On the road on fat tyres
They swallow something! Balloon bikes use the suspension effect of thick tyres. TREKKINGBIKE has compared the advantages and disadvantages of a good idea. Eight balloon bikes with 50 and 60 millimetre tyres tested.
Balloon tyres are in a category of their own. Back in the 1920s, when the roads were much worse than they are today, bicycle designers utilised the principle of "large volume at low pressure". The larger the tyre volume, the softer the pressure can be adjusted without having to fear punctures.
The tyre provides cushioning and comfort. It absorbs uneven ground and frees the rider from overly sharp bumps and vibrations. You can get about 80 per cent of the suspension travel of a suspension fork for less: Balloon tyres are the kings of comfort.
The bikes in the test:
Idworx Easy Street
Patria Terra
Retro bike Paula
Storck Multitask
Velo de Ville VDV 400
Velotraum Balloon
Victoria balloon bike
VSF-Fahrradmanufaktur T-50
plus: 10 test reports from previous issues
