Do I not like changing tyres

acr

Hi All,

Decided to fit some anti-puncture tyres, Dutch Perfect tyres that are marketed by Raleigh (amongst others). One year anti-puncture warranty from LBS so not all bad.

Anyway, that was last nights job. On wheeling the bike back to the shed I could hear a hissing, was too late to look at it so left it. Checked the next day, flat as a pancake. So, tonights job was swap the inner tube. Got 3 for 2 on offer from Halfords so fitted the Halfords tube. Anyway, job done, pumped up the tyre, got to 60psi and we have sudden loss of pressure, must have popped. So, tyre off again and fitted a Specialized tube this time. As you read this tale of woe bear in mind that anti-puncture tyres are a right royal pain to fit/remove. Anyway, job done so time to refit wheel to bike. On refitting noticed that tyres have a directional tread and the rear one is the wrong way, so tyre off, swap around etc etc....

What have I learnt ?
1. Tyres with Kevlar strips....grrrr. Good for developing muscles.
2. Halfords inner tubes ? I dunno, gotta give 'em the benefit of the doubt.
3. Steel tyres levers can make a right mess of your wheel rims
4. Amazing how out of true your back wheel can get when you pay it close attention.
5. I'm paying LBS next time.

At least, if i get a puncture free commute I'll be happy.

Ade

cntl

I had an 'emergency' and went to Hallfords the other day to buy a tire. They had a wide choice of tires with the top price of around..... 12 QUID !!! (most of them £9.99 or so). Needless to say, I didn't buy anything. They are just stocking on the cheapest type of crap they can find.

Anyway, I had 12 punctures (TWELVE) in the space of 8 weeks or so, becaue of rubbish tires (same type you see on shelves in Halfords). I went to an LBS the next day and got a set of thin Marathon Plus (£25.99 each). Contrary to what I read in some other posts, I found them very easy to put on. We will see how they will work regarding punctures. At the moment my weekly mileage is around 80.

Gambatte

My Btwin roady has done 500 recorded miles, 100+ of them this week. No punctures till this week. Monday a pinch flat, due to lower than normal pressure (bit lazy/daft, I was rushing to get out monday morning) and today on the way in. This time the pressure was up, but a gap next to a manhole/drain cover caught me out and pinch flatted the rear again.

Didn't find changing them a problem, carry a spare tube and CO2. But I do want to find out waht else I can do.... I feel a new thread starting.

redddraggon

I've found halfords tubes to be really poor, haven't been able to successfully patch up one yet.

highway star

I find that some wheels the same tyre can be put on by hand and other wheels need levers and a lot of muscle. So my conclusion has always been blame the wheel and not the tyre. My Mavic open pro wheels are great but my Shimano 540s are v difficult.

franklin pierce

acr wrote:

On refitting noticed that tyres have a directional tread and the rear one is the wrong way

Err, you ride off-road?

Jacomus-rides-Gen

Many road bik tyres ARE directional, weather they have token grip or not. On a road bike it is more to do with how the tyre is made (I don't actually know the details about layering thigs over other things before coating with rubber) but I know that it can make the tyre perform best one way round, not another.

I found a huge difference when I swapped my GP4000-S tyre on the rear to face the correct way - handling stopped being wobbly and became normal again. Sh*te though that was IMO!!

I am now back on my tried and trusted Michelin Pro2 Race tyres, love 'em to pieces.