Best puncture prevention/fixing methods

[JayPee]

Well today I cycled about 7 road miles out to the local forest to try out some of the trails around there. All well and good except within a few miles I picked up a puncture. The bike is an 09 Rockhopper, so Specialized own brand tyres and tubes. I fixed the puncture with an emergency repair kit (my last patch) but that didn't work, and my shoddy pump didn't do much good to get air back in it anyway. So basically what does everyone use? I go into Halfords and see a big shelf full of Gunks and Leeches, but what works best for you? And also can anybody recommend a decent cheap-ish pump that is small and portable for situations like this? Many thanks.

[anonymous-user]

what tyre pressure were you running?

i normally run about 45-50psi on forest trails/singletrack and havent had a puncture in a long while. only when i ran lower pressures did i suffer.

never tried the gunge tube filler stuff...

i have a mini blackburn pump, cheap but reliable

[coupeboy]

Bring a spare tube and a decent mini pump, dont't run your tyres too soft as you'll get pinch punctures. Never used gunk or anything like that.

[carbonjunkie]

blackburn mountain air is v cheap and it works.

I run maxxis swamp things, i haven't punctured in 2 years of doing about 2-3 hours a week on the mtb.

[Parrot of Doom]

Did you check the inside of the tyre for the culprit? Many a puncture has been repaired only to go again because the culprit was still embedded in the tyre.

I keep a spare tube in the saddlebag, levers, repair kit, and a big can of gas (can't be arsed with pumps).

[snotrag]

They are quality tyres - if you are suffering multiple puncutres something is wrong.

Mkae sure you have removed offending items when replacing tubes, or you just get the same puncture again.

'Gunk' and slime type innertubes are a waste of time.

Which tyres you got, I'm guessing Fast traks or Captains.

Do they hsave the 2bliss logo on them? If so, get some rimstrips and sealant, and ditch the tubes altogether. No more pinch punctures.

[Jimbo.]

Having had the same bike and tyres/tubes, I can confirm that it's the tyres and the tubes: they're thin/crap/as resilient as a Frenchman in a brothel.

[JayPee]

Thanks for the advice, I bought a few new inner tubes and carry a spare now, was in Halfrauds today as well so I picked up a Topeak mini pump with a gauge which seems to work really well. The bike just uses the standard Fastrak tyres and tubes, the tyres certainly seem very thin, but having said that I haven't got anything else to gauge it against. I am running 45 psi all round so hopefully I won't get any pinch punctures!

[JeepJunkie]

The holy grail...

Wife got a puncture on the way to work this morning, glass. Specialized Nimbus at 45PSI which are usually quite resistant as well...

Lucky I had a new spare tube for a quick fix...

Wee one on the back of my bike found it really funny!

[Chris71]

I used to have some of the big kevlar inner tube protectors in my old mountain bike. They actually worked remarkably well, but the extra weight has a much bigger effect than you'd expect when it's piled on a rotating component and their size made tyre changes all but imposssible!

[Hard-Drive]

I got so hacked off with punctures I went tubeless. I was lucky that my bike has Bonty tubeless ready rims but what a difference...not one single puncture since. Gotta be the way forward...stuff like Stans or Joes no flats is not nearly as easy as the Bonty system to set up (having done both) but still worth the effort IMHO.

[Geezer-20v]

I bought some Puncture strips for around £6 each around 9 months ago. Have not had a puncture since and I regularly ride over brambles and sutff with thorns

[okgo]

Having same issue with almost same bike. Gone through two tubes in two rides.. now got the rear at 50 psi and the front at around 45.

The tyres feel so think and crap compared with the intense DH tyres I use to use. Is it worth sticking DH tubes in there, or will these make it a crap ride?

[JayPee]

Having chucked a few Halfrauds inner tubes in, I am yet to experience another one, running 45psi front and back. And that was after riding a rocky course last weekend as well, although I am quite light so the rims don't usually take much of a bashing. I will be changing tyres soon though, I just need to decide what to get!

[cjs]

I went for Specialized Captain Armadillo elite. These have a reinforced tread pattern. I have not had a puncture in over a year, I was getting one a month on my old tyres.

They may not be the best performing tyre but I would rather have a puncture free ride than ultimate performance. They do roll nicely and are fast on the road.

Only downside is they are £40 a go!

[Gooby]

Forget punctures - go tubeless. Have not had a puncture in 1000's of miles.

[gjohnsto]

Superglue!

Carry a tube of superglue with you, if you get a puncture, pinch the tube to expose the edge of the hole, put a drip of superglue in it, unpinch to let the hole close over and the glue stick.

Works a treat on road tires(never tried with off road tires, but don't see why not). You can make a repair without even undoing the quick release and it's good for 110psi. Doesn't work so well on snake bites, so worth carrying a spare tube too.

[snotrag]

Gooby said:

Forget punctures - go tubeless. Have not had a puncture in 1000's of miles.

He's not wrong. 14 months, no flats.