For my RhinoDillos test, I selected the same tires. They have roughly 500 miles on them. After removing the wheels from the bike, I swapped out the RhinoDillos for the UltraLites. When I touched the UltraLites, I felt they were extremely slippery. Ridges were present as well. This makes it easier to install the tube, as well as ensuring that the UltraLite holds its shape during and after installation.
As with RhinoDillos, I followed the same process. In order to replace the tube, I removed the tube, measured, then cut the UltraLites (note: Mr. Tuffy’s installation page says NOT TO TRIM, but I can’t see leaving an additional 6″+ of liner or weight in the wheel).
Therefore, I trimmed the liners to include some overlap, but not too much. One thing I noticed was that there was no beveled edge like with the RhinoDillos. Perhaps the beveled edge is not needed on the UltraLites since they are thinner?
The UltraLites slid around easily inside the tire when I installed them. While their slippery surface helps when inserting them into the tires, they will also want to slide around when installing the tubes. The UltraLite is more flexible than the RhinoDillos because it is thinner. The good news is that, once installed, it will be a long time before you have to change a flat.
Here are a few tips for an easy installation.
- The UltraLites need to be unrolled, then rerolled the opposite way. Hold them for a few minutes. They will be able to lay flat, making installation easier.
- NOTE: Some people may find it easier to install the tube first and then the liner, whereas others might find it easier to install the liner first and then the tube.
- The center of the UltraLite should be the starting point when inserting the UltraLite into the tire – place the center of the UltraLite at the valve stem hole.
- As a result, the center of the UltraLite is inserted into the tire at the valve stem location, with the left side and the right side still outside.
- Using your thumbs, insert both sections into the tire simultaneously. Whenever there is a valve stem overlap, it will be on the other side.
- Reposition the UltraLite so it is centered in the tire, starting at the valve stem.
- Ensure that the UltraLite is centered in the tire before inserting the tube.
- UltraLite may try to escape from the tube. Keep working the tube and liner an inch at a time … re-centering the UltraLite, then inserting more tube, re-centering the UltraLite, then inserting more tube, until you get it done.
HOW DO THEY PERFORM?
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Amazing! There was a noticeable difference in weight. By removing the RhinoDillos and replacing them with the UltraLites, the wheels dropped a total of 31 grams (1.1 oz.) or 15.5 grams (0.55 oz.) per wheel. Even though it doesn’t seem like much, it’s all rotating mass. I was able to tell a difference with these lighter weight liners.
Running the wheels felt like running a slightly heavier road tube. In addition, I experienced a softer and smoother ride compared to the usual rock-hard clincher tire and tube combination. The tires rode as if I had 95 psi, even at 110 psi.
Stable, comfortable, and smooth ride. The handling is very secure and stable, without choppiness or harshness. Overall, a great road feel.
How thick of a liner is necessary to prevent most flats? While I haven’t gotten a flat yet, I have run over a lot of small pieces of glass, which have embedded themselves in the tires. My test result would have flattened twice without the UltraLite. The ultimate proof will come when I hit one of those small steel belted radial tire wires.
NON-SCIENTIFIC TEST
As I waited to run over one of those small pieces of wire, I conducted a non-scientific test comparing the UltraLites and RhinoDillos to see how much pressure is required to puncture through them with an ultra sharp-pointed deck screw.
This test consisted of assembling 3″ strips of each liner, a piece of colored cardboard, a 2.5 lb. This is a 5 lb. (1.13) Olympic weight. Olympic weights (2.27kg) and 6×1 inch deck screws with extremely sharp points. Because the color of the cardboard would easily show indentations and punctures, I chose it.
Tire liner samples were laid over colored cardboard and a 2.5 pound weight was gently placed onto the head of the deck screw. Then I followed up with the 5 lb. weight. For 3.0 lbs., I estimated. Here are the results.
The screw had a sharp point and was directly driven into the liner by direct pressure. In a real-world scenario, the tire would absorb/deflect the object and some of the pressure. RhinoDillo prevented the screw from flattening a tube at up to 5.0 lbs. The UltraLite was half that size, but also half the thickness.
Final Word
What does this show?
The 3 liners are all made of very high-quality polyurethane and are great choices that fulfill their specific needs. All are reasonably priced between $15 and $18 per set.
According to the non-scientific test results, a thicker liner will prevent a tube-flattening object better than a thinner one.
Meanwhile, thicker liners add considerable weight to the wheels, affecting their performance.
As a result, all of these liners are of the highest quality and perform as intended. In order to choose the right helmet, the cyclist must determine which one works best with the road condition on which the cyclist will travel the most.
