Commuting - Puncture-Proof Commuter Tire?

After three flats in the past month, I am now in the market for a new set of tires. Due to a glass-laden stretch of highway and a newly ripped sidewall, a different tire is needed. I currently run on 1.5" Michellin WildGripper City's, but I am going to need something a bit stronger. What is the meanest, most bomb-proof commuter tire?

I'd suggest the Specialized Nimbus EX, either the Armadillo version or the regular version combined with Mr Tuffy liners.

I don't use that size any more, but my son has them (the Armadillos) on his commuter MTB and they've been flawless. I commuted for a good while on 700x35c Nimbus EX with Mr Tuffys on my old hybrid and they were likewise flawless, and really grippy as well.

I have 6500 combined flat-free commuting miles between my two current bikes, one with Conti TopTouring 2000 and the other with Avocet CrossK, but I don't know if there are 26x1.5" versions of these tires.

RichC

I run Vredestein Spiders, and haven't had any problems. Vredestein S-licks share the puncture resistant layer if you want a fully slick tyre.

Richard

The only puncture proof tire that i know of, is the air-free line of tires. I plan on putting some on my moms 3 speed bike sometime this spring.

As for puncture-resistant? Thats a bit easyer to deal with, on my commuter / city bike (that never gets used!) I have vredestein slicks w/ mr tuffy tire liners & heavy duty tubes. I have less then 1,000 miles with this setup, but so far, flat free. But it comes at a price! Each tube/ liner/ tire setup weighs ~700 grams! :eek:

I agree with Rich Clark go with the Specialized Nimbus Armadillo version . I have found it to be the most robust puncture resistant tyre for 26x1.5. Even amoung the other Specializied Armadillio it is better.

Specialized Crossroads EX was even stronger, i had a pair but i don't believe they make it any more.


Erik

Check out this link (http://www.greentyre.com/english/).

I am currently using Vredestein Triggers with Tuffys, and have gone for over a month and 200 miles with no flats. My previous record is four months and 800 miles. This combination seems superior to my old setup of Specialized Nimbus with Tuffys and Slime, which consistanltly went flat on a monthly basis for three years.

If I do get a flat within the next month, I will measure the rims and see how Air Free tires work. The sacrifice in ride is said to be considerable; however, the trade-off might be worth it. I'd like to stay with pneumatics adn wish that less drastic solutions were posssible.

On the other hand, the Vredestein/Tuffy approach may be the solution I have been looking for. Time will tell.

Paul

Specialized Armadillos seem to work for me. A little slower tire, but not when you factor in tire-fixing time.

I agree-the Armadillos are just about puncture-proof! They are heavy, but they are so d@mn strong that you could use a lightweight tube, so a few grams could be shaved off there. IMHO, the use of tyre liners with this brand would be ridiculously reduntant.
As far as the 'solid' tyres are concerned-your mother should go to her dentist, first. The ride from them is so bad, your fillings will loosen! You might just as well take an old clincher and fill it with cement!

Originally posted by PaulH
I am currently using Vredestein Triggers with Tuffys, and have gone for over a month and 200 miles with no flats. My previous record is four months and 800 miles. This combination seems superior to my old setup of Specialized Nimbus with Tuffys and Slime, which consistanltly went flat on a monthly basis for three years.
Paul

Paul,

Were they Nimbus EX or Nimbus Armadillo?

I am wondering what you were getting flats from? Thorns? I had a big thorn go through sidewall and occasionally in the middle but mostly i can ride right over thorns.

I guess i have to check the Vredestein Tigers out if they are better.

ERik

They were the Nimbus EX. 00X38C size. They were quite vulnerable to thorns coming in the side, away from the Tuffy. The Vredesteins seem impervious to thorns -- all the flats I have had with them are from broken bottles in the street.

Paul

Originally posted by Rich Clark
..... regular version combined with Mr Tuffy liners.

I've never used Mr Tuffy liners but have spoken to a number of people who have. A few of them had problems with pinch flats.

I guess it must be just a case of being extra careful getting the setup right with them because others say they're brilliant.

Originally posted by MediaCreations

I've never used Mr Tuffy liners but have spoken to a number of people who have. A few of them had problems with pinch flats.


They ARE brilliant . Wonder why the manufacturer hasn't learned to feather them. Maybe they don't use them themselves.

This problem isn't a pinch flat but caused by the tuffy end overlaping itself and there is a sharp "edge ". Over time with constant pressure you get a cut.

RainmanP on the forums gave a solution of gently heating the ends up (with lighter) and then rolling them flatter at the end, so it feathers down to nothing.

Do search on the forums for tuffy, and read RainmanP's posting in "Mr Tuffy- smoothing the ends?"

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3578&highlight=tuffy

Sorry I am too lazy to figure out how to underline.

Erik

As I am on 27" tyres, I've been using Hutchison blue line kevlars, which are reasonably good, but wear on the back quite fast.

I've also had problems getting them to sit well on the rims sometime.