tyres/tubes on Specialized Rockhopper

[alexeix]

Hi,

I have a Specialized Rockhopper disc and seem to be getting a lot of punctures - more than with any bike I've had before, e.g. it's not uncommon to get multiple punctures on one ride - and I'm not talking tough terrain.

Do these bikes come with cr*p tyres or something?
Anybody experienced the same issues?

Are there any recommendations for puncture resistant MTB tyres - at a reasonable price?
Thanks.

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

Hi,

I have a Specialized Rockhopper disc and seem to be getting a lot of punctures - more than with any bike I've had before, e.g. it's not uncommon to get multiple punctures on one ride - and I'm not talking tough terrain.

Do these bikes come with cr*p tyres or something?
Anybody experienced the same issues?

Are there any recommendations for puncture resistant MTB tyres - at a reasonable price?
Thanks.

The Rockhopper comes with more of a summer weight tyre than a bomb proof winter weight one that's for sure; although not so lightweight that "multiple punctures on one ride" should be common place, I would investigate further, perhaps a tiny thorn is still in the outercasing, or an impact has damaged the rim just enough to leave a sharp enough edge to cut a hole in the tube.

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk

 

[alexeix]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately, it's not as simple as that. I always check the tyre to make sure the cause of the puncture has been removed.

As an example, yesterday I went out for my first ride of the year and the rear tyre was flat when I got the bike out.
I found the cause, removed it and put in a fresh inner tube.

However, after a 2 hour ride, the rear tyre was flat again - this time, I found a decent sized hole in the tyre, but haven't yet repaired it - it was in a different part of the tyre though.

These tyres are 5-6 years old, so will they be degrading significantly?

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

...These tyres are 5-6 years old, so will they be degrading significantly?

In the old days we would mature our best tyres over the winter in a cool dry place, maturing the rubber made them more puncture resistant, infact many Pro tems still do this. By the same token when they get old this resistance diminishes, 5-6 years old I would say it's time for some new ones.

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk

 

[alexeix]

Any recommendations on tyres and tubes?

I don't need a heavy duty off-road tyre, as I normally do a mix of road and trail.

I also don't want to spend a fortune, but then again, I'm getting sick of changing/repairing flats!

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

Any recommendations on tyres and tubes?

I don't need a heavy duty off-road tyre, as I normally do a mix of road and trail.

I also don't want to spend a fortune, but then again, I'm getting sick of changing/repairing flats!

At this time of year few tyres will cope with on road and wet boggy off road, something like the Specialized Crossroads will get close on hardpack non technical tracks like a Tow path for example; should that be what you mean by "trail".

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk

 

[139NI]

Or Continental Travel Contact at c.GBP21.00. You get a free inner tube with it...

 

[Paul_Smith SRCC]

Or Continental Travel Contact at c.GBP21.00. You get a free inner tube with it...

The Continental Travel Contact is my personal choice for the summer, especially as I want a tyre that has much more of a road than off road focus, in the winter the smooth center section offers less far less off road traction than I would like though.

Paul_Smith
www.corridori.co.uk