Puncture Resistant Gumwall Tires -- Do They Exist?...
07-12-09, 11:01 AM
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Puncture Resistant Gumwall Tires -- Do They Exist?...
I would like to put new, but traditional-looking tires on several vintage bikes. However, it seems that such tires, even if available in the desired size, do not offer the best puncture resistance protection and/or general performance. Is this really the case, or am I just not looking in the right places (or misinterpreting product descriptions)?
For example, 27 x 1 1/4" tires for French road bikes: The only gumwall tires that seem to exist in this size are the Michelin World Tour, but I have read that their performance is inferior. And I cannot find any definitive info regarding whether they are puncture resistant. Is there another traditional choice? Everyone seems to suggest the Continental GatorSkins or the Scwalbe Marathons, but I was really, really hoping to find something with a more traditional look.
Same goes for 26" and 28" tires for Raleigh 3-speeds: any puncture-resistant gumwalls out there?...
Thanks in advance!
For example, 27 x 1 1/4" tires for French road bikes: The only gumwall tires that seem to exist in this size are the Michelin World Tour, but I have read that their performance is inferior. And I cannot find any definitive info regarding whether they are puncture resistant. Is there another traditional choice? Everyone seems to suggest the Continental GatorSkins or the Scwalbe Marathons, but I was really, really hoping to find something with a more traditional look.
Same goes for 26" and 28" tires for Raleigh 3-speeds: any puncture-resistant gumwalls out there?...
Thanks in advance!
07-12-09, 11:34 AM
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The 27x1 1/4 Panaracer Pasela Tour Guards are puncture resistant and have a gum wall.
They run a bit large though, so if your frame doesn't have a lot of clearance you might want to order a smaller size.
They run a bit large though, so if your frame doesn't have a lot of clearance you might want to order a smaller size.
07-12-09, 01:14 PM
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Lug Princess
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Thanks, the Panaracer Pasela do look like an attractive compromise. For the 27 x 1 1/4", are they as fast as the Continental?
07-12-09, 01:18 PM
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+1 These are excellent tires. I've ridden them for two years now with only one flat from a sharp staple that I think would have punctured anything.
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1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
07-12-09, 01:27 PM
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The Pasela is a skinwall. It's faster than a gumwall (not that that includes the Conti.) You do have to protect the sidewall from abrasion though.
Last edited by garage sale GT; 07-12-09 at 01:31 PM.
07-19-09, 07:42 AM
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07-19-09, 07:49 PM
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They were $24.95 at Harris Cyclery in the Boston, Mass. area. I purchase most of my bike parts and accessories there, unless they don't have it or the price online is radically different.
07-19-09, 08:56 PM
#10
You gonna eat that?
I just put Mr. Tuffies inside my tires. They've worked so far. And if your tire wears out or you do have to replace the tire for whatever reason, you can get a cheap tire and just move the Mr. Tuffy over ot the new tire. A lot more economical than paying for puncture resistance on every tire you buy.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
07-19-09, 09:31 PM
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Exactly what I came into the thread thinking.
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In search of what to search for.
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07-19-09, 10:59 PM
#12
You gonna eat that?
Yes, the 1-1/8 width in Paselas is about the same as other 1-1/4s.
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I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
07-20-09, 07:30 AM
#13
Lug Princess
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I just put Mr. Tuffies inside my tires. They've worked so far. And if your tire wears out or you do have to replace the tire for whatever reason, you can get a cheap tire and just move the Mr. Tuffy over ot the new tire. A lot more economical than paying for puncture resistance on every tire you buy.
Hmm... I am 99% sure that I actually got the 1 1/4" installed on my bike. I will double-check and get back on that.
BTW, you can kind of see here what the tires look like, though the amber walls are darker in real life than they appear on the photo:
07-20-09, 08:56 AM
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Nice bike! and a lovely bouquet of flowers as well.
