Indestructible cycle tyres

saxonrosecliff

I realise that there is probably no such thing but I am sick to death of getting punctures! I only have low price tyres on my bike and got yet another puncture today. I had to walk two miles home in torrential rain as it was also the day I hadn't got a puncture repair kit with me!

So what I am asking is are there any tyres that are better than what I have currently that I can get fitted. I cycle three days a week approximately 6 miles to and from work and for leisure at the weekend so I really need road plus off road (not professional off roading - just along the muddy canal towpath etc).

Can anyone offer me any advice please?

Strider590

saxonrosecliff wrote: »

Can anyone offer me any advice please?

Yes.....

On the roads, stop riding in the gutter where all the nails are resting (to hell with the drivers who think you should ride 3inches from the kerb).

On the canal toe paths, stick to the muddy bit down the middle of the path and don't ride up into the undergrowth to pass pedestrians/etc.



Oh and make sure your tyres are well inflated or you'll get what's called a "pinch puncture", where the rim nips the tyre and cuts into it.

Tigsteroonie

I remember seeing solid tyres for sale over ten years ago, but they weren't popular due to the lack of give/bounce in the tyre. Don't know if they're still made?

WobblyDog

When I used to cycle thousands of miles a year, the received wisdom was that the small shards of stone and glass that caused most punctures took some time to work their way through the tyre to the inner tube. Before each ride, I would inspect the tyres and dig out any bits of stone with a pin or similar. I don't know whether this actually helped, but I always did it.

Also, I reckon that punctures are more common during wet weather, because the rain washes the bits of stone into the road, and makes them stick to the tyres.

You can buy tyres with bands of kevlar (or similar) woven into them, which makes them a bit more puncture resistant. In my experience, they still get punctures, and the increased price outweighs the benefits. Even an expensive kevlar tyre can be instantly ruined by riding over a large piece of glass.

If I was more concerned about puncture resistance than rolling resistance, I would generally just pick a tyre with fairly thick casing and tread.

Lastly, if you do a lot of cycling, it's generally quicker to swap the whole inner tube at the side of the road, and then fix the punctured tube at home later in comfort.

Dave_C_2

Here you go:
Schwalbe marathon plus

Bit of a swine to get on the the wheel, but renowned the world over.

Dave

custardy

Marathons are good.run them on one of the bikes.
if it was less offoad, then i prefer Gatorskins as they roll better

Handsome90

You could try puncture resistant tyres. I've been cycling on the road for the past 1.5 years and I cycle an average of 5 miles per day. I have never got any punctures. The advice given above definitely helps.

I use continental sport contact tyres http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20sport%20contact.shtml

But since you are going to use it on the towpath, you could use these tyres http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20topcontact.shtml

Dave_C_2

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

I remember seeing solid tyres for sale over ten years ago, but they weren't popular due to the lack of give/bounce in the tyre. Don't know if they're still made?

I've just found these solid tyres, but they are £30 each for 26" wheels.

Dave

saxonrosecliff

Thanks for all the tips. I know all about not riding in the gutter, tyres well inflated etc. The problem is our Council is very fond of hawthorn hedges which is all very well until they trim them with their fantastic tractor attachment. The clippings go all over the place - pavement, cycle path and road.

I'll take a trip to the local bike shop and have a look at the tyres mentioned and then decide. Thanks for your help.

gingernm

Rather than change tyres, use slime.

This goes into your inner tubes and plugs punctures. You can either buy tube preloaded or buy the slime seperately and pump it in yourself. Halfords and most bike stores sell both tubes prefilled and cans of slime.

spiro

saxonrosecliff wrote: »

Thanks for all the tips. I know all about not riding in the gutter, tyres well inflated etc. The problem is our Council is very fond of hawthorn hedges which is all very well until they trim them with their fantastic tractor attachment. The clippings go all over the place - pavement, cycle path and road.

I'll take a trip to the local bike shop and have a look at the tyres mentioned and then decide. Thanks for your help.

Complain to the council and get them to clear up behind themselves. When they cut grass etc in my area they follow along with a blower and road sweeper so they roads etc dont get cover with grass or leaves which can cause the roads to become greasy.