Introduction: Quick Tip #4 - Installing No-Mor-Flats on Your Bicycle
One of the best accessories for any bike you can buy in my opinion is a product called No-Mor-Flats.
Once you install them, you never buy another tube. Only tires.
What promped this instructable that one of the falisies is that they are difficult to install.
Which couldn't be farther from the truth.
Installing No-Mor-Flats will take you about 15 minutes if that long if done properly.
I've installed them on every bike I've owned, 7 so far, over the past ten years and I love them.
They came in every size one could image for every tire size out there.
Unfortunatly Bell, who purchased No-More-Flat, has quit manufacturing them at the time of this writing. But...
There are still some around and in stock at certain locations of Walmart!
- so check your local Walmart to se if they still have some in stock..
And / or you may find them at a local Fleamarket or
Online at E-bay such as here and here
or listed on Craigslist.
Amazon has them listed here
Even the original site No-Mor-Flats still has limited stock available
and i just found The Great Hardware Store online doing a search has them listed as well
Cost... I paid around $26.00 at Walmart each for the 26in. I have.
And i've seen them for less depending on the tire size.
And they are well worth it.
They never go flat - never go soft. You always have a fully inflated tire.
You or your kids will never get a flat and have to walk home.
No flats anymore while out on a bike a trail or 10 miles from home.
Or while pulling that baby buggy you're towing - incliuding the baby buggy
No risk of flats - Period!
So get them while there's some still at Walmart or on Ebay / Craigslist or what have you.
And follow along as i show you how easy it is to install them.
And they are packaged quite differently just so you know
The newest package is the Bell Blue package with the two bike riders and says... Bell in big letters (go figure)
The original packaging is simply the Red White and Blue and packaged like a car radiator belt
Some where in between Cyclo the original manufacturer made a Yellow package (last package pic)
They are all the same product.
And i want to point out agbout the install
- I installed the one in this instructable by myself, while taking the pictures for the instructable.
So how hard can it be?
- I installed this one essentually one handed through out most of the process.
Step 1: What You'll Need
The correct size No-Mor-Flats for your size tire
Determining the correct size for your tire is easy - It states the sizes right on the box.
For example: My tire is a 26in x 1.95in so - i picked up a set at Walmart that fits tire sizes 26in x 1.75in to 1.95in
If you want or prefer a harder tire - (one that mimics more air pressure) and you have a 26inx1.95in
- just downsize your tire The closer you get to 1.75 the harder the tire (inflated pressure) will be.
Now that you have your No-Mor-Flats in the correct size what else do you need?
1 set of tire spanner wrenches (usually three to a set)
1 wrench to remove your tire from the frame ( i used a cresent wrench)
1 container of luke warm soapy water ( a couple drops of Liquid Dish Soap is all)
1 rag If your tire is NOT flat when you install No-Mor-Flats on your bike, as mine wasn't.
You'll also want a Valve Stem remover to let the air out of your tire.
- they can be picked up for free most times from your local bike shop.
or if you ever bought Slime - the cap has one built into it.
Now gather up your tools - take your bike to an area you can work on it.
And lets get started installing your No-Mor-Flats tube
Step 2: Remove the Wheel Off Your Bike
Once you have your wheel off the bike move onto the next step.
Step 3: Deflate the Tire
Then remove the valve from the valve stem as shown.
Don't have a valve removal tool - no problem...
Simply use something small that fits inside the Valve Stem (small screw driver - butter knife)
and press the inner stem of the valve down - the air will come out.
Step 4: Remove One of the Tire Beads
Don't remove the whole tire - you don't need to.
Use your tire spanner wrench set and remove one bead of the tire.
Insert the spanner wrench wide side into the rim - scoop the tire bead and pull it over the rim.
Once you get one spanner wrench in
Walk the spanners around the tire as shown
- The tire will come loose very quickly and you can do most of this removeal with out the spanners once started with your hand
Step 5: Remove the Tube
Start by removing the valve stem from the rim
- pulling the valve stem back through the rim towards the inside of the tire till it clears the rim.
Pull the tube out from inside the tire
Put the valve back in the valve stem if you took it out at this time.
Put the cap back on the valve stem.
Set the tube aside out of the way.
Next step...!
Step 6: Install the No-Mor-Flat Tube
Take the No-More-Flat out of the box or if you have one of the early versions remove it from the cardboard wrapper.
Set the box or wrapper out of the way.
The Bell No-Mor-Flats is coiled up as you can see.
The original is simply wrapped.
Unzip the keepers on the Bell version - just grab an end facing you and pull and it wil come apart.
- or use a pair of scizzors if you insist being carful not to cut the No-Mor-Flat tube.
Uncoil it set it out flat.
Get your warm soapy water and rag.
Get the rag soaked with the soapy water.
Wipe the whole No-Mor-Flat to get it wet.
Dipping your rag in the soapy water as needed.
Next wipe the inside of the tire with the rag soaked with the soapy water.
Insert the No-Mo-FLat into the tire.
Start at one end and work your way around.
When you get to the end it will seem like it is too big. It's not... just pop it in there.
Make sure the V shaped side is toward the rim.
Pop the No-Mor-Flat over the rim edge if you haven't done so already.
Again the V shaped side on the No-Mor-Flat goes towards the rim.
Got that done - Good Job! Your almost there...
onto the next step...
Step 7: Put the Tire Back On
This is the step that most freaked out about... claiming it was so dificult so pay attention.
This is a key part of the installation.
You do as instructed so far and follow this part - you''l laugh at anyone that tells you how hard they are to put in.
You wiped the whole tube down and the inside of the tire with the wet soapy rag right?
Good - wasn't hard was it? Naaah that was easy...
Now wipe down the bead of the tire the same way.
All the way around...
Next get all three of your tire spanners at the ready.
Put the first one in as shown - pop the bead over and hold it there with the first spanner wrench.
Put the second spanner in under the bead of the tire about thumb to forefinger away from the first spanner (see pic)
And pop it over the rim edge and hold it there.
You'll probably notice that if you hold one the other one will hold in place on it's own - if not use your foot as i did to hold it.
Hold it gently you don't need to step on it with full force.
Next... Get your third tire spanner wrench and do the same as you did previously.
Pop the tire over the edge of the rim.
Okay you have all three in... the middle one is loose now isn't it?
Still holding the first with you foot or a friend that is helpling you is holding it right? Good
- and the third spanner wrench held with one hand.
Pull the middle one out and insert it like you did before only ahead of the last spanner wrench you had previously put in
- The third spanner wrench... for those that lost count
Walking the the tire over the rim all around the wheel leap frogging the spanner wrenches 2 and 3 all the while holding the first or starter spanner wrench in place.
Note: as you get past the half way point the tire is going to start getting tighter and tighter.
Just make your distance smaller between spanner wrenches as you walk it all the way back to where you started.
The last one is the toughest - not that tough - but the toughtest of all of them to pop over.
If you got just with in an inch or so of the last two of it poping over - but doesn't just becuase they are just a littel too far apart.
Try cranking down with a tad more force, not too much though
and while doing so, push in the middle between the two spanners with yoru fingers for that last little bit.
- She'll pop right on over.
And don't be afraid to use more soapy water if it dried up on you.
Soak it down to begin with, it won't dry up as fast - but will over time anyway
so don't worry about if you have too much soapy water on it to begin with.
Okay - then you got it on - wasn't hard at all was it?
The next one will go on evern easier now that you've done the first one.
Step 8: Put the Wheel Back on Your Bike
- Most have a quick release these days to make it easy
- if not just loosen the wire nut and it will come loose
Check your wheel bearings before putting it back on
- make sure the nuts are tight but not too tight before putting your wheel back on.
The wheel should spin freely but not wobble from side to side when holding the spindle.
Everything is fine...?
Okay then... Now put your wheel back on your bike.
Tighten everything back up including the brakes if you loosen them.
Step 9: The Last Step
Take the empty No-Mor-Flats box - break it down and pop it into the recycle bin.
But before you do, be sure to remove the Silver and Blue Foil sticker on the top inside flap of the box.
- you'll need that.
What that is for is to cover the vlave cover hole in the rim. which you don't need anymore 'cause you don't use tubes!!! Hurrraa..y
But don't put it on yet... wait
In a couple days the inside of your tire is going to be dry... Then put it on...
The old tube - if it was flat - make some rubber bands out of it. or better still...
If it was still good - Give it to a neighbor or friend or your Brother or Sister in need of a new tube for their bike so they can ride with you.
Its the right thing to do as now
- YOU don't use tubes anymore...
- YOU can't get a flat anymore...
Isn't that so cool?
Well that's it, Your done.. unless you have the other one to do
Your No-Mor-Flats are installed so the only thing left to do is
...enjoy a ride on your bike without fear of a flat ever again...
one less thing to worry about.. ;-)
Step 10: Update As of Sept 1st 2014
Some may already know this but, it looks like Bell has decided to continue manufacturing the 20" and 26" No-Mor_Flats sizes! Hurray!
They are now called Bell "Solid" inner tubes and have new packaging which as you can see is now mostly Grey.
Better still is the news that the price has gone down!
At the time of this writing you can pick up at Wal-Mart, Bell "Solids" for the following prices:
20" x 1.75 to 1.95 for $16.86
26" x 1.75 to 1.95 for $19.96
Wal-Mart hasn't updated their site to reflect the new packaging however their site does reflect the new pricing.
Hopefully in the near future, Bell will bring back some other sizes such as the 16", 700c series and other sizes as well.
- chase -