[JaredP91]

I’m currently running 25mm Vittoria Zaffiro tyres on my Boardman SLR, but after a spate of punctures (four punctures in as many weeks), I am beginning to question their resistance.

I am also seriously considering an investment in some ‘puncture proof’ tyres. I know nothing is fully puncture proof, but anything to prevent the frustration of constant punctures would be massively appreciated right now. My question is, are they worth the investment? And, if so, which tyres have you found to be the best?

Topic

[joncomelately]

I’d second that. I have run
I’d second that. I have run Conti GP4000s for over half a decade now, after having several punctures in a few weeks on a stock set of Schwalbes.
Since then, I think on average I have 2 punctures a year, usually in the actual bike parking compound at work (littered with all kinds of rubbish like staples and screws as it’s next to the delivery yard) – or once, when someone shot out every single lamppost cover along the cycle path. I can change them mostly with hands, and a little help from cheap plastic tyre levers.

The only time I don’t ride them is when there’s sheet ice around, but for me and my handling (or lack of) only spiked tyres will deal with that.

The ride on them is excellent, and I was recommended them by a cousin who cycles 10,000 miles+ a year and won’t ride anything else (I haven’t asked if they’ve moved up to the 5000s). They’re probably a lot cheaper now than when I bought my last set, given their successor is out, and I’d definitely consider upping the width to 28mm if your frame can take it.

[Hirsute]

Decent tubeless tyre,

Decent tubeless tyre, dynaplug micro pro, a small sealant top up bottle and a pump.

I found Vittoria with the graphene compound good if you want inner tubes.

[Sriracha]

I think the various tubeless

I think the various tubeless how-to articles could do with a little more discussion of tyre pressure. I do wonder whether there might be some threshold pressure with separates the lovers from the haters.

[Compact Corned Beef]

I bought some Marathon Plus

I bought some Marathon Plus tyres once. They were an utter pig to fit and I broke levers getting them on. A few commutes in and I had a piece of stiff wire go right through the rear tyre. I couldn’t remount it, trashed the bead trying, and walked my bike home. My trusty commuter now wears Conti 4 seasons and I can get them back on with just my hands. I’ll take an additional few punctures a year over standing by the roadside feeling terminally abject.

[ktache]

I have pulled over 20 of your

I have pulled over 20 of your finest british thorns out of each of my 3 inch Maxxis Chronicle thorn magnets, and the satisfaction of seeing the wonders of Orange Endurance seal up those ride ruining nasties is very smug inducing.

I run very low pressures so cannot possibly comment on road tubeless tyres.

I like running quality rubber, and latex tubes in my other bicycles, punctures are part of life.  The nastyness of puncture resistant tyres, let alone Tannus, fills me with horror.

[wtjs]

It is my view that nothing

It is my view that nothing resists the British thorn. I have not even tried filling the tube with horrendous gloop because I don’t believe it’s going to work. I could be wrong, so I await comments from people who have actually used the stuff, and find that it’s still possible stick a standard tube repair patch even with the gloop in place. Similarly, users of tubeless tyres (I have tubeless rims and tyres, but haven’t used them tubeless) are encouraged to report their experiences.

[mike the bike]

Like many folk on here I’ve

Like many folk on here I’ve followed the seemingly endless and tortuous path that leads from a dislike of flats.  And spent more money than is sensible in pursuit of the perfect tyre too.  The lesson that eventually permeated my thick skull is that there are two possible approaches for you to take :

First, you can experiment with an increasingly expensive series of so-called puncture proof tyres.  This will eventually lead you to that special place where you don’t get flats but your wheels are as heavy as a teenager’s mood.  You will by now have lost your love of the bicycle.

Or you could short-circuit this madness and go straight to my preferred solution, which is simply to buy very high quality rubber from one of the big names.  Ordinary road tyres such as Conti’s GP 5000 or Michelin’s Power series or Pirelli’s latest offerings turn out not to be ordinary at all.  These top-of-the-range tyres not only give grip and comfort, their expensive construction and materials also provide surprising levels of toughness.  Tubed or tubeless, this principle invariably applies.

It has taken me many years to condense my experience into a couple of paragraphs, please feel free to make use of them.

 

[Author]

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