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Puncture resistant bicycle tyres?

24

Comments

  • I ride Schwalbe Marathon Plus on my commuter bike, 12 mile around trip every week day, rain or shine, zero punctures in over 3 years, only thing I ever changed was 25c to 35c when the tyre was bald and didn't notice any change in commute time. Yes they're heavy but I can still put out 25+mph without too much bother). You don't get fantastic grip from road tyres at the best of times in the wet unless you buy higher end ones e.g. conti GP 4000s vs say car tyres with tread but I've never had any issues except in the winter when I had a couple of slips on some ice this year (road/bike lanes not gritted) and I now have some studded tyres for winter use.
  • Hello OP
    I'm 50 and have been a regular cyclist since I was 18. I don't really rate Gatorskins - there was a time when I had them on my road bike but I didn't notice them being especially puncture-resistant. 
    Apart from Marathon Plus (which are legendary, as others have pointed out) the most puncture-resistant tyres I've ever had were Continental Travel Contact (which you can usually buy in Halfords). They are a nice fast-rolling tyre too. 
    My wife has had Marathon Plus on her bike for the last 10 years and yes they are pretty bomb-proof. Someone made a comment about them being stiff and hard to get over the rim - I think that mainly applies if you have them in one of the narrower widths e.g. 28mm.  My wife's tyres are the 35mm ones and they are OK to get over the rim. 
    Tony
  • jumbolugs said:

    My wife has had Marathon Plus on her bike for the last 10 years and yes they are pretty bomb-proof. Someone made a comment about them being stiff and hard to get over the rim - I think that mainly applies if you have them in one of the narrower widths e.g. 28mm.  My wife's tyres are the 35mm ones and they are OK to get over the rim. 
    Tony
    If you buy the beaded rims, they are notoriously a nightmare to fit regardless of size, a tyre tool makes short work of them however. I destroyed the skin on my thumbs trying to fit a pair at work without the tool when I had a deflating tube due to a poor puncture repair I had done, had to get the train home

  • Another option if you want to avoid punctures at all costs is Tannus Tyres. I commute 15 miles each way along unlit country lanes and because I work 12hr shifts, both journeys in the winter can be in the dark, so punctures are a nightmare. Knowing I can't suffer a puncture is worth the slightly harsher ride quality. 
  • jimbo6977
    jimbo6977 Posts: 1,276 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There are also "self repairing" tubes on the market. 
  • I've cycled 70-100 miles a week off road for the last 12 years in London and had maybe only 5 punctures. Generally Thames Path / Canal Path / Parks and quiet roads, I have Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyres on my bike plus Slime Tubes and some of the punctures have self sealed while riding. I swear by them and never carry a repair kit. The routes out to Woking and Farnborough via Thames Path / Wey Navigation and Basingstoke Canal can be rough in parts but  never really had a problem using the above combination.
  • Herzlos
    Herzlos Posts: 15,395 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Are people finding the slime sealant kits any good? Any budget brands to recommend as I've only found a Muc Off one at about £12/can.
  • fred246
    fred246 Posts: 3,620 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I started out using Marathon Plus with Slime in the inner tube. The problem seemed to be that you didn't realize when you had a puncture. When you pumped them up the chemical plug would dislodge at some stage. You end up with Slime in your pump, inside the tyre, blocking the valve. You can't easily mend the puncture with Slime coming out. I did wonder about carrying the tube of Slime for emergency use but in the end hated the stuff so much I was happy with just the Marathon Plus.
  • Herzlos said:
    Are people finding the slime sealant kits any good? Any budget brands to recommend as I've only found a Muc Off one at about £12/can.
    You can say pretty much 99% you won't get a puncture with marathon plus, adding sealant into tubes is pointless as the tyres are tough as nails and have a layer about 5mm thick of protection
  • Ballard
    Ballard Posts: 2,944 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    This is an interesting thread. When I eventually go back into the office I'm planning to cycle the 14-ish miles each way rather than get the train more often than not (heavy rain and evening engagements will mean taking the train). Potential commute apart, my rides are generally in the 30-40 mile category at a pace of around 13.5 Mph so I don't think that the performance loss which has been mentioned will have any effect on me.

    I'm looking to get a new bike in the next few weeks too (my current one is 8 years old but feels old and heavy) so will look into having these tyres fitted on the new one. I'm not adept at anything mechanical and although I can change an inner tube it generally takes me far too long and I don't fancy doing it by the side of the South Circular when I'm looking at being late for work.

    I did speak to a local bike mechanic about maintenance classes just as the pandemic was getting underway so that got shelved but I am keen to learn what to do when things open up again.
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