19 replies to this topic

[Phoenix]

In my last 6 rides I've had 3 punctures (road bike). Not sure if that's normal.

Can anyone recommend a tyre that doesn't puncture easily but maintains a semblance of speed?

[Colin]

Continental Gators...

Long lasting and doesn't puncture easily.

I met a guy on the M7 one day who was doing a 200km ride and going back to Blue Mtns,,,he hadn't had a puncture for over six months and his added trick was to take an old tube, cut off valve and put it between the tube and tyre. Hard to get anything through that combo.

cheers

[Hamburglar]

Two tips from me:

1) Make sure there are no holes in the tyre i.e. are the punctures in the same place each time?
2) Make sure you pump your tyres up to ~110. I have found a correlation between punctures and tyre pressure.

[RobHall]

I used to ride to work on the western ring road path which I think is 50% coarse mix bitumen 50% shattered glass. I used continental ultra gator skins but they wore a bit quick for commuting and would get punctures after about 2-3months (at 42km per day). I then switched to Maxxis refuse which are a bit heavier but they could have massive cuts and they wouldn't puncture. The only time the did is when they were really worn out and tiny bits of glass work their way though the kevlar and just start p***king the tube. They aren't light but I got sick of changing tyre especially in the rain where glass seemed to pierce the rubber more easily.

So I'd go with the gatorskin if you want light weight but for commuting or if you hate changing tyres and you are riding where there is a lot of puncturing materials I'd go with a 700/23 maxis refuse with a 25 tube so the tube isn't stretched inside.

[TechGirl]

I also like the conty gator skins. I did a 3000km cycle tour in Europe and ended up with only one puncture on the 2nd last day of my tour while using gator skins! I have also used Specialized Armadillos that are also pretty good. In addition, those other suggestions about tyre pressure etc are good.

TechGirl

[Sunset]

I wouldn't say that Cont Gatorskins maintain a 'semblance of speed'....

Hamburglar made the two points I was going to make - particularly the one about pressure.

[Miss Gazelle]

I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus....recommended by my better half who used them in his 3 attempts at riding Round Oz.... (only 1 puncture in about 20,000km).

[miners]

I also train on gator skins. They're pretty bomb proof.

As burglar said, take the little extra time to carefully check a tyre prior to installing a replacement tube. Any tiny imperfection in the tyre wall can be enough to cause a puncture at those pressures.

The other thing to look for (if its happening to the same tyre) is the rim tape. It's sole purpose is to ensure there's no imperfections between the rim surface and the tube. A frayed, loose or 'rucked' rim-tape can cause that.

And lastly, if you're rushing the action of replacing of the tube you could be pinching it between the tyre bead and clincher rim. Take the extra time to roll the tyre back on by hand rather than use the levers if you can :-)

[cliffold]

I know even less about bikes than I do about running but my wife went through a bunch of punctures earlier this year
She bought Zefal puncture resistant tyre liners $20 fpr a pair
They fit bteween the tube & the tyre
After fitting you only reinflate to 60psi for some reason
I fitted it to one tyre & it hasn't punctured in 8 months
I didn't do the other tyre yet (keep it at 110psi) & it hasn't punctured either
So conclusive proof of something

[Muzman]

RobHall, on Nov 30 2009, 07:06 PM, said:

I then switched to Maxxis refuse which are a bit heavier but they could have massive cuts and they wouldn't puncture. The only time the did is when they were really worn out and tiny bits of glass work their way

I use these for training, and have had one puncture in 12 months. And that was from riding straight through a broken beer bottle which had long shards of glass poking up.

M

[sfGnome]

I have kevlar strips that sit between the tube and the tyre. I still (very) occasionally get flats, but I also recently replaced my tyre when I noticed that I had great slices in it with no damage to the tube inside despite the 110psi.

[Mouse]

sfGnome, on Nov 30 2009, 06:22 AM, said:

I have kevlar strips that sit between the tube and the tyre. I still (very) occasionally get flats, but I also recently replaced my tyre when I noticed that I had great slices in it with no damage to the tube inside despite the 110psi.

Mr Tuffy is your friend. Midn you, after putting them on I had 3 flats in 3 rides - but I hadn't put the liner in right and it was pinching the tube(s). That's what happens when girls try to do blue jobs on their own

[brewer]

Why do I get the feeling that any detailed advice type response to this thread is only going to lead me to a spate of flats?

[cameron]

Tyre pressure is the key for mine. Get yourself a good pump which tells you the pressure and keep an eye on it. Originally I was only using a little hand pump where I had no idea of the pressure that was in the tyres. My spate of punctures ended immediately once I got a floor pump.

[pastyboy]

Tyres puncture more easily in the rain because there is less friction. Glass can work through the tyre more easily when wet.
The key to less punctures are replacing old tyres with lots of nicks and cuts, checking rim tape now and again, and always having high tyre pressure (and a floor pump).

[wobbly man]

What Pasty (and others) said. FWIW - I like the Continental GP 4000 - I order them from ProBikeKit (on-line) when there is a special on.

[blkbox]

I have these on my Trek MTB, and these on my R3.

As others have said, correct pressure is a key element in reducing the number of punctures. Keeping an eye on the condition of the tyre is also vital. Once small cuts and "weak" spots start appearing it's time to replace the tyre rather than encountering endless flats.

[WrongGenes]

RobHall, on Nov 30 2009, 06:06 PM, said:

I used continental ultra gator skins but they wore a bit quick for commuting and would get punctures after about 2-3months (at 42km per day). I then switched to Maxxis refuse which are a bit heavier but they could have massive cuts and they wouldn't puncture.

I agree with RobHalls comments about gator skins and maxxis refuse. I have used both and found that the gatorskins although lighter wore quite quickly. I commute every workday (25k) and throw in a longer 60k commute a couple of times of week. Combine that with a long weekend ride and the gator skins got soft and prone to punctures within a few months. Maxxis refuse on the other hand last a lot better and the most recent pair still look brand new two months in. I think they are cheaper as well?

[Danny]

I agree with Cameron's post - good hard tyres do the trick! I use Continental!

[Phoenix]

Great feedback yet again fellow CRs. thanks!