Industry Innovation: Foam for Tyre Punctures
The foam industry constantly innovates across a wide range of sectors. For those of us getting outside for fresh air and exercise, you may be keen to hop on your bike, and if you're in the countryside or near an open forest or park, all the better, especially on a mountain bike.
The puncture problem
A mountain bike is the classic choice for off-road cycling and rough terrain, and modern ones are incredibly advanced, with features that improve durability and performance. But with mountain biking now an extreme sport demanding strength and endurance from rider and bike, many tyres still suffer punctures. To date, riders have often resorted to spray foam fillers like EVA foam and solid filled tyres, but foam filler is only a temporary fix that often doesn't last, and solid tyres are uncomfortable and impractical for high-speed, rough journeys. To address this, a UK company developed a new inner bicycle tyre foam that helps prevent punctures.
A tough, shock-absorbing foam
The brainchild of the Grizedale Mountain Bike Centre, the product was developed to meet growing demand for tubeless wheels that resist rough terrain. This elastomer polyurethane foam is tough and highly shock absorbing, the kind of material previously found in shock absorbers built into F1 cars and the aerospace industry. Placed inside a tyre, the high-density foam takes up only a fraction of the space, so it doesn't affect the air pressure dynamics or ride quality. As tyre manufacturers spend large sums testing and creating tyres for many conditions, the product was developed so tyre performance isn't altered.
To maintain the standard of innovation in the industry and ensure a smooth rollout, the foam was tested across a mixture of tyres and a number of aluminium and carbon rims commonly used by mountain bikers, and under a range of pressures by professional riders. It received much praise, particularly for how well it compresses under force and helps distribute high-energy impacts to alleviate strain on certain pressure points. For more bike-related foam, see our guide to bicycle trailer seat foam.
eFoam is thrilled to see such innovations and proud to be an innovation-first UK manufacturer, looking forward to many of the new developments surfacing in the market. To discuss new product developments, or your own foam requirements, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Can foam prevent bike tyre punctures?
A UK company developed an inner bicycle tyre foam to help prevent punctures, meeting demand for tubeless wheels that resist rough terrain. It's a tough, highly shock-absorbing elastomer polyurethane, a material previously used in F1 car shock absorbers and aerospace.
Does tyre foam affect ride quality?
No. The high-density foam takes up only a fraction of the space inside a tyre, so it doesn't affect the air pressure dynamics or ride quality. It was tested across various tyres, aluminium and carbon rims, and a range of pressures by professional riders.
How does the foam help?
It compresses under force and helps distribute high-energy impacts, alleviating strain on certain pressure points in the tyre, which is why it earned praise in testing for tough, off-road riding.
