares in far away Chile. So I went to the orthopedics and bought at first one solid 6" rubber tire for the rear wheel. Fits fine, but has some movement. Rear wheel gets a bit hot. So now, I require to glue it with some silicone for better fitting.

SO NOW MY SUGGESTIONS TO THE CREATORS, OF THIS THEORETICALLY NICE INVENTION:
PLS. USE MASSIVE RUBBER TIRES, AT LEAT ON THE REAR WHEEL.

I think, it is better to have problems later with the frame, than to throw away this nice invention at the beginning!!!

Here is a thread talking about installing solid rubber tyres

Hi Amuro,
thank you for your help.

Sounds very interesting but it is a pity
that this thread is not ending satisfactory.
It remains completely unclear why the designer is talking about damages:
Compared to these 90 psi tyres solid rubber tyres should make no big difference.

And there is not enough feedback from the other users of solid rubber tyres or
something else.

I recently have injected the green slime into my tires as a precautionary measure. I have not used it long enough to know whether or not it works, but so far everything is going well.

The only real drawbacks are that the tires are a little heavier and when you attach the air-pump to the valves, sometimes little green droplets of slime come out on the valves. Both of these things are minor, though, and more than worth it for the little peace of mind I receive. [/quote]

kenwshmt2 wrote:Has anyone tried filling them with water or something denser but not solid?

Yes, someone in Japan has done that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4o_ws_SuP8

kenwshmt2 wrote:Has anyone tried filling them with water or something denser but not solid?

I think this would make the tyre act like a solid one, as air can be compressed and takes some of the 'sting' out of the bumps, water would do away with that flexibility.

One thing though and something that is used by the Dakar rally people is 'mouse' in their tyres. This is a foam substance that fills their tyres but has sufficient air trapped in it to not be solid, this avoids the problem of punctures without causing the tyre becoming solid. I wonder how that would work?

Mucklegipe.

Solid rubber tyres will probably add extra stress on the rest of the components.

However, I have found an alternative tyre, which is puncture resistant, acts the same as a pneumatic tyre as it uses a polyurethane foam-like matrix and is made using green processes: Greentyre Cub

As they are only £15 each, these are well worth a try and are available in 2 rim sizes, 16/17mm or 23/25mm. Does anyone know which is correct for the A-Bike wheel?

This is the Manufacturer's linkage: Greentyre.co.uk

On closer examination of my A-Bicycle copy I find it is fitted with these or similar solid tyres (no tyre valve). I have not had the chance to take the bike out for a run as yet as I have had it less than 24hrs at time of writing, it gets very dark quickly and not much hours anyway at this time of year with this weather, overcast and wet.

This may explain why some report frame failure on this version of the bike. I also wonder if the grip given by this type of tyre is as good as the proper tyre. However I got the Bike for £28 including P&P so will not be too out of pocket if it does fail.

Any one else with a copy type bike, and if so solid or pneumatic fitted to it?

Mucklegipe

Ken,

I saw this at WalMart but haven't tried it. I'm not sure how large of a dose would be needed with those smalle tyres. Not much probably.

Kevin

has anyone tried pre 'sliming' the tire?

http://www.slime.com/product.php?product=ST-f1

"SLIME can be installed as a pre treatment before a puncture occurs(low speed only). SLIME can also be used to repair a flat tire or a slow leak - simply remove the valve core from your tire, inject SLIME, reinflate and rotate it. IT'S THAT EASY!!"

The chief designer mentioned the front part of the bike (the joint of GF Polymaid and Metal tube) was destroyed during a test with solid tyre. There may be more damage found in the test, but we didn't get into detail much. He just told us,

"Please stop them."

Of course the choice is still up to us and I also do some mods to my A-bike which upset the designer in certain extend, but we should be aware of the risk of mods. and think how to avoid possible accidents.

I'm happy with normal tyres at the moment.

I think the damage comes from the added vibration and jolts to the frame. The aluminum and polymer frame of the A-bike absorbs a lot of the bumps of the road, as do the tyres. Once the pneumatic tyres are gone, the A-bike frame takes a lot more of the jolts. This puts a lot more wear on the joins of the frame.

Kevin

editor at large wrote:

Garry wrote:It's a nice idea, but Alex advised me that they have done testing with solid tyres and they will seriously damage the A-Bike.

In what way could they damage the A-Bike? As long as it had some give in it (I'm not suggested a rock-solid thing) it surely would make no difference?

I've just got my third puncture in about three months of riding the A-Bike, and now I've ordered an airless tyre for the back wheel.

I'll let you know how i get on, once it arrives.

I'm going to buy this bike and would like to change the tyres. I'm sick of punctures! Could you tell me the reference of the tyres you have ordered (dimensions of rim, weadth...) and the web site? Do they ship to Europe?
i_couzinet at yahoo dot com

Garry wrote:It's a nice idea, but Alex advised me that they have done testing with solid tyres and they will seriously damage the A-Bike.

In what way could they damage the A-Bike? As long as it had some give in it (I'm not suggested a rock-solid thing) it surely would make no difference?

I've just got my third puncture in about three months of riding the A-Bike, and now I've ordered an airless tyre for the back wheel.

I'll let you know how i get on, once it arrives.