Puncture-proof Tyres

IAmTheWasp

Hello guys,

I recently bought this a Trek 7.3 Hybrid - sorry I can't attach a link.

Could someone recommend any puncture-proof tyres, I used to have gator-skins a few years back.

(The size is 700 x 32c)

Thanks

smacl

IAmTheWasp wrote: »

Hello guys,

I recently bought this a Trek 7.3 Hybrid - sorry I can't attach a link.

Could someone recommend any puncture-proof tyres, I used to have gator-skins a few years back.

(The size is 700 x 32c)

Thanks

Marathon plus are pretty much bomb proof but heavy, Marathon Supremes are lighter, roll better but somewhat less puncture resistant and quite expensive. I run Marathon Supremes and usually get 1-2 punctures per year over ~5000km mostly rural. For city use, I'd go Marathon plus, particularly if using cycle lanes.

boardbeer

IAmTheWasp wrote: »

Could someone recommend any puncture-proof tyres, I used to have gator-skins a few years back.

The only puncture-proof (as opposed to puncture-resistant) tyres are Tannus. I've been commuting on them for more than a year, and they've been great, all weathers, all kinds of crap in the road.

Joe'll sort you out at Dublin Loves Bikes (York Rd, Dun Laoghaire).

mr spuckler

to add on the schwalbe marathon plus, both myself and mrs spuckler have been using them daily on our commutes for close to 7 years with no dreaded punctures in that entire time.

they are tough to put on, plastic tyre levers will not do the job for you, but once you keep them well inflated you shouldn't need to be taking them off very often.

Orion

I use Schwalbe Duranos and have never had a puncture. No tyres are completely puncture proof but keep them pumped up (for those tyres at least 100psi) and a good tyre and you'll be grand. Gatorskins are good too but I don't like them in the wet - much prefer the Duranos.

Seve OB

slightly off topic, but how long should one get out of a set of road bike tyres?

kneemos

I usually buy these.Not puncture proof but resistant,plus they're cheap and I cycled ten miles with a rear puncture one day without any damage to the tyre or the rim. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-tourride-city-road-tyre/

Orion

Seve OB wrote: »

slightly off topic, but how long should one get out of a set of road bike tyres?

How long is a piece of string?

A decent tyre, always pumped up hard, should last anything from 2000-10,000km. But it depends on the roads you're on - tarmac is lower wear, gravel or cement is higher wear - and the tyre itself - Marathon (up to 10k) or Durano (7k) will last longer than Lugano* (3k) - and that's just Schwalbe tyres.

But the main thing it to always pump it up the recommended pressure - for 700*32 which I use I never have them less than 100psi. If it's too low then there's more wear on the tyre.

Check the tyres every time you clean the bike (you do clean it right? ) and look for signs of wear.

* pieces of crap that come on a lot of bikes - take them off and throw them out.

AmboMan

I've been using Clement X'Plor USH Tyre for a year, daily Dublin commute 30Km, still look new and no punctures, I'm 110Kg !

smacl

Orion wrote: »

I use Schwalbe Duranos

Durano or Durano Plus? I used Durano plus on the road bike and find them very good with minimal puncturing, normal Durano don't have the samle level of puncture protection.

Seve OB

Orion wrote: »

How long is a piece of string?

A decent tyre, always pumped up hard, should last anything from 2000-10,000km. But it depends on the roads you're on - tarmac is lower wear, gravel or cement is higher wear - and the tyre itself - Marathon (up to 10k) or Durano (7k) will last longer than Lugano* (3k) - and that's just Schwalbe tyres.

But the main thing it to always pump it up the recommended pressure - for 700*32 which I use I never have them less than 100psi. If it's too low then there's more wear on the tyre.

Check the tyres every time you clean the bike (you do clean it right? ) and look for signs of wear.

* pieces of crap that come on a lot of bikes - take them off and throw them out.

Yep I clean her. Prob not as often as I should or would like to, but that's what I get for having kids....... No time to do anything!

I must check out my Garmin to see how many kms I've racked up. My tyres seem decent enough but they were the ones which came on it, I'm not sure of brand. I pump her up to 120 generally but probably don't check it often enough. I have had a few punctures (thankfully none in a good while now) so when the time comes to change tyre I'm interested in upgrading my tyres to something that might be a bit more indestructible!

Effects

I use the Durano plus myself. I've cut through to the blue layer in a good few places, all probably guaranteed punctures with a standard tyre.

Seaswimmer

boardbeer wrote: »

The only puncture-proof (as opposed to puncture-resistant) tyres are Tannus. I've been commuting on them for more than a year, and they've been great, all weathers, all kinds of crap in the road.

Joe'll sort you out at Dublin Loves Bikes (York Rd, Dun Laoghaire).

Got a set of these for my son last week in Dun Laoghaire. He is very happy so far.

just as a matter of interest what are they like for you after a year. What sort of mileage to date and how are they wearing.

BailMeOut

did your new Trek not come with the thick heavy Bontrager tyres? I had a pair of these on a Trek FX and they seemed immune to punctures. They are slow but they are pretty tough.

Two and one

How much are we talking about for these puncture proof tyres?

Seaswimmer

Two and one wrote: »

How much are we talking about for these puncture proof tyres?

expensive. €70 each to include fitting. Supposedly good for 10,000kms though.

Two and one

Seaswimmer wrote: »

expensive. €70 each to include fitting. Supposedly good for 10,000kms though.

Hmmm yeah expensive but it could be worth it. It depends where you're cycling but regular punctures are common on my route.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I ran Michelin Pro4 Service Course tyres for a number of years puncture free, there is a V2 out now but I haven't had any experience with them although they are supposed to be even more puncture resistant that the previous version.

Alanstrainor

Schwalbe Ultra Marathon Plus's a decent price on CRC at the moment:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/schwalbe-marathon-plus-road-tyre-smart-guard/rp-prod24544

I've gotten 5k+ from my ultra marathon on the rear with no punctures commuting through Dublin. Great tire. I do like GP4000s II's though, but the schwalbe are definitely a step up in terms of protection.

V-man

boardbeer wrote: »

The only puncture-proof (as opposed to puncture-resistant) tyres are Tannus. I've been commuting on them for more than a year, and they've been great, all weathers, all kinds of crap in the road.

Joe'll sort you out at Dublin Loves Bikes (York Rd, Dun Laoghaire).

Sounds like interesting "solid" tires!
Commute year round on my ebike, and very happy with my Schwalbe Marathon Plus.
+/_ 5000 km so far on them without too much wear and tear.
Big pro for me is that they are e-bike certified up to 50 kph, have lots of grip in all weather conditions combined with good rolling resistance.
One con, they are heavy weight however extremely suited to a fully loaded e-bike on speed.
Needless to say I did not encounter any punctures (knock on wood).

Mycroft H

100psi in a 32mm tyre? Why? That's really really high. Toured on Panaracer Paselas at 70ish psi and n'er a puncture.

FWIW Schwalbe recommend 65-85psi for a 32mm tyre

smacl

Mycroft H wrote: »

FWIW Schwalbe recommend 65-85psi for a 32mm tyre

Put some 26"x1.5" (37mm) Marathon Greens on my daughters bike last night and I was surprised to see 40-100psi on the side. She's light so I put 60/50 back front, but even then they feel rock hard. I've 700x32 Marathon Supremes on my own bike and they'er 65-90psi. I reckon the e-bike ready range can take higher pressures.

boardbeer

Seaswimmer wrote: »

just as a matter of interest what are they like for you after a year. What sort of mileage to date and how are they wearing.

No sign of wear that I can see, with over 12,000km on them (i don't get much more than a year out of Schwalbe Marathon Pluses).
Before I got them I was concerned about:
1. Are they really firmly attached to the rim? (they are)
2. Grip, esp. in the wet (much the same as Marathons: maybe slightly slippier on metal/paint)
3. Would they feel heavy/slow? (no more than Marathons)

Also, I went for the hard option, supposed to be equivalent of 100psi, but feels harder. No idea what the softer ones are like.

So for me, they are a no-brainer for commuting, no need to carry tools/spares, no swerving to avoid glass (lots of that on my commute), no checking if inflated enough. I expect that, like with LED spotlights, I'll save money in the long term.

boardbeer

(Tannus solid tyres)

Seaswimmer wrote: »

just as a matter of interest what are they like for you after a year. What sort of mileage to date and how are they wearing.

No sign of wear that I can see, with over 12,000km on them (i don't get much more than a year out of Schwalbe Marathon Pluses).
Before I got them I was concerned about:
1. Are they really firmly attached to the rim? (they are)
2. Grip, esp. in the wet (much the same as Marathons: maybe slightly slippier on metal/paint)
3. Would they feel heavy/slow? (no more than Marathons)

Also, I went for the hard option, supposed to be equivalent of 100psi, but feels harder. No idea what the softer ones are like.

So for me, they are a no-brainer for commuting, no need to carry tools/spares, no swerving to avoid glass (lots of that on my commute), no checking if inflated enough. I expect that, like with LED spotlights, I'll save money in the long term.

Alanstrainor

boardbeer wrote: »

(Tannus solid tyres)


No sign of wear that I can see, with over 12,000km on them (i don't get much more than a year out of Schwalbe Marathon Pluses).
Before I got them I was concerned about:
1. Are they really firmly attached to the rim? (they are)
2. Grip, esp. in the wet (much the same as Marathons: maybe slightly slippier on metal/paint)
3. Would they feel heavy/slow? (no more than Marathons)

Also, I went for the hard option, supposed to be equivalent of 100psi, but feels harder. No idea what the softer ones are like.

So for me, they are a no-brainer for commuting, no need to carry tools/spares, no swerving to avoid glass (lots of that on my commute), no checking if inflated enough. I expect that, like with LED spotlights, I'll save money in the long term.

Hmmmm, I'll have to consider a set of these whenever I feel like changing my tires. Thanks for the post.

jive

Totally unrelated but non-thread make worthy because it's such a moronic question but I need help.

I bought a new set of vitoria randonneur tyres as I've only had 1 puncture in 10 months commuting and they are cheap. The new set of tyres seem to have like a huge flap on the sidewall in comparison to my old ones, haven't tried to fit them yet as no need to change the old ones so far. Size is same 700x25c but what is the story with the sidewall? Have I bought tyres for a different wheel type or something?

jacob2

bought two tyres from lidl last year 700c size it stated on the box that they were puncture protection still going strong a year later nice one lidl havent seen them in this year for 5 euro each they were a bargain should got 4 of them u live and learn wats good and wats not

WMP

I use these and am really happy with them - Continental Speed Ride Puncture ProTection Folding Tire 28x1.6 Inch. You can get them for 15 euro. I bought the 42-622 as my commute is off road so the surface is rough with loose stones, small tree branches etc. I have over 2000km on them this year and not one puncture.

I used the marathon plus before and still have them on my around town bike but they are too heavy for use over my commuting distance.

philstar

so are tannus worth investing in??

very expensive, anyone use them for over a year do they last the distance?

Seaswimmer

philstar wrote: »

so are tannus worth investing in??

very expensive, anyone use them for over a year do they last the distance?

Strangely enough I am getting a pair fitted tonight. Do 200kms a week commuting in Dublin so about 8 or 9K a year. I will provide regular reports!!

My son has been using them for last 2 months. Had a look at them yesterday for the first time and they look as new. Probably about 1000kms on them..

jon1981

Let's call a spade a spade here...

The only truly puncture proof tyre on the market are the Marathon plus... they are bomb proof. Like all puncture proof tyres, they are slippy so requires more care in wet.

Most other tyres have various degrees of puncture resistance but not puncture proof.

philstar

but tannus tyres are puncture proof...they're solid rubber

jon1981

philstar wrote: »

but tannus tyres are puncture proof...they're solid rubber

Solid tyres? :eek:

No thanks

philstar

^^^^^^^^^

why?

jon1981

philstar wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^

why?

I don't buy the comfort claim

...probably because I've got memories of solid tyres on my first bicycle when I was 4

Seaswimmer

jon1981 wrote: »

Let's call a spade a spade here...

The only truly puncture proof tyre on the market are the Marathon plus... they are bomb proof. Like all puncture proof tyres, they are slippy so requires more care in wet.

Most other tyres have various degrees of puncture resistance but not puncture proof.

Well my only experience of them was commuting a number of years ago (700c x 25c) and I got a heavy duty metal staple into the side wall. The disadvantage of Marathon plus is when trying to fix a puncture at side of road. Lots of grunting and sweating and possibly a broken tyre lever or 2..

So while they are good they are not infallible.

boardbeer

jon1981 wrote: »

Let's call a spade a spade here...

The only truly puncture proof tyre on the market are the Marathon plus... they are bomb proof. Like all puncture proof tyres, they are slippy so requires more care in wet.

Most other tyres have various degrees of puncture resistance but not puncture proof.

My wife's last puncture was a Marathon Plus, a shard of shattered car disk-brake. On the other hand, I pulled a horse shoe nail out of a Tannus, embedded up to the head, and rode on. That is puncture proof.

boardbeer

jon1981 wrote: »

I don't buy the comfort claim

I wouldn't claim they are particularly comfortable: I've the 'hard' option, and as I said, it feels like a skinny road tyre pumped to 110psi. I've not tried the medium hardness, I don't ride for comfort, got a sofa for that.

Wishbone Ash

philstar wrote: »

so are tannus worth investing in??

very expensive, anyone use them for over a year do they last the distance?

I have a pair of 23's fitted to my fixie/single speed and have about 3,000kms on them. Delighted with them to date. Comfort is reasonable but I've never done more than 120k on a single ride (but then that's a combination of one gear and solid tyres - will obviously be easier in a multi geared bike). Showing very little sign of wear.

boardbeer wrote: »

... I've the 'hard' option, and as I said, it feels like a skinny road tyre pumped to 110psi....

In my opinion they are more like an ordinary tyre at 150psi. When I use one of my other bikes they feel exceptionally comfortable at my usual 110psi in comparison to my commuter.

fryup

do those tannus tyres need to be specially fitted or can any joe put them on??

Wishbone Ash

fryup wrote: »

do those tannus tyres need to be specially fitted or can any joe put them on??

It is possible but I wouldn't even attempt it - they are exceptionally tight fitting. Most bike shops won't even attempt to fit them.

boardbeer

fryup wrote: »

do those tannus tyres need to be specially fitted or can any joe put them on??

I've fitted three so far, not really hard if you watch a youtube video or two first. I've had more trouble with some Marathon+/rim combinations.
When I had a wheel replaced earlier in the year, the bike shop removed and replace the tyre no problem, although it was the first they'd ever seen.
Joe at DLB has a machine for it tho, that makes it very quick & simple.

fryup

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

How much does he charge?

Seaswimmer

fryup wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

How much does he charge?

The fitting is included in the price of the tyre. Takes about 1 hour.

Not sure how much he would charge for transferring.

They are currently out of stock (700 x 23) as I was supposed to go down and get 2 last night..

fryup

how long are tannus tyres on the market anyway??

Plastik

What is wet grip like with them?

boardbeer

Plastik wrote: »

What is wet grip like with them?

About the same as something like a Schwalbe Marathon: I avoid whites lines and metal plates as I would with all tyres. They were grand through last winter, and my first off was this morning - in the dark I didn't see the local farmer had coated the road with mud, topped off with the drizzle: worse than ice! Only Nokians would have saved me.

boardbeer

boardbeer wrote: »

I pulled a horse shoe nail out of a Tannus, embedded up to the head, and rode on. That is puncture proof.

found out a picture, wouldn't want this in a pneumatic tyre:

Alek

About the same as something like a Schwalbe Marathon:

Which translates to "shoite" from my experience :P

mr spuckler

Alek wrote: »

Which translates to "shoite" from my experience :P

my only off on years of commuting on marathons was on ice last year when i tapped the front brake on a bike i hadn't ridden in ages. the brakes were much tighter than those on the bike i had ridden the previous day!

Alek

From my Marathon Plus days I remember numerous sketchy stops (white lines, manhole covers etc) and at least 3 slow speed falls when simply turning the bike on a mossy / wet surface... Maybe it was more me than the tyres back then, but the impression remains. Never had slippier tyres than that until got hold of Vittoria Hypers, great ones otherwise