Fixie Flatless Tire Talk
 

I got a new set of wheels for my road bike and will probably be moving my skinny tires from my fixie over to that bike. I want to get wider tires for the fixie, either 28s or 32s, to smooth out the ride a little. I've been riding this bike as a fixie since October and don't skid (at least I haven't managed it yet, and don't really feel the need). My riding is pretty much all urban, a fair amount of glass, not many goatheads.

I've been pretty happy with Schwalbe in general and am looking into either Marathon Pluses or Marathon Supremes. I know the basics- both have good flat protection; the Plus has better flat resistance but is heavier and has higher rolling resistance, while the Supreme is a little less flat resistant, has better rolling resistance, and is more expensive.

So does anyone have experience with these tires on a fixie? Any recommendations or things to beware of? Other possible choices? I want pretty good flat resistance because it's a pain getting that rear wheel off to change a flat (I had a couple when I first got the bike and was riding it as a SS).

Not familiar with the Schwalbes. Have had excellent experiences with the Panaracer RiBMos. All urban riding with glass. No flats, no tread cuts. The sidewalls are well protected and the tread is thick at the center. They have a slick tread and roll reasonably well.

I like to buy from my shop; I think I'll ask them if they can get these and how much they charge. They appear to be a cross between the two Schwalbes I was looking at- basically a Marathon Plus with a slick tread pattern.

What shop do you frequent ? Trinity Bicycles ?

Bwagh! I hate goatheads! Now that I've moved from the coasts to living in the desert, it's just nothing but goatheads.

On that note, I am also on a similar search and am piggybacking on this thread. :)

I've heard Schwalbe Duranos are great from these boards.

If weight is of no concern, Thickslicks are supposedly bomb proof.

I've also heard good things about the Panaracer's as well.

Gatorskins are also pretty good. I've had experience with Vredstein Fortezzas and I think they're great myself.

... I realize I probably haven't helped much, and I've probably just caused more confusion :)

I have 28c RiBMos...love them.

I'm currently riding Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires in 32c on my Big Block and I've used 28c Panaracer Ribmo tires on my other bike, both bikes are fixed gear and I have no issues with those tires. The 32c Marathon is indeed a little bit slower then the 25c gatorhardshell I used to have in there, but the added confort on rough roads makes up for it. The puncture protection on both tires is excelent, I had the ribmo in the foldable version so it was very easy to mount on the rim, the Schwable Marathon has a wire bead and can be quite difficult to mount the first time, but you don't need to remove it until its time for new tire since you'll most likely never get a flat.

If you're looking for a comfortable ride get a Marathon Plus in the largest size you can possibly fit and you wont regret it. You can always keep a second pair of skinnier faster tires for road rides.

Yep. I give Bikes Inc. some business too, but Trinity is my primary. Bernie and Bryan's advice was instrumental in helping me build a wheel for my FG.

I do very little business with the local shops, since I do all my own work and buy all my parts online. I did take a friend of mine to Bike's Inc. last year to buy a Trek fitness geared bike that was on sale, but avoid the other shops which cater to the high dollar crowd. The last time I bought a bike through a shop was my Pista Concept, which I bought 6 years ago at Colonel's. My last nine bikes I either built myself or bought complete online. Right now number 10 is pending replacement of a defective fork, which demonstrates the pitfalls of buying el cheapo bikes online from vendors with sketchy customer support.

Conti supersport plus's... gets the job done.

i was on a flat streak for like 6 months, at least 10 flats... gatorskin hardshells, thorn resistant tubes, and rhinodillo tire liners.... no more flats. ever.

I generally buy my bikes used, and a lot of the parts as well. But I see LBSs as a resource that is worth supporting, so I buy some from them when I can, even if they charge more than online prices. Like I said, when I built my wheel, I consulted with Bernie about what I hub, rim and spokes to buy, and he used a spoke calculator only available to retailers to size the spokes. When I got it built up, Bryan checked it out for me, made sure it was destressed, took the freewheel off the old wheel and put it and the news fixed gear/lock ring on the new wheel. I paid for the parts but all the consultation and labor they just did, no charge.

Anyway, so I'm conscious of what the online prices are, and I ask how much they charge before placing an order. If it's within a small amount, I don't mind paying the bit extra to give them the business. I think the parts for my wheel would have been about 10% less online, after shipping and all that.

As far as all the "confusion" of multiple recommendations, don't worry about it. I'll check out all the tires online and get back with the LBS and get quotes on the ones that look interesting.

This thrad is relevant to my interests. Currently trying to decide between Vitorria Randonneur 28s and Ribmo 28s, but always looking for new ideas. Those Schwalbes are a bit more $$$ than the Vittorias and Panaracers though...

i'd try 25's before you make the jump to 28 or 32 for comfort, imo. especially if you just want to "smooth out the ride a little".

i asked scrod already but maybe in this thread is more appropriate:

maybe the thicker puncture resistant tubes will help? or not? someone at least clarify.

Thicker tubes won't prevent pinch flats with narrow tires. Also, note that the OP weighs over 200 lbs, which means that wider tires are indicated. Tires with good puncture protection systems like the RiBMos don't need or benefit from heavy duty tubes.

great info thx again tt

I'm currently riding Marathon Plus 25s on my FG. They are two skinny for that bike. I got a new wheelset for my vintage road bike, converting it from 27" to 700C. I plan to move the skinny 25s to the road bike for the time being and getting something wider for the FG. It started out with either 32 or 35 mm Kendas that rode nice but I got too many flats with them. I'm going to go to at least 28 and maybe 32 for the FG.

I have Marathon Supremes on my hybrid. Pricey but I love the way they roll. So I'm trying to decide if I want to go with those or what my alternatives are. Thus this thread.

+1 all around. I did the heavy tube thing. I did the Mr. Tuffy thing. In the end, my preference is the stupid expensive flatless tire thing.

In my experience riding in Phoenix, it has proven impossible to miss 100% of the goatheads 100% of the time. Doesn't matter what tire is on the rear, it's going to flat every once in a while.

I've used 32mm RibMo's and 28mm Pasela TG's, and I've had flats in the rear multiple times with both. They're both great tires, but no tire (in my experience) has been bulletproof.

are fixies ready to go tubeless? (not talking about tubular. tubeless)

Have you tried tubeless tires ? I hear they can be a beach to fix on the road.

no i want to. i heard all you need is some magic sealant. and not that slimy green stuff neither~ we'll see. all i know is they need special rims made to hold a tubeless clincher tube in.... and im not sure if most popular velocity deep v's is even on that list that qualifies. hmmmm

Well, the spokes have to be sealed in a separate compartment from the tire to prevent leakage. You can still use normal tires with tubes on those rims, however.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/glorycycles_2193_64518703
Lace it to a fixed hub and you're good to go. Downside to tubeless is that with a big enough cut they don't seal and putting in a tube is not a option.