Nitrogen

[audipersempre]

What's the view on nitrogen filled tyres? On the face of it there are obvious benefits but then it's not possible to put a few pounds of pressure in the tyres at home every week.

[onzarob]

Waste of time, it is used in race tyres for pressure stability. But in road tyres this isn't an issue, save your money. ;)

[Bratty]

Nitrogen is used fairly widely on civilian Aircraft wheels, because it is Inert therefore safer! (and alledgedlly the molecules are bigger making a leak a bit less dramatic, also supposedly gives better ride comfort).

If its free use it! If you have to pay extra, I would walk away!

Dunk

[Bratty]

Methane is a far better alternative for the cost conscious, there are obviously drawbacks like flammability, but on the other hand you will KNOW (and everyone around you)! when you have a puncture, and as long as you have the correct adapters you can pump up your own tyres (efficiency depends on Diat, ie brussels, cabbage).

Dunk

[OSB]

In addition to pressure being more stable and the chance of leaks being fractionally smaller due to the molecular structure of N2 it is also liable to be more temperature stable. However, as above, if offered free take it, if asked to pay extra then on balance, for most the expense probably wouldn't be worth it for most.

Interesting thought on Methane, however, in addition to the flammability issue, it is also alkaline, so, in the long term it might be detrimental to your wheels and the tyre casings. Helium, on the other hand, is not only inert but would lower your unsprung weight :biglaugh: