Road Bike Tyres

[Hamish123]

I cycle in Edinburgh to work (26 miles a day) on a road bike and suffered several punctures so was advised to buy Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase Tyres (700x23), which I did. I also bought two new wheels as well.

I was told and read on the web these tyres were really good for not getting punctures but I suffered a puncture yesterday (after 100 miles). I have two questions:

1) Was this puncture just really bad luck because these tyres are as good as I was told ?
2) Can anyone reccommend any other tyres that are really good for avoiding punctures ?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ianrauk]

Are you checking your tyres after every ride? If you are commuting daily it's a good idea to get into the habit.
You will be surprised at what crap get's stuck in the rubber and works it's way in. Dig whatever debris out before it causes a puncture.

Cycling in the pot holed, crap strewn streets of London every day. I use Armadillo All Conditions and have very few punctures as I practice what I preach about checking.

 

[Hacienda71]

Also check that the rim tape on your wheel is not damaged or fitted incorrectly.

 

[Hamish123]

Thanks for the comments.

I occasionally clean my tyres and will start to do it every day.

The puncture was caused by something I cycled over so the rim tape should be okay. There is about a 3mm tear on the tyre. I must have gone over metal or something like that.

 

[zacklaws]

I use the "Bontrager Race hardcase all weather" and also the race xtra lite hardcase all weather Tyres (700x23) and find them very good regarding punctures, but at the end of the day they will puncture, but when they do its usually something large and pointed that penetrates the tyre which in fact would probably penetrate any tyre. I can never recall though puncturing on small flint, shards of glass or hawthorn cuttings etc These tyres to date are the only tyres that I have worn out through riding before having to replace them and usually get 3000 to 4000 miles out of them.

http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/119526.html

I used to have the race lite hardcase as that was what I bought my bike with fitted , but found they did puncture easily and never had much grip in the wet and after one big crash in the wet after I slid off I redeemed them for use on the turbo only

 

[zizou]

i've found the race lite hardcase to be pretty effective, i either use them or armadillos over the winter depending on what is on offer when i need them.

what pressure are your tyres at? that can make a big difference for puncture protection

 

[Howard]

1) Was this puncture just really bad luck because these tyres are as good as I was told ?
2) Can anyone reccommend any other tyres that are really good for avoiding punctures ?

Was it the rear tyre? If so you could try a marathon plus on the back and racelite on the front - should be a bombproof combo.

 

[totallyfixed]

As I have commented before, I have the Bontrager RHC and to date have done over 21000 miles on this brand without a puncture. Interestingly though, virtually all those miles are rural ones so as someone pointed out they seem to be proof against thorns and flint etc but on city streets who knows what you might ride over.

 

[RedRider]

you could try a marathon plus on the back and racelite on the front - should be a bombproof combo.

If a person kept a marathon plus on their Alfine-hubbed rear and swapped out the front one for something more slick and fast, would they notice a difference in handling/the ride?

 

[Banjo]

In a couple of thousand commuting and other miles on the same set of Bontrager Race Lights I have repaired a few small slits with superglue But as far as I can remember only once had anything penetrate right through.

As summer comes its less of a problem in daylight and dryer conditions when you can see the glass etc on the road.

 

[cyberknight]

+1 banjo i was getting a puncture every couple of weeks over winter as i was on unilt roads and couldnt see the debris sometimes even with a very good light.
Now its brighter i can see the ruts and general debris a lot better and (shh PF might hear me ) its been maybe 400 miles since the last flat.

I run conti gator skins but my next tyre will probably be the durano plus as i have read that they are very good and can be bought in 23`s whereas the marathon plus tyres which are bombproof only go to a 25.

 

[Banjo]

Cycling plus did an article on commuting road tyres recently and Michelin Krylion Carbon came out as the best of the bunch tested with top marks for toughness ,easy rolling and they arent heavy.

 

[Howard]

If a person kept a marathon plus on their Alfine-hubbed rear and swapped out the front one for something more slick and fast, would they notice a difference in handling/the ride?

I would expect so, yes. But nothing too dramatic - you'd be trading protection for a little less weight and possibly more grip - depending on your tyre choice.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I use the racelite hardcases and haven't had any problems with lack of grip and the puncture protection has been very good. I had a flat at the weekend and it turned out to be rim side, It was on the Kilmeston I brought last September and the cause was a burr on a spoke hole, I had to deburr the rim before I fitted a new tube.

 

[HLaB]

You were probably just un lucky Hamish, the Bontager's have a good rep but its important to note nothing is bomb proof if your tyres are underinflated (I usually put 95psi front/ 100psi in my road bike tyres) or you ride in the gutter (through debris often).