> "Lach" <[email protected]
>> Hi all
>> Suffered my first puncture yesterday and vowed to get puncture proof
>> tyres - do they really exist for road bikes? Are the Kevlar tyres
>> effective at stopping punctures, and if so any recommendations?
As others have said, there's no such thing as puncture proof. Your
choice of tyre will depend on your bike and the way you use it. I've
previously done roughly 4000km on a Continental Top Tourer tyre without
punctures, but I don't think they come in anything thinner than a 28c,
so don't fit lots of road bikes. There was a bit of luck in that too.
Some tips:
- keep your tyres properly inflated. This is a major cause of
punctures. If you don't have one, invest in a floor pump with a decent
pressure guage. It makes it so much easier to keep your tyres inflated
that you actually check them regularly.
- always carry a spare tube. You'll be amazed how quickly you can get
the tyre off and replace the tube if there's no glue, drying time etc.
I typically have four tubes: two on the bike, one in my bag or back
pocket, and one at home that I'm repairing or has been repaired.
- strong sidewalls can give you a somewhat harsher ride, but you avoid
pinch flats. This is particularly important if you're heavy, carry a
load, or are an habitual gutter jumper.
- belted tyres or tyre liners (i.e. Mr Tuffys) certainly help, but so
does a heavier tyre. If you're not obsessed with weight, you can often
buy a cheaper, heavier tyre to address the problem. That said, there
is a reason why a good bike tyre costs $45. Your choice.
Ciao,
AndyB