should i switch to touring tyres

[scottyj]

Need some advice on tyres please. I have just had my 3rd flat in 24 hours commuting 23km each way to work and back around Cairns. The highway is strewn with usual debri, especially at roundabouts. The bike is an old Apollo Vitesse racer with 23C tyres. The recent flats have all been on a worn out rear tyre which I am going to replace. I carry a fair bit of gear in 2 panniers and I weigh about 90kg. It is pretty regular hard use and I just wonder if I should switch to heavier touring tyres or stick with these skinny beleagured racing tyres. Any help appreciated. Scott

[europa]

Firstly, a worn tyre will puncture more.

You can buy tyres with a harder/stronger case for puncture protection and they aren't necessarily fatter or nobbly - for example, the bontragers that came with my Trek are slicks.

Then there are the tubes to consider. Thornproof tubes help tremendously but there are also tyre liners you can buy nowadays - the one I've seen is a kevlar strip, but a forumite recently put us onto a new, softer liner.

So the options are out there. I could be that new tyres are all you need, even just cheapies, but if you can afford to go the extra, products are out there.

Richard

[mikesbytes]

If you are just commuting then go for conti gator skins

[scottyj]

In answer to my own post, I consulted with local bike shop and ended up going for the "double tyre" on the rear wheel, being the one that carries most weight. Basically, I cut off most of the sidewall and wire from my old tyre and inserted it into my new tyre before installing tube. So now I have 2 layers of tyre protection from punctures. I have taken for test ride and seems good. Local bike guru reckons he has never had puncture with this setup, though it may handle a little differently in corners and you wouldn't normally use for racing, but good for training or commuting. So there you go!