Puncture Advice!

[steveinnorthants]

Hi guys/gals

Back into cycling after a long lay off, having just bought a Trek hybrid. Fourth ride, planned for this evening, was cut short by a puncture (a thorn in the tyre).

Quick trip to Halfords (sorry LBS, but it was 7 pm and needed to fix it asap!) to get a repair kit (and a spare tube, just in case) and its sorted now.

Was wondering what everyone advises to minimise such disruptions to my riding plans........thicker tyres (I ride mostly canal towpath, bridleway and some roads, with the odd bit of gentle "off road" path/track etc); just put up with the odd puncture (accept I may have just been unlucky) or should I consider slime filled inners?

Any thoughts?

 

[killiekosmos]

Hi Steve

You could try some tyres which have better resistance to punctures, eg Schwabe Marathons. You also need to be prepared for punctures anyway (nothing is 100% punlture-proof). Carry a spare tube, pump (or CO2 cylinders) and repair kit - 10 minutes to change tube and reinflate and a repair kit in case of a second puncture.

Also keep tyres well-inflated. Under inflation will lead to more punctures.

 

[Garz]

Inspect your tyres regularly (e.g. every week or every other ride). When inspecting them I use a chalk and circle slashes, cuts and piercings. Deflate the tyre and use a sharpish tool like a watchmakers screwdriver to pick out any flints, glass or debris. I then get some superglue and fill in the pits and leave to dry overnight.

Re-inflate the tyre next morning and inspect. This should make them last longer and avoid more punctures, however sometimes it's down to luck.

 

[ramses]

I wouldn't go down the slime filled tube route. They may sound good, but have heard a lot of people complain about them and my LBS has advised against them.

Best to get yourself some better tyres. Schwalbe Marathon Plus are very good: http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/c2-1071-schwalbe-tires-marathon-plus.html

If you're not too worried about weight of tyre, then look for some kevlar guard tyes. On my MTB I use Schwalbe Smart Sam Kevlar Guard, which won't be any good to your hybrid as they are too wide, but in around 1000 miles I haven't had a puncture yet. I have fished out the odd chunk of glass, but the kevlar keeps the inner tube safe.

Another option is : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-marathon-reflective-kevlar-city-tyre/, and this is kevlar guard.

Continental are also good, have a look on wiggle or some other sites. Most tyres these days are much more puncture resistant though.

You may have just been unlucky.

Out of interest, what tyres do you currently have on the bike?

 

[Tynan]

what are the tyres now? tyres on the bike as bought are almost always rubbish

 

[steveinnorthants]

Have Botranger LT2's on at the moment. Thanks for your help so far guys, have eliminated the slime option!

Know I should have been prepared but still sorting myself out having only had the bike 5 days! Will carry a spare tube in future - had a pump thank goodness as I was able to stop and inflate a few times on the way home!

 

[E11a]

At one stage I was getting punctures almost every time I went out. I've switched to Schwalbe Land Cruisers and so far I'm pretty pleased with them. The rolling resistance isn't too bad on the roads, enough grip for the light off road that I do, and they've coped with thorns on country lanes and glass on towpaths.

 

[Tynan]

almost any popular road tyre will be a huge improvement on the original tyres, I learnt after bike one to get tyres changed at point of purchase

 

[ramses]

Have Botranger LT2's on at the moment. Thanks for your help so far guys, have eliminated the slime option!

Know I should have been prepared but still sorting myself out having only had the bike 5 days! Will carry a spare tube in future - had a pump thank goodness as I was able to stop and inflate a few times on the way home!

It takes a little while to get used to what is needed etc... and a while to build it up due to costs, as it gets very addictive! I know!

I would suggest seeing how you go with the tyres, they are not the worst, but there are better tyres on the market. As stated above, most tyres that come with bikes aren't great, unless you're spending mega bucks!

You will probably change them by default anyway as you get into the cycling and start reading more about things. As I said it can get addictive!

If you get any more punctures within the next week or so then maybe change them sooner, as that would suggest they aren't offering much protection to your inner tubes.
If all goes well, put some miles on them, and look around, read up on tyres within your budget and then change them.

As I am sure you are always aware, we are happy on cycle chat to pass on our opinions, so feel free to ask about certain tyres, when the time comes.

I am happy to offer my opinion, always happy to receive personal messages, or just open it up to all and see what you get.

Hope you don't get any more punctures for a while.

 

[corshamjim]

+1 to Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres. I guess I've done a lot more than 3000 miles on mine now with no punctures. I've never bothered inspecting them for embedded flints or anything like that.

Pumping to correct pressure is important. A track pump makes this quick and easy to do. I inflate mine once a month (and swap the rechargeable batteries in my rear light at the same time too).

 

[HLaB]

almost any popular road tyre will be a huge improvement on the original tyres, I learnt after bike one to get tyres changed at point of purchase

One of the few exceptions to this rule (for me at least) are Ridgeback/ continental. My Ridgeback Velocity came with conti contacts (I forget the model); when they were a few weeks old I was daydreaming and failed to spot an almost whole half glass bottle (is that an oxymoron ) and got a p'ture in the front at 8000miles some body had left a nice drawing pin for me and I picked up one in the rear. I'm guessing 7,500 miles between p'tures I can live with that. Also I had no p'tures on the original tyres on my Bianchi, again conti. Touch wood though I'm light on p'tures however and everyone else I've spoken to has had several p'tures on stock tyres.