MTB tyres for puncture resistance
MTB tyres for puncture resistance
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Discussion

macp

Original Poster:

4,545 posts

201 months

Sunday 3rd March 2024
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I commute almost everyday on my Trek hardtail and getting a bit brassed off with multiple punctures from hawthorns in the last couple months. Bike is currently fitted with 29er Bontrager XR3 comp tyres. Apart from going tubeless any recommendations for a more puncture proof tyre.

Master Bean

4,618 posts

138 months

Sunday 3rd March 2024
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Scwalbe Marathon Plus but won't have the off road grip like a knobbly tyre.

macp

Original Poster:

4,545 posts

201 months

Sunday 3rd March 2024
quotequote all
Master Bean said:
Scwalbe Marathon Plus but won't have the off road grip like a knobbly tyre.
Thanks just been re reading reviews on the XR3. And it seems like combined with the constant rain and later cutting of the hedgerows, that I have just been unlucky.

InitialDave

13,822 posts

137 months

Sunday 3rd March 2024
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When I last fitted tubeless tyres, I had some goo left over, so I tried putting it in some tubed tyres on another bike just to see if it helped, and I did later find a few thorns where the holes that had been seemingly plugged by the goo.

Anecdotal and not what the stuff is meant for really, but it seemed to work better than I expected.

paddy1970

1,154 posts

127 months

Sunday 3rd March 2024
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Previously, I experienced more than five punctures annually while mountain biking in the forest. However, since installing tyre inserts two years ago, I have not encountered a single puncture.


Fusion777

2,514 posts

66 months

Sunday 3rd March 2024
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Continental with the ProTection system (kevlar layers).

GravelBen

16,206 posts

248 months

Monday 4th March 2024
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The Bontrager XR-prefix tyres do have quite a thin casing for MTB tyres, I never liked the feel of them for MTBing.

You could try something with a burlier casing, though you probably still want a fast-rolling tread pattern not a chunky one. Maybe look at a Specialized Fast-Trak with 'Grid' casing?

speedking31

3,750 posts

154 months

Monday 4th March 2024
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https://www.schwalbe.com/en/technology-faq/punctur...

I found puncture protection tape to be cheap and fairly effective.

DangerMonkey

590 posts

234 months

Monday 4th March 2024
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macp said:
Master Bean said:
Scwalbe Marathon Plus but won't have the off road grip like a knobbly tyre.
Thanks just been re reading reviews on the XR3. And it seems like combined with the constant rain and later cutting of the hedgerows, that I have just been unlucky.
That does sound to be the case. I've been using variations of the XR3 for years and haven't had much in the way of issues. Maybe just stay away from the hedgerows!

Is tubeless really a no go? I've found them comfortable and reliable for commuting. It's satisfying getting home and then spotting a thorn sticking out, knowing that you would have been otherwise stranded at the roadside.

Dynion Araf Uchaf

4,930 posts

241 months

Monday 4th March 2024
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how much tyre pressure do you run with them. I've always found that the softer they are ( within reason) the more puncture resistant they are.

lufbramatt

5,510 posts

152 months

Monday 4th March 2024
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Tubeless is amazing for making thorn punctures a non-issue


President Merkin

4,297 posts

37 months

Monday 4th March 2024
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The answer is go tubeless. The answer is always go tubeless.

YorkshireStu

4,418 posts

218 months

Tuesday 5th March 2024
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Dunno why the hesitancy for tubeless. No puncture in 4 years since going down that route.

Just yesterday I fitted a new pr of Maxxis tyres on my MTB.

1. Old tyres off, clean rim, make sure rim tape is good, no bubbles, tears etc.
2. Fit new tyres. Use tyre lever to partially seat the tyre at the edges of the rim. Slide lever halfway one side, repeat opposite side.
3. Valve core out, use syringe to inject 90-100ml sealant.
4. Valve core back in, inflate tyre. I use an Airshot bottle and handheld Bosch electric pump.

Alternative if no Airshot: leave valve core out, use footpump to seat tyre fully before injecting sealant.

Easy. No mess. I have done this for 6 wheelsets in the last year.


macp

Original Poster:

4,545 posts

201 months

Monday 25th March 2024
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So im thinking of going with something like the Continental Double Fighter. Or Schwalbe Hurricane because im also interested in decreasing my rolling resistance. Anybody tried anything else ?

Zio Di Roma

1,888 posts

50 months

Monday 25th March 2024
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macp said:
So im thinking of going with something like the Continental Double Fighter. Or Schwalbe Hurricane because im also interested in decreasing my rolling resistance. Anybody tried anything else ?
We live in a hawthorn forest and my wife used to get one puncture per ride at one point, two sometimes. Slime products did the trick. Latterly it has been the tubes. She has not had a puncture since on her MTB or road bike.

Not as cool as tubeless probably, but an easy fix.