Run flat tyres on your bike | Vittoria Air-liner road - Review

[@redtestarossa]

When all is lost these will get you home. That was enough for me to install them. I’ve been riding them for a while now.

[@michaelsingh843]

Appreciate the review, it was something I'm considering. I intended going tubeless after my current tyres wears out. I hoped that the liners allow me to continue riding whilst being flat, it seems that it's not an option and you saved me from a costly experience. I purchased Stan's dart kit hopefully I made a good choice

[@RoadGravelBike]

You *can* ride them flat, it's just a lot of work. Consider it extra training ;)

[@pip119]

Well, it looks like it also affects the handling significantly, makes cornering at speed dangerous and can lead to damage of the wheel sidewall. So I agree with Michael.

[@uvitis13]

Besides the safety. One of the best things about these are that you can run even lower pressures without worrying about damaging your rim if you hit a pothole. It dampens the impact. Here they don't emphasize that. But this can be very important especially if you have expensive carbon wheels.

[@Mao0211]

When the tyre is inflated, the liner shrinks under pressure; when you go flat tyre it goes back to normal shape but, as you can see from the last part of the video, it doesn't really support the tyre, if not just to stay in the beads. So I don't really think it helps as a damper at all in the case you described

[@veganpotterthevegan]

​@Mao0211 you can't ride as aggressively with a full flat. But you can get home safely so long as you're careful on train tracks and whatnot

[@philchevrier]

At 6'2'' 185lbs, I seriously doubt that these would basically prevent me from just rolling directly on the rim, seeing how deformed they were in this video. Repairing a tubeless flat is indeed a hassle but I much prefer that to ruining my wheels. Too bad, it was a good idea, just not for me.

[@songjoseph3314]

lets be honest, with this air liner inside, its literally impossible to use any other brands sealant to finish the installation. because of that vittoria bottle special design. well done vittoria.

[@karoladamski4820]

muck off use the same system

[@mazditzo]

if with all these you still get a puncture, then you are run out of luck ... lol 3 years with tubeless and zero puncture ... always bring spare tubes when riding too far out of town

[@milessmith589]

Imprecise use of language - you'll have had punctures, which were sealed without you knowing - that's the beauty of tubeless. Airliners keep the tyre on the rim when you've lost all air pressure & you can't or don't want to stop - racing, going downhill fast, in a dangerous position on the road 👍

[@16-7]

The Highway Code says "be sure tyres are in good condition and inflated to the pressure shown on the tyre". Does running flat beyond safe stopping distance render your bike unroadworthy and therefore uninsured?

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

Why does it still need sealant though?

[@Bungle2010]

So you going to put up with a deflated tyre after every puncture are you?

[@RoadGravelBike]

You still want to guard against punctures if possible

[@JoeJoe-lq6bd]

Ideally, you'd ride at the optimal pressure. The liner will not simulate full pressure.

[@annukun7318]

was curious if you can still use a dyna plug to plug a hole without damaging the vittoria airliner can you?

[@milessmith589]

Yes & No - for dyna plug (metal arrow head), same for Stans darts (plastic arrow head) & traditional beacon strips (application tool will punch a hole in the air liner). However, the open cell structure of the airliner means that whilst you'll punch a 'depression' into the liner, you won't wreck it. Provided whatever punched the hole in your tyre is not stuck in (same damage as any of the above to the liner) the liner will add to the sealing capability of the sealent as its pushed up against the hole👍

[@tiiimmmaaayyyy3616]

Seems looks a completely pointless invention unless you have a team car following you everywhere.

[@RoadGravelBike]

I wouldn't say pointless - they'll be staying in my race wheels for sure.

[@CarbonRider1]

it will save your wheels from denting or cracking over potholes and rock, and you can ride them back home if you flat. If you do need to put a tube in, just take the insert out and put it in your jersey pocket.

[@milessmith589]

Carbon Rider - wrap your spare tube in a thin plastic bag. Use this bag to put your airline in post removal at the side of the road - open cell structure means lots of sealent in your pocket otherwise 👍

[@stephen4347]

This is perfect for my 1 to 3 hour short rides. I like the safety aspect and that is worth it for me.

[@delkim3691]

After GCN video I was sure I will be buying it... After your review I know it is absolutely nonsense and I will be better bringing spare tube with me :))) thanks!!!

[@RoadGravelBike]

I wouldn't say nonsense at all. It's great in some situations, just not suitable for others

[@just_passing_through]

I run with them on my tubeless road bike. On the list of things I like doing on a ride, phaffing around roadside installing a tube and getting getting gunk all over me is at the very bottom of my list. If I can limp home and deal with a puncture in my garage, I’m all for it.

[@dparrigo]

While I completely agree that the liners are a pain to install, they have saved two rides since I installed them two weeks ago. I was on a 100K charity ride and got a puncture about 5 miles from the next rest stop. Sealant did seal the puncture, but not before the majority of the air was released. I rode comfortably to the rest stop, checked the seal, added some CO2, and after a snack, we were back on our way. Lost a little more air about an hour down the road. I stopped quickly to boost the CO2, and finished the ride without issue. Once home, I patched the puncture hole, and wrestled the liner back in, but the patch let loose on my usual 20 mile ride route a few days later. Finished without issue thanks totally to the air liner. I'm quite pleased with the purchase and have recommended them to others. They are worth both the cost and installation hassle compared to having to fix flats, or install an inner tube on the roadside.

[@RoadGravelBike]

David - That's great to hear that your ride was saved. It can be so annoying if an event is ruined by a mechanical! I guess you've seen the benefit of these first hand and I'd say that your situation is exactly with these were designed to deal with.

[@paulmichaelpolsinelli1945]

having mine installed as we speak.. reading these comments I was rolling my eyes... good to hear feedback from someone whose tried them IRL. In the end of the day, they're tires ... if the systems not for you... move on next time around.

[@annukun7318]

david these also worked for me on total deflatd tire....are you saying i should carry c02 cartridegs anyways? also i have the small size inserst om a 27.5 mm tire and it works is that ok?

[@dparrigo]

@@annukun7318 While the road liners would work to get you home and keep your rim from being damaged, using something like a Stan's dart or other plug, you should repair the puncture if you're going to continue for a longer ride. I don't think the road liners are intended to be a permanent solution.

[@annukun7318]

@@dparrigo was curious if you can still use a dyna plug to plug a hole without damaging the vittoria airliner can you?

[@annukun7318]

i finally had my tubeless tire not seal the hole was larger than 1/4 inch and tire went completely flat blowout...QUESTION LIAM.....IF I had these vittoria inserts...would it saved my day to get me enough pressure to get home?? honest advice. GP 5000 25mm

[@enotracoon9244]

Don't think so.

[@annukun7318]

@@enotracoon9244 vittri sats run flat?

[@annukun7318]

@@enotracoon9244 you are totally wrong they just got me home on run flats vittoria 15 miles!!!

[@enotracoon9244]

Thanks for honest review. After ad from GCN I wanted to buy one , but it is no deal for me after this vid. Thank lads , you saved me some money and extra pain with installation!

[@Justmarcusdave]

just bought a set for my 36ml round trip commute, not every day!, I decided to purchase them as If I cannot plug a hole in the tyre there is no way in hell I can reseat a tubeless tyre at the side of the road-despite using a couple of different tyres makes they are very tight to fit and a at least these will allow me to ride home

[@OrwellionFeverDreamCouchPotato]

Thoughts on plugs? I've used bacon strips for the last three flats I had where the sealant didn't do the trick. 700 x 30 Corsa N.Ext Tires with inserts. The plugs held with the 60 - 70 psi I ride them on. Is that just dumb?? I had one plug in the front tire and two plugs in the rear. I think the ideal way to ideal is to patch the tires but it is such a pain in the ars to unmount and mount this system. I just wore them out and replaced them with Conti 5000's.

[@M3GRSD]

Great review, and I'm discouraged from buying these because cause I would make my LBS install them, lol

[@jaimehpaiva]

Really appreciate the honest review!

[@RoadGravelBike]

Thank JP :D

[@jonsopher6766]

Trust me when you have a blow out on a tubeless its much more dangerous to control the bike than clinchers so you will really want to have something in the tube.

[@dog6963]

Great honest review with some good points

[@CarbonRider1]

You seem to have made the same mistake a lot of us make installing tire inserts. I wish they would give us this tip, but they don’t. Here is the trick. Put on one side of the tire first, then the tire insert. Tuck the tire side you have on the rim towards the center of the rim. Now do the same with the other side of the rim (tuck it towards the center of the rim under the insert). If you don’t do this, it will be nearly impossible to get the tire on. Then seat the tire.

[@daveladdie3614]

Having been riding bikes for nearly 60 years now I still don't think I will be using anything other than innertubes, the faff element is still too much, I'm not against new innovation ( love Di2 ) but inner tubes are just so easy .

[@Bungle2010]

Easy to puncture?

[@enotracoon9244]

We were riding on Sunday just over 100 km with 6 people. 3 flats , all inner tube setup. Sealent could make the job because there where tiny little holes

[@potsdam521]

I think he did it wrong because he put the sealant before inflating the tire for the first time, hence the insert was in full size and most probably it absorbed the sealant in one region only!

[@wichersham]

I will stick with tubes, thank you very much.

[@mrmarky624]

You should stick with the rim brakes too. Just ignore and neglect all innovation. Typical Boomer

[@peternaylor2974]

Seems like a good idea in your front wheel to give more control to stop if your have a blowout on a descent - otherwise, can’t see any benefit to sticking in an emergency tube

[@christiankehr5158]

And that just happened to me. Horrible crash with heavy injuries. Not going on a ride whiteout an Airliner in my Front wheel again.

[@gregaddison6067]

Ditto. I’m just recovering from a front-tire blowout on a 50mph descent. Broken ribs, collarbone, wrist. Not fun. The dealer I bought the replacement bike from suggested these, and I went for it. Thanks for the video!

[@MrJohnnyTN]

Every time I get new tires (or rims) I try these. I have Medium and small and even try to fit small in rims that would otherwise call for M. I have failed every time and have even busted clips. I take the liner's out and are nearly to put tires on by hand.

[@stug45]

I'm a road tubeless convert and love it.... however I feel that white socks with black shoes and grey trousers is a better choice than this product. I see the benefits of this off road but I can't see myself doing this on anything under a 2" tyre

[@winstoncat6785]

Many thanks. This has told me these are not what I thought, and not really useful for me. Knowing that is enormously helpful! Very good, thorough and thoughtful review.

[@robp3431]

Just mounted these on my gravel bike....nice and improve the ride, but doubt I could ride them flat, the foam compresses too easily.

[@jonitas66]

...so useless,right?

[@RoadGravelBike]

Not useless, just that I'd suggest that they are best used for racing

[@cliffordmason3542]

too much hassle for me, i'll stick to vittoria clinchers i think.

[@raymondl1182]

Hi what stem is that one your bike? Looks really nice

[@insanegixxerdude486]

Pass. Tubeless /sealant and a plug kit. Done!

[@neil2wheels876]

99% of punctures result in sealant spraying out whilst you come to a halt so you get plenty of warning. So with this you need a bulky tool and to be able to carry a soaking wet foam hoop if you need to fit a tube. What a comolete waste of time. Unless you're a pro rider who needs to carry on riding until the team car pulls up with your spare wheel.

[@milessmith589]

99% of punctures are sealed and you are not even aware of having got one. Of the remaining 1%, 99% of this time you'll notice the sealent spray 👍

[@annukun7318]

still need to carry patch kit with this and a C02?

[@Digi20]

The safety aspect of not directly running on the rims during a complete pressure loss is a nice touch - but the "runflat" aspect surely leaves to be desired when you inevitably damage the tire sidewalls after a longer ride on a flat tire. on the other hand, when you have such a big cut that its not sealed up you pretty much gonna ditch the tire sooner or later anyway....hm.

[@roadcc]

i think the take-home really is: quite niche.

[@davidjones9636]

That he has such a downer on tubless and then proceeds to that level of faff is fucking hilarious!! But then he recommends tubeless at the end....eh?!!

[@RoadGravelBike]

Hi David, they are indeed extra faff and I've had some really annoying tubeless setups through reviewing lots of wheels and tyres. But the liners are a great safety measure and are, I believe for my riding, ideally suited for my race wheels. Not a clear cut yes/no review this one.

[@snuttall7134]

Has anyone set these up and had trouble getting sealant to go in without spewing back out? Yes, I used the vittoria valves and yes, I used a sealed injector tool.

[@roadcc]

ours went up *okay*, but they're not easy to fit

[@michaellarkin6158]

Will this work with hookless road rims?

[@Andy_ATB]

I'd agree with the review; has it's benefits, but also limitations. They'd probably make sense in winter, when rides are shorter, and are usually based on doing short loops.

[@RoadGravelBike]

In winter with cold hands there's no way I'm getting these off on the side of the road haha

[@JogBird]

or run winter tyres with better puncture protection

[@nickw6175]

seriously when did it actually become so hard to repair a tube or change a tube , love to see a actual environmental report/assessment on which is better for the environment tubes or tubeless ?

[@roadcc]

fixing a tube ain't hard, but this is really a technology designed to allow racers to run tubeless and have a run-flat backup, so it's not really aimed at folks that are happy to sit at the side of the road for 10 minutes patching things up

[@nickw6175]

@@roadcc well lets see I race track, CX and the odd crit when I can find one and in the years I have competed I have seen tubeless racers stop due to the fail safe system fail, the same as tube runners and as we all know the numbers of folks who actually compete is extremely small in comparison to those who have bikes now that is a issue you should be looking at

[@craiggruber3024]

No thanks

[@greggarcia7324]

What tire pressure do you use when the foam insert is inside?

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Same as you would without it

[@chrisobyrne5675]

What a faff. This is like tubeless squared.

[@CarbonRider1]

It doesn’t look like he was putting them on correctly. If you tuck the tire towards the center of the rim, everything goes on easily. I have these for gravel and road.

[@bikepackingadventure7913]

As an everyday rider, I’ll just be taking a tube as a backup to my tubeless setup. 😐 Unless you are racing, they seem a bit pointless to be honest.

[@RoadGravelBike]

It's just that security in the event of a sudden loss of pressure

[@tobycolin6271]

I’d love to pop down to odd down and test these. I wreckon a 110kg rider would destroy the tyre in 1 to 2 laps. Marketed and gcn hype again supports a poor product. These are designed only to give you the functionality of a tub.

[@annukun7318]

they work i have these in my tires and got a larger hole the sealent could NOT seal and these came to the rescue rode on the, for 10 miles at 12 mph

[@tobycolin6271]

@@annukun7318 could have put a plug in or a tube and rode home at 20 mph.

[@milessmith589]

Annu - only after stopping. Airliners means you don't have to stop. If you are racing or coming downhill 'fast' & can't stop, these will save you. 👍

[@tobycolin6271]

@@milessmith589 just like tubs we’ve been riding them soft or flat as they deflate. Another solution to a problem that never existed. But it does give tubeless a feature that tubs always had.

[@milessmith589]

@@tobycolin6271 what brand of tubs can give you multiple 500km day rides? Airliners aren't a utopian solution, nor do they claim to be, but they are a solution to a potential safty issue without resorting to glue to hold a 'one shot' tyre on to a rim👍

[@Bungle2010]

Vittoria claim you’re supposed to be able to ride these up to 31 miles home, if you’re saying that isn’t the case then that’s false advertising.

[@RoadGravelBike]

I'm not saying that this is a false claim. You could ride them that distance if you wish. But I do not wish for 31 miles on a flat haha

[@wasupwitdat1mofiki94]

I hate Vittoria products. It's Bontrager all the way for me because they live up to the claims they make.

[@MaxMustermannnnnn]

Whats wrong with them? I think the corsa 2.0 are the best tyres.

[@yendoradon7836]

Will liners work with hookless rims?

[@RoadGravelBike]

I haven't seen anything that suggests that they won't

[@CrazyAboutCycling]

That was very honest. Absolutely useless rubbish. I would stay with a tubeless system.

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

Bit disappointed, i was thinking no need to fix a puncture till you get home and so i thought i could not have an inner tube with me anymore. Don't think so.

[@Bungle2010]

I thought that was supposed to be their USP. Supposedly able to ride the bike up to 31 miles to get home. That’s what it says on their website.

[@RoadGravelBike]

I'd say that Vittoria is correct in saying that you could ride these home flat. Would I want to? Absolutely not

[@Bungle2010]

@@RoadGravelBike But if you're going to destroy an expensive tyre in the process that doesn't sound like a good option.

[@RoadGravelBike]

@@Bungle2010 I guess it depends on whether the tyre is trashed already? If I'd slashed a tyre then it is going in the bin once I get home anyway