Solid verses pneumatic

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Biker man

Senior Member
Has there ever been a real test to test the difference between a solid tyre against a pneumatic tyre. Has anyone quantify it ?
 

Smokin Joe

Legendary Member
Solid tyres are re-invented every now and then with promises of equal performance to pneumatic but it always proves to be a false dawn and hardly anybody puts up with them. I've never seen a test that suggests they were doing any more than vainly trying to play catch up.
 

rogerzilla

Legendary Member
Only a pneumatic tyre has internal pressure that acts in all directions. This absorbs and neutralises irregularities in a way that no solid tyre can, hugely reducing rolling resistance.

If you have kids, you will have tried out prams or pushchairs. The ones with pneumatic tyres* are much, much easier to push than those with solid tyres of similar diameter.

*I fixed quite a few punctures, since you can't just walk into a shop and buy a 47-203 tube.
 

All uphill

Still rolling along
Location
Somerset
My son bought a Tannus equipped bike for a 3 mile each way commute on glass strewn canal towpaths; it worked perfectly - no punctures.

The riding experience was terrible compared with inflatable tyres - the difference between marshmallow and concrete.
 

presta

Guru
The trike I had when I was a kid had solid tyres, I could never keep up with the others who had pneumatic tyres.
 
OP
OP
B

Biker man

Senior Member
Solid tyres are re-invented every now and then with promises of equal performance to pneumatic but it always proves to be a false dawn and hardly anybody puts up with them. I've never seen a test that suggests they were doing any more than vainly trying to play catch up.
Never say never
 
OP
OP
B

Biker man

Senior Member
Solid tyres are re-invented every now and then with promises of equal performance to pneumatic but it always proves to be a false dawn and hardly anybody puts up with them. I've never seen a test that suggests they were doing any more than vainly trying to play catch up.
Be good if bike shops had a demonstrate bike with them fitted to try out.
 
Rhyming verses I would like
for asking all about a bike.
Shall I use tyres all soft and airy
But tempting to the puncture fairy?
Or solid ones, that will not burst
But make you feel like you've been cursed
With rocky roads and saddle pointed
Shattered teeth and bones disjointed.

Pneumatic tyres are such a pleasure
When pedalling round the lanes for leisure
And make it possible to ride
In comfort, ease and fortified
By knowledge that reduced concussion
Lessens damage - no discussion.

Solid tyres are strong and hard
Ride them straight across a yard
Strewn with glass or builder's rubble
Gravel, rocks - no sign of trouble.
But oh! Your nether regions suffer
When it's soft and tyres are tougher!

For me, 'tis comfort wins the battle
And solid tyres bring nought but rattle
And money counts; all my purses
See no advantage in solid versus
Pneumatic - because air is free
But rubber comes from a tropical tree.
 
OP
OP
B

Biker man

Senior Member
Rhyming verses I would like
for asking all about a bike.
Shall I use tyres all soft and airy
But tempting to the puncture fairy?
Or solid ones, that will not burst
But make you feel like you've been cursed
With rocky roads and saddle pointed
Shattered teeth and bones disjointed.

Pneumatic tyres are such a pleasure
When pedalling round the lanes for leisure
And make it possible to ride
In comfort, ease and fortified
By knowledge that reduced concussion
Lessens damage - no discussion.

Solid tyres are strong and hard
Ride them straight across a yard
Strewn with glass or builder's rubble
Gravel, rocks - no sign of trouble.
But oh! Your nether regions suffer
When it's soft and tyres are tougher!

For me, 'tis comfort wins the battle
And solid tyres bring nought but rattle
And money counts; all my purses
See no advantage in solid versus
Pneumatic - because air is free
But rubber comes from a tropical tree.
Well done that is fantastic great stuff.
 
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