Best puncture-resistant tyres

ebikerdiary
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Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby ebikerdiary » Fri Oct 12, 2018 3:46 pm

I asked five different retailers for their recommendation on the best puncture-resistant tyres and got five different answers: Schwalbe, Maxxis, Specialised, Kenda, and one other. I'm 68 and like long rides; I'm planning some trails like the Vic Rail Trail and Wollombi; nothing rough and rocky, just love the feel of dirt under my rubber. I know there is no puncture-proof tyre, but what's the best out there?

Can anyone share their preferences please?

cheers, Richard

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Thoglette
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Thoglette » Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:03 pm

ebikerdiary wrote:I'm 68 and like long rides; I'm planning some trails like the Vic Rail Trail and Wollombi; nothing rough and rocky, just love the feel of dirt under my rubber.
So what do you expect is going to cause your punctures?
The "go" for low-pressure off road riding is tubeless+sealant if your cause is thorns/doublegees/caltrop

If it's rocks ripping your sidewalls, that's another conversation.
Last edited by Thoglette on Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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ebikerdiary
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby ebikerdiary » Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:04 pm

Not rocks; too old for stump-jumping. Its always thorns or other invisibles.

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rodneycc
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby rodneycc » Fri Oct 12, 2018 4:15 pm

Not sure how wide your rims/tyres are but if you are going tubes then Schwalbe Marathon plus were the best I used in a 32mm. They can be a little harsh (I actually went back to the plain Marathons before I gave that bike away) but tough as nails the Marathon Plus.
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby warthog1 » Wed Oct 17, 2018 1:54 pm

Dogs are the best people :wink:

Nobody
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Nobody » Wed Oct 17, 2018 4:18 pm

Yeah, I've got Marathon Green Guard and never had a flat in years of riding. I don't even take a puncture kit or spare tube anymore.

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DavidS
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby DavidS » Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:55 pm

I don't use them any more, other factors mean I want a slightly faster tyre (and they don't make Marathon Supreme in 28 wide any more, 32 minimum now). But, everyone above is right, Schwalbe Marathon and the standard or green guard are about as bullet proof as a rubber tyre can be. They are impressive, I commute so plenty of chance for punctures, very rare with marathons. I would also say that a lot of bike tyres now are good at resisting punctures.

DS
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queequeg
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby queequeg » Thu Oct 18, 2018 12:46 am

Likewise, for commuting I use the Marathon Plus Smartguard. They are the gold standard for an almost bombproof tyre for commuting. Yes, they are heavy, but if your aim is to avoid punctures, it’s a small price to pay.
I have had nails go through the top and out the side without puncturing the tube!
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Paddles
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Paddles » Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:00 am

There's more factors to consider ebiker, what sort of bike is it and what sort of riding do you mainly do. For instance on my old Giant roadie, I found 28mm Maxxis Re-Fuse tyres to be just about bulletproof and ridiculously cheap for general road and bike path use. But for a new bike I've got and a more diverse riding terrain, the 35mm stock Maxxis tyres weren't comfy enough so I've tried something bigger/softer.

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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby RonK » Thu Oct 18, 2018 10:43 am

You are not going to find puncture-resistant tyres for your Merida eONE-SIXTY 800 dual-suspension e-MTB, which has 27.5" x 2.8" tyres, unless you downsize to narrower rims. Nobody makes puncture-resistant 2.8" tyres.

The widest Schwalbe Marathon is the Marathon MTB, and it is only 2.25" wide.

As has already been said - the best solution is to go tubeless.
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby warthog1 » Thu Oct 18, 2018 11:01 am

DavidS wrote:I don't use them any more, other factors mean I want a slightly faster tyre (and they don't make Marathon Supreme in 28 wide any more, 32 minimum now). But, everyone above is right, Schwalbe Marathon and the standard or green guard are about as bullet proof as a rubber tyre can be. They are impressive, I commute so plenty of chance for punctures, very rare with marathons. I would also say that a lot of bike tyres now are good at resisting punctures.

DS
They do ride like a lump of clay, you are right David.
I don't ride them either.
I prefer the lively feel a lighter more supple tyre gives.
Rubino pro is reasonably priced online and ticks enough boxes for me.
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby BugsBunny » Thu Oct 25, 2018 12:32 pm

I use Schwalbe Marathon Plus in 16 inch size on my Brompton and they are very durable and puncture resistant. I ride to work past a glass recycling plant which often has glass shards on the road and I've not had any issues.

Interestingly, I had prior to these tires been using the Schwalbe Kojaks which are the slickest/fastest/least puncture resistant in the Schwalbe 16 inch range, and whilst the Kojaks do roll better, the Marathons weren't that bad. They were harsher but rolling resistance pretty good.

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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby jackthelad » Mon Oct 29, 2018 12:35 am

Schwable Marathon Almotion
i have a 28/2.15 on a set of Flox EX 29er rims
28 is same diameter of a 29er rim, 622mm
they are Tubeless Ready, and are set up tubeless
therefore puncture Resistant ,
Tubeless is the way to go if you can set up or Ghetto setup your wheels tubeless
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Jash Rider » Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:21 pm

I switched to Maxxis refuse back in 2012. I’m on my fourth set of tyres and had only one puncture in that time. It was from a staple that had been sharpened to a razor point and went in straight through the centre of the tyre.

I had a finishing nail go through the outer of the tyre and was going tick, tick, tick as I rode. When I pulled over I was sure to hear the hissing of air leaking, but I pulled it out and nothing.

If I see debri that can cause issues I avoid it like any normal person, but one puncture in six years ain’t bad.

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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Rawshack » Fri Feb 08, 2019 9:44 am

I was using 28mm Gatorskins which I loathed. They got a massive split after 4 months so I switched to Refuses. Seemed like a good, solid tyre and way better than the Gators.

Switched out bikes now and I'm on the Gavia AC2's. Not loving them, so far.

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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Fri Feb 08, 2019 11:03 am

Am assuming from your username Richard that you ride an e-bike? I think that needs factoring in to the equation as well but I'm a +1 for the Schwalbe Marathon series. Not the fastest rollers, and can be a complete pita to fit, but a set of Marathons with Schwalbe tubes and tape would be almost ideal.
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby rkelsen » Wed Feb 13, 2019 6:47 pm

+ 1 more for Schwalbe Marathon. Had one on the rear of my commuter for more than 2 years, doing 30km per workday, and it only ever punctured once. I dunno how it happened, but a very thin piece of wire went through the sidewall and caused the puncture.

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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Derny Driver » Wed Feb 13, 2019 8:28 pm

ebikerdiary wrote:I asked five different retailers for their recommendation on the best puncture-resistant tyres and got five different answers...
and now I'll ask 2000 BNA members for their recommendation and get 2000 different answers :shock:

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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Mububban » Fri Feb 15, 2019 12:44 pm

What do people think of the Maxxis Refuse for an all round tyre for my kickaround bike? It's currently on 23mm Gatorskins, when they wear out I think 25mm would be the go. Skinny rims so I don't know if 28s will be a bit too "lightbulb" shaped
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby 10speedsemiracer » Fri Feb 15, 2019 12:46 pm

Mububban wrote:What do people think of the Maxxis Refuse for an all round tyre for my kickaround bike? It's currently on 23mm Gatorskins, when they wear out I think 25mm would be the go. Skinny rims so I don't know if 28s will be a bit too "lightbulb" shaped
Have used a couple of sets of the Re-fuse, nice tough tyre but no apparent compromise on grip.
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Thoglette » Fri Feb 15, 2019 3:46 pm

10speedsemiracer wrote:Have used a couple of sets of the Re-fuse, nice tough tyre but no apparent compromise on grip.
+1, especially at "on sale" prices
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby grannygear64 » Sat Jun 22, 2019 8:29 am

I have always been a Marathon fan but I was introduced to the Mitas tyres in 2015 (then under Rubena brand) and have found they have the same level of puncture resistance and wear but save me a good $60 with each set. I commute down the Monaro Hyway, which is notorious for all tyres of debris and haven't had a single puncture in the last four years.

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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Prydey » Thu Jan 09, 2020 7:35 pm

Mububban wrote:
Fri Feb 15, 2019 12:44 pm
What do people think of the Maxxis Refuse for an all round tyre for my kickaround bike? It's currently on 23mm Gatorskins, when they wear out I think 25mm would be the go. Skinny rims so I don't know if 28s will be a bit too "lightbulb" shaped
I realise this is a really old thread, but...

I run conti gator hardshells 25mm. Last upwards of 8000km (got over 10k out of one set) and I would rate these almost puncture proof rather than puncture resistant. When they get quite worn they are obviously a bit more susceptible but I don't recall ever getting a puncture from something penetrating the tyre. Had a couple of pinch flats from potholes etc.

Ran them (AT) 110psi for slightly more protection.
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby jackthelad » Fri Feb 28, 2020 11:43 pm

Tubeless Tyres.....
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Re: Best puncture-resistant tyres

Postby Biffidus » Sat Feb 29, 2020 2:25 pm

The Vitoria Randonneur Pro are a good alternative to the schwalbe marathon in my opinion: similar levels of puncture resistance (maybe slightly less) but they weigh a lot less. I'm talking about the 120tpi folding ones. The wire bead ones are heavier and have far less puncture resistance.

Both companies offer a range of lighter tyres with less puncture resistance including options for evokes and gravel/cyclocross.

I tried a bunch of other tyres on a commute littered with three-corner-jacks and broken glass and I've sworn by the Randonneurs ever since.

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