ATV/UTV Action Magazine

flat or full of air. The wedge design of the Tire Blocks nearly eliminates the vibration experienced after a puncture with other leading run-flat systems. The foam density of the Tire Blocks feels like approximately 5–6 psi on an ATV, and there are denser foam blocks for heavier UTV applications. Tire Blocks are also reasonably lightweight, typically adding only 1/2 pound per wheel in most applications.

INSTALLATION:

The Tire Blocks are a bit of a chore to install, but they are definitely less difficult to install than Tire Balls. It is especially challenging to install the last few blocks, but once they’re in, there is no question of whether they are in correctly. With Tire Balls, incorrect installation leads to severe vibration.

With the Tire Blocks, you can see that they are in the right way, so you can be sure they won’t vibrate. Installing both systems requires a few specialty tools that can run from $200 to $300.

To install the Tire Blocks, lube the tire carcass, then lube and install the individual blocks. The tire will appear full

WHAT ARE THEY?

Tire Blocks are the next step in the evolution of flat protection. These hand-cut wedges of dense foam replace most of the air in your ATV or UTV tire and are designed to fit together so tightly that they provide nearly the same ride feel with or without air. Tire Blocks are designed to be an improvement over the original Tire Ball System, which features individual air bladders instead of foam blocks. They were designed by veteran desert racers who needed the peace of mind available with Tire Balls, but wanted a more affordable option that didn’t vibrate after a puncture, like with Tire Balls.

FEATURES:

Tire Blocks come in specific sizes for each size tire and wheel combination.

The blocks are tightly wedged into the tire carcass, leaving very little room for air. With the Tire Blocks installed, the feel is similar to that of a tire with

6 pounds of air pressure. The Tire Blocks will allow 4–5 pounds of air pressure around the foam, but the tire will feel the same, whether it is

Tire Blocks (upper left) are a less expensive alternative to Tire Balls, but both require a tire-mounting station and gnarly tire irons. When money and/or points are on the line, however, you can’t afford to get a flat.

when you still have two blocks left, so it will take some effort to wedge these final blocks into place. Once all the Tire Blocks are installed, the wheel must be pulled or pushed through the center of the blocks, and the bead must be mounted with tire irons or a beadlock.

Beadlocks definitely make installation easier, but they are not necessary.

HOW DURABLE ARE THEY?

If you never suffer a puncture, the Tire Blocks will last a lifetime, but, with a puncture, you can run the tire for up to 100 miles without really feeling the flat. If you fix the flat fairly soon, the blocks will not be damaged; however, if you run them without air for hundreds of miles, the heat created will shrink them slightly, reducing the tire pressure.