Commuting - Bullet proof tires

Called the LBS today and they said they have some piercing resistant strips they can line the tires with for added armor. They mentioned something about thorn resistant tubes. Should I ask for this also or will the slime tubes I have already on be fine you think?

Bike (Schwinn Skyliner) is just used for short distance transportation, so I dont mind if it makes it heavier etc. I want the most protection I can have against flats. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Slime will work temporarily but it will leak air faster than an unpunctured tube. I'd go for the thorn resistant tubes especially if you don't mind the extra weight. I have thorn resistant tubes on all my bikes and with a combined 2800 miles between all 4 bikes no flats whatsoever.

Thorn resistant tubes are just regular butyl tubes but have thicker walls. They're intended to prevent punctures because the offending pointy thing has to go through a thicker piece o' rubber. Slime tubes allow the puncture but then seal it with magical goo. I've heard the Slime tubes work pretty well for small punctures and not so well for bigger ones. Tire liners (the strips your shop is offering) prevent punctures by adding an extra layer of stuff for the offending pointy thing to go through but they're also another thing to deal with when changing a flat. None of these things will prevent flats entirely. Nothing will. And all of 'em will make for a little heavier and rougher riding wheel. I'd recommend a good belted tire (like Specialized Armadillos, Continental Gatorskins, Panaracer Tourguards, etc.) and being prepared for and getting proficient at changing flats. As always, just my $0.02.

Changing flats sucks and takes away the stigma that my bike is an indestructible reliable tank with its only drawback being that its up to me to provide the power. Then again I haven't been hit by a car yet either that might do that too.

Changing flats sucks and takes away the stigma that my bike is an indestructible reliable tank with its only drawback being that its up to me to provide the power. Then again I haven't been hit by a car yet either that might do that too.

Oh, please don't get me wrong. Changing flats definitely sucks! Especially on your commute. But it's just that they're an inevitable part of commuting. There are a few manufacturers offering airless tires. I've heard they're a pain-in-the-arse to get on the rim and that they ride like jack-hammers but they're probably the only "sure-fire" way to prevent flats.

http://www.airfreetires.com/

http://www.flatfreeusa.com/eng/product/categories.php?cat_id=1

I don't put much trust into thorn resistant tubes and tire strips. In my opinion the best way to prevent punctures is to use a good rim strip (Velox is the most trusted) and a good tire. Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires are probably the closest to bullet proof you can find.
No pneumatic tire is going to be completely free of flats but the above combination is going to be very close.
Craig

And all of 'em will make for a little heavier and rougher riding wheel.

Thats debatable. I've been using the thorn resistant tubes and I regularly run them at 115-120 psi on my 700x23's and the only time I've encountered rough riding is when the road itselft is rough. They are slightly heavier though but nothing a little gearing doesn't fix.

I guess I favor them because they cost considerably less than good tires and the only time you will really have a flat is if you encounter goat heads, nails, and other lengthy puncturing objects. You know, things that good puncture resistant tires can't defend from either.

I'd recommend a good belted tire (like Specialized Armadillos, Continental Gatorskins, Panaracer Tourguards, etc.) and being prepared for and getting proficient at changing flats. As always, just my $0.02.

That's my feeling as well, go for the medium- and heavy-weight belted tires... don't worry about tire liners or slime tubes or thorn-resistant tubes.

I personally have been using the Panaracer Urbanmax (comes in 26x1.25" or 700Cx32mm versions, I think) for over a year now. I used to get flats nearly every week I'd say, and have had NONE since switching to the Urbanmax, even though my commute doubled in length. (Okay, I had one flat, but it was due to a bad valve stem, not a tire puncture :p) The Urbanmax is $20 at PerformanceBike. If you ride on paved roads, strewn with glass, gravel, and the occasional metal shard... they're a very good option.

EDIT: Here they are: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=16451&item=50-1952&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

I don't put much trust into thorn resistant tubes and tire strips. In my opinion the best way to prevent punctures is to use a good rim strip (Velox is the most trusted) and a good tire. Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires are probably the closest to bullet proof you can find.
No pneumatic tire is going to be completely free of flats but the above combination is going to be very close.
Craig

I've heard really good things about the Marathon Plus tires. I'm definitely going to try a pair the next time I need tires for my commuter.

I have Specialized Cross Roads (the Flak Jacket version) and slime tubes. This is a heavy combination and not cheap. I have had one flat in 500 miles since I got the tires. The slime seemed to plug the hole during the ride, and deflated in my garage a few days later. I found it difficult to get a patch to stick to the tube where the slime had leaked out and had to resort to using alcohol to clean it off, and there was slime all over the inside of the tire. I don't think I'll try Slime again. The tires will probably last forever, they show no signed of wear after 500 miles. Next time I will get normal tubes. It takes what 5 - 10 minutes to swap a tube? I allow that much extra time for the commute anyway.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and good wide rim tape. Say goodbye to flats.

I have Nashbar Prima II kevlars with tire liners. Seems to do the job very well despite glass everywhere here in Chicago. No puncture flats. Dirt cheap too.

You've had unusually good luck then. I've gotten several flats with my Panaracer UrbanMax tires. The last one was a pinch flat (hit an exceptionally sharp curb when going too fast), previously a couple punctures from glass and one from metal. They're decent tires for the price, but I wouldn't say they're fantastic.


Panaracer Urbanmax (comes in 26x1.25" or 700Cx32mm versions, I think) for over a year now. I used to get flats nearly every week I'd say, and have had NONE since switching to the Urbanmax, even though my commute doubled in length.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Enough said. They're a great tire and still roll fast considering their bomb-proof protection. Also, not super expensive at BikeTiresDirect.com

Bal

I gave up on Armadollos because the weight and stiffness of the tire walls gave an awful ride. I have found lighter tires with Kevlar belt and bead + Mr Tuffy liners have given good puncture protection without taking the enjoyment out of the ride.

I use kevlar belted tires as well as tire liners with slime tubes. Ain't much you can do about big honkin nails or screws, but if you live in an area with big thorns/goat heads (I'm in Albuquerque), then the slimes are your best friend. Even with heavy duty tires and liners an occasional thorn will get through. And I would suspect it would get through a thorn resistant tube as well. With a good slime tube, it's not a problem. Otherwise you get a flat. It's a nice last line of defense, as eventually a goat head will puncture through even the toughest defenses.

tough tire + homebrew tubeless ($5 maxxiss strips & homebrew sealant) = happiness :)

over 1000 flat-free miles in 3 months. Picking glass, metal shards, etc out of tires on weekly basis. Looses 1psi per day. Me happy.

You've had unusually good luck then. I've gotten several flats with my Panaracer UrbanMax tires. The last one was a pinch flat (hit an exceptionally sharp curb when going too fast), previously a couple punctures from glass and one from metal. They're decent tires for the price, but I wouldn't say they're fantastic.
That's a pity :( I guess I have been lucky then. I do know that they work far, far better than the lightweight Kevlar 28mm tires I used before them.

It seems like there is a certain amount of luck in EVERYONE'S tire preference (except for maybe the Marathon Plus, which everyone agrees is heavy and indestructable). I suppose that's why there are so many brands available. As soon as each of us finds something that works, we stick with it.

I'm not saying anything that hasn't already been said, but just wanted to further support the Schwalbe Marathon Plus statements.

I commute everyday here in colorado 24 miles RT on some roads that have a lot of "stuff" on them, and with most other "tough" training tires on my road bike at best I'd get a flat every other week. Since putting these on around 1,000 miles ago, not a single puncture flat. I don't even try to avoid debris anymore only big things like 2x4's ;)

They're not expensive ~$35 a tire, and last around 5-8k miles, can't argue with all that.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and good wide rim tape. Say goodbye to flats.

+1

I've dug some massive pieces of glass out of Marathon Plus tires tires, and kept on riding. Nothing compares.

<snip> support the Schwalbe Marathon Plus statements. <snip> Since putting these on around 1,000 miles ago, not a single puncture flat. I don't even try to avoid debris anymore only big things like 2x4's ;)

They're not expensive ~$35 a tire, and last around 5-8k miles, can't argue with all that.
+1 On my Fuji Touring I am forced to ride through areas that people seem to intentionly cover the road with shattered glass (I live near texas motor speedway hm) and there is tons of random metal and wood on the sides of roads probably from all the development going on.

I find myself having to be really careful when I'm with my wife. She has a road bike with armadillos but they just can't take the crap my marathon plus tires does with 300+lbs of bike+rider pounding on em. I have mr tuffy liners in there just in case but nothing has ever gotten to em

Armadillos have great puncture resistance but not very good rolling resistance.
Gatorskin has slightly less pr but much better rr.

I run Specialized Armadillo tired with tire liners and slime tubes. I've only had this combination on for about a month, but I have picked plenty of glass and other debris from the tires. Prior to these, I had Continental Town & Country tires with liners and slime tubes. 3 flats in 3 months made me go to the Armadillos.

As far as I'm concerned, Slime has only one real advantage. When you're sitting on the side of the road doing a change, that bright green gunk makes it easy to see where the puncture is so you can slap a patch on it. To me, that "feature" is worth the extra price.

I've heard really good things about the Marathon Plus tires. I'm definitely going to try a pair the next time I need tires for my commuter.

I've been running a set of marathon plus for two months now. They are considerably heavier than Gatorskins but also 3X as "thick" thru the rolling part of the tire. I got the 700 x 28 but wish now I had gotten the 700 x 32.

We have lots of "goat head" thorns in this area which tires attract like magnets... I got real tired of fixing flats every ride or so and went with the Specialized Armidillo Nimbus on my Cypres and Crossroads on my MTB... I put in the strps and thorn proof tubes... Over a thousand combined miles now and no more flats.. Amazing.. As for slime. IMHO that stuff sucks... It will fill a small hole but then it hardens, lossens up and leaks again.. It will also plug your valve stem with time and work back up into your air pump if you aren't careful...
The Specialized Armidillos are a little heavyier then regular tires and do roll just a little harder but to me it is worth it for bulletproof tires..
Now the throns stick in the tire and I listen to them clacking as the tire goes around but never a flat... Neat...

Tubeless

Tubeless

I'll say it again: Tubeless ;)

I have had very good luck with Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires. They are a completely slick dual compound tire, a little racier than the marathons i have on another bike. With the hardcases I have flatted once in four months of commuting .

Bullet-proof tyres? What kind of neighbourhood do you live in?

Just get some run flat tires. I do not jest. There are such things. Last week the 20" front tire on our tandem went flat and I had left the pump at home. The wife waited near the MUP and I rode 5 miles back to the truck on a totally flat tire. Only had to replace the tube. Did that once before as a teen. Went 10 miles on a flat. Fat, heavy tires both times. Would not try it on a skinny rim/tire combo.

I pulled a goat head out of my Specialized Armadillo 700 x 23 before my commute last week. It is still holding air. I have been riding the Armadillo's for the last 2 years. I went from flats 1-4x/month to 3 flats in 2 years. I highly recommend them.

I pulled a goat head out of my Specialized Armadillo 700 x 23 before my commute last week. It is still holding air. I have been riding the Armadillo's for the last 2 years. I went from flats 1-4x/month to 3 flats in 2 years. I highly recommend them.

You had 3 flats with the Armidilllo ?... What happened ?... I don't even carry an air pump etc any more since I put min on... Nice as I don't have to worry about the stuff getting stolen anymore... I have had them on my Cypress and MTN bike now for 4 or 5 months and so far nothing has punctured them.. Even the Goatheads... Nasty little devils that they are :-)

You had 3 flats with the Armidilllo ?... What happened ?... I don't even carry an air pump etc any more since I put min on...

Bad idea! I ran a pair of 23mm Armadillos on my C'Dale and I got a couple of flats with them. They're very flat resistant but they're certainly not flat-proof!

OK, after taking my first flat on glass with my new bike - I'm interested in the thorn proof tubes - what's the name? (any name?) --- and how bout the slime tubes --- harder to replace than a regular tube?

I'm changing out the tires (or getting another wheelset) for a better mtb tire as that's what I originally got the bike for and then the commuter was stolen) - and could always put on an armadillo but I have in mind a different tire (werewolf)

Schwalbe Marathon Plus--you won't get flats.

So is the general consensus that the Marathon Plus is ultimately less likely to go flat than Specialized Armadillos? I just purchased a bike about two weeks ago with ordinary road tires and tubes. I've been tracking my mileage pretty precisely (GPS on bike) and in my whole 110 miles of riding I have already flattened both the stock tubes and managed to puncture one of the "heavy duty" tubes as well. Each time I've pulled out tiny thorns maybe 4 to 6mm long, but that's all it took each time.

I have slime in the tubes currently, so the latest flat managed to self-seal after losing about 20psi (which is nice) but this is ridiculous. I don't even ride offroad, I ride on paved paths along the canals here in Arizona. The thorns must just be general weeds/debris that is all over the place here. I purchased this bike to have fun and getting 3 punctures in 2 weeks is no fun at all. Worse still is that although the slime seemed to work well on today's puncture, it already seem to be gumming up the tube valve and I'm worried it will gum up my tire pressure gage and inflator(s) as well.

Dang slime did that to my pump... Gave up the slime and bought a new pump.. I think you find also that with time the slime plugging todays holes will harden and work loose and the tube will start leaking again until it replugs itself... Not the best solution IMHO..
We have the same thorn problem here... The tires are like magnets to them... They call them "goathead" thorns around here cause that is what they look like... I can't speak to Marathon's as I have never had them but I can say in 1500 miles now I have never had another flat with the Armidillos... I still pick up the thorns and listen to them click on the road as the wheel turns but have yet to have one pucturetire... I am a happy rider again...

I don't know if its a testament to the Gatorskins, but mine are riddled with holes. And I mean hundreds. If I re-inflate the tire while wet it foams with escaping air from the hundreds of holes. Hunks of glass, granite, all sorts of crap are imbedded in them. I've barely got a year on 'em maybe 1800 miles. I've popped 5 tubes, 1 was a pinch, all on the back. Is this good?


jim

I have Specialized Nimbus Armadillos and Specialized Thorn Resistant Tubes. Heavy and expensive but they seem pretty bullet proof. I crunched a big hunk of broken beer bottle at about 17mph with them a week or so ago (it was early morning and I just didn't see or react to it until it was too late). I heard the solid crunch and expected at least one flat but they took it in stride.

I am sure they are not bullet proof but I don't expect to get too many flats with them. I am prepared with spare tube, patch kit, pump , etc anyway, though.

So is the general consensus that the Marathon Plus is ultimately less likely to go flat than Specialized Armadillos?
I think you will find that Marathon Plus tires are the toughest tires available. Also Specialized Armadillos describes a family of puncture resistant tires. Some are tougher than other though all are at least decent at puncture resistance.

Craig

I've been running the Conti Gators with Bontrager Slime tubes. Has anyone tried the SpinSkins (http://www.spinskins.com/)? Are they any better than your typical Tuffy Liner? I don't mind filling my kids' tubes with Slime, but I wouldn't mind an alternative to Slime in my tubes.

So, it looks like nobody has experienced a puncture flat with the Marathon Plus. I'll need to give it a try.

Today, something punctured my Conti Gatorskins. Probably glass (left a little slit in the tire), but I can't be positive since the offending object was not in the tire when I patched the tube. I seem to experience flats with the same amount of frequency with the supposedly flat resistant tires than ordinary tires, so I'm getting a little skeptical about the whole pitch. (BTW, I only get flats in wet weather, where even the best tires will have stuff stick to them more easily and have a greater opportunity to work their way to the tube.)

Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase. 3 layers with Kevlar. No flats since I put them on.

I placed my order for the Marathon Plus today and received the "your order has shipped!" email. I couldn't find the size I wanted (700x45) from any discounters so I ended up ordering from schwalbetires.com. Ordered 3 spare tubes at the same time so I can compare theirs to the ones my LBS sells. That reminds me I need to pick up some patches too next time I'm at my LBS.

Looking forward to your impressions of them... Keep us appraised :-)

"As for slime. IMHO that stuff sucks... It will fill a small hole but then it hardens, lossens up and leaks again.. It will also plug your valve stem with time and work back up into your air pump if you aren't careful"

+1 My pump hasn't been the same since!

I commute to work and ride all year in detroit. I see a lot of glass on the road and try to avoid it. My worst year was 7 flats. So far with about 3000 miles ridden this year I have gotten 5 flats, despite trying kevlar hard case tires. In past years I have tried the plastic liners. I still got flats with them.
I am now considering getting airless tires for both of my bikes.
I saw 4 web sites:
www.airfreetires.com (http://www.airfreetires.com)
www.amerityre.com (http://www.amerityre.com)
www.greentyre.co.uk (http://www.greentyre.co.uk)
www.nu-teck.com (http://www.nu-teck.com)
If you buy them let me know how the install and ride are.

Thinking.

Running Specialized Armadillo Elites. Currently 336 miles on them.

No flats so far. My last tires had a blowout, they were Hutchinson Carbon Comps.

I had two sets of those and did about 2000 miles the first set and I think 1750
the second.

My commuter (MTB hardtail with Specialized Nimbus EX semi-slicks) has
had no flats despite about 500 commuting miles or so.

5,000 miles and only one debris induced flat. Was running Conti Top Touring 2000's till they quit making them. Now on Armadillo's [1,500 miles no flats].

120psi slicks and no flats... gotta love it.

+1 on the VELOX rim tape. Had a series of spoke hole flats unil I installed the Velox.

gotta ask, what are goatheads?

Plants taking revenge on bicycles
http://www.socorro.com/fattire/goatheads.html
http://www.socorro.com/fattire/Images/goatheads-5-C24.jpg