Punctures, what steps to do you take to avoid, XC, firetrail

[jayfish]

Last week my son got a rear puncture 7 miles away from the car and I had stupidly forgotten the spares, then today I suffered the same.
Both riding hardtails on 26x2.1 around 35-40 psi, terrain not too strenuous woodland paths etc.
A neighbour has given me a plastic tyre liner which I have stuck in my rear before replacing the tube, but I'm wondering what the best methods you use are, Slime tubes, particular tyre brands, tube brands, pressures etc.

Over to you and thanks in advance.

[Omaruk]

Depends if weight and rolling resistance is an issue, I run tubeless Tyres with sealing compound, but i run tubeless rims and it is a high end xc bike. Best option is too carry a spare tube, I still do this incase anyway. For Tyres personally I like Maxxis high rollers which are great all round, currently running Schwalbe Nobby Nic which seem to be light and have great feel but they dont feel as robust or heavy like the Maxxis Tyres. My advice keep a spare tube and a decent pump, and if you do get a puncture always check the tyre inner carcass where the puncture occurred as the thorn / object is still like to be there. Also make sure you run the right pressures to avoid snakebites.

[Engineer1]

I'd personally slime the tyres, get a couple of spare inner tubes for each bike and a Co2 inflator as pumping a tyre to 40psi with a small pump is a PITA and may not even be possible.

[Silver Smudger]

Omaruk said:

...and if you do get a puncture always check the tyre inner carcass where the puncture occurred as the thorn / object is still like to be there.

Oh, the number of times I have forgotten to do this....

<facepalm-type-picture.jpg here>

Edited by Silver Smudger on Monday 25th April 00:49

[Gooby]

go tubeless - in thausands of off road miles - no punctures.

[asnail99]

yeah, stans no tubes

[Pints]

Liners and Slime for me.

[Raven Flyer]

Kevlar Tyres (Conti MKs) and slime tubes. No punctures for years when I used to get almost one thorn per ride.

[timbo48]

If you're just riding woodland trails and fire road (gravel roads I guess) try using higher pressures, say about 45psi. With decent tyres you'll still get plenty of grip and be able to roll faster, as an added bonus.