Belt and Braces Puncture Protection?
For a fixie I ride on a 17mile each way commute; which of the following additional puncture protections have you tried and would recommend as a belt and braces job?
1 Slime filled tubes
2 Pit stop, ie slime with compressed air
3 Plastic inserts (tried Kevlar ones but still had punctures)
My 28c conti sport tyre has just suffered a cut so ive swapped over to a 25c Schwalbe marathon I had lying around but I could do with going back to a 28 for comfort on some dreadful roads.
The schwalbe has been good but it’s a nightmare to get on and off so if it did go in the peeing rain/freezing cold/pitch dark then it would be pretty stressful to change.
1 Slime filled tubes
2 Pit stop, ie slime with compressed air
3 Plastic inserts (tried Kevlar ones but still had punctures)
My 28c conti sport tyre has just suffered a cut so ive swapped over to a 25c Schwalbe marathon I had lying around but I could do with going back to a 28 for comfort on some dreadful roads.
The schwalbe has been good but it’s a nightmare to get on and off so if it did go in the peeing rain/freezing cold/pitch dark then it would be pretty stressful to change.
<hr><font>The trick is not MINDING that it hurts.</font>
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Comments
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You could always do what Robert Millar did on his training bike - put a worn, small (21mm?) lightweight tubular inside a tyre, rather than using a tube. It made for a heavier wheel but was fairly puncture proof. His logic was that he'd rather put up with extra weight and not have to stop at the side of the road in winter or bad weather repairing what might have been an avoidable puncture.'This week I 'ave been mostly been climbing like Basso - Shirley Basso.'0
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I believe Conti's are unusually puncture-prone due to soft rubber compound. I wouldn't use slime or similar as they may mask punctures that later fail, and it probably renders the tubes irrepairable. Some decent tyres (Schwalbe Marathon Plus or Ultra should be as puncture proof as possible, so may rarely need removing) inflated to the right pressure should virtually eliminate punctures. I use Specialized All Conditions Pro's and don't get punctures (4000 miles on roads and paths full of debris). I tried Conti contact sports, and despite their anti-puncture guarantee, they wore fast and punctured several times.0
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I haven't had a single puncture running new Cont's since June (kevlar sport & GP4000 round 1500 miles). There have been 3 punctures from other riders in the same group for the same period running other tyres. Not scientific I know, I think it comes down a lot to luck and choosing a good line on the road.
The idea of Slime is that it will get you home where you should then investigate the tyre and tube to see if either/both need to be repaired or replaced. It is not intended as a permanent fix and would possibly cause the issues you highlighted if it were.
People use it in events where time counts and in bad weather when you don't want to be pulling the tyre off roadside and getting cold.
You'll still need a repair kit / spare tube for bigger punctures as Slime probably won't bind them.0 -
well I am really more worried about slime-filled tubes, re concealing punctures0
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alfablue wrote:well I am really more worried about slime-filled tubes, re concealing punctures
Ah, yes I see what you mean. I wouldn't go with Slime filled tubes personally. Better to put Slime in when you know there is a problem and sought it out properly later. That way you only have the Slime as rotational weight when it is actually doing some good.0 -
alfablue wrote:well I am really more worried about slime-filled tubes, re concealing punctures
Hmm, maybe the best bet is to stick with the schwalbe marathon which is reasonably tough and carry a can of squirty slime as a get me home measure, then find the cause and sort properly at home.<hr><font>The trick is not MINDING that it hurts.</font>0 -
Haynes wrote:For a fixie I ride on a 17mile each way commute; which of the following additional puncture protections have you tried and would recommend as a belt and braces job?
1 Slime filled tubes
2 Pit stop, ie slime with compressed air
3 Plastic inserts (tried Kevlar ones but still had punctures)
My 28c conti sport tyre has just suffered a cut so ive swapped over to a 25c Schwalbe marathon I had lying around but I could do with going back to a 28 for comfort on some dreadful roads.
The schwalbe has been good but it’s a nightmare to get on and off so if it did go in the peeing rain/freezing cold/pitch dark then it would be pretty stressful to change.
I have tried the compressed slime and have to say it was pants. I ride on continental sports contacts which i have found to be excellent and they have only let me down once in 4 years (average 120 miles a week)0 -
FatBlokeFromFelixstowe wrote:Haynes wrote:For a fixie I ride on a 17mile each way commute; which of the following additional puncture protections have you tried and would recommend as a belt and braces job?
1 Slime filled tubes
2 Pit stop, ie slime with compressed air
3 Plastic inserts (tried Kevlar ones but still had punctures)
My 28c conti sport tyre has just suffered a cut so ive swapped over to a 25c Schwalbe marathon I had lying around but I could do with going back to a 28 for comfort on some dreadful roads.
The schwalbe has been good but it’s a nightmare to get on and off so if it did go in the peeing rain/freezing cold/pitch dark then it would be pretty stressful to change.
I have tried the compressed slime and have to say it was pants. I ride on continental sports contacts which i have found to be excellent and they have only let me down once in 4 years (average 120 miles a week)
Would you adam and eve it. Make that 2 now in 4 years after my commute home grrrrrrrrrrrr0 -
Pasela TG work for me and are very robust. I take the Pomp off road a lot and the tyres have been 'very kind to me'...0
