Flat-proofing a bike

[nogoodnamesleft]

When I get a puncture, I try and find the cause and check the inside of the tyre for thorns etc.

I use Marathon Plus and do rarely get a puncture and the few I do get are thorns. Probably a lack of skill on my part but once home when removing the thorn from the tyre I invariably end-up damaging the tyre. My (limited) impression is that the more puncture proof layers in the tyre the harder it can be clearing out the few that do get through.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

The trouble with puncture resistance from a personal perspective is there is no way to know how many punctures your mega-resistant type has prevented. The few punctures I have had have maybe been every thorn I've ridden over and they all got through (ie tyre puncture resistance not effective) or might be every ride I've over potential puncture causes and the tyre is preventing 99% of punctures.

 

[Oldhippy]

Silly question perhaps, why would you need to know how many were prevented?

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Silly question perhaps, why would you need to know how many were prevented?

People say that more puncture resistant tyres are heavier and noticeably more rolling resistance (hence some don't like them).
When I switch to Marathon Plus they were more expensive than the lower protection tyres (same brand) I have been using.

If they are ineffective one is enduring the negative impacts from using them without benefit.
If they are effective then it's a trade-off everybody can make their decision which to use.

Edit: corrected spelling of "negative"

 

[ianrauk]

Hmm

I have had problems with them
OK - if I have just got a puncture by the side of a muddy path in the rain then I might well have rushed it
but when I found it was leaking I was at home and in a sunny garden

so I cleaned it and all that - and did it properly
including pressing it firmly for ages and letting it "set" before putting proper pressure in it

and it still leaked after a few more days

probably a duff brand I suppose

Park Tools patches are my ones of choice

 

[C R]

The skabs ones are good too.

 

[PaulSB]

Silly question perhaps, why would you need to know how many were prevented?

A hidden benefit of tubeless is when it's time for new tyres one can check the inner tyre surface and check how many sealed punctures there are.

My last set had seven seals between them.

 

[fossyant]

Rubber solution - I'd only recommend carrying one that's not been open before - if you use it whilst 'out', then swap that into the tool box and get a new un-used one. The opened tube may dry up by the time you next need it. Ask me how I know ! LOL

I did have a spare tube(s).

 

[Dogtrousers]

I had a bike with solid tyres, I don't remember them being all that bad. About 60 years ago. It had stabilisers too.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Rubber solution - I'd only recommend carrying one that's not been open before - if you use it whilst 'out', then swap that into the tool box and get a new un-used one. The opened tube may dry up by the time you next need it. Ask me how I know ! LOL

I did have a spare tube(s).

I used to have a large tube and it kept just fine as long as I made sure the lid was properly screwed down every time
lasted a LOT better than the small ones you get in the classic "kits"

In those days I bought the tube then just bought patches when I needed more

but when I have tried that over the last years the patches have been rubbish

 

[sevenfourate]

Park Tools patches are my ones of choice

I’ve got one of the small box of 6 (?) Park Tool Glueless patches in the tool-bottle of each of my bikes. Not needed / never tested to date though ! *Did I also read somewhere the glue can break-down / fail with age ? I mean it’s not like I want to “use them up” before they go out of date; but…….

 

[katiewlx]

Rubber solution - I'd only recommend carrying one that's not been open before - if you use it whilst 'out', then swap that into the tool box and get a new un-used one. The opened tube may dry up by the time you next need it. Ask me how I know ! LOL

I did have a spare tube(s).

Ive always wondered how quickly it dried out, but having never trusted my ability to patch, Ive tended to avoid using them, though it does leave me at the mercy of how many inner tubes I can carry.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Ive only once had to resort to instant patches on the road. It was, naturally, chucking it down. No handy shelter. Despite my best efforts I couldn't stop things getting wet. The first one just didn't work. The second attempt, on my other punctured tube sort of worked but I had to keep stopping to put more air in. Got me to the nearest station tho, so all ended ok.

 

[Sharky]

My dad used tell me the story (myth), from when he was riding before the war, when a puncture had happened and no spare tubes left, they packed the tyre with grass to get home.

 

[C R]

Check out Tannus Tyres

I'm know getting a tannus advert at the top of cyclechat.