P**ctures

[Willo]

Just to add to others, keeping them pumped up close to the max recommended on the tyre really helps. I had no clue a few yrs back but a few punctures when I first got my road bike forced me into some practice and it's a fairly routine job now. I just carry a spare tube or 2, tyre levers and some Co2 cartridges/pump in my pocket or saddle pack. For keep the tyres pumped up a track pump is a sound investment.

 

[SurlyNomad]

Mozzy, Continental do tyres where you get free innertubes also they are guaranteed for 12 months against p*nctures. They will only replace once though, and not the cheapest.

 

[Mozzy]

Just to add to others, keeping them pumped up close to the max recommended on the tyre really helps. I had no clue a few yrs back but a few punctures when I first got my road bike forced me into some practice and it's a fairly routine job now. I just carry a spare tube or 2, tyre levers and some Co2 cartridges/pump in my pocket or saddle pack. For keep the tyres pumped up a track pump is a sound investment.

The 'keeping the tyres fully inflated' recommendations seem to be all over, so this is something I shall ensure I do. In fact I shall take the earlier tip and check pressures prior to riding every time .... unless I forget that is

Mozzy

 

[Mozzy]

Thanks SM, will check it out.

Mozzy

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I had an unscheduled deflation this afternoon. About the most irritating thing was the number of people who asked me if I had a puncture. Do these people walk up to the bar and ask if this is a pub? Anyhow, being in a lazy mood, I decided to change the tube rather than mend it - usually I carry a repair kit, a spare tube and a good-enough pump, and if it's cold or rainy (it usually is) I'll swap the old tube for a new one, otherwise I'll sit down on a park bench/wall/bit of grass and stick a patch on the offending leakitude. It really is only a minor irritation and not a real problem.

You'll have inner tubes. 60psi looks very low pressure to me so keep your tyres as close to the maximum as much as you can. It'll help keep the pinch punctures at bay. I've never had a puncture on a canal path - there's not usually that much broken glass or hawthorns lying around, and that's half the battle.

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

Schwalbe marathon plus.
Recognised as best puncture resistant tyre available.

+1 for Marathon plus

 

[Davidc]

Hello Mozzy. If you ride the Taunton & Bridgwater canal path you WILL get punctures sometimes. All the advice is good, but hawthorn, big wood splinters and lumps of metal, screws, nails and more seem to breed on that path.

When I'm using the canal path I carry spare tube(s), puncture repair kit, mini pump, CO2 inflator, tyre levers, and the right sized spanners and allen key for getting the wheels off - as a minimum tool kit. I've used that kit 3 times in the past 3 years. That path is in fact the only place I've had punctures in the past 3 years.

Quite why that path gives everyone grief but the Tiverton canal path doesn't I just can't work out.

 

[Mozzy]

I had an unscheduled deflation this afternoon. About the most irritating thing was the number of people who asked me if I had a puncture. Do these people walk up to the bar and ask if this is a pub? Anyhow, being in a lazy mood, I decided to change the tube rather than mend it - usually I carry a repair kit, a spare tube and a good-enough pump, and if it's cold or rainy (it usually is) I'll swap the old tube for a new one, otherwise I'll sit down on a park bench/wall/bit of grass and stick a patch on the offending leakitude. It really is only a minor irritation and not a real problem.

You'll have inner tubes. 60psi looks very low pressure to me so keep your tyres as close to the maximum as much as you can. It'll help keep the pinch punctures at bay. I've never had a puncture on a canal path - there's not usually that much broken glass or hawthorns lying around, and that's half the battle.

That had me cracked up; the bit about ...."ave ya got a puncture?" There are loads of those daft things people say, deserves a thread on its own. Sorry to hear you had the dreaded p**cture. As I'm really new to this I think what I should do is take earlier advice and bring the bike in and let a tyre down to see how I go about removing the wheels and tyre.

Mine are Schwalbe Road Cruiser 'p**cture protection.' Which I've only just seen. Not certain how well protected they are or how good.

Mozzy

 

[HovR]

60psi looks very low pressure to me so keep your tyres as close to the maximum as much as you can.

Whilst this is good advice, if these are wide tires (MTB or wide Hybrid) then 60PSI isn't actually very low. It would only be low in terms of narrower road tires.

 

[Mozzy]

Hello Mozzy. If you ride the Taunton & Bridgwater canal path you WILL get punctures sometimes. All the advice is good, but hawthorn, big wood splinters and lumps of metal, screws, nails and more seem to breed on that path.

When I'm using the canal path I carry spare tube(s), puncture repair kit, mini pump, CO2 inflator, tyre levers, and the right sized spanners and allen key for getting the wheels off - as a minimum tool kit. I've used that kit 3 times in the past 3 years. That path is in fact the only place I've had punctures in the past 3 years.

Quite why that path gives everyone grief but the Tiverton canal path doesn't I just can't work out.

Living about halfway along and walking it daily with my beloved Border Collie, I get to see the leftovers that the tossers leave behind the night before. They come out in their cars, empty all the rubbish onto the ground, used tissues, thongs, condoms, general rubbish and whatever. Just the other day I found a load of tacks that had been removed from some wood and just dumped.

I 'police' two carparks, in so much as I go daily to collect the crap and bag it up for disposal. The other bloody beef I have is dog owners NOT picking up. I DO and always have done; and what is with the bagging it up and hanging it in a feckin tree???? They just are so NOT to be used for decorating a tree!!!!

Been campaigning for ages to get the car parks locked at night. Nothing against the lads coming out with lady friend for high jinx, but it does border on complete stupidity and downright ignorance for their fellow man ... selfish bastards

Mozzy

 

[MagicThighs]

Mozzy, Continental do tyres where you get free innertubes also they are guaranteed for 12 months against p*nctures. They will only replace once though, and not the cheapest.

A bit jaundiced about Continental tyres at the mo. Decided to replace my 10-12 year old MTB tyres last week (the original fit) and invested in Conti Travel Contact which are supposed to be p'ture resistant. Rode to work for the first time on Friday and when I went to ride home found the front was flat

Luckily I'd taken a pump with me but had to stop 3-4 times on the way home to repressurise. To be fair I was being tight and reused the old inner tube but found it had a pinhole puncture in the top face, so was probably caused on the ride to work (along a canal towpath incidentally).

Have replaced the inner tube and has been OK over the weekend, so fingers crossed it will be a long time before I have another!

My Contis did come with free inner tubes but they have Presta valves, so I've bought inners with Schrader valves (also Conti), but will invest in a track pump that fits both valve types at some point.

 

[Spartak]

VAR tyre levers are the best IMO.
I use a Specialized Airtool pump for out on the road.

 

[HovR]

Never seen a VAR tire lever before. Just googled it - Looks interesting.

If all you have is the cheap plastic tire levers which come with your puncture repair kit, I recommend getting a set of metal levers. Especially good for tight road tires.

 

[CopperCyclist]

If you aren't overly others about speed, and hence don't mind adding weight to your wheels, it might be worth looking at the various 'Slimes' you can get, that you put into the inner tube that self seal smaller punctures before you even notice them.

Also, it'd be good karma for you, but also help to prevent punctures if you take a small brush out with you, and when yo see the inevitable broken bottle on the canal path, sweep it to the side and then carry on.

I hesitate to give the above advice, as I know I wouldn't follow either - preferring to keep my wheels light, and preferring to keep moving, but as you asked purely for the best way to prevent punctures, I think it applies!

 

[Mozzy]

Booked in on advice received for a brand new pair of 700 x 32 Marathon + next Tuesday. Had to wait as my LBS didn't have any in stock.

Thanks for said advice all.

Mozzy