nitrogen in tires?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
nitrogen has larger molecules than 20% of the pump air ( 80% of atmosphere is nitrogen anyways)- those larger molecules are slower to migrate through the rubber- so your inflation stays more stable over a longer period.
nitrogen doesn;t expand like "air" when subjected to heat or changes in elevation*.
which is good- that's why race cars use nitrogen, the tire pressure stays stable lap after lap
I have no idea as to whether your tires will be cooler- overheated tires are often under inflated and the sidewall flex creates heat...and the tire may fail
I took my little tank to costco and the guys filled it for me.
mike
* a casual dayride in AZ can have a 7000' variation in elevation.
nitrogen doesn;t expand like "air" when subjected to heat or changes in elevation*.
which is good- that's why race cars use nitrogen, the tire pressure stays stable lap after lap
I have no idea as to whether your tires will be cooler- overheated tires are often under inflated and the sidewall flex creates heat...and the tire may fail
I took my little tank to costco and the guys filled it for me.
mike
* a casual dayride in AZ can have a 7000' variation in elevation.
Last edited by mkguitar; Jan 31, 2016 at 10:09 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 704
Likes: 61
From: Billings, Montana Out in the Wild West.
The idea in using N2 is that N2 doesn't expand and contract due to heating and cooling of the tire as much as O2 does, thus resulting in a more constant pressure in the tire, it won't keep your tires running any cooler just because it N2. It's up to you if you want to run it or not, I myself don't think it's worth the hassle.
Last edited by madsonp; Feb 1, 2016 at 08:14 AM. Reason: Spelling correction
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,672
Likes: 18
From: Orange, VA,
I used nitrogen and most of the teams that I raced against used it as well. A tire is like a spring, more air stiffer, less softer, nitrogen will not change as much as air. If I went out for a ten lap session with air, the tire pressure would go up at least 10lbs, with nitrogen 3 or 4lbs, that makes a big difference in the way the car handles. Nitrogen also does not leak down as quick. It will not make your tires run cooler and you will not notice a handling difference on your bike, but the tires will not leak down as quickly. Is it worth paying for nitrogen in your bike, I would say no, in a race car, yes, just my opinion.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Its important to remember that nitrogen is exempt from physics and all equations relating to gasses. It is a truly magical material. ;-)
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