Thread: Green Nipples

Originally Posted by misskit

Not heard of nitrogen in tires, but while in the US an airport van driver told me they were using this product called Ride-On now to prevent punctures and air loss. He explained how it worked and sounded interesting.

From the Ride-On website



Sorry to put up a blatant ad, but I'm really wondering if this is a good product. Seems it would work a treat on my bicycle if not the car.

That stuff works on minor punctures on tubeless tires. Your bike likely has tubes so not sure how you would get it inside there.

Regarding nitrogen, the last time we bought tires a shop in CM they tried to charge us more for nitrogen, but we said no. They had already put on the green tire stems and green cap so they just filled us up with nitrogen for free. It is quite the fad now.

When I rode in Indonesia and with tubed tyres tubes I used to put Slime in my "tyres" and always carrieda canister of re-inflation foam. The Slime didn't prevent punctures but it did prevent instant deflation and the green mess did give an indication of punctures.

That being said in rural Indonesia there is always someone "nearby" to assist with transport to a tire repair shop.

Nitrogen is a scam. Well, Ok a waste of money. Yes aircraft use it. Yes F1 use it. Aircraft use it because it is dry and so cannot contract or freeze in tires at altitude. F1 use it also because it is dry and does not expand when hot. F1 also use it because they generally provide their own "air" at the track so bottles of nitrogen are convenient.
Nitrogen molecules are smaller so leak less but terrestrial vehicles have access to gas station tire pumps.