If Have Nitrogen in Your Tires Do You Need to Continue Using Nitrogen
Bicycle tires are an integral part of the bicycle and they need to be replaced periodically.
Nitrogen gas is often used for filling up car tires because it has a good balance between elasticity and rigidity.
Can nitrogen also be used in bicycle tires?
The answer is yes! But before we go into more detail, let's explore the difference between air and nitrogen as fill gases for bike tires.
Nitrogen can provide a better grip on wet roads or pavements, which makes biking safer during rainy seasons.
It also provides less bounce than air does when you hit bumps while biking; this results in a smoother biking experience overall.
Nitrogen doesn't have any odor, unlike some other gases that emit foul smells when heated up, so your bike will
Is nitrogen good for bike Tyres?
Pros of using nitrogen in bicycle tires
- No sound when the air escapes.
- Reduces the rolling resistance of the tire because it's mostly inert
- The pressure is more consistent, so you can track it easily with a good quality pump. The nitrogen doesn't expand as much as oxygen does, so pumping it up is an easy task
- Makes your tires last longer since nylon naturally resists wear
Cons of using nitrogen in bicycle tires
- More expensive than air
- Not readily available everywhere, even though some gas stations are now offering nitrogen fill services
- Difficult to transport and store due to its pressure. You should only use it when filling the tires.
- Grants a smooth ride, but can be too stiff for off-road biking (e.g., on rough terrain)
Is nitrogen good for a two-wheeler?
No, nitrogen is not recommended for two-wheelers.
It is fine for automobile tires because they are inflated with high pressure, but it can be dangerous in the case of a two-wheeler due to its low tyre pressure.
Nitrogen dissolves in water and reduces friction between the tire and the road surface.
The reduced friction means a rider cannot control the two-wheeler easily in case of an emergency.
So, if you wish to use nitrogen for your bicycle tires make sure that you get them installed by a certified mechanic.
While using it every day is not recommended, fill up your tires once a month with nitrogen and enjoy the benefits of this inert gas.
Can I put nitrogen in my bicycle tires at home?
No, you cannot. It is advisable to get it installed by a certified mechanic who has the right equipment and knowledge to do so.
Nitrogen is not readily available everywhere like regular air is, even though gas stations are now offering nitrogen tire fill services.
You should only use it when filling the tires; don't try to transport or store the nitrogen by yourself.
It is very expensive so it's advisable to get your tires filled with it only if you use your bicycle on a daily basis.
For occasional bikers, using regular air is fine.
Here are some drawbacks of using nitrogen for your bicycle tires at home.
It is dangerous to try and add nitrogen by yourself because it requires precise pressure control.
In case of a tire burst, your hands can get very badly burned by the high-pressured gas.
Nitrogen-filled tires also require special equipment and pumping machines for inflation.
Is nitrogen good for tubeless Tyres?
Yes, nitrogen is good for tubeless tires.
The pressure is more uniform in case of both tubed and tubeless tires so inflation becomes easier.
You can't top up hydrogen with nitrogen because it lacks the elasticity to hold the pedal-tightened sealant.
The heat generated due to friction between the tyre and the road surface while biking can cause the hydrogen to escape and decrease your tyre pressure.
This is the reason why nitrogen-filled tubeless tires are preferred by some bikers.
However, it is not a good idea to inflate your tubeless tire with regular air because its low oxygen content makes it difficult for the sealant in the rim strip to bond to the tyre bead.
The bond is stronger when there is more oxygen in the air so using nitrogen-filled tyres is beneficial for tubeless designs.
Nitrogen can be an ideal alternative to regular air because it has no odor, unlike hydrogen which emits foul smells when used as tire inflating gas.
How long do nitrogen tires last?
Nitrogen-filled tires last longer because it has no odor.
The lack of odor means that there is less or no corrosion on the inner side.
It also decreases the rate of oxidation since nitrogen doesn't support combustion as much as oxygen does.
This keeps the tire's rubber compounds from developing cracks and cuts/tears.
Nitrogen tires have a lower rolling resistance, preventing them from heating up during biking.
This keeps the temperature of the compounds low and reduces wear and tear on the tire treads.
The reduced friction also helps increase the life of the tire material since it has to be used less frequently for inflation purposes.
In short, nitrogen-filled tubeless tires last longer than their nitrogenless counterparts.
My Final Thoughts
Although nitrogen gas is not universally used on bicycles, you can still use it in order to get some of its benefits.
In my personal opinion and experience, I don't see the need to use nitrogen gas to fill bicycle tires.
The benefits are little to none for me to take that extra step and go through all the trouble of going to the gas station to fill my bicycle tires with nitrogen gas.
Source: https://riderbaron.com/nitrogen-in-bicycle-tires/
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