What puncture proof tyres?!

Neil_aky

I use Michelin Lithion 2 (25mm) and no flats yet running along rough roads and even a few cycle paths / canal tow paths. I really like them, they have decent grip in dry and wet.

Many say GP4000s are a better choice but I find the Michelins better for puncture resistance and grippier in the wet (comparing to friends who have the GP4000s so not scientific).

super_davo

Vittorio Rubinos are great - but only if you get Pro (150tpi). If you can find them for £12 they are likely to be the non Pro (60tpi). There is a night and day difference between the two. I got mine for £18 from Planet X though other places have a much wider choice of colours for a bit more.
I really can't recommend them highly enough - I even prefer them to the Krylions they replaced.

asprilla

Best anti-puncture road tyre? Schwalbe Durano Plus without question.

It's based on the Marathon Plus and the only thing going though it are nails and industrial staples. It does feel a bit dead and lifeless like it's make of wood and they weigh a ton, but if puncture protection is your priority then it's the tyre to have.

rolf_f

Asprilla wrote:

Best anti-puncture road tyre? Schwalbe Durano Plus without question.

It's based on the Marathon Plus and the only thing going though it are nails and industrial staples. It does feel a bit dead and lifeless like it's make of wood and they weigh a ton, but if puncture protection is your priority then it's the tyre to have.

Better off going for the standard Durano IMO - still very good puncture protection and a lot lighter and nicer. Infact, I use Durano S for most of the year and they are pretty good. I did get a bit of wire right through the tyre the other day but there are a few scrapyardy areas on my commute so that's probably inevitable.

Of course, tyre maintenance is probably more important than choice of tyre up to a point anyway.

Worst tyre in the world except on a hire bike is the Marathon Plus! I'd rather drive than ride a bike on Marathon Plus!

Courage Monsieur

bontrager hard cases if you're erring more towards pture protection rather than weight / speed.

asprilla

Rolf F wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Best anti-puncture road tyre? Schwalbe Durano Plus without question.

It's based on the Marathon Plus and the only thing going though it are nails and industrial staples. It does feel a bit dead and lifeless like it's make of wood and they weigh a ton, but if puncture protection is your priority then it's the tyre to have.

Better off going for the standard Durano IMO - still very good puncture protection and a lot lighter and nicer. Infact, I use Durano S for most of the year and they are pretty good. I did get a bit of wire right through the tyre the other day but there are a few scrapyardy areas on my commute so that's probably inevitable.

Of course, tyre maintenance is probably more important than choice of tyre up to a point anyway.

Worst tyre in the world except on a hire bike is the Marathon Plus! I'd rather drive than ride a bike on Marathon Plus!

I use standard Duranos for commuting and used to use Durano S on the weekender before I moved on to more exotic tyres. They are all great tyres with good levels of resistance with the Plus being hardcore, the standard being a balance of weight / protection and the S being more race focused but with decent protection.

I much prefer Schwalbes to the Continental equivalents, but I'm in the minority.

gabriel959

Marathon Plus are not that bad, I commute on them and go on winter rides and whilst they are wooden and heavy, they provide the best puncture protection available. I have been on rides where Durano Pluses have punctured, I still haven't punctured my Marathon Pluses after 2 years of intense use.

asprilla

gabriel959 wrote:

Marathon Plus are not that bad, I commute on them and go on winter rides and whilst they are wooden and heavy, they provide the best puncture protection available. I have been on rides where Durano Pluses have punctured, I still haven't punctured my Marathon Pluses after 2 years of intense use.

The M+ is certainly much tougher, but then it weighs over 200g more for a 700x25c

I use M+ on my station hack and my kiddie carrier as I don't want to spend much time maintaining those bikes and I don't go very quick on them. My gripe with the M+ is that the rubber is very hard and I don't think you get a lot of grip when it's wet and cold.

gabriel959

Not 200g but 130g. I know it is still quite a lot - 260g over two tyres!

The rubber is indeed hard and am definitely slower on them than on my SuperSix with GP4000s but the grip is not as bad as that. I was ridding them yesterday on hail and heavy rain on my way back and I did descend on them at over 30 mph and there was no trouble cornering. Granted you can't corner as aggressively as with GP4000s but there were ok.

asprilla

Unless I'm reading it wrong Schwalbe UK say 590g for a 25-622 M+ (http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus/) and 380g for a 25-622 D+ (http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/road-race/durano-plus/).

That's 420g over a pair.

lostboysaint

Continental Gatorskin Hardshell if you want REAL puncture proof. GP4S if you want tyres that don't puncture but aren't marketed as such.

gabriel959

Asprilla wrote:

Unless I'm reading it wrong Schwalbe UK say 590g for a 25-622 M+ (http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus/) and 380g for a 25-622 D+ (http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/road-race/durano-plus/).

That's 420g over a pair.

Oh, I was comparing it against the wire bead version of the Durano Plus which says 450g for a 700 x 25 c tyre.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... urano_plus

Here it reads that a 700 x 25c wire bead Marathon Plus is 580g

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... athon_plus

Of course, as you say, if you are comparing it against the folding version there is a lot more difference in weight!

inrepose

I have the Marathon from Schwalbe. They have never punctured with 3500miles 60% gravel trail.

asprilla

gabriel959 wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Unless I'm reading it wrong Schwalbe UK say 590g for a 25-622 M+ (http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus/) and 380g for a 25-622 D+ (http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/road-race/durano-plus/).

That's 420g over a pair.

Oh, I was comparing it against the wire bead version of the Durano Plus which says 450g for a 700 x 25 c tyre.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... urano_plus

Here it reads that a 700 x 25c wire bead Marathon Plus is 580g

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... athon_plus

Of course, as you say, if you are comparing it against the folding version there is a lot more difference in weight!

I didn't even know there was a wire bead D+. Everyday is a school day.

BelgianBeerGeek

Courage Monsieur wrote:

bontrager hard cases if you're erring more towards pture protection rather than weight / speed.

+1 from me. You can often find them much cheaper than the Schwalbes too.

gabriel959

BelgianBeerGeek wrote:

Courage Monsieur wrote:

bontrager hard cases if you're erring more towards pture protection rather than weight / speed.

+1 from me. You can often find them much cheaper than the Schwalbes too.

A friend of mine swears by them - Only £11.99 from Evans too! Might buy 2 for when my Marathon Pluses wear out!

rolf_f

Asprilla wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

Asprilla wrote:

Unless I'm reading it wrong Schwalbe UK say 590g for a 25-622 M+ (http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus/) and 380g for a 25-622 D+ (http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/road-race/durano-plus/).

That's 420g over a pair.

Oh, I was comparing it against the wire bead version of the Durano Plus which says 450g for a 700 x 25 c tyre.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... urano_plus

Here it reads that a 700 x 25c wire bead Marathon Plus is 580g

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires ... athon_plus

Of course, as you say, if you are comparing it against the folding version there is a lot more difference in weight!

I didn't even know there was a wire bead D+. Everyday is a school day.

I recall a wire beaded London edition of the Durano or Durano + which seem to be very disliked! Unless budget is critical, I think the fair comparison weight wise is with the folding Durano unless Schwalbe try to make a folding Marathin Plus though that's probably physically impossible!

kiwimatt

Asprilla wrote:

Best anti-puncture road tyre? Schwalbe Durano Plus without question.

It's based on the Marathon Plus and the only thing going though it are nails and industrial staples. It does feel a bit dead and lifeless like it's make of wood and they weigh a ton, but if puncture protection is your priority then it's the tyre to have.

+1 Durano Plus (folding not cheaper wire bead version). They are quite heavy to roll up to speed... But not that bad and fine grip wise too. A filthy commuting winter has been and gone and not a single frozen finger side of the road moment with these I'm a convert. Having said that when they wear out the weight difference is tempting me to try the Rubino Pro

hairy_boy

I am new to road biking, bought a 2nd hand Giant defy 2 in November and bought 2 Vittoria Rubinos PROS for my new stead. Mine are the 700 x 25 pumped to 120psi.

Done about 500 miles since on really mucky winter roads in both wet and dry conditions - no issues at all with either grip or p*nctures. I am no pro rider but I can't fault them.

Bar Shaker

If you are a Vittoria fan, you really need to try the Open Corsa range. They grip really well and are a lovely supple ride.

I am a big GP4000S fan but my new Corsas are winning me over.

Both have good puncture proofing and I have yet to puncture despite riding some really sh1tty wet roads this spring. Plenty of people riding with me have punctured. On that basis, I rate them.

letap73

Stanley222 wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

BelgianBeerGeek wrote:

Courage Monsieur wrote:

bontrager hard cases if you're erring more towards pture protection rather than weight / speed.

+1 from me. You can often find them much cheaper than the Schwalbes too.

A friend of mine swears by them - Only £11.99 from Evans too! Might buy 2 for when my Marathon Pluses wear out!

They must be worth a go at that price!

From my own experience, rear tyre:
Bontrager Hardcase 10000 miles, no punctures - retired due to being 6 years old.
Conti GP4000s 3000 miles, 1 puncture.
Michelin Lithion 2 3000 miles, 1 puncture

ademort

I used to swear by Krylion carbons but after a couple of punctures decided on the Marathon plus 25c. Have to admit have had them on the work bike for 6 months now, ride 32 Kms per day 5 to 6 times a week and upto now no punctures and theres hardly any wear on the tyres. I know they are heavy and a bit slower than the krylions but i lose about 1Km/h and thats all. For work i just want reliability and dont care two hoots about the speed.
Ademort

overlord2

Rolf F wrote:

Worst tyre in the world except on a hire bike is the Marathon Plus! I'd rather drive than ride a bike on Marathon Plus!

Personally after 8 years experience of winter riding in probably the wettest, coldest, windiest place on earth - North Yorkshire. I'd happily take knowing that I am not going to puncture than wondering if I might puncture in January miles from civilization, cold and tired, in the freezing rain.

And for winter who cares about speed imo a slower tyre = better training

rolf_f

Overlord2 wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

Worst tyre in the world except on a hire bike is the Marathon Plus! I'd rather drive than ride a bike on Marathon Plus!

Personally after 8 years experience of winter riding in probably the wettest, coldest, windiest place on earth - North Yorkshire. I'd happily take knowing that I am not going to puncture than wondering if I might puncture in January miles from civilization, cold and tired, in the freezing rain.

And for winter who cares about speed imo a slower tyre = better training

Lol - but don't forget I have the same climate as you but with more scrap yards! Besides, the reason you are cold and tired is because you are riding a bike with Marathon Plus on it! Punctures are usually caused by user error or poor tyre maintenance IME. I did get a wire through my Durano this week which I suspect a Marathon Plus would have deflected but overall, the time to fix rare punctures like that is less than the time you lose riding a tyre like the Marathon Plus. And that puncture I fixed at the office.

It's not about the speed so much as the terrible feel a bike has with Marathon Plus on it - why not try a Durano or Durano Plus if you haven't already? Most of the protection but with 90% more feel and a lot less weight.

annoyingtwit

My previous bike came with Kenda tyres, and they seemed to have great traction, even with snow and ice around. When I switched to Marathon Plus tyres I went out and braked hard in icy conditions and immediately fell off. Afterwards, being more careful, I noted less grip than previously. My current bike has a Durano on the rear wheel, and it seems fine. I'm not a power cyclist who would really notice fine differences between tyres, but the marathon plus definitely had a shortage of grip in poor conditions.

ademort

I,d agree with much of the above post. The Marathon Plus do not have very much grip compared to many other tyres,however if it,s just a puncture free ride you are looking for then it,s still the Marathon Plus.

overlord2

Rolf F wrote:

Overlord2 wrote:

Rolf F wrote:

Worst tyre in the world except on a hire bike is the Marathon Plus! I'd rather drive than ride a bike on Marathon Plus!

Personally after 8 years experience of winter riding in probably the wettest, coldest, windiest place on earth - North Yorkshire. I'd happily take knowing that I am not going to puncture than wondering if I might puncture in January miles from civilization, cold and tired, in the freezing rain.

And for winter who cares about speed imo a slower tyre = better training

Lol - but don't forget I have the same climate as you but with more scrap yards! Besides, the reason you are cold and tired is because you are riding a bike with Marathon Plus on it! Punctures are usually caused by user error or poor tyre maintenance IME. I did get a wire through my Durano this week which I suspect a Marathon Plus would have deflected but overall, the time to fix rare punctures like that is less than the time you lose riding a tyre like the Marathon Plus. And that puncture I fixed at the office.

It's not about the speed so much as the terrible feel a bike has with Marathon Plus on it - why not try a Durano or Durano Plus if you haven't already? Most of the protection but with 90% more feel and a lot less weight.

Being in the middle of Dentdale in the rain and cold with the night drawing in is a bit different than being near Leeds. I've been there with frozen hands wrestling a tyre its frightening and dangerous. Its not an experience I ever want to repeat. In winter puncture protection > everything else.