Tyres...when do I call it a day....

[Cubist]

my bike came fitted with maxxis detonator - they've been splendid so far. i just looked them up for the first time £23 odd quid - is that for one or a pair?!

So did mine. They started to perish around the buffer section and had long splits in the contact area after 18 months use. I replaced them with bontrager racelight hardcases which are IMHO pretty good VFM.

OP, have you tried riding round the glass and other debris?

 

[Moodyman]

For a 23mm tyre i would use a bontreager hard case, not quite as good for puncture protection as a gatorskin but better performance and grip.
The only above par Marathon doesn't come in 23mm.

That's interesting, because the Bonti Racelite Hardcase is renowned for it's puncture protection.

After trying a few different tyres, the Bonti is my new favourite commuting tyre.

 

[jansman]

Marathon Plus-heavy but TOUGH.Damn near indestructible.

 

[pickaxe]

I like the michelin pro race 3 service course, been good for punctures and roll fast, nice )

 

[gaz]

That's interesting, because the Bonti Racelite Hardcase is renowned for it's puncture protection.

After trying a few different tyres, the Bonti is my new favourite commuting tyre.

Perhaps you should read what I said. NOT QUITE AS GOOD

 

[threefingerjoe]

To the OP:

Sounds as if your Gatorskin still has quite a few miles left in it. Are you checking the little scars on the outside of the tyres for TINY shards of glass? You might want to try deflating the tyres, and going to each little mark that was caused by something puncturing the outside of the tread, and pinch it so that the tiny hole opens up. I'll bet you will find a LOT of them have a tiny bit of glass in them, which will pop out when the wound is opened. If you can get those out, it will save you some punctures for awhile. Those little shards eventually will get pounded through and cause a puncture. Unless a tyre is seriously damaged, you can usually run them safely until the fabric shows.

 

[twowheelsgood]

Wow, I never get anything like those mileages out of tyres. Must be my weight. Rear ones are lucky to see 2000miles.

I really do not like these puncture resistant tyres in the smaller sizes though. As well as the weight, they ride horribly due to their thickness and lack of flexibility.

I guess you have to take your choice though, live with the odd puncture or put up with them.

 

[byegad]

I have never found them slow on the MTB (frame weight approx 5kg).

Compared to other tyres they are:-

On my Thorn Club Tour I swapped them for Pasela Tourguards which were well protected, I commuted 16 miles each way on them with no deflations, and a lot faster.
On my Kettwiesel I replaced them first with Kojaks, fast, but fragile and then 2" Big Apples which are nearly as fast as the Kojaks and nearly as resistant as the Maathons.