Tim
Nitrogen
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Nitrogen
For a variety of reasons nitrogen does not expand when it gets hot like air does. On a race car, that's a good deal. As the tires heat and cool, the presssures riand fall. That changes the suspension a considerable amount. In a racing environment, 2psi makes a huge differance.
On the street, its a whole differant story. First, nitrogen is hard to come by on the road. If it's just a local commuter or bar hopper bike, you could make it work.
Second, to obtain any benifits you have to be sure that the tir contains pure nitrogen. not other contaminants. Not too difficult to do with a tubed tire, but nearly impossible with a tubeless unless you also spring for the expensive equipment.
Third, when a tire maker recommends a specific pressure, that's a cold pressure. The tire maker knows that the pressure will increase as the tire gets hot. With nitrogen only, the tire won't perform as expected or designed.
On the street, its a whole differant story. First, nitrogen is hard to come by on the road. If it's just a local commuter or bar hopper bike, you could make it work.
Second, to obtain any benifits you have to be sure that the tir contains pure nitrogen. not other contaminants. Not too difficult to do with a tubed tire, but nearly impossible with a tubeless unless you also spring for the expensive equipment.
Third, when a tire maker recommends a specific pressure, that's a cold pressure. The tire maker knows that the pressure will increase as the tire gets hot. With nitrogen only, the tire won't perform as expected or designed.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Nitrogen
There is nothing wrong with servicing tires with nitrogen. For a bike, there is no advantage to it either. Some aircraft tires use DRY nitrogen for tire servicing to eliminate the possibility of water freezing in the tire at altitude and to help with fire supression in a "hot brakes" landing scenario. Air is 70 percent nitrogen anyway.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
From: St.Louis, MO
RE: Nitrogen
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 7
From: guntersville, al
RE: Nitrogen
nitrogen molecules are larger than "air"so less leakage and load bearing capability is increased, the tires run cooler at speed so wear is reduced. it's worth it and you won't much trouble finding a dealer with the nitrogen equipment.
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