Some people laugh when they hear the words “puncture proof tyres” but then they probably haven’t tried these two tyres.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus is the tyre of choice for the tough bikes used in the hire scheme in France – could it help you on your bike?
Punctures are an annoying part of a cyclists life. For me, they typically occur when I least want them to. On my way to a meeting. In the rain. And when my toolkit is sat, forgotten, on my desk at home. But there are tyres that can drastically reduce the number of punctures.
There is one piece of bad news however, that I better deliver to you now in-case you haven’t already realised. No matter what people say there is no such thing as “100% puncture proof tyres”. That’s like saying McDonalds burgers are “100% meat”. I’ll counteract that with two pieces of good news to make you feel better. These tyres don’t cost that much more than your average tyre and they won’t slow you down noticeably.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus Puncture Proof Tyres
I rode with the Marathon Plus tyres 145+ miles from Birmingham to London along the canal towpaths (considered puncture heaven) getting only a single puncture. Others doing the same route but with different tyres have reported punctures in double figures. Since then they’ve continued to serve me well. I’d highly recommend them.
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Specialized Armadillo All Condition Tyres – Puncture Resistant Tyres
I recently got this email about these puncture proof tyres:
Was staggered by the amount of people in your what is in your bike bag article who carried spare inner tyres, puncture repair kits and CO2 canisters with them every day! Staggered. I cycle along the towpath, through Harlesden (always has glass in road). On average about 30 miles a week. Have had zero punctures in 6 years going from Shepherds Bush – Wembley. Why not do a review of armadillo tyres with the puncture protection? I ride a hybrid with these on. Am probably jinxing it now I realise, but I love them.
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Puncture Proof Tyres Tip
If you can fit them on your bike the 25mm or 28mm puncture proof tyres will provide greater comfort and a smaller chance of a pinch puncture.
Conclusion
The above two tyres are considered two of the best puncture proof tyres. I’m excited to hear what you guys think. It’s invaluable to have this great community of cyclists here on London Cyclist adding their personal experiences and insights.
Please add a comment below about your thoughts on puncture proof tyres & technologies..
Also related:
- Ever wanted to peek inside a fellow cyclists bag? Here’s your chance.
- Find out how to repair a puncture – checkout the Bike Doctor App.
- Get my free guide to bicycle maintenance. Subscribe to the newsletter.
- Tyres that make you go “Whoosh”! The continental city contact.
Puncture proof tyres do exists look at greentyre.co.uk
Solid?
I biked 4,000+ kilometres on a tandem this summer using Marathon Plus tyres. I even took a spare tyre along. Waste of space. No punctures and hardly any noticeable wear on the tyres.
An unusual request: I am looking for non-black puncture-resistant tyres. The reason being, I’m a wheelchair user and cheap coloured bike tyres are cheap and don’t mark floors but do cause lots of punctures, which is a pain in a wheelchair. Gatorskin tyres don’t puncture, but like all black bike tyres they leave a trail on lino and (to a lesser extent) laminate floors. Are there any decent puncture-resistant coloured tyres (Not ones with coloured sides but a black stripe underneath.) Solids wouldn’t do it either I’m afraid. They’re 700x23c though I think 700x25c would also be fine. Cheers!
If you have any difficulty finding a specific puncture resistant tyre you could pick the ones you like and line the inside with a kevlar tyre liner. Cheaper option is to old cut up an old inner tube and use it as a tyre liner. Tyre tread punctures are history since I used those methods. 🙂
http://www.greentyre.com/wheelchair-tyres.php
Puncture proof tyres apparently!
I know you requested this almost two years ago but for future reference.
Thank you;
Sadly green tyres are pretty rubbish; they are effectively solid tyres. They are what are on all NHS wheelchairs, by default.
I got these in the end: Maxxis Re-fuse 700x23c Red. They are great. They’ve not worn at all in the last couple of years (astonishingly; I usually go through like a set every couple of months). They have not punctured, including when I’ve been running on lower pressure than I should (lazy…) And they don’t mark carpets, because they’re Red. Top Tip: EVERY black bike tyre I have tried marks floors or carpets; NO coloured bike tyre I’ve tried does….
They aren’t cheap and they are difficult to find in the UK but they’re worth it and are a great economy over time cos they last for ages.
http://www.bicyclehero.com/us/maxxis-refuse-road-training-bicycle-tire-700x23c-red.html#
Doug
I ride a three wheel machine- a Quest velomobile. The standard tyres are either Schwalbe Duranos or Shreddas– both fine in the country where the machine is made (Netherlands) but rather puncture prone on the lanes of Hertfordshire in winter. I have used Schwalbe Marathon Plus but they are very heavy and IF they puncture they can be a pain to remove and replace. So far the best compromise tyre I’ve found is the Schwalbe Durano Plus. (Not quite as tough or as heavy as the M+ but much easier to fit-(partic. the folding variety) and significantly lighter)
I have used one pair of Schwalbe marathon plus tires for about 12,000 km without a puncture. I have ridden though Sri Lanka, China, Burma, Lao and Vietnam. Only now have I had a puncture. Recommend them
I lived in South Africa in the seventies and was sick of repairing punctures for the kids.
There is a 100% puncture proof inner tube. It was manufactured in Pretoria. South Africa.
It is made of sponge and and comes in various sizes and is easy to fit I returned to the UK in 1984 and brought two of them. My Girls decided to walk to school and never used the bike. After a few years I gave the wheels with the tubes to a neighbour. They are in Edinburgh somewhere ?.
The Schwalbe Marathon Greenguard, one below the M+ also has a lot of puncture protection, but is also excellent in the rolling resistance tests here: http://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews/schwalbe-marathon-2015
have had decent luck with these tyre ( tire )
but – They still get slashed – they just walk up to it and slash it with a knife
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every tire I have owned in vancouver has been slashed with a knife
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VANCOUVER CANADA – not a great city for cycling despite the rumors to the contrary.
I still just ride illegally on the sidewalk – it really is the best option – sadly
Defo schwalbe marathon plus ..used for 2 years now not 1 puncture…and on my ebike with an extra 20 kg…highly recommend.