Does anyone know how much thet cost?

 

What the heck is a tire ball????????

 

Tire *****' Website

 

If you are a pro or a top rider that wants to win a class in Xc racing you have to have them. I think that the price is a little high, but so are some other parts a little costly. With them you will not get a flat tire. In a race that has rocks it is a must if you want to win or finish high. aflat could cost you 1 or maybe 3 places.

 

Wow i didnt think they would cost that much, I guess i'll stick to running tubes and slime, i havnt had a flat since i started running that combo.

 

If you don't have something on the line based on your next GNCC finish, they aren't really worth the money. They are very nice though. I watched them installed in my friends tires at the FL GNCC. Neat idea, insurance is why the price is so high.

 

Its not just the flat issue, it also greatly improves the ride and handling. Ballance was quoted saying "its like having an extra set of shocks". They will pay for themselves over time due to the fact that if your tire does get a hole, you can keep on running it instead of replacing it.

 

And if you are in a race and get a flat, do you stop? No, you keep riding till you get back to your pit and change the wheel. And during that riding with a flat tire you are bound to mess up your rim a bit. Maybe just just scuffed up, maybe bent, maybe broken. All this is avoided with the tire *****.

It all comes down to what you want, what you need, and what you can afford. Some people say it is crazy to spend $5000 on an ATV engine, but if you are a drag racer or hill shooter that is what you want and need. Same with tire ***** for serious XC racers.

RR1

 

Jeff- how is the ride improved? Are you running the equivalent of less pressure?

If so, how badly is cornering affected?

Are tireballs reuseable when it's time to replace the tires?

 

Yes, you run what would normally fell like about 4 psi. The way the ***** are shaped like a rectangle, they keep the tire from rolling under in hard cornering. When you hit an obstical such as a rock or root, the air doesn't get forced to the opposite side of the wheel, it contained in the one area. This eliminates rim to ground contact.
Cornering isn't badly effected at all! I have noticed I'm able to hold a slick inside line much easier without sliding out.
Yes, they are reuseable. I'm on the same set that I started testing last summer.

Hope this helps,
Jeff