Help with Tyres!

[Neil Shackcloth]

Hi,

I am a commuter doing a 9 mile round trip every day. I have had my bike for around 8 months, and recently I am getting constant punctures! I always ensure that my tyres are fully inflated, and I am guessing that now would be a good time to invest in some new ones. I have a Specialized hybrid, the tyre size is 700 x 28c

I was wondering if anybody could recommend some decent tyres for commuting? I also like to do the occasional long distance ride at a weekend, of maybe 40 miles or so. I really don't know where to start, and don't want to ask in a shop in case they flog me the most expensive ones that I don't need.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Cyclist33]

I can't see what would be wrong with the stock tyres that came with the bike..? 8 months on specialized tyres... They should be fine. Run them till theyre worn to the bone!

 

[Neil Shackcloth]

Well that's what I was thinking, the tyres should last for a while shouldn't they?! It's just so infuriating getting constant punctures - do you know what else could be causing them?

 

[PpPete]

Sounds like the original stock tyres are just worn thin.
You can get extremely puncture resistant tyres, like the various models in Schwalbe Marathon series, but they are expensive, heavy & quite slow.
One that you see in a lot of LBS, and worth looking out for IMO, is the Bontrager Hardcase RaceLite. Pretty good at fending off punctures, not the lightest, but seems to roll well and not expensive. Unusually in a single model of tyre it's available in all the standard widths, including 700x28c.

BTW If your rides are all on road then any "tread" is redundant.

 

[AndyPeace]

Sometimes punctures are like that you get none then all of a sudden they seem to happen every other day. It's mostly bad luck. Check your tire for any sharps inside and out as sometimes small thawns and shards of glass etc can get picked up and work there way through the tire. Deep treads/ knobbly tires are particularly good at storing future punctures.

 

[Neil Shackcloth]

Thank you very much for the advice, it's much appreciated. I will have a look at the ones you recommend. I am getting a bit exasperated now at the constant punctures and need to do something about it fast!

 

[Neil Shackcloth]

Cheers Andy I will do that, I am worried now that if I change them again it's just a matter of time before they go again if you know what I mean. I think you're right though - it could just be bad luck

 

[Soltydog]

If they are the Specialized Borough tyres fitted to your bike I have had them fitted on new bikes & found they offer very poor puncture protection I'd recommend Marathon+ any time if you want puncture resistant over performance

 

[MrJamie]

I had similar issues with recurring punctures, to the point of it getting ridiculous and opted for Marathon Plus, theyre a bit one extreme to the other, I got to something like 2500 miles before one punctured and a lighter rider would probably last indefinitely while the stock tyres were worn and full of holes in under 500 miles. The Marathons series are very heavy, but most people manage to get huge mileage out of them before theyre replaced, some people also opt for a more resistant tyre on the rear i believe.

Apparently high rider weight and high tyre pressure helps push things through the tyre too.

 

[Neil Shackcloth]

Soltydog - I was thinking that Specialized might have scrimped on the tyres, and as a commuter I am definitely looking for puncture resistance over performance.

MrJamie - Well I am about 14st so there is a fair bit of weight on the bike! Ha! I will have a look at the marathon tyres - I would rather invest and have them last for a longer period.

Thanks everyone so far for your help/advice. I am grateful

 

[ianrauk]

Well that's what I was thinking, the tyres should last for a while shouldn't they?! It's just so infuriating getting constant punctures - do you know what else could be causing them?

Are you checking your tyres after/before every ride.
Get in the habit, dig out any crap that is stuck in the rubber otherwise it will work it's way in and cause a puncture.
I ran a pair of Spesh tyres for over 3500 miles with only 2 punctures, 1 of those due to a pot hole.

 

[Neil Shackcloth]

ian

Are you checking your tyres after/before every ride.
Get in the habit, dig out any crap that is stuck in the rubber otherwise it will work it's way in and cause a puncture.
I ran a pair of Spesh tyres for over 3500 miles with only 2 punctures, 1 of those due to a pot hole.

I will start to be more vigilant when it comes to checking the tyres, think I might have been over inflating them as well which probably didn't help. Sounds like you've had a bit more luck than me with the tyres then!

 

[Crankarm]

Have you got a track pump to inflate your tyres easily and to their correct pressure? What are the current tyres and how many miles have they covered?