Need some wheel/tyre advice

[jimbo]

Hi,

New to these forums so be gentle

Just started commuting into work and have bought myself a nice new bike for the job. Only problem is, the tyres seem to be a bit weak and I've already had 2 or 3 punctures in as many weeks. I'm also quite a big guy(17st) and I don't seem to be able to get the tyres pumped enough, as I can still feel the rims hitting the odd bump in the road.

My bike is a Scott Sub 10 with Alex SUB 26" rims and Continental Sport Contact 26"x1.3 tyres. The bike itself is great but I just don't think the tyres are up to the job.

Anyway, I've been digging around the Internet for some new tyres and have been looking for something with decent puncture protection. However, I'm not having much luck.

My question is what tyres will fit these rims? Am I limited to 1.3 or will other tyres fit? Say, 1.5 or 1.25?

1.3 seems a really rare size and there's very few tyres in this size. Am I going to have to buy new rims?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[mickle]

Sounds to me like you need a decent pump, if you can feel the rim hitting the ground this is likely to be the source of your p*nctures. The tyres you're using are amongst my favourites and I weigh 16st. Your rims will accept tyres from 26 X 1" to 26 X 2.1" so no need to change your wheels.

 

[Nerazzurri]

Jimbo, I had the exact same tyres on a bike the LBS loaned to me whilst mine was being worked on. Despite not having a spill, near-miss or puncture on them I just had no confidence in them for some reason. I know that tread is not needed for road tyres if you're running on a good dry surface, but, personally, I think it gives you some puncture protection.

the tyres seem to be a bit weak and I've already had 2 or 3 punctures in as many weeks. I'm also quite a big guy(17st) and I don't seem to be able to get the tyres pumped enough, as I can still feel the rims hitting the odd bump in the road.

I don't know your maintenance regime but I top up my pressure with a car foot pump once a week (keep the mini for roadside pumping), much easier to keep them up to full pressure that way.

My question is what tyres will fit these rims? Am I limited to 1.3 or will other tyres fit? Say, 1.5 or 1.25?

I'm quite sure you're not restricted but someone more experienced than me can help you there.

Personally, I have Schalbe Marathon Plus on, and I have faith in them. Some people say they are quite heavy, which I wouldn't argue with, but it's worth the peace of mind IMHO; I've only seen positive comments on their robustness, nothing negative at all.

One other thing I'll mention - was talking to the mechanic in the LBS yesterday and he mentioned a defect in a similar tyre, Armadillos?? I think. Anyway, the ones that show the red inner when they wear down. He said he's hearing lots of people say when the tyre does wear to that point that the outer material is peeling from the red core, as if they have not been bonded properly.

Hope I've helped a bit.

 

[Nigeyy]

Seconded on getting a decent floor pump with a gauge. It will make pumping up the tyres much easier, plus you'll get to the approximate correct pressure. It also sounds like you have the tyres under inflated (will likely cause pinch flats where the punctures tend to look like a snake bite parallel to the rim if you get my drift).

I'd try that first -the pump should be cheaper than new tyres. Having said that, I'm heavy and also not a fan of Conti tyres -but try this first.

 

[swee'pea99]

I'm with Mickle - if you're hitting rims, your tyres are way too soft - hence the punctures. I think it's very common with newbies - you'd be amazed how hard tyres can/should be. Get a proper track pump (like one 'o these) and use it to take your tyres up to the maximum imprinted on the wall of the tyre (look for a number with PSI (pounds/sq inch) and/or BAR). You'll drastically reduce your puncture rate - and you'll be amazed at the difference in the ride too (much faster). Only if that doesn't solve your problem should you consider new tyres.

 

[Sapper]

Seconded on getting a decent floor pump with a gauge. It will make pumping up the tyres much easier, plus you'll get to the approximate correct pressure. It also sounds like you have the tyres under inflated (will likely cause pinch flats where the punctures tend to look like a snake bite parallel to the rim if you get my drift).

I'd try that first -the pump should be cheaper than new tyres. Having said that, I'm heavy and also not a fan of Conti tyres -but try this first.

I agree...

Firstly pump your tyres well. Using a foot stirrup pump I pump mine up as close to the limit as the tyres/tubes suggest.

I had slicks on my bike initially and worked well. But I did get lots of punctures esp on my rear wheel!

So I have changed both tyres to Marathon plus.

So far no problems

Adrian

 

[jezhiggins]

Seconded on getting a decent floor pump with a gauge. It will make pumping up the tyres much easier, plus you'll get to the approximate correct pressure.

Thirded (if, indeed, you can third). A few weeks ago a chap at an LBS pumped my tyres with a floor pump, and it made me realise I'd never ridden on properly inflated tyres ever before in my life. It was a revelation. Wouldn't be without one now.

If you get you're tyres up to pressure I'm willing to bet you'll have a much more comfy ride and fewer p*nctures.

 

[jimbo]

Sounds to me like you need a decent pump, if you can feel the rim hitting the ground this is likely to be the source of your p*nctures. The tyres you're using are amongst my favourites and I weigh 16st. Your rims will accept tyres from 26 X 1" to 26 X 2.1" so no need to change your wheels.

I can go up to 2.1 That makes things a lot easier. Thanks very much.

Re the pump... You might be right there. I use a little portable one at the moment as I've only just got back into riding again. I pump the tyre up until I can't physically push anymore air in and it feels pretty solid but when I get on the bike the back wheel does feel quite deflated. Think I might pop into Halford on the way back and get a foot pump.

One other thing I'll mention - was talking to the mechanic in the LBS yesterday and he mentioned a defect in a similar tyre, Armadillos?? I think. Anyway, the ones that show the red inner when they wear down. He said he's hearing lots of people say when the tyre does wear to that point that the outer material is peeling from the red core, as if they have not been bonded properly.

I've been looking at the Armadillos tyres lately and was considering them, but I've also heard a few negative comments.

I had someone else recommend the Schwalbe Marathon so they seem popular. Might go for them instead.

 

[4F]

i have used those tyres on my MTB for years and found them to be pretty much bomb proof as long as you get them to the right psi.

Time for a track pump, this one for example
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1608

I run schwalbe marathon plus's on the road bike and they are spot on as well.

 

[fossyant]

Your bike needs to be donated to me - oh I like the sub 10 - cracking bike.

The conti's are supposed to be good. Don't do too fat, as that will slow the sub down alot - I've just gone from heavy 1.5's to light 1.2's - but at the expense of puncture resistance, although they are loads faster - we'll see how my Hutchinson's work out.

Check your pressures as said !

 

[jimbo]

Ok, so I picked up a decent pump on the way home from work and just put it to work on the tyres. Both the back and front wheels were at around 40 psi... What an ejit Just shows.. although the tyres felt hard before, they weren't 'rock hard'. Those mini pumps are good enough to get you home if you get a punchure etc, but they don't get enough air in the tyre for general use.

So anyway, pumped em up to around 100psi now and they seem much, much better. Never thought I'd say this but I'm actually looking forward to work tomorrow, just so I can test out the new ride. I'll hold off on the new tyres purchase until I test these ones PROPERLY!

Thanks guys. Been a great help.

Your bike needs to be donated to me - oh I like the sub 10 - cracking bike.

No way dude. I'm loving my Sub 10. Was lucky enough to get it for £400 in that big Evans sale a few weeks ago.

 

[Tim Bennet.]

I know that tread is not needed for road tyres if you're running on a good dry surface, but, personally, I think it gives you some puncture protection.

Quite the opposite: tread picks up things like flints and holds them until each successive rotation pushes it through the tyre.

Conditioning from car adverts and 'simple' logic tells you tread is a good thing, so the marketing people give you what you 'want', but that's because it makes their life easier, not yours!

 

[Sapper]

Quite the opposite: tread picks up things like flints and holds them until each successive rotation pushes it through the tyre.

So true...

For a while i had a slick on the front and a continental puncture resistance tyre on the rear. I was even advised by a young lad at he LBS that more tread can help to prevent punctures.

Howver a few weks ago i started to get at least one if not two puntures on every trip on y bike, always in the rear. they were all new inner tubes a pack of ten (tubes not condoms!!!) bought from Wiggle nd I was wondering was it a bad batch.

So I blew all those tha I had repaired, and quickly realised that all the punctures were within an inch of each other. Close examination of there yielded nothing obvious.

AS my front slick was getting bald, I invested in a pair of Marathon Plus tyres.

Even now I am wondering if these were the correct choice or whether a puncture resistant set of slicks would be better?

What would you recommend? And keep these for winter commute

 

[HJ]

Sapper: Marathon Plus have a reputation for being virtually bullet proof, so no worries on that score, the only down side is that they are heavy, but that is the price you pay for such p*nct*re resistance.

jimbo: Conti recommend that Sport Contact be pumped to at least 80 psi, given your weight (trying not to be personal about this) 105 psi is probably a good idea.

 

[RedBike]

Think I might pop into Halford on the way back and get a foot pump.

No!!!
Most cheap foot pumps wont be able to inflate your tyres to the right pressure.
Go onto wiggle, crc, ribble, ..blar blar... and buy a good track pump.