Defeating thorns, glass splinters etc

[gbs]

So, to avoid any more visitations from the p******* fairy this autumn what is recommended for my max 25c Van Nic.?

I do not wish to totally trade off speed for protection but do need something "sensible". I will accept a degree of less than optimum grip in the wet and will compensate with less lean in corners etc. Current thinking: 1) Conti Gatorskins or 2) Conti 4000S or 3) Schwalbe Marathon (but not the plus version). All comments welcome.

 

[PpPete]

Spesh All-Condition Armadillos?
Probably slightly easier to fit than the thre above.

 

[John the Monkey]

To this day, 25c Conti Gators are the only tyre I've managed to wheelspin - I hated their grip in the wet.

Contil GP4000 are a nice enough tyre - I can't remember having p*ed on mine, but they are on my "best" wheels, so don't get hard use.

Schwalbe Marathon Racer are well spoken of on the Surly LHT newsgroup I frequent, but I've no personal experience of them.

Other considerations;

Bontrager Hardcase - cheap, can't remember puncturing on the set I ran.

Michelin Pro Race - I ran the 25c Pro Race 2 on commuting wheels for about a year. They made the bike feel great, and lasted surprisingly well. Pricey though.

Panaracer Pasela TG (25c) - again, didn't ride these very much, but liked the feel & the p* protection seemed good.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Spesh All-Condition Armadillos?

I'd agree with that. Plus ensure you have a weekly routine of deflating the tyres and removing all flints and bits of debris.

 

[StuAff]

Schwalbe Durano Plus (featuring a thinner layer of the same Smartguard stuff as Marathon+). Bit of a bugger to fit but very tough. Viner's done well over 3k miles, probably 4k, on its set without issues. Roll well, good in the wet too. Hardcases and Marathon Racers I've both used without problems, though with much less mileage.

 

[ianrauk]

Spesh All-Condition Armadillos?
Probably slightly easier to fit than the thre above.

I'd agree with that. Plus ensure you have a weekly routine of deflating the tyres and removing all flints and bits of debris.

Agree with both of the above.
Get very few punctures over the year on my commute with those tyres.

 

[potsy]

4 seasons are light and grippy, with average puncture protection I would say.
You could go standard marathon or like myself and a few others Durano+ which are very good and not as heavy as the marathons.
Have just replaced the rear on my secteur for a 25c for the extra comfort, still on 23 at the front though.

 

[John the Monkey]

Have just replaced the rear on my secteur for a 25c for the extra comfort, still on 23 at the front though.

I like 25s a lot, but I'm surprised by how nice the (23c) Krylions are. It's much more about the tyre, and the pressure it allows, I think. Krylions at about 90/95psi don't have that filling rattling harshness of other 23c tyres, imo.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

I also have a Van Nic (Yukon), which is shod with Conti GP 4000 4 seasons, I am on the 4th pair and only had 3 punctures (oh crap, now I said that I am sure to puncture next outing).

They roll well, good puncture protection and they are as light as many race tyres. I am done with trick lightweight tyres and pinch flats, I have grown up.

Enjoy your Ti ride.

 

[Acyclo]

+1 for Specialized All Condition Armadillos. Tens of thousands of puncture free miles on the mean streets of Leeds, broken-glass-in-the-road capital of the world*.




* Or at least it seems like that.

 

[Piemaster]

Schwalbe Durano Plus (featuring a thinner layer of the same Smartguard stuff as Marathon+). Bit of a bugger to fit but very tough. Viner's done well over 3k miles, probably 4k, on its set without issues. Roll well, good in the wet too. Hardcases and Marathon Racers I've both used without problems, though with much less mileage.

+1

I didn't find them difficult to fit though. I'm using the folding version.

 

[gbs]

Thank you every body. My conclusion is that I probably panicked; 2 flats last week and then Frank writes his guiding note re tyres for his forthcoming Chiltern's ride.

The fact is that the tyres are Bontranger All Weather; essential Hard Case Race tyre with a wet weather compound - these have received favourable comment. So, I guess I was unlucky and will persevere. However, any further incidents may prompt a switch to Armadillos

 

[mr brambles]

I'm not too sure about the Spesh Armadillo's I've got the elites and I got my 3rd puncure in thee weeks this morning. I've had 2 on the rear 1st was a sharp stone with a 4mm gash in the tyre, replaced both inner tube and tyre for normal Armadillo, 1 week later another puncture on the rear swapped both again this time for the elites. this morning got one on the front, yet another sharp stone.

dunno if its just bad luck but the fist 700 miles on the spesh were fine its the last 300 that has been a bugger

I'm gonna try the Schwalbe Durano Plus on the front when I get paid

 

[scouserinlondon]

I've had Bonti hardcases which I really liked. Currently got the stock Bonti all weather tyres which seem to have decent protection from the fairy as long as they're kept up The all weather's also seem to perform well in the rain.

 

[jay1lk]

+1 for the all condition armadillo. 3500 miles or so and only 1 puncture from a large shard of glass.