Commuting - puncture resistant tyres for the daily cummute

Dear All

having started commuting between bingley and leeds about three months ago it has become apparent that the standard rubber supplied on the specialized allez sport (700 x 23's) might not be suited to pot holes and the odd diversion onto paths with bits of broken glass in order to avoid getting stuck in traffic. i have been advised to get some better tyres for the job and have whittled it down to 4 possibles and i am looking for some practicle advice as to which to chose and therefore which is the best for the job in hand

The choices are
1 continental gator hardshell
2 schwalbe durano plus
3 specilaized armadillo elite
4 bontrager race all weather hard case

All comments gratefully received as i need to get this right

thanks

Have not ridden any of those except for the armadillos.

I can say that the 'dillos are nearly bomb proof. I received a lot of carcass cut and slashes, but never got a puncture. They work. However, they are really heavy, I mean heavy. They roll really slow, like toast through marmalade. So it is a trade off.

The Contis get good press here, have you considered the 4 season model? The four season, I am told, has good resistance to punctures, but rolls better.

Not to sure about the Bontragers. Some like them and others may not.

How many flats have you had?

I have a 25 specilaized armadillo on the front. It is a very hard stiff tire.

cereal, thanks for the general advice. might be a personal thing?

10 wheels, i do 80 miles a week in 6 journeys (3 days at twice a day) and the worst i have encountered is 3 punctures in 2 weeks. so that works out at 1 in 4 which has got me to be able do a relaxed tube replacement at the road side in less than 15 minutes! a bit frustrating but one of the hazards i suppose as the bike is getting a rough ride (pardon the pun) at the moment. and a wet autumn is upon us which adds to general safety issues too

Have you looked into the Serfas City Drifter tire? Very reasonably priced, highly puncture resistant, rolls fast, its a wider tire (i have the 2") but they offer it in a 1 3/4" i believe but they roll over pot holes and cracks like gravy. I even ride on dirt trails with them just fine. Check out REI.com and read the reviews before you make your ultimate decision.

Panaracer Pasella Tour Guards have been awesome tires for me, and I've rolled them through gravel, glass, metal strips, screws, you name it...
Part of my commute (actually, most of my commute) is through industrial areas, including a particularly sketchy area by a factory that make screws and bolts.

jeez guys, sounds like i have it easy on my patch. not too sure on those makes here in the uk but sure i can track them down on the internet and have a look at other reviews. sounds like this is a popular topic. problem was, wanted a road bike for weight and looks, and not a cyclocross model. they just looked a little too bulky?

Panaracer Pasella Tour Guards have been awesome tires for me, and I've rolled them through gravel, glass, metal strips, screws, you name it...
Part of my commute (actually, most of my commute) is through industrial areas, including a particularly sketchy area by a factory that make screws and bolts.

+1

The specialized Dillos are pretty hard and heavy, but also bulletproof. I've always noticed they can be a little squirrelly in the rain, but much less so if you upgrade them to pro's or elites or what have you.

The specialized Dillos are pretty hard and heavy, but also bulletproof. I've always noticed they can be a little squirrelly in the rain, but much less so if you upgrade them to pro's or elites or what have you.

Agree. I didn't like riding with my Dillos in the rain either.

I've had excellent results with the Conti's over the years, first with the Gatorskin and now with the Hard Shell.

Those experiences are all on sport/road bikes since on my commuter bike (DaHon Curve folder, 16" wheels) I run Schwalbe Marathons + Mr.Tuffy tire liners with excellent puncture resistance. I did have two punctures with the Marathons before I installed the Tuffy's, but none since.

Rick / OCRR

I had both front and rear with Armadillo All Condition Elite 700x25. Lasted over 4k mi with no punture. Then the rear developed a bulge from a small cut on the sidewall. I changed the rear with a Ultra Gatorskin 700x28 for a softer ride. In less than 1k miles, the Gator had a punture from a small glass that got through. After that, so far no problem after another 1k miles.

I like the ride of the Gatorskin over the Armadillo but I can see more little glass sticks to the tire while the Armadillo has better resistant, however the sidewall bulge I had with the armadillo makes the hardshell a step better in that area. So it's a give or take for either one.

How wide can your bike accept? You should be able to step up to 25mm, possibly 28mm.
Wider tyres will absorb pothole impact better, they will be a bit heavier but roll better at the same pressure.
Racers use 23mm for aerodynamics which is required at very high speed.
Some good reviews here (http://roadcyclinguk.com/news/racing-news/25mm-tyres-tested.html)

The Durano Plus is like a Marathon Plus but with a lighter tread. M+ is the gold standard for puncture-resistance so I would give the Durano+ a go in 25mm size.
Plus versions are notoriously tight fit on rims so check out the Method (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4).

The Durano Plus has a very effective puncture protection belt for the kinds of conditions that you describe. It's going to be heavier than the other tires that you've listed, but the rubber compound is probably nicer. If weight is a concern then maybe it's not going to be your choice, but if puncture protection and road feel are important it might be worth considering.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/files/l_img_durano_plus.gif

Michelin Pilot Tracker :D (OK, I'm kidding, I know it's not one you named.)

You can click here to see the type of protection you have with this tire. It's 5mm. The regular Michelin Tracker gives you 1mm protection.
http://www.michelin.co.uk/bicycle/michelin-pilot-tracker-city-trekking#tab-tyres-technology

guys, thanks for the level of information. as a newbie i have been genuinely suprised at the speed and quality of response. i will definately be keeping an eye on other topics.

sounds like the continentals and the specialized are coming out on top as a uk resident?
interesting thought stepping up to a 25 though. not sure the forks will take a 28? makes total sense aswell in terms of impact absorption

:thumb:

problem was, wanted a road bike for weight and looks, and not a cyclocross model. they just looked a little too bulky?

You should definitely check out the Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons. They're expensive, but they are light, have good puncture protection and roll very nicely. I haven't used the Gator Hardshells, but I did have a pair of non-hardhsell Gatorskins. The GP 4 Seasons have done at least as well as those in terms of puncture protection and the ride is much better.

I'm using 700x28 GP 4 Seasons. I believe that wider tires do slightly better at resisting punctures, assuming you keep the pressure up where it should be. I couldn't say for sure, but I think I've heard people on this board say they used 28's with an Allez.

As a commuter; I go for as much armor as possible, not wanting to deal with flats, and willing to make compromises.

My SR Sierra Sport has Terry 28-571 tires with PT (made by Panaracer, same PT as their branded tires have); Stop Flats 2 liner and Avenir TR tubes (26 x 1.25-1.75 - the fit in barely).

My World Tourist has on the back an Armadillo All Road (as noted, it is HEAVY, REALLY HEAVY); Slime brand liner (also heavy) and an Avenir TR tube. On the front is a Bell Kevlar, Stop Flats 2 liner and Avenir TR tube. If the Armadillo every wears out (5K miles now); a Bell Kevlar will replace it (weight, cost).

The above are zero flat solutions, to date.

Liners and TR tubes are a lower cost solution that the higher end flat protection tires.

I recommend an decent lighter Kevlar belted tire, liners and TR tubes.

Try your current tires with liners and TR tubes.

The Panaracer Pasela w/ Kevlar Belt is a truly wonderful tire. I commuted on them for years, racking up over 1,000 miles on streets of Philadelphia. We don't have street cleaning here, and the roads are practically paved with broken glass and bits of metal. I currently have Schwalbe Delta Cruisers. I don't like the performance that much, but they are the only punture-protected tire for 26x 1 3/8 and they are bulletproof.

Panaracer Pasella Tour Guards have been awesome tires for me, and I've rolled them through gravel, glass, metal strips, screws, you name it...
Part of my commute (actually, most of my commute) is through industrial areas, including a particularly sketchy area by a factory that make screws and bolts.

I too have had good luck with these, and they are fairly cheap too!

Check out the Conti 4Seasons. I found them to be just as flat resistant as the GatorSkins, but they have MUCH better wet weather grip and have a nicer ride. The downside is that they wear faster, and like all Conti tires they may have sidewall issues.

Since nobody else seemed to give them the vote of confidence I feel compelled to say the Bontrager All Weather Hardcase is a fantastic tire. Roll pretty well, composed in the wet, and excellent puncture resistance. Only downside is the stiffness can make getting them on and off the rim a little more annoying but hey, with these tires you will rarely need to repair a flat. Oh yeah...they also last a longer than almost any other tire.

Schwalbe over 'dillos any day.

I've been very happy with my Continental Touring Plus and Panaracer Pasela TG's

Lot of Pasella lovers here. I just got some Vittoria Rondoneurs I'm hoping will perform just as well.

Check out the Conti 4Seasons. I found them to be just as flat resistant as the GatorSkins, but they have MUCH better wet weather grip and have a nicer ride. The downside is that they wear faster, and like all Conti tires they may have sidewall issues.

eek - I've had plenty of flats on the Conti 4 season.

Continental Touring Plus
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/city/tour/Touring%20Plus/TouringPlus_en.html

They're a little heavy, but otherwise great. I've had zero flats over 1.5k miles.

Schwalbe over 'dillos any day.
Where all all the Schwalbe Marathon Plus people? I guess flats are such a non-issue, they don't even open these threads:)

eek - I've had plenty of flats on the Conti 4 season.

The old ones or the newer ones with Vectran? The older ones were rubbish, but I've found the newer ones to be bomb proof, and I have a nasty urban commute full of glass and other debris.

That being said, for the sake of tire longevity I switched to Schawlbe Marathon Supremes. But they don't make them in a 23 or 25, so they won't suit the OP.

Where all all the Schwalbe Marathon Plus people? I guess flats are such a non-issue, they don't even open these threads:)

The ride quality is rubbish and they are soooo heavy. Not to mention they are terrible in the rain.

Dear All

having started commuting between bingley and leeds about three months ago it has become apparent that the standard rubber supplied on the specialized allez sport (700 x 23's) might not be suited to pot holes and the odd diversion onto paths with bits of broken glass in order to avoid getting stuck in traffic. i have been advised to get some better tyres for the job and have whittled it down to 4 possibles and i am looking for some practicle advice as to which to chose and therefore which is the best for the job in hand

The choices are
1 continental gator hardshell
2 schwalbe durano plus
3 specilaized armadillo elite
4 bontrager race all weather hard case

All comments gratefully received as i need to get this right

thanksWith that choice I'd go with the Conti's. I've used three different types of Continentals and they are exceptional in quality. Currently I have 26x1.6 SportContact and you could shoot them with a pistol and they stay inflated.

I've commuted on 28 mm Conti GP 4 Seasons for 1.5 years on the same set of tires. During that time, I've had one flat, which ironically occurred in the first couple of weeks after I installed them (due to a large chunk of glass). The rear tire still has plenty of tread with about 3,000 miles of use. The GP 4 Seasons ride and handle well, even on wet roads, and are probably the lightest 28 mm tires you can buy.

The ride quality is rubbish and they are soooo heavy. Not to mention they are terrible in the rain.
Get out!

Conti 4-seasons FTW - stupendous wet grip
Check out the Conti 4Seasons. I found them to be just as flat resistant as the GatorSkins, but they have MUCH better wet weather grip and have a nicer ride. The downside is that they wear faster, and like all Conti tires they may have sidewall issues.Huh? I put nearly 2500 on my pair of 700x28 and I estimate another 1K left in them. Sidewall is reinforced with Vectran as well. Anyway - spring for the widest 4-seasons your frame will fit and enjoy the ride!

SF

Where all all the Schwalbe Marathon Plus people? I guess flats are such a non-issue, they don't even open these threads:)

This is true. SMPs are in a class by themselves. The 25mm are closer to 27 and the 28mms are closer to 30, but if you want flat resistance they are about as good as it gets. One needs to be a little more careful cornering in the rain, but how many of us are trying to take a 90 @ 25 mph loaded? 2 flats and one slow leak in over 19,000 commuter miles on 2 different bikes. I have no experience w/any of the other brands, but do plan on getting a set of 23mm Conti Gatorskins for my recreational fg.

Huh? I put nearly 2500 on my pair of 700x28 and I estimate another 1K left in them. Sidewall is reinforced with Vectran as well. Anyway - spring for the widest 4-seasons your frame will fit and enjoy the ride!

SF
I use panniers, which I'm sure accounts for some of the wear. As they are not a touring/commuting tire they wear faster with heavier loads.

As for the sidewalls, Conti is famous for having batches of tires with rubbish sidewalls that fail. I've even had Conti tires that had sidewall blowouts the first time I pumped them up. I used to think it was just my bad luck until I spoke to other riders with the same problem.

I use the Bontragers mentioned with the StopFlats liners. No flats since I started commuting on them. But I change over to the carbide studs sometime in December until late spring.

having looked at things over the weekend i can get the panaracer duros in the uk. and considering how much some tyres can cost ie the continentals mainly, then these ones coming in at approx £20 each (sterling) then i think they would be a good start as a test? here's hoping!

thanks again guys for the insight from the other side of the pond. as ever it looks like you have things covered far better than over here. and to read online that some of the tyres you mentioned are resistant to snake bites just put things into perspective. the only wildlife i have to contend with are potential stone throwing children who have nothing else better to do. what with that and bonfire night coming up, should make for an interesting couple of weeks until the launching of fireworks at unsuspecting cyclists has lost its novelty value. good job the helmet is up to scratch

Get out!

Ignore him, Gerv. He's a troll w/a capital T. Not to mention rude and probably sociopathic as well. Thinks his opinions are fact. Definitely misanthropic. Cyber bully. Or F...all of the above.

Ignore him, Gerv. He's a troll w/a capital T. Not to mention rude and probably sociopathic as well. Thinks his opinions are fact. Definitely misanthropic. Cyber bully. Or F...all of the above.

Either that, or Gerv was being whimsical and forgot a smiley. :p

Ignore him, Gerv. He's a troll w/a capital T. Not to mention rude and probably sociopathic as well. Thinks his opinions are fact. Definitely misanthropic. Cyber bully. Or F...all of the above.


Either that, or Gerv was being whimsical and forgot a smiley. :p

Yeah forgot the smiley. Schwalbe riders tend to me more evenly tempered. :D

:bike2:

Ignore him, Gerv. He's a troll w/a capital T. Not to mention rude and probably sociopathic as well. Thinks his opinions are fact. Definitely misanthropic. Cyber bully. Or F...all of the above.

I offered my opinion on tires which I have used extensively. That's what people do on message boards.

I have no idea why you are attacking me as we are talking about our experiences and opinion of tires. For some reason you take this personally. Lighten up.

Yeah forgot the smiley. Schwalbe riders tend to me more evenly tempered. :D

:bike2:

No offense taken. At the moment I'm using the Marathon Supreme, and am very happy with them. Try them sometime, they are almost as flat resistant as the MP, but ride a lot better and have far better wet weather grip.