THORNS - Nobby Nic Double Defence or other?

offshore1

I am going round in circles with MTB tyres - no pun intended.

I replaced the original Contintal Mountain Kings on my new bike this summer with slicks. Since replacing them after the wet weather in November I have averaged 1 or 2 thorn punctures per trip out (arrrhhhh).

I was going to buy some standard Schwalbe Nobby Nics for the winter but hesitated after some poor reviews.

Since my thorn problems, I am wondering if anybody has tried the Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evolution Double Defense Tyre - they are expensive so I dont want to waste my money if they are poor / avergae - or if a better alternative exists.

I really want a compromise MTB tyre for road, track and some muddy conditions.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

TimB34

After having similar thorn problems I decided to experiment with Ghetto tubeless (converting existing wheels and tyres to a tubeless setup using a cut bmx inner tube)

It has worked so well against thorn punctures that I can't envisage going back to tubes.

Scalpel_79

Nobby Nic Standard 26" x 2.1" - 473g
Nobby Nic Double Defence 26" x 2.1" - 612g (those feel heavier a lot!)- bought them by a mistake, like a year ago
not sure if any better than standard ones- I am running mine high pressure, always- same grip,...etc. Sidewalls behave same way as the DD ones- you can see them "openning". Rubber feels a bit harder on DDs rather than on Standard ones- that is it

offshore1

Thanks for the replies.

Interesting about going tubeless - dont know anything about that yet.

Have you had any punctures with the DD tyres Scalpel?

Thanks

Scalpel_79

I've never had ANY punctures with any Nobby Nics- however, Standard, Evolution Folding UST DO feel softer than DDs- I guess it is all about how you ride. I have used Panaracer Fire XC Pro both: 2.1" and 1.8" for like two years, before and they were also real cool- especially while cutting corners (better than Nobby Nics, BUT approx.570g each- for 2.1"), BUT not rolling as fast as Nobby Nics. Been using Nobby Nics over the last 2-3 years- there are both : pros and cons

---

NO perfect rubbers for all conds.

Consider: Standard Evos (no matter what reviews YOU have seen say), DDs, Fire XC Pros...........................I've also used Panaracer Razer XC PR 26”x2.1” (at 496g), but they do not provide as much grip as all the above (they do have kevlar inserts though, against punctures) [I do not use them though- very fast and for a fast XC, Hard Pack,BUT no GOOD GRIP]

tomtomthepipersson

Been using DD tyres for years and never punctured them (better than Continental Protection tyres - had a few puncture with those).

bjj.andy.w

Ghetto tubeless for me as well. Was always plagued with nip punctures on my rides and since going the tubeless route 12 months ago my tyres haven't gone down once. And with the sealent in there any thorns that Peirce the tyre are instantly sealed. Can be a faff to get the tyres inflated but IMO its worth it. Have a look here :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRM7gq1f ... ata_player

spongtastic

Never had any punctures with Ralph, Ron or Nic DD. but may have been lucky. Never had punctures with Maxxis silkworm tyres either.
Gave up on tubeless as I like to change tyres a lot, got left in the Harris hole of the universe by a burping tyre that wouldn't re seat or inflate, got covered in sealant that wouldn't bind and got fed up of having to take a tube and pump 'just incase'

offshore1

Thanks for the replies.

Just to show my complete ignorance of the tubeless / ghetto systems, can I use this with my standard rims (designed for tubed tyres)?

Will the ghetto system work with any tyre, or do I need 'tubeless ready' ?

Also is any particular type of sealant recomended?

Ignorance is not bliss.

offshore1

Another thought - if the sealant is so good at sealing punctures why cant i just put some in my existing tubes - obviously I am missing the point, as this would make the ghetto system pointless.

The Rookie

You can get various brands of slime/sealant filled tubes, or remove the valve core and add your own slime indeed.

Simon

bjj.andy.w

As long as your rims are in decent nick IE no really bad dings you should be able to ghetto them. As for tyres you don't have to use tubeless ready, normal ones are ok. Be aware though some brands of normal tyres are quite porous so these should be avoided. I've found maxxis tyres ( minion, high roller, ardent) work well.As for which sealant to use, I found stans no tubes works well.

monkey_man_1

offshore1 wrote:

Another thought - if the sealant is so good at sealing punctures why cant i just put some in my existing tubes - obviously I am missing the point, as this would make the ghetto system pointless.

this is what i done. like you i was getting a punture almost every ride, sometime 2 which is very very annoying! in the end i bought kevlar tyre lines plus knicked a little hole in my standard inner tube, chucked a load of sealant in the put a repair patch over it. since then ive hit numerous very hard rocky places, harsh downhill routes and ride over all kinds of twigs/branches etc through the woods and havnt picked up a single punture yet! (touch wood) will never go back to 'standard' innertubes. next step would be full tubless but only if i ever change my rims.