Punctures $%@^$%

[JonoB]

Just rode my new £600 Scott Sportster P3 to work today for the first time (ever!).
Love the bike (CYCLE@WORK scheme) but managed to puncture both tyres on the way (thorns on the path from a newly trimmed hedge). I was late to work *%$£$%^! for the first time ever too. I was not amused.
It has Continental tyres which are light-weight and very soft. Has anybody had any experience of puncture-proof tyres......is it worth swopping them to something with Kevlar? Advice welcome. Thanks.


PS: I cycle mostly on cycle tracks/canal tow paths, etc.

 

[BentMikey]

+1 to Lee's comments. Now that I have a new commute that is almost purely on road, I'm having the lowest rate of whatsits I've ever had.

 

[hackbike 6]

With a thicker rear innertube fitted and that word resistant tyres im on a good run as well.Long may it continue.

Specialized Armadillo Tyres.

 

[4F]

Schwalbe marathon plus, you know it makes sense

 

[Tynan]

heavy tyres, fill your boots

more about routes and picking a line out of the gutters

 

[4F]

heavy tyres, fill your boots

more about routes and picking a line out of the gutters

You may like repairing punctures I prefer heavier tyres without the inconveniance

 

[dondare]

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I've only had one puncture since I started using them (a few years ago now) and that was when I put on a new wheel fitted with a Botranger hardcase: it didn't last a week. My SMPs have never punctured.
I've used Armadillos before but I wouldn't buy them again, they gave a very harsh ride and also punctured occasionally.

 

[mcb2080]

Just rode my new £600 Scott Sportster P3 to work today for the first time (ever!).
Love the bike (CYCLE@WORK scheme) but managed to puncture both tyres on the way (thorns on the path from a newly trimmed hedge). I was late to work *%$£$%^! for the first time ever too. I was not amused.
It has Continental tyres which are light-weight and very soft. Has anybody had any experience of puncture-proof tyres......is it worth swopping them to something with Kevlar? Advice welcome. Thanks.


PS: I cycle mostly on cycle tracks/canal tow paths, etc.

When I got my ridgeback it came with conti contact sports, the tire was very fast but the p protection was crap, on my second night out I got a visit from the p fairy.

I lost all confidence in the tyres so moved over to marathon plus and in nearly 1000 miles I have not had a p. I have ripped a valve when blowing up the tyre though I don't recommend doing this as getting the tyres back on the wheel after replacing the tube is a bugger

But it does go back on with a bit of force

My only other recommendation would maybe be marathon supreme which are supposed to roll faster and have nearly as good a p protection as well as being a bit lighter.

But for peace of mind I would say plus first

HTH

Mark

 

[hackbike 6]

You may like repairing punctures I prefer heavier tyres without the inconveniance

Aye and yet another BM trick is to pull glass out of your tyres when you have time.

I have Schwalbe Blizzard Sport on the Dawes Audax Supreme 2007 are these tyres any good?

I have done less than 20 miles on this bike as it's a spare.
Although I did notice that I shaved 5 minutes off of my commuting time when I used it.

 

[Moose]

+1 for Schwalbe with Kevlar.

I use the Hurricane semi-slicks as they give me the flexibility to go off-road as well. They're not the fastest or the lightest, but 2000+ without a puncture means I wouldn't recommend anything less.

One example of the puncture protection; after chainging terrain from off to on-road, half way in to my 11 mile commute home, I heard a 'mettalic ticking' sound each revolution of the tyre. Got off and checked to find 1/2 of a 1" nail firmly embbeded in my rear tyre. Decided to pull it out - did it deflate? No and no punctures since.

 

[mcb2080]

+1 for Schwalbe with Kevlar.

I use the Hurricane semi-slicks as they give me the flexibility to go off-road as well. They're not the fastest or the lightest, but 2000+ without a puncture means I wouldn't recommend anything less.

One example of the puncture protection; after changing terrain from off to on-road, half way in to my 11 mile commute home, I heard a 'mettalic ticking' sound each revolution of the tyre. Got off and checked to find 1/2 of a 1" nail firmly embbeded in my rear tyre. Decided to pull it out - did it deflate? No and no punctures since.

Similar story with the plus's I had what I though was just a stone that was stuck in my tread, it wouldn't flick out with a screwdriver so had to get a pair of pliers to pull it out. Turns out said stone was shaped like a nail and was embedded into the tyre and was 7mm in length, no p by the way when it came out.

Once I got home I took the tyre off and just filled the hole with some super glue, not had a problem since.

 

[BentMikey]

Aye and yet another BM trick is to pull glass out of your tyres when you have time.

Not me mate, I think a grizzled old CTC veteran told me this one. Good tip though innit!

 

[JonoB]

Continental-handbuilt by Germans

Thanks for all your suggestions. The tyres that I have now removed were Continental Double Fighter II. These retail at about £15 each. Now, on a £600 bike, that doesn't seem an awful lot.

My local bike shop (Herbies in Broxburn) listened to all your views, showed me the tyres recommended and took the time to talk me through different tyres advantages/disadvantages. What a difference from Halfords - a spotty teenager who "dinae ken" his ar*e from his elbow

I have therefore decided to splash out and buy Continental Top Contact (which come with tubes too!). Expensive, but I think I'm worth it
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti topcontact.shtml
Thanks for your help

 

[cbgb]

I started commuting to work in March with my old mountain bike (12 mile round trip and no punctures). I bought a Scott Sportster P4 in August as i got well into the cycling habit. The bike came with the soft continental tyers and i had 8 punctures in 3 weeks. I bought some Schwarbe Marathons and not looked back (no punctures). They are not as heavy as the Marathon plus but are kevlar lined.

 

[marko1975]

I am must be lucky 7 months no puncutres with three differnet bikes, although i wheel magnet seems to attract of manner of glass stones and potholes.