Well, I've rode several times on my new Tubliss system. So, I figured it was time to share a little of my experiences. I installed front and back Tubliss on my 2009 KTM XCF-450. There are a couple different ways to use Tubliss. You can use it to achieve lighter unsprung weight than OEM. Or, you can add tire sealant to become virtually flat proof. Initially, I chose to use Tubliss in what I call light or MX mode. I liked light mode. It's not enough of a weight difference for me to really notice. But, I just love the idea of less unsprung weight. You can still get a flat, but it’s less likely than OEM.
Light mode led me to the inevitable virtual flat proof mode by way of what else, a flat. As advertised, I rode for a long time and never got a pinch flat. They say pinch flats are the most common and I don't have any reason to dispute that because that has been my experience. I finally got a regular puncture flat right through the middle of the contact patch of the tire. For a trail rider which I am, virtual flat proof mode is what I should be using anyway. So, it's no surprise. I guess I just like to test dirt bike boundaries.
Now to the flat. I was at the furthers point from the truck on a 36 mile ride in Berea (S-Tree/Turkey foot). As Murphy’s law would have it, this time I didn't bring any tools or tire repair stuff. We met some other riders on the trail and I managed to borrow an pump. The 100psi core was fine. The outer actual tire pressure was zero. I aired the tire up but any pressure that it seemed to hold, quickly escaped. It held nothing. There was clearly a hole in the center of the contact patch. I then decided to ride back to the truck to make a repair. Tubliss says that the core will provide enough stiffness to protect the rim and keep the tire mounted even on a flat. So, I put it to the test. I rode the bike back at least 15 miles to the truck on zero tire pressure. I rode at 60% - 80% speed. Yes, that wasn't as fast of a ride as if I had repaired it. But, if you add in the time it takes to repair, it was faster. As advertised, the Tubliss core protected the rim.
Once back at the truck, I plugged the tire and added tire sealant. It held beautifully. We did a 6 mile loop (Renfro loop) and came back to the truck. All is well with the tire.
One inevitable question is: “would tire sealant have been enough to plug the original hole and not given me a flat in the first place“. I’m not 100% sure of the answer to that. I did have to ream the hole quite a bit to get the plug inserted. I’ve heard a lot of people say that they’ve had great results with a popular tire sealant “Slime”. So perhaps that would have worked. I’ve also heard people say that slime was prohibitively inconvenient when changing tires. And, I’ve heard that there are other water based tire sealants that make tire changing easier.
For me, I’m just going to have to deal with the tire sealant because for now I think it is worth it. And, I’m going with the water based tire sealant for now.
Here are the advertised advantages and what I think about them as of now. 10 points
Improved Traction
+6 - This is a really good score. Tubliss actually allows you to run as low of pressure as you want while still protecting the tire and that can really help with traction.
Virtually Flat Proof
+9 - This is a phenomenal score. Tubliss does eliminate the most common pinch flat and that is great. Plus, plugging a Tubliss tire is phenomenally easier than changing a tube. It’s something that I will do on the trail. And that is a lot better than the position I was relegated to with a tube (hope, pray, ride back while ruining a rim).
Weight Savings
+2 - This is of some value. Although I’ll be using tire sealant which eliminates the savings over OEM, it is a huge weight savings over heavy or super heavy duty inner tubes that I use to use.
Runs Cooler
0 - they say that not having an inner tube that rubs a tire makes these cooler and therefore these have less volatile tire pressure changes with temp changes of a single ride. Personally, I couldn’t tell the difference if my bike had only a slight variance in tire pressure. If it made several pounds difference, then this might be a benefit. But until I see that, I’m guessing that the change in tire pressure variance is to small to be of value.
Rim Protection
9 - I truly rode like 15 miles of trails at 60%-80% speed on zero pressure and didn’t ruin my rim. This allowed me to get back to my truck where I could easily make the needed repair and get back on the trail. I was not stranded. I had the right tools at the truck and didn’t have to carry them on my back while riding. This was much appreciated.
Cost
7 - Tubliss is about $100 per tire. Yes, that is a lot more than an OEM or heavy duty inner tube. However, it will outlast and outperform several inner tubes. Tubliss is also a lot less than tire balls and Bibb Moose. When you consider how long tire balls and Bibb moose last as compared to their cost. Tubliss wins hands down. When I turn pro, perhaps this will change for me. Until then (forever), the cost of Tubliss is far better.
My completely subject and weighted OVERALL TUBLISS SCORE is: 8/10
http://www.tubliss.com/
TECH
