Need 26/2.0 (or more) tires for city commuting, Conti Town and Country let me down
03-23-10, 09:59 AM
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Need 26/2.0 (or more) tires for city commuting, Conti Town and Country let me down
So much for Continental Town and Country puncture resistance 
I had my first flat today after a month or two worth of riding. An ordinary shard of glass penetrated the tire right in the middle, the thickest part 
Can someone recommend good commuter tires? I want really puncture proof 26" tires that are 2.0 or thicker, 65psi minimum, not really slicks but low rolling resistance for street riding with some occasional dirt roads.
I have Maxxis Overdrive tires that are quite tough but only 1.6 and I like thicker tires. I may use those for now and see how it goes, but I'm opened to suggestions. Thanks.
Thanks!
I had my first flat today after a month or two worth of riding. An ordinary shard of glass penetrated the tire right in the middle, the thickest part Can someone recommend good commuter tires? I want really puncture proof 26" tires that are 2.0 or thicker, 65psi minimum, not really slicks but low rolling resistance for street riding with some occasional dirt roads.
I have Maxxis Overdrive tires that are quite tough but only 1.6 and I like thicker tires. I may use those for now and see how it goes, but I'm opened to suggestions. Thanks.
Thanks!
03-23-10, 10:04 AM
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We've had good luck with these. They roll pretty good at 65 psi and can deal with off-road as well. https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_10000_200519
I've got the same ones (actually, some are these and some are the PErformance branded version) on all our MTBs and they have served us well.
I've got the same ones (actually, some are these and some are the PErformance branded version) on all our MTBs and they have served us well.
03-23-10, 10:27 AM
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The Schwalbe Marathon Plus come in a 26 X 1.75. They're a little pricey and the ride is a bit rough, but they're as close to flat-proof as a tire can get. And they seem to wear like iron. You can't go wrong with Schwalbes based on my experience.
03-23-10, 10:35 AM
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We've had good luck with these. They roll pretty good at 65 psi and can deal with off-road as well. https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_10000_200519
I've got the same ones (actually, some are these and some are the PErformance branded version) on all our MTBs and they have served us well.
I've got the same ones (actually, some are these and some are the PErformance branded version) on all our MTBs and they have served us well.
Adam
03-23-10, 10:51 AM
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Schwalbe big apples. I used the 29x2.3 version for over 2k miles and had 2 flats. they still had tread left when I retired the bike from commuting and sold the tires. I highly reccomend them.
03-23-10, 10:51 AM
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Serfas Drifters...similar inverted tread pattern that made Conti T&Cs so popular, but have better puncture protection in my experience. I run 2.5s on my Big Dummy, they come in 2.0s too.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
03-23-10, 11:24 AM
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I think HS 368 is the technical designation for the Marathon Plus. The Marathon Supreme might come in a 26 X 2.0 too. It doesn't have the really thick puncture prevention layer but it's got some kind of lightweight puncture resistant belt and it uses their "Magic" tread compound. So anyway, they ride a lot nicer than the Marathon Plus. More expensive though. The cost is the negative with the Schwalbes. Although they do seem to last longer than other tires. Some of the other tires that have been suggested here are probably pretty good too and they're almost certainly going to be cheaper.
03-23-10, 11:43 AM
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Schwalbe naming is a bit confusing, I have to say. And their website just stopped responding These HS 368 have Kevlar belt, and cost around $35 each.
Adam
These HS 368 have Kevlar belt, and cost around $35 each.Adam
03-23-10, 11:57 AM
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NOTHING is puncture proof. They are kevlar-belted and the only flats we've had were from goat's heads (on my kids' bikes - none on mine or my wife's).
03-23-10, 12:02 PM
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OK, their site just came back. The name+number combinations don't make any sense to me. There are two different tires listed:
Marathon Plus HS 348 - don't come in 2.0, buy has higher puncture resistance rating
Marathon HS 368
Then there is Marathon XR HS 359 that looks like the top of the line tire and it's too expensive. But it comes in 2.25.
The Big Apple HS 338 are also nice and rated about the same as the Marathon HS 368.
Hmmm.... too many choices
I didn't even know Serfas made tires 
Marathon Plus HS 348 - don't come in 2.0, buy has higher puncture resistance rating
Marathon HS 368
Then there is Marathon XR HS 359 that looks like the top of the line tire and it's too expensive. But it comes in 2.25.
The Big Apple HS 338 are also nice and rated about the same as the Marathon HS 368.
Hmmm.... too many choices
Last edited by AdamDZ; 03-23-10 at 12:13 PM.
03-23-10, 12:07 PM
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My main enemies are glass and wires (staples, nails, etc). I had 700 tires once, Maxxis Re-Fuse that were totally puncture-proof for 2+ years. The outer rubber layer starting to come off and they still would not puncture. But they don't come in 26 and their closest equivalent is the the Maxxis Overdrive that I have but I'm looking for something fatter than 1.6 and with smoother, more road thread.
03-23-10, 12:22 PM
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OK, their site just came back. The name+number combinations don't make any sense to me. There are two different tires listed:
Marathon Plus HS 348 - don't come in 2.0, buy has higher puncture resistance rating
Marathon HS 368
Then there is Marathon XR HS 359 that looks like the top of the line tire and it's too expensive. But it comes in 2.25.
The Big Apple HS 338 are also nice and rated about the same as the Marathon HS 368.
Hmmm.... too many choices
I didn't even know Serfas made tires
Marathon Plus HS 348 - don't come in 2.0, buy has higher puncture resistance rating
Marathon HS 368
Then there is Marathon XR HS 359 that looks like the top of the line tire and it's too expensive. But it comes in 2.25.
The Big Apple HS 338 are also nice and rated about the same as the Marathon HS 368.
Hmmm.... too many choices
I didn't even know Serfas made tires
03-23-10, 12:39 PM
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Of course, nothing is totally puncture proof, but some are better than others. Yeah, those solid tires are bad for both the bike and rider. I think I'll go with the Marathon HS 368 2.0.
03-23-10, 01:42 PM
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OK, their site just came back. The name+number combinations don't make any sense to me. There are two different tires listed:
Marathon Plus HS 348 - don't come in 2.0, buy has higher puncture resistance rating
Marathon HS 368
Then there is Marathon XR HS 359 that looks like the top of the line tire and it's too expensive. But it comes in 2.25.
The Big Apple HS 338 are also nice and rated about the same as the Marathon HS 368.
Hmmm.... too many choices
I didn't even know Serfas made tires
Marathon Plus HS 348 - don't come in 2.0, buy has higher puncture resistance rating
Marathon HS 368
Then there is Marathon XR HS 359 that looks like the top of the line tire and it's too expensive. But it comes in 2.25.
The Big Apple HS 338 are also nice and rated about the same as the Marathon HS 368.
Hmmm.... too many choices
I didn't even know Serfas made tires
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03-23-10, 01:51 PM
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The Marathon Plus Tour (HS 404) may be what you want. Available in 50-559 size and with the Marathon Plus puncture protection. I just installed a pair on my Big Dummy as I hate the idea of a flat while loaded with cargo. It is the widest Marathon Plus available in 26". I got mine from Wallbike.com for $45 each + shipping.
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03-23-10, 02:00 PM
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The Marathon Plus Tour (HS 404) may be what you want. Available in 50-559 size and with the Marathon Plus puncture protection. I just installed a pair on my Big Dummy as I hate the idea of a flat while loaded with cargo. It is the widest Marathon Plus available in 26". I got mine from Wallbike.com for $45 each + shipping.
Marathon Plus, Marathon Plus Tour, and the Marathon Plus MTB are made in 26" sizes. These are the 3 most flat resistant tires we make. As someone else posted nothing (short of airless tires... you can do a search on this topic if you like) is flat proof, but these tires are as close as you'll get.
The widest size in the Marathon Plus is: 26x1.75
The widest size in the Marathon Plus Tour is: 26x2.00
The widest size in the Marathon Plus MTB is: 26x2.10
The MTB would be a bit of a rough ride on pavement, as its intended purpose is trail riding, and it has fairly aggressive knobs/lugs.
The other two would work great. Sure, the ride is not as supple as a tire without the Smart Guard belt, but the puncture protection is outstanding.
03-23-10, 02:00 PM
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03-23-10, 02:06 PM
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Tatfiend beat me to it.
Marathon Plus, Marathon Plus Tour, and the Marathon Plus MTB are made in 26" sizes. These are the 3 most flat resistant tires we make. As someone else posted nothing (short of airless tires... you can do a search on this topic if you like) is flat proof, but these tires are as close as you'll get.
The widest size in the Marathon Plus is: 26x1.75
The widest size in the Marathon Plus Tour is: 26x2.00
The widest size in the Marathon Plus MTB is: 26x2.10
The MTB would be a bit of a rough ride on pavement, as its intended purpose is trail riding, and it has fairly aggressive knobs/lugs.
The other two would work great. Sure, the ride is not as supple as a tire without the Smart Guard belt, but the puncture protection is outstanding.
Marathon Plus, Marathon Plus Tour, and the Marathon Plus MTB are made in 26" sizes. These are the 3 most flat resistant tires we make. As someone else posted nothing (short of airless tires... you can do a search on this topic if you like) is flat proof, but these tires are as close as you'll get.
The widest size in the Marathon Plus is: 26x1.75
The widest size in the Marathon Plus Tour is: 26x2.00
The widest size in the Marathon Plus MTB is: 26x2.10
The MTB would be a bit of a rough ride on pavement, as its intended purpose is trail riding, and it has fairly aggressive knobs/lugs.
The other two would work great. Sure, the ride is not as supple as a tire without the Smart Guard belt, but the puncture protection is outstanding.
And thanks to all for the input.Adam
03-23-10, 06:14 PM
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As noted I just installed the Marathon Plus Tour tires in the last week. I have had a pair of 35-559 Marathon Plus tires on another bike for the last year approximately with no flats so far and I live in goathead country.
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03-25-10, 07:23 AM
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Yay, another flat on the way home last night, the rear tire this time. Again: just glass. These tires are worthless for commuting. I've put my Maxxis Kevlar tires back on and I'll order the Shwalbes soon.
Adam
Adam
03-25-10, 07:33 AM
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Just a heads-up; when I first installed the Marathon Plusses, I had a hell of time getting the beads to seat. It might have just been the rim/tire combination but it was a pain in the arse. Once I got them installed they've been fine. But I've never had to take them off the rims because, like I said, I've never had a flat with them. So anyway, you might find that they're a little stubborn to install.