query on tyres

Hygro

Hi,

First of all I'd like to say that I'm not a cycling enthusiast (mainly due to the fact that I seem to get punctures quite a lot) but I have started to cycle to work recently. When I left work today I discovered to no suprise that I had a puncture and so had to cycle from park west to cabra on the flat back wheel in this lovely weather.

Anyway my question is is it possible to buy puncture proof tyres for a regular bike (I have a Raleigh Pioneer) or will I just have to live with constantly picking up punctures and give up cycling and go back to driving to work?

Cheers

ba

essential is correect tyre pressure. dont underestiamte this, as most of the guys and girls on this forum see people cruising around on near flat tyres... big invite for pinche flats and punctures in general.

not too sure what wheel size is on your pioneer, but presume it is a hybrid with 700c wheels. so best pop into your LBS and get some specialized armadillos or continental gatorskins, both virtually bomb proof. and carry a spare tube, pump at all times.

btw, eurocycles on south william street stock 'dutch perfect' puncture proof tyres at 35e each. theyre way heavy and the rolling resistance is massive, but doubt you'll care too much as long as you avoid punctures, so they might the job!

blorg

+1 what ba says about pressure. Armadillos are substantially more puncture resistant than Gatorskins but have worse ride quality and can be a bit slippy if you like to take your corners fast and leaning over. For casual riding however I think they are the perfect commuting tyre. You can get them in an appropriate size for a Raleigh Pioneer (probably around 700x35-40C.)

Al Wright

For many years, when using ordinary tyres (Michelin World Tour) 27 x 1 1/4 and 700C 28 I was almost certain of getting one puncture every week and more frequently in wet weather. For some time I have been using Schwalbe Marathon kevler belted tyres, my average puncture rate is one in 6 months. My daily commute is 5 miles into city centre and the cause of puncture is usually glass.

Civilian_Target

Jebus, what are you cycling on that punctures a Schwalbe Marathon every 6 months?!

I commute 100-150km a week on Marathons, and they last 2 years a pop. I replaced the front one a few weeks ago with a no-name "puncture resistant" tyre, we'll see how it gets on.

But yes, OP, I find Marathons are the best, never had a puncture with them and they are less bad than Armadillos in the wet.

blorg

I've punctured on Marathons (not the Plus mind)... Nothing is 100%.