Schwalbe Thunder Burt - Poor, bad luck or manufature problem

edbluejuice

Bit of a problem with Schwalbe thunder burt tyres, any advise gratefully received!

Brought me a set (thunder burt folding easy TL with snake skin 26") for a race. The first rear lasted 20 km and under 1 hour on fairly easy terrain (loose gravel on southdowns way) so thinking it was a bit of bad luck I replaced it and the second lasted 19km and under 1 hour (again loose gravel south downs way type track). Both were with matching schwalbe inner tube and both failures were the same a 20 -30mm slice through tyre and inner tube effectively destroying the tyre. Both times 42 psi. I've never suffered more than a pin hole puncture on either track after numerous outings.

It this is the tyre being poor, bad luck or something else?

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As its my first post an intro: (couldn't find correct section please forgive me)I've been MTB'ing for years mainly for fitness as always favored surf based sports but recently I ended up training for a triathlon and hate being on the road, thus my interest is expanding in the MTB world, thanks for your time in reading and further thanks for any response!

rockmonkeysc

That's the down side of ultra light tyres. Absolutely no protection from punctures or cuts.

njee20

Sharp flints on the SDW, I've known a number of friends wreck Thunder Burts, even Snakeskin/DD versions. That is bad luck, but they're ultra light race tyres. I purposely swapped from Burts to Bonty XR0s when I did the SDW June. Certainly wouldn't choose Burts as my tyre for regular riding up there.

You're running them hard too.

paul.skibum

njee20 wrote:

You're running them hard too.

No idea about the tyre in question but if you want sharp stones to cut your tyres pumping them up hard is the way to go.

Soft tyre deforms around things hard tyre gets cut. Might drag a bit more but c'est la vie.

Also carry duct tape (wrap some round a pump) to line cuts in tyres. I am currently running a tyre I slashed open on a rock 3 years ago on my hardtail with the same piece of duct tape holding it together.

njee20

Harder tyres don't roll faster on rough ground though.

edbluejuice

Thanks all, guess I'll try them again may be at 37 psi on a repair for the slightly less damaged one, it seems the consensus is that Thunder Burt won't last for what I am using it for unless lucky and I was running them too hard?

Currently running Magic Mary's (though having a few width problems - rubbing whilst pedaling hard - will get to the bottom of this a bit more). Thinking about trying racing ralph or maxxi ikon (if the width will fit) next time I want some speed

rockmonkeysc

Magic Marys are massive, if they're rubbing then they are too big for your frame. I have a set on my DH bike, judging by the way the nobbles are tearing off they won't last long at all.

The Rookie

Rocket Ron front and a Ralph rear is a great speed combo.

Thewaylander

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19711912#p19711912]edbluejuice[/url] wrote:

Thanks all, guess I'll try them again may be at 37 psi on a repair for the slightly less damaged one, it seems the consensus is that Thunder Burt won't last for what I am using it for unless lucky and I was running them too hard?

Currently running Magic Mary's (though having a few width problems - rubbing whilst pedaling hard - will get to the bottom of this a bit more). Thinking about trying racing ralph or maxxi ikon (if the width will fit) next time I want some speed

Still too high IMO... high pressure does not = lower rolling resistance off road...

edbluejuice

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19712599#p19712599]Thewaylander[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19711912#p19711912]edbluejuice[/url] wrote:

Thanks all, guess I'll try them again may be at 37 psi on a repair for the slightly less damaged one, it seems the consensus is that Thunder Burt won't last for what I am using it for unless lucky and I was running them too hard?

Currently running Magic Mary's (though having a few width problems - rubbing whilst pedaling hard - will get to the bottom of this a bit more). Thinking about trying racing ralph or maxxi ikon (if the width will fit) next time I want some speed

Still too high IMO... high pressure does not = lower rolling resistance off road...

33??????

Not sure about the rubbing on the magic mary's as only rubbing on the gear side at certain points think its down to slightly bent wheel

The Rookie

26-28 is a good starting point.....

edbluejuice

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19713160#p19713160]The Rookie[/url] wrote:

26-28 is a good starting point.....

Thanks chap! Settled on some rocket rons will start at 28 and see

Mccraque

Being a south downs dweller, I've ripped through many a sidewall....mainly on my Hardtails.

Anything with the lighter sidewalls from Schwalbe, Conti Racesports and even specialised fast traks seem to be particularly susceptible to flint gashes.

I do have better success with the Conti Protection range and am running a Schwalbe Snakeskin Rocket Ron at the moment. It's not 100% foolproof but certainly offers a bit more protection.

edbluejuice

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19721190#p19721190]Mccraque[/url] wrote:

Being a south downs dweller, I've ripped through many a sidewall....mainly on my Hardtails.

Anything with the lighter sidewalls from Schwalbe, Conti Racesports and even specialised fast traks seem to be particularly susceptible to flint gashes.

I do have better success with the Conti Protection range and am running a Schwalbe Snakeskin Rocket Ron at the moment. It's not 100% foolproof but certainly offers a bit more protection.

Many thanks all for advice given.

I've settled on the Rocket Ron from the performance range and no problems yet, mary was too big for my bike as suggested. After some experimenting I am now running Ron's at 30 / 33 Psi which seems about right, no rips or punctures yet after over 100 km Though Ron is not as fast the burt as most happy.