Tyre for commuting hybrid Dublin City.

tom_tarbucket

Hi,

I have had 3 flats in the last 6 months on the rear tyre. I always keep the tyres pumped hard and the tyre itself is in decent condition and each time it happens a new tube is fitted.

I cycle to work, am based in Dublin and its only a short trip of 3k each way. I cycle a hybrid bike.

Can anyone recommend a good puncture resistant tyre if it exists ?

That dosent cost an arm and a leg. I don't care about the weight of it, does not need to be light weight etc.

Smokeyskelton

I used to get about a puncture a week in Dublin city centre with the stock tyres that came with the bike (Giant cheapo tyres).

I have used Schwalbe Durano Plus, (have to be "Plus" as the plain Schwalbe Durano aren't puncture resistant as I understand it), for the past couple of years and I have had only one puncture in that time. That puncture happened only a week after I got them, which was not reassuring, but no punctures since then.

Some reviews find the tyres heavy and I don't know much about the performance side of it, but I'm pretty satisfied with the puncture resistance.

Others may have reviews of Armadillos etc. Good luck with your search.

tom_tarbucket

Smokeyskelton wrote: »

I used to get about a puncture a week in Dublin city centre with the stock tyres that came with the bike (Giant cheapo tyres).

I have used Schwalbe Durano Plus, (have to be "Plus" as the plain Schwalbe Durano aren't puncture resistant as I understand it), for the past couple of years and I have had only one puncture in that time. That puncture happened only a week after I got them, which was not reassuring, but no punctures since then.

Some reviews find the tyres heavy and I don't know much about the performance side of it, but I'm pretty satisfied with the puncture resistance.

Others may have reviews of Armadillos etc. Good luck with your search.

Thanks for reply. Jaysus, a puncture a week was a lot.

Are there any special tubes needed for these type tyres or will a standard Joe soap one work fine.

seven stars

Schwalbe Marathon Plus are reckoned to be about the most puncture resistant you can get. They're the ones the Dublin bikes use. Not that cheap (around 30-35 online) and they can be tough to get on and off, but they should suit your needs and you wont need to change them for a good while (if ever).

tom_tarbucket

seven stars wrote: »

Schwalbe Marathon Plus are reckoned to be about the most puncture resistant you can get. They're the ones the Dublin bikes use. Not that cheap (around 30-35 online) and they can be tough to get on and off, but they should suit your needs and you wont need to change them for a good while (if ever).

Thanks. Is the tube used with these just a standard generic one or does a special more expensive tube have to be bought ?

martinescu

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Thanks. Is the tube used with these just a standard generic one or does a special more expensive tube have to be bought ?

Just standard tube, and can confirm , Shwalbe Marathon are really tough indeed. Theyre heavy and as was mention before about problems with fitting, but they do job.

arybvtcw0eolkf

seven stars wrote: »

Schwalbe Marathon Plus are reckoned to be about the most puncture resistant you can get. They're the ones the Dublin bikes use. Not that cheap (around 30-35 online) and they can be tough to get on and off, but they should suit your needs and you wont need to change them for a good while (if ever).

If weight isn't an issue then these are probably the best you'll get for commuting.

Red Kev

+100 to the Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Had them for 6 years in Dublin as 700x23, 700x25 and 700x35, just one slow puncture over several thousand miles and a few tyres. No idea how many times I hit potholes or cycled across broken glass with them, never had a proper puncture.

Used 700x25 on a touring bike last summer across France with panniers, just one puncture in 2000km. Hard to get on alright but worth every cent.

Don't get cheap tubes, but you don't have to splash out either, just stick to a decent brand name. I got a few cheap tubes from Decathlon in Belfast a couple of years ago, a total waste of money.

tom_tarbucket

Red Kev wrote: »

+100 to the Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Had them for 6 years in Dublin as 700x23, 700x25 and 700x35, just one slow puncture over several thousand miles and a few tyres. No idea how many times I hit potholes or cycled across broken glass with them, never had a proper puncture.

Used 700x25 on a touring bike last summer across France with panniers, just one puncture in 2000km. Hard to get on alright but worth every cent.

Don't get cheap tubes, but you don't have to splash out either, just stick to a decent brand name. I got a few cheap tubes from Decathlon in Belfast a couple of years ago, a total waste of money.

Thanks. Good to hear.

What is it that makes them so hard to get on, is it just that they are a tough rigid material and hard to work on is it ?

D33

Highly recommend Maxxis Re-Fuse, can pick them up in CSS in Tallaght, been commuting for yrs on them & only ever had one puncture after basically rolling over a full pint-glass some gob*hite threw onto the road

Type 17

I worked in a bike shop for a few years, and only once saw a Marathon Plus that needed a puncture repair, and that was a bent nail - bent in such a way that it lay with the point facing upwards.

I use Marathons myself (can't get Marathon Plus in 27" sizes), and have only had one puncture in five years of commuting.

For the record, we used to keep a "hall of fame" of the debris that caused the punctures, in a saucer by the till - it was clear that all of the glass was a certain size (about the size of a pinhead) - the bigger stuff doesn't actually get embedded in the tyre, and the smaller stuff gets embedded, but doesn't get pounded in deep enough to get through the tyre. Only a particular size is small enough to get embedded, and large enough to get fully pounded through to the tube. Part of the success of the Marathon (& Plus) is that they are thick enough at the tread to effectively make that "magic size" of glass too small to get pounded through their thicker treads.

beauf

I have Armadillos for years. Only had a handful of punctures. It depends to be glass that gets caught in the tread, then when you hit something like a pothole or bump it ramsthe glass through the tyre. Very few though. They say the Armadillos aren't that grippy. I've nothing to compare them with in that regard.

Consider changing your route. I aways some roads much worse bad for glass than others. A detour around them, is often worth it in the long run.

f1000

+1 on the Armadillo's. The new version is good and have had no punctures or problems in wet conditions. Have a set of the Elite 23's & regular 25's. I find the regular 25's to be a bit more robust. Another tyre to consider would be panaracer RiBMo. Have these on my MTB for the last 5 years, no punctures and still have a lot of life in them.

LpPepper

+1 for Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I've been using them since October for commuting, the 700x32 size... Have gone over glass and debris countless times and never a bother. Plus - great grip and longetivity. My dad has been using them for 5 years 4 days a week for work. Not a single puncture - about 25,000 (yes thousand) kms..probably 3 sets of tires. Expensive but fantastic.

Stokolan

I have put a set of Tannus Tyres on my commuter. They are a solid tyre so no more punctures. They are a little harder to push then regular tyres, Just means you get fitter.

You can buy them on wiggle They are a bit expensive but for the price and the reassurance of no punctures I think its worth it, Also a bit hard to get on. Took me nearly 2 hours.

GTDolanator

As already posted the marathon plus tyre is bomb proof,but im currently using Vittoria Randoneers on the hybrid and there excellent and between 10-15 euro cheaper too

smacl

Not cheap (hence not what the OP is after) but Marathon Supremes are a fantastic tyre and also worth a look. Lighter than Durano plus, much lighter than marathon plus, but still pretty bomb proof.

Pinch Flat

Used Marathon Plus previously on a mountain bike I used to commute on. They are an excellent tyre - heavy but bomb proof.

Continental Gatorskins go up to 32c AFAIK, so may be an option as well.

tom_tarbucket

Thanks all for taking teh time to reply

I might go for the Marathon Plus

Fian

I use "rimbos" which are robust.

Also a pita to get on but that is par for the course for bulletproof tyres I guess. Though I honestly don't know why robust tyres need to come with a metal reinforced rim.

Macy0161

Another vote for Marathon Plus here. Come through situations where it was go over broken glass, or go under a bus, without puncturing. In my case, the weight of the cyclist makes the weight of the tyres something I haven't really worried about. And I've personally found the handling ok in the wet too (one of the other complaints about them).

There is a knack to putting them on, but youtube has several videos of how to do it. The method I found best involved toe straps - I just added two to my kit bag to go with the spare tube. Which I haven't had to use yet.

rp

Stokolan wrote: »

I have put a set of Tannus Tyres on my commuter. They are a solid tyre so no more punctures. They are a little harder to push then regular tyres, Just means you get fitter.

That's good to hear, I'm planning on putting them on the new bike I'm building, along with the Gates Carbon belt-drive for the ultimate low maintenance commuter.
Which ones did you go for? The R-grade Aither 1.1 should have less rolling resistence than a Schwalbe M+

martinescu

Standard Marathon (not plus) also worth a look. Much lighter, cheaper, not so strong as pluses, but have them two season and got maybe 2 punctures only.

tom_tarbucket

Called in to my LBS and the onky tyre he had was this

http://www.hutchinsontires.com/en/urban-touring/37-urban-tour-.html

Anyone have any knowledge of these Hutchinson tyres ?

jon1981

+1000 Schwalbe Marathon Plus

I had them on a daily 20km round trip cycling through all manner of crap for 2 years on a hybrid. Bomb proof. Not the fastest tyre if you're using it on a road bike but provides plenty of confidence and ideal for a hybrid.

Perhaps run a marathon plus on the back and something cheaper on the front if cost is an issue?

tom_tarbucket

jon1981 wrote: »

+1000 Schwalbe Marathon Plus

I had them on a daily 20km round trip cycling through all manner of crap for 2 years on a hybrid. Bomb proof. Not the fastest tyre if you're using it on a road bike but provides plenty of confidence and ideal for a hybrid.

Perhaps run a marathon plus on the back and something cheaper on the front if cost is an issue?

Thanks. That's what im thinking of doing anyway. ......just putting it on the back. Have had no punctures at all on front.

tom_tarbucket

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Called in to my LBS and the onky tyre he had was this

http://www.hutchinsontires.com/en/urban-touring/37-urban-tour-.html

Anyone have any knowledge of these Hutchinson tyres ?

Anyone on this ?

jon1981

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Anyone on this ?

Never heard of it, some reviews here:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/hutchinson-urban-tour-protect-air-tyre/rp-prod35670

beauf

No replies = no ones heard of it

jon1981

OP, I gather cost is really an issue here as most people including myself have recommended the Marathon plus. If cost is an issue then go with the likes of the tyre that you linked just there. Personally I'd rather a tyre that has been proven.

Thargor

Gatorskins, cheap and you'll go years without a puncture on them.

tom_tarbucket

jon1981 wrote: »

OP, I gather cost is really an issue here as most people including myself have recommended the Marathon plus. If cost is an issue then go with the likes of the tyre that you linked just there. Personally I'd rather a tyre that has been proven.

Fair enough. Thanks for reply.

tom_tarbucket

Thargor wrote: »

Gatorskins, cheap and you'll go years without a puncture on them.

Any exact kind ?

jon1981

They are the same price as the Marathon plus. Probably a little faster than the marathon plus but I would say the marathon plus is more durable. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-gatorskin-road-wire-bead-tyre/

To quote another poster:

I worked in a bike shop for a few years, and only once saw a Marathon Plus that needed a puncture repair, and that was a bent nail - bent in such a way that it lay with the point facing upwards.

I use Marathons myself (can't get Marathon Plus in 27" sizes), and have only had one puncture in five years of commuting.

tom_tarbucket

jon1981 wrote: »

They are the same price as the Marathon plus. Probably a little faster than the marathon plus but I would say the marathon plus is more durable. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-gatorskin-road-wire-bead-tyre/

To quote another poster:

GRand. marathon plus it is then.

What is best value

1. Buy online and get a shop to fit (shipping costs, shops may not do this etc )

Yes i know can fit myself but would rather a shop did it.

2. Bu directly in shop and get them to fit.

beauf

Why rather a shop? Changing tyres and tubes is kinda essential skill of commuting no.

xebec

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

2. Bu directly in shop and get them to fit.

If the price difference isn't huge then buy in shop and ask them to fit, every time I've done it the shop has fit them for no extra cost on top of purchase price.

jon1981

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

GRand. marathon plus it is then.

What is best value

1. Buy online and get a shop to fit (shipping costs, shops may not do this etc )

Yes i know can fit myself but would rather a shop did it.

2. Bu directly in shop and get them to fit.

if you go to halfords you'll spend 47e on it and they will fit it, if you go to wiggle you'll spend 32e.

However I have noticed this on Halfords:

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/parts/tyres/schwalbe-marathon-bike-tyre-700c-x-35c

not the "plus" version but still might be robust enough, plenty of reviews.

Thargor

tom_tarbucket wrote: »

Any exact kind ?

what kind of tyres does your bike have? Order that size, if they make them, Ive only ever seen 700c now that I think of it...

friso59

jon1981 wrote: »

if you go to halfords you'll spend 47e on it and they will fit it, if you go to wiggle you'll spend 32e.

However I have noticed this on Halfords:

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/parts/tyres/schwalbe-marathon-bike-tyre-700c-x-35c

not the "plus" version but still might be robust enough, plenty of reviews.

Halfords have a 3 for 2 offer on bike parts/equipment at the moment so you could pick up something else on top of two tyres and effectively get it for free.

tom_tarbucket

beauf wrote: »

Why rather a shop? Changing tyres and tubes is kinda essential skill of commuting no.

I knew thus would happen i.e. turn in to "just do it yourself" "a 2 year old could do it " " how dare you cycle a bike without knowing hiw to do this " etc

I just want to have it done in a shop.

beauf

Actually no that's not what I meant.

I mean if you get a puncture when you are not near a bicycle shop, or they aren't open, when commuting to work for example. Its useful to have practiced swapping a tube, so you can get going again in 10 minutes or so. And that you have the right gear in your bag.

If your plan is just to walk home or to work or call someone, that fine. I have no help I can call, and can be a long way from a bicycle shop like an hours walk.

tom_tarbucket

beauf wrote: »

Actually no that's not what I meant.

I mean if you get a puncture when you are not near a bicycle shop, or they aren't open, when commuting to work for example. Its useful to have practiced swapping a tube, so you can get going again in 10 minutes or so. And that you have the right gear in your bag.

If your plan is just to walk home or to work or call someone, that fine. I have no help I can call, and can be a long way from a bicycle shop like an hours walk.

Oh ok. Sorry. Have ya now.

I don't tend to cycle too far from home and have help at hand.

But yeah. I must learn to do this myself but i have no tools or a bike stand etc

Icepick

Continental TourRide is also good.