----- Original Message -----
From: "David Bryce" <dbryce@bigpond.net.au>
To: <ian@greenspeed.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 10:53 AM
Subject: NoTubes Test Report #1
G'day Ian,
I want to report on my experiences to date with the NoTubes.
I have set up both front wheels with NoTubes. On one wheel I used the new tyre
which you sent because the existing tyre had a cut about 3 mm long right in the
tread section. Once I have had a bit of experience with the setup I might try to
do that one as well.
New Tyre - I followed the printed instructions but was not able to inflate the
tyre with either of the pumps I had at home. I used the compressed air at a
service station and it took a couple of attempts before I managed to get a seal.
I then deflated the tyre and added the goo using the syringe and the valve
opening. I pumped it to 50 psi and it is still holding that pressure tonight.
Used Tyre - I inflated the tyre using the soap mix as recommended and it was
evident that there were hundreds of tiny holes around the side walls of the tyre
as the soap came out the walls like froth. I deflated the tyre and put in the
goo and inflated it to 40 psi. The white froth was still coming out so I did the
shaking routine turning the wheel a couple of full circles as I did it. When I
tested the tyre at home with the soapy water, there appeared to be a couple of
places where it was seeping a bit. I shook it again and set the tyre aside for
about 6 hours.
At about 6:30 tonight both tyres were holding pressure with no sign of seepage.
I pumped the used tyre up to 50 psi and fitted it to the trike.
The rear wheel still has the thorn resistant tube and is at 50 psi. I think that
until I have evaluated the tubeless over a longer period I will put the original
tube back in the rear wheel along with the goo as a precaution. I'm using the
dynamo quite often so I don't want to change that wheel yet. If the front
wheels, especially the used one, perform satisfactorily then I will change the
rear one over.
We went for a ride - not a long one, only about 6.5 km. Would have gone further
but we had something cooking. My impression was that the trike was easier to
pedal and it seemed to coast at a faster rate (following the same track that
Frances and I usually follow. Average speed for the trip was 11.34 kph - our
evening rides are pretty casual but I accelerated a couple of times and I still
had the sense of it being easier to pedal. I find that significant as I went
riding yesterday morning after over a week away from it and I felt that my
overall performance had slipped back and my legs felt a bit weak when pedaling.
ABW I will try my usual longer circuit tomorrow morning by myself and compare it
with previous results.
Regards - Dave
**********************************
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Bryce" <dbryce@bigpond.net.au>
To: <ian@greenspeed.com.au>
Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 6:28 PM
Subject: NoTubes Test Report #2
G'day Ian,
Next morning and the tyres are still holding pressure.
This morning I went for a ride by myself over a route commonly used when I ride
with the BUG.
Distance 15.28 km
Av speed 16.55 kph
My previous best average over this route (same time of day and weather
conditions) was 15.17 kph. That was riding with the BUG. I tend to ride a bit
faster with them than when I'm by myself. My previous highest average by myself
was 15.11 kph and that was over a much shorter route.
My max down our only hill was pretty much the same as before but I noticed that
I was riding faster and easier on the flat. My overall impression so far is that
the trike rolls easier.
Will keep you posted of any more observations.
Regards - Dave
**********************************
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Bryce" <dbryce@bigpond.net.au>
To: <ian@greenspeed.com.au>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 6:38 PM
Subject: NoTubes report #3
G'day Ian,
Yesterday afternoon I removed the thorn resistant tube from the rear wheel and I
put the standard tube back in with 2 oz of the goo inside it. I'm waiting a
while to see how the others go over time before I commit the rear wheel to the
system - plus there was a cut in the side of the tyre as well.
I checked the tyres that I fitted a week ago. They had both lost pressure. The
tyres had initially been pumped to 45 psi. I said 50 psi before but when I
looked more carefully at the gauge on the pump and checked it with a separate
gauge it seems that it was closer to 45 psi. I was reading it wrongly.
The new tyre you sent was down to 35 psi.
The used tyre that had all the seepage initially was down to 30 psi.
I'd prefer them to hold better than that but my BUG friends said that they need
to pump their tyres every week.
During that week we have had several days when the temperatures reached 39
Celsius. I wasn't out riding in it - I rode early mornings and night.
In the time since I have fitted the NoTubes setup, I have ridden 73 km.
I am still finding it easier to push in most circumstances and my speeds are
still higher than they were, as mentioned in earlier reports.
Regards - Dave
**********************************
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Bryce" <dbryce@bigpond.net.au>
To: <ian@greenspeed.com.au>
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 9:55 PM
Subject: Re: NoTubes report #4
G'day Ian,
I trust you and yours had an enjoyable Christmas.
I tested tyre pressures again after another week. Both tyres had lost pressure
but not as much as in the first week. Pressures were approx 3 psi higher than
last week, so maybe there has been a bit more spreading of the goo to provide
marginally better sealing.
I am still happy with the way the trike rolls so freely with the tyres with the
NoTubes system. I have ridden through some thorns and am always riding through
patches of small broken glass (not deliberately) and so far there are no
punctures. I'm still impressed and I guess the only thing now is to wait and see
how long the goo lasts to see whether it is an economic proposition to continue
using the system. I shall shortly past a progress report to the Trikes list.
By the way, you haven't advised me of the cost of the goo, rim strips, etc. that
you sent up.
Regards - Dave
**********************************
David and Frances Bryce,
50 Taylor Street,
Roma, Qld, 4455.
dbryce@bigpond.net.au
Ph +61 7 4622 1935
Mob 0409 628 694
<:))))><<