Which puncture resistant tyres for a hybrid.

[SteveHunter]

Hi, I've just got back into cycling in the last few months in order to lose some weight and improve my overall fitness.

I bought myself a new hybrid a couple of weeks back in order to commute to work about 8km each way.
The current tyres are Specialized Espoir Sport, 60TPI, wire bead, double BlackBelt protection, 700x28c. I've already had a puncture though and they are inflated properly so I'm not convinced they are as good as I had hoped.

There appears to be three options out there that I have found but I would welcome some opinions on them. I am riding on tarmac cycle paths and roads in all weathers.

Continental Gatorskin
Schwalbe Marathon Plus
Specialised Armadillo

Are any of the above better than others or to be avoided.

Thanks

[rabmania]

Can only speak for the Marathon Plus- recommend them, slow as they may be. Very dependable for commuters.

[Colin_P]

I've got some Schwalbe Land Cruisers on mine, have been puncture free so far / 500 miles. Jinxed it now though.

[mjr]

Continental Gatorskin seem OK but have weaker sidewalls than the other two.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus are good but stiff. I'd take a slight increase in puncture risk and go for ordinary Marathon or as wide a Delta Cruiser that the bike will take because both roll better.

Specialised Armadillo used to be my favourite but changed a few years ago and seemed sticky as heck, not lasting as long and picking up sharp objects for long enough for them to start being hammered in. So I switched to Marathon.

[SteveHunter]

Thanks all.

I was heading for the Marathon Plus as had read of some potential problems with the Gatorskins and the Armadillos not lasting long.

The Land Cruisers only seem to come in 35 wide which is a bit wide for me so I'm now looking at the original marathons which are only £20.00 each so not to bad at all.

[Paulatic]

I've commuted, 60ml/week, for three yrs with Marathon plus. Had one puncture and they've just worn out. I've got a bit tired of the very stiff ride and have just fitted Continentsl Country Plus. They were a lot easier to fit and initial feeling is a kinder ride.
I audaxed for years on Gatorskins but I would think everyone went on the sidewall eventually.

[Bicycler]

Tyres like the Gatorskins and Armadillos are road bike tyres designed primarily for speed (albeit with decent puncture protection). The Marathon range are touring tyres designed primarily for durability for mile-eating touring cyclists. The Marathon plus is at the somewhat extreme end of that spectrum, they are as near as you can get to "puncture proof" but also about as heavy as a tyre can be. They are popular amongst those commuters and tourists for whom puncture avoidance is the main priority. For most people I would suggest that the standard Marathon is a better choice for a long lasting puncture resistant tyre which is more pleasant to ride.

The term "hybrid" covers a wide range of bikes. If yours is effectively a flat bar road bike with narrow rims and minimal clearances then 28mm tyres might be the best choice. If, however, it is the kind with room for wider tyres then you may find an improvement in comfort but no loss in speed by going for a slightly wider tyre (say 32mm). A combination of wide rims and narrow Marathon plus tyres would be far from ideal.

[SteveHunter]

My hybrid is a Specialized Sirrus Elite, so I would class that as a roadie with a little bit more room for tyres and flat bars, going much wider would also mean wider mudguards as well. I think 28 should be fine, I don't find the ride hard. I do also ride a roadie on 23 tyres.

[sreten]

Hi,

The way statistics work is you can't judge your tyres based on one datum.

rgds, sreten.

Since taking up biking again I've never had a puncture. all my tyres are
"puncture protected", but that doesn't mean they are "puncture proof".

[reohn2]

Thanks all.

I was heading for the Marathon Plus as had read of some potential problems with the Gatorskins and the Armadillos not lasting long.

The Land Cruisers only seem to come in 35 wide which is a bit wide for me so I'm now looking at the original marathons which are only £20.00 each so not to bad at all.

If you're about to buy 700x28 M+'s get ready for a shock,the ride will be very harsh,If your bike has clearance for them I go to at least 32mm but preferably 35mm and I'd only ride M+ if puncture protection was the primary concern.
If you're prepared for the occasional puncture I'd look for something lighter and more supple.
A good alternative are Vittoria Randonneurs or Randonneur Pros:- http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVTRANPII ... lding-tyre

[peterh11]

I have been riding the Marathon Plus 622-37 size for several years on my about-town bike. I reckon I have done 4000 miles on these with no punctures, and I've ridden over my share of broken glass and poor surfaces. Yes they are slower but I'm riding a fairly heavy hybrid/commuter with a Nexus-7 hub gear and a hub dynamo, and rock solid reliability is my priority. I am very pleased and will put the same on again.

I would not use them for long rides, I use plain Marathon 622x32 on my tourer.

Just one data point, but that's my experience.

Peter H

[Vorpal]

It depends on your priorities.

I have Marathon Plus on my utility bike, but I use Continental GP 4 seasons on my commuting bike. They are expensive, but I find they get better traction than just about anything else suitable for riding on the road. And they are very puncture resistant. They aren't terribly hard wearing. If you just can't justify the money for them, I'd suggest the above mentioned Vittorias as next best.

I could live with the way Marathon Plus tyres roll, for a commute (but not touring or any other all day type of riding), given their puncture protection, but they don't have the best traction, and it gets relatively worse in the rain. I put higher priority on good traction versus many other qualities in a tyre, especially commuting in all weathers.

[SteveHunter]

I've just put a set of Marathon original tyres on. I'll see how I go with them. Just hoping I have some grip on the front end in the wet. It's very light on the front wheel with the panniers on the back.

[IanW]

I/we are running on 26" wheels.
I am runnig Schwalbe Marathon Plus which are reliable but are a bit unforgiving, but no punctures in 6 months of commutes x 5 days per week x 5 miles per day (which is not actually that far .
My spouse is really happy with Schwalbe Durano Plus which have rather less tread pattern and thus lower rolling resistance, also no punctures in more than 6 months of commutes x 4 days per week x 26 miles per day.

[reohn2]

I've just put a set of Marathon original tyres on. I'll see how I go with them. Just hoping I have some grip on the front end in the wet. It's very light on the front wheel with the panniers on the back.

Check this out:- http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf
I find tyre pressures have a lot to do with grip especially in the wet.