'Tire Balls' any good?

**coolkarim** · #1 24 Oct 2004

came across these as an alternative to running mousses

http://www.werproducts.net/tireballs.html

sounds like a great idea, any one tried them?
Karim

**braindead** · #2 30 Nov 2004

They sound exceptionally expensive and they will increase the unsprung weight of the bike. Not sure I can see the benifits as unless they give a run flat capability you still have to de rim the tyre to mend them if you can mend them?

Charlie

**miggy** · #3 11 Jan 2005

According to the blurb they're lighter than tubes.

They'd be great for a round the world trip.

**Jeff@TheQuadShop** · #4 30 Jan 2005

They are the single best imprevement I've ever made! Weight is 1 pound per wheel and isn't even an issue. The balls are indestuctable as shown on their web site. Ball repair will never be needed.

http://www.tireballs.com

------------------
Jeff Stoess
Factory ATK
GNCC #17
http://www.quadshopatv.com

**liketoride2** · #5 30 Jan 2005

Can the tire balls be used for prolonged pavement riding, at highway speeds, or are they strictly for dirt riding?

Mike

**Jeff@TheQuadShop** · #6 30 Jan 2005

They where designed for offroad racing but they do ok for short highway trips. They throw the ballance off a little bit.

------------------
Jeff Stoess
Factory ATK
GNCC #17
http://www.quadshopatv.com

**coolkarim** · #7 3 Feb 2005

from charlie Rauseo:

yes, I have tried them.

First, let me say that they have had great success in American desert racing
(which can be very rocky). Many racers I know, including pros, use them.
They last much longer than mousse and do not flat like tubes. You can flat
individual balls, but with 40-50 in each wheel, you'll still have enough to
get to the end of the race.

But, I had problems with my tire balls in the Vegas to Reno race this
summer. I had them on my 660 Rallye, which is much heavier than most of the
bikes previously using tire balls. I flatted enough of the front balls in
90 miles for the tire to come off the rim. (I was running full tanks fast
on very sharp rocks). Others on 525 KTMs flatted none of the balls in the
entire 520 mile race.

I would certainly recommend them for lighter bikes. They give a much better
feel than mousse and are proven very durable in this application. Maybe not
for a big bike, though.

Contact Wade Sommers at www.tireballs.com. He knows absolutely everything
about tires and can give you all the info you need.

fun fun
Charlie