Question on helium regarding inflation

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know whether inflating a tyre with
helium would make any difference on the over all performace or if it is
even possible. I would think helium is not 'light enough' to warrant
any difference in weight etc.

Yet the child-like logic that has been bestowed in me by picture books
and cartoons lead me to express my curiousity


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There isn't enough volume in a uni tire to make any significant
difference in its weight. Also, Helium atoms are the second
smallest--and are likely to speed their way through the sides of the
tube and tire during the course of your ride.


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lukkyjay

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Borgschulze wrote:
Hey.. put credit where credit is due.


well you did not actually ask the question, you just had a wise crack
at why someones uni is so light.

But yes Mr Borgschulze was the inspiration behind this thread.


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tobbogonist

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Yelling: 'Where's me faber castels?'



monkeyman wrote:
It's fun to run around, pumping a shotgun, and shooting at your
friends.


Check this ^^guys^^ bag before he goes to school.
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I think this was discussed a couple of years ago.

My opinion - a tire would not hold enough volume of helium to make any
significant difference in weight.


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Wheel Rider

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see my response in 'how heavy is your uni?' thread


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kington99

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Theoretically, if you had a big enough tire, you could "float" when you
hopped...


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benjaug wrote:
Theoretically, if you had a big enough tire, you could "float" when you
hopped...



theoretically yes, but completely impossible, your weight plus the
weight of the rubber would be impossible for the helium to make up for.


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Chris.James

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riding!" ~Me



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tobbogonist wrote:
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know whether inflating a tyre with
helium would make any difference on the over all performace or if it is
even possible. I would think helium is not 'light enough' to warrant
any difference in weight etc.

Yet the child-like logic that has been bestowed in me by picture books
and cartoons lead me to express my curiousity



As another poster says, I'd expect the tyre to go flat *really*
quickly. Helium is very good at finding its way out of things - this
is why (I think) helium balloons are usually all metal coated. If
they're just rubber, the helium leaks out *through* the rubber really
quickly.


--
mark williamson

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pedals!
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Mark: My wheel has a wheel!
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Whilst this is somethings of a stab in the dark I'm thinking that as the
helium atoms are less dense and therefore further apart the tyre may
compress more when you hop/ride/whatever so more prone to hitting the
rim. Probably not enough volume to make a difference but you never
know.


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twerpy
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mark williamson wrote:
Helium is very good at finding its way out of things - this is why (I
think) helium balloons are usually all metal coated. If they're just
rubber, the helium leaks out *through* the rubber really quickly.



Another not-particularly-scientific response: while the idea of helium
being small and likely to leak makes sense, my experience with rubber
party balloons is that either helium or air will leak through, and I've
not noticed a significant difference in time between them.

As is seeming quite agreed, the 'lift' gained would not be of a useful
or even detectable amount. Think how much a helium balloon can lift
from the ground? Only a few tens of grams per balloon. I once spent
hours at home after going to a fair trying to create equilibrium with a
balloon, and all it needed was a small paper 'basket' with some extra
paper in to fine-tune the weight. Those wacky types who go flying with
balloons tied to a chair have thousands of them!

Sam


--
redwelly

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sometimes you feel like throwing up, so it's really nice to be able to
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