Punc**** avoidance

[jimheaney57]

Been lurking here for a while but this is my first post.

I only really started cycling a couple of years ago as I was injured and couldn't run. I've now got hooked, have done a few triathlons and am planning on doing a couple of half Ironman's next year and progressing to do a full Ironman the following year.

Anyway I've been getting a lot of punc***** and it's really got me pissed off. I was out yesterday and had done over 50 miles when the wheel started to go soft. I had only a few miles to go and the tyre was taking air so I stopped every mile or so till I got home.

The thought of having to change the tube or repair the damage was too much to contemplate as I was knackered and my ability to do the job is hampered by needing reading glass for close work and arthritis in my fingers which makes them useless in cold conditions.

I was in Halfords yesterday to get some oil and I came across Slime Tube Protector and I thought I'd give that a go.

Are these tyre liners effective? Is there a downside to using them.

Thanks in advance for the help I know will be offered.

 

[addictfreak]

Jim there are many different types of tyre on the market which provide excellent puncture protection. Have a visit to a good local LBS (not halfords) and they will point you in the right direction.

 

[AlanW]

I'll start by adding my two pence worth, the Slime liners are quite good apart for two problem areas:-

1) In the comfort of your garage they are a swine to get in. Then if you do have to replace a tube out on the road, the job is even worse.

2) Makes the bike feel very wooden and less responsive.

In saying all that I that they do work, but IMHO there are better things to use.

Slime filled tubes being my number one suggestion, rather than the Slime liners.

But the key is to make sure that your tyres are inflated to the maximum pressure in accordance to the rating on the side wall.

The more inflated the tyres, the more resistant they are to getting punctured.

However, looking at the problem in more detail, and especially this time of year, get tyres with a puncture resistant band (ie Kevlar) already bonded into the tyre. But the downside is that they tend to be rather dead and have a lot least "feel" than normal summer tyres.

 

[Davidc]

I've found the modern puncture resistant tyres very good. There are a number of them, and the ones I prefer are the Schwalbe Marathons, but me liking them isn't necessarily a great endorsement! I'd agree with Alan though about the feel - you don't get quite the same response from the road.

I'm not using those at the moment on my tourer, it still has its oem ones, so unsurprisingly I had that deflated feeling yesterday!

 

[potsy]

What tyres are you using Jim?
can recommend the Schwalbe marathon+ if it's pure punc*ur* protection you're after,or the Conti 4 seasons for a faster lighter tyrethat's still got a decent level of protection.

 

[jimheaney57]

Thanks for the help guys.

Okay I've gone off the idea of the liners.

Tyres I'm using now are the ones that came with the bike, Kenda kwest 700 x 28.

Is there much difference between the Marathon and the Marathon+? How do they compare to the Conti 4?

 

[potsy]

Thanks for the help guys.

Okay I've gone off the idea of the liners.

Tyres I'm using now are the ones that came with the bike, Kenda kwest 700 x 28.

Is there much difference between the Marathon and the Marathon+? How do they compare to the Conti 4?

M+ are heavier,lot tougher,but a bugger to get on the rim especially 1st time,luckily you won't have to take em off very often
4 seasons are more of a performance tyre with good p protection very highly rated on here,both options not cheap but to me the most crucial part of the bike is the tyres.

 

[AlanW]

or the Conti 4 seasons for a faster lighter tyre that's still got a decent level of protection.

These are the ones that I use, superb choice, if a little on the expensive side.

 

[jimheaney57]

Tempted to go with the Conti 4 Seasons. Seems like the best option. I want to avoid getting flat tyres but as I'm hoping to build up to doing 100 miles soon I don't want to be on tyres that slow me down.

The wife just came in and asked what I was doing She said I'll buy you those for xmas.

I said go away. I want them now

 

[Crankarm]

Specialised All Condition Armadillo Pros in 23 or 25C - only available in black AFAIK up to 125 psi.

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...3&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003154c003139c003532

Vittoria Rubino Pros in 23 or 25C available in a variety of colours. Up to 145psi

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Vittoria_Rubino_Pro_Folding_Tyre/5360010640/


Both are a nice ride and I have never had a puncture on either. Between the two hard to choose which one but if pushed the Vittoria as they come in blue to match the bike plus are a little lighter. Both have good grip.

Both very puncture resistant almost bomb proof although don't quote me.

 

[Crankarm]

Tempted to go with the Conti 4 Seasons. Seems like the best option. I want to avoid getting flat tyres but as I'm hoping to build up to doing 100 miles soon I don't want to be on tyres that slow me down.

The wife just came in and asked what I was doing She said I'll buy you those for xmas.

I said go away. I want them now

That's not nice ........

 

[Davidc]

I've thought about the Marathon+, but decided they would be too heavy and stuck with the Marathon (now the new marathon I think)

Any of those mentioned above should be fine and much more convenient than any add-on solution.

 

[rh100]

I see you've gone off the idea of liners - I tried it once on the front, an absolute pig to get in and lined up, that was on a nice day with all the time in the world and on big MTB tyres, the next time i had a flat I slung it out, I'd rather keep fixing flats than trying to put those in, definitely not for a newbie like me. I was put off the slime filled tubes aswell, I read they make an awful mess when they go.

 

[CopperBrompton]

I'm a huge fan of Marathon Plus. Not had a visit from the fairy since I've been using them (about 3000 miles).

 

[dellzeqq]

Conti 4 seasons highly recommended - but expensive!