It has been 2 weeks since I installed Stop Flats 2 to both tires. I have given up on expensive tires. Without much hesitation, I have returned my trust to the stock tires that came on my bike. The tires have a perfect record yes, they are puncture free. Adding these tire liners to the already impressive reliability of the stock Kendas I ride on will hopefully help me avoid puncture-caused flats for a long time. One way that they have already saved me is deflecting a sharp thorn that I found lodged on the right shoulder, facing the sidewall instead of the center.
Unlike what many skeptics will tell you, Stop Flats 2 does not pierce itself into the tubes. Rather than producing them with simple plastic, the company used poly... whatever their compound is called. It is soft on the side that goes against your tube, but tough on the side that faces the down on the tire. Based on its construction, the liners should not cut their way into the tube like some other brands out there. If you don't mind the extra weight, which is a couple of ounces, go with these liners. There is almost no difference in ride quality after installation. Don't listen to excuses that haters have to offer. This is not sharp plastic.
Preventing punctures cannot be solved by tires alone. Unless people are willing to ride tires that are as thick and hard as automobile tires, there are not going to be indestructible road bike tires, as they are too thin and light. You know, that "Buy expensive tires and use them alone without protection" excuse simply does not work. You have to spend 40 to 60 dollars on each of them. Once they suffer major cuts from knives, glass, and nails, the holes will become large to the point that covering the inside with patches will not prevent the tube from eventually bulging out. Over time, one will have to pour 50 bucks every couple of months for a brand new tire after each one accumulates too many cuts.
Liners are 10 bucks a pair, plus you don't have to replace them, since they work. It's simple math and common sense. Pay 10 dollars for long term security for your tires, or keep wasting money on world class tires, spare tubes, and patch kits. Never mind the disappointments and time wasted to fix flats. If you are fine with frequent flats as a trade-off for lighter tires, go without Stop Flats 2. If you cannot tolerate flats, get them. After all, how can you be faster if you keep getting flats with "faster" tires?
Update: A friend suffered 2 flats riding through the same streets as I do, while I enjoy the insurance that Stop Flats 2 provide. Still no flats so far, 4 weeks after installation.
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I bought the orange liners for my road bike 2 years ago, and so far they are reliable enough for day to day street riding. I have only had one flat, and it was a slow leak. It kept my tires working long enough to stop and find a gas station.
Stop flats guarantees if you ever get a flat they will give you a new set of liners and a tube, but this is not the case. I sent the same product TWICE to the address on their website, but I had the package returned to me by USPS. Customer service was not responsive to my emails also. Overall good product, but bad customer service.
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My complaint for this item is that the product page did not specify that different colors meant different sizes for you bicycle tire. I order the orange color only to find out that the product was not even close to my tire width. Otherwise, the product is made of good quality material, not the fabric material in cheaper liners.
Honest reviews on STOP Flats2 Road Bicycle Tire Liner
I've had no problems with this product, I ride over some pretty thorny terrain and have stopped having flats. It was pretty easy to install. Overall I am very satisfied. as for an update, I've gone over 300 miles and still no flats. Lovin it!
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I avg about 250 miles a month on pretty clean, well kept roads, so I don't get a lot of flats in the first place. Of course it does happen on occasion and it is a pain in the XXX when it does. For the winter I put some older, cheap tires on my bike that I am eager to wear out and replace with something of higher quality. I did put this product on to minimize the frequency of flats while I wear out the tires.
This product seems to do as it claims. I have to say i've not had a flat since I have installed these. I will say they are a pain to install and take about twice as long as just replacing a tube. And ensure you have them properly centered between your tire and tube. In fact I thought I did a good job of doing so, but when I took one off today to check on it the stop flat strip was not centered at all...it was serpentine...sometimes shifted too far to the left, sometimes too far to the right. And certainly when you are out on a ride with your club if you do get a flat and need to replace a tube just pull out this liner and put it in your jersey pocket for the ride home...it will take you too long to try and replace your tube and install it while on the side of the road with your pals checking their watches while waiting on you.
The other issue is that these add rotational weight to your tire. If you want a fast, light tire it will probably be more susceptible to flats. So you can add stop flats and have fewer flats. But frankly I would think you would be better served by spending the money you would have spent on these on higher quality tires and forgo the hassle and weight of adding these strps.
I can imagine buying them for some very unique situations, much as in my own case. But for most situation I think you will do better by spending the money on higher quality tires and tubes.
