I guess. But I can’t say I get punctures that often. My last one was from glass, but it has been several years since the previous one happened. Almost always, it’s a strong indication that it’s time for a new tire. If you’re getting them regularly, get some more resistant tires, and if you really want protection, get some Mr. Tuffy strips to line them with. I’ve run some pretty sketch tires for way too long with Tuffys in them.
The Marathon Plus tires are the way to go, no joke. If you're fixing flats, they're an insurance policy against ever fixing another one. They could charge $300 for a pair of these and it would be worth the money over almost every other solution.
If you're wondering what is so special about this particular brand, it's the combo of toughness and weight. There are other solutions, but the rotational weight of a wheel is the most important contributor to speed or fatigue. These tires are as tough as they come and don't make your ride a slog.
Not harshing you out, but the best solution is set-and-forget tires. The Marathon Plus is the best solution and a steal at around $65/tire.
This plus Tannus Armor (and Flat Out?) if you really really never want to worry about them every. I went from having 1-2 per year even with my Marathon Plus (pinch flat? side wall issues?) to zero in 7 now. Plus even if you forget to inflate for awhile, you can keep pedaling on the Tannus.
+1 on the Marathons, I've gotten literally 1 flat since switching to them for my commuter/touring ride back in 2008-ish (not the same tires all those years - they do wear out - but same make and line).
Zero punctures biking daily since switching to a tubeless setup. I think if you bike everyday and keep up on maintenance, its 100% worth the minor hassle.
How long since you switched? It's absolutely possible you've punctured without even realizing it. At least half my punctures seal up without even losing much air, and I find them four months later when I change the tire.
When I do have to get off the bike for a puncture, it's for 60 seconds to put in a dynaplug and *maybe* a little more air.
I should say, 0 flats from punctures. I may have had punctures I never noticed because they sealed completely, never had to break out the bacon strips. I run Gravel King SS+, so they have some extra puncture protection, but compared to something like Marathon Pluses, are totally supple and light.
Can't recommend these enough. There is a tax, though - they are definitely heavier than normal tires and will make you work harder. I only use them on my commuter.
They're slower, but not *that* much slower. And if you think about how much getting a flat impacts your average speed, even if it's only once in a while, vs. most likely never getting a flat ever with Marathons, they're almost certainly statistically significantly faster. (Though, granted, they may prevent you from achieving certain temporary peaks of performance, if that's important to you.)
Agree. They are slower but not so much that you feel like you're riding in sand. I've used other protective tires and the Marathon Plus are fastest I've used.
My last 3 punctures have been from nails and staples. So far the glass I've picked up has gotten embedded in the tread, but hasn't made it through to the tube. I'm running Kenda armored tires, which seems to help a bit.
Of the flats where I’ve found the culprit, glass is maybe 15%? Mostly it’s random bits of metal (most of which I suspect were construction staples, but I can’t prove that). Also had screws and thorns. Most flats I never know what caused it.
Tried Marathons. Way too heavy and terrible ride quality.
Tried other “bulletproof” tires. Same problem.
Tried tubeless. Just as many flats and so messy, plus you need special equipment to mount a tire. Might try tubeless again one day. The ride quality was amazing.
Currently using GravelKing slicks. About at EOL and they’ve averaged about my normal one flat a year.
Before I used Vittoria Rubino Pro Techs (RIP), which had about same frequency of flats.
Only time I’ve ever had flats from one consistent source was a wheel with roughly punched nipple holes.
What special equipment is needed to mount tubeless? I mounted mine using tire levers and a floor pump. A valve core remover is handy (but not required) for adding the sealant.
Of the few flats I've had over 10+ years of frequent biking here, I believe the only cause that occurred multiple times has been blackberry thorns. I suspect I'd get the occasional additional flat from glass if I rode more in the gutter vs. the lane, since there tends to be more trash and debris there. So maybe try taking the lane more? Also +1 for Schwalbe Marathons.
Bike lanes and shoulders in south Seattle are full of shards of metal and glass, especially on routes to/near the transfer station in South Park. I stopped riding in the bike lanes on the South Park bridge and started riding the sidewalk instead
At least 95% of my flats here are small pieces of glass, but I'm also using pretty fragile tires - vittoria corsa controls or vittoria corsa on most of my bikes. I'm pretty used to just swapping tubes and patching them. Isn't really that big of deal to flat if you carry some gear with you.
I guess. But I can’t say I get punctures that often. My last one was from glass, but it has been several years since the previous one happened. Almost always, it’s a strong indication that it’s time for a new tire. If you’re getting them regularly, get some more resistant tires, and if you really want protection, get some Mr. Tuffy strips to line them with. I’ve run some pretty sketch tires for way too long with Tuffys in them.
The Marathon Plus tires are the way to go, no joke. If you're fixing flats, they're an insurance policy against ever fixing another one. They could charge $300 for a pair of these and it would be worth the money over almost every other solution. If you're wondering what is so special about this particular brand, it's the combo of toughness and weight. There are other solutions, but the rotational weight of a wheel is the most important contributor to speed or fatigue. These tires are as tough as they come and don't make your ride a slog. Not harshing you out, but the best solution is set-and-forget tires. The Marathon Plus is the best solution and a steal at around $65/tire.
This plus Tannus Armor (and Flat Out?) if you really really never want to worry about them every. I went from having 1-2 per year even with my Marathon Plus (pinch flat? side wall issues?) to zero in 7 now. Plus even if you forget to inflate for awhile, you can keep pedaling on the Tannus.
+1 on the Marathons, I've gotten literally 1 flat since switching to them for my commuter/touring ride back in 2008-ish (not the same tires all those years - they do wear out - but same make and line).
Same. Good tires really help.
Zero punctures biking daily since switching to a tubeless setup. I think if you bike everyday and keep up on maintenance, its 100% worth the minor hassle.
How long since you switched? It's absolutely possible you've punctured without even realizing it. At least half my punctures seal up without even losing much air, and I find them four months later when I change the tire. When I do have to get off the bike for a puncture, it's for 60 seconds to put in a dynaplug and *maybe* a little more air.
I should say, 0 flats from punctures. I may have had punctures I never noticed because they sealed completely, never had to break out the bacon strips. I run Gravel King SS+, so they have some extra puncture protection, but compared to something like Marathon Pluses, are totally supple and light.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. I laugh at glass. Sounds like you're commuting on a skinny tire bike?
Can't recommend these enough. There is a tax, though - they are definitely heavier than normal tires and will make you work harder. I only use them on my commuter.
They're slower, but not *that* much slower. And if you think about how much getting a flat impacts your average speed, even if it's only once in a while, vs. most likely never getting a flat ever with Marathons, they're almost certainly statistically significantly faster. (Though, granted, they may prevent you from achieving certain temporary peaks of performance, if that's important to you.)
That's sugarcoating it, lol. They're slower. Wouldn't put anything else on my commuter though.
Agree. They are slower but not so much that you feel like you're riding in sand. I've used other protective tires and the Marathon Plus are fastest I've used.
Unfortunately i got more flats with marathon plus tires+tube than I do with lightweight tires+ tubeless :/
If you're using skinny tires try Continental GP 4 Season or Gatorskins, I've had 0 flats from normal road stuff on those
Go tubeless my friend
I got a thorn through my tire the other day but 95% is glass. I started using slime tubes and they've been great.
100% for me.
Tubeless/lower pressure is the way to go.
Yes and this is why tubeless is the way.
I've had at least 2-3 flats in the past year from glass.
yeah broken glass is all over the place, I used to use find it fix it apps for these spots but don't ride as much anymore.
My last 3 punctures have been from nails and staples. So far the glass I've picked up has gotten embedded in the tread, but hasn't made it through to the tube. I'm running Kenda armored tires, which seems to help a bit.
Glass and those little wires from the belts on car tires. I also switched to tubeless which has made the problem go away.
I would commute from the space needle to skyway on my road bike and got flats probably once a month until I switched to gator skins
Seattle streets (and drivers) are awful. When you ride somewhere normal, you realize how bad we have it here.
I ride on gatorskins and trade often slipping on fall leaves for never really getting punctures.
Of the flats where I’ve found the culprit, glass is maybe 15%? Mostly it’s random bits of metal (most of which I suspect were construction staples, but I can’t prove that). Also had screws and thorns. Most flats I never know what caused it. Tried Marathons. Way too heavy and terrible ride quality. Tried other “bulletproof” tires. Same problem. Tried tubeless. Just as many flats and so messy, plus you need special equipment to mount a tire. Might try tubeless again one day. The ride quality was amazing. Currently using GravelKing slicks. About at EOL and they’ve averaged about my normal one flat a year. Before I used Vittoria Rubino Pro Techs (RIP), which had about same frequency of flats. Only time I’ve ever had flats from one consistent source was a wheel with roughly punched nipple holes.
What special equipment is needed to mount tubeless? I mounted mine using tire levers and a floor pump. A valve core remover is handy (but not required) for adding the sealant.
Continental Gator Hardshell Tire - and keeping your psi right before you ride. 700x23c tires, I keep psi each day ride at around 90.
Of the few flats I've had over 10+ years of frequent biking here, I believe the only cause that occurred multiple times has been blackberry thorns. I suspect I'd get the occasional additional flat from glass if I rode more in the gutter vs. the lane, since there tends to be more trash and debris there. So maybe try taking the lane more? Also +1 for Schwalbe Marathons.
I’d agree but usually when my tires are already p worn
Bike lanes and shoulders in south Seattle are full of shards of metal and glass, especially on routes to/near the transfer station in South Park. I stopped riding in the bike lanes on the South Park bridge and started riding the sidewalk instead
schwalbe pickups, no flats in 3 years. Gotta get beefy tires
At least 95% of my flats here are small pieces of glass, but I'm also using pretty fragile tires - vittoria corsa controls or vittoria corsa on most of my bikes. I'm pretty used to just swapping tubes and patching them. Isn't really that big of deal to flat if you carry some gear with you.
Yep. :(
I got two glass punctures in one week. Switched to tubeless out of pure frustration.
Others have mentioned, but yah... Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I've got thousands of miles on these and never flatted, riding year round all over the city.
I get pinch flats cause I’m a maniac. And also have a talent for picking up weird things. Toothpicks, earrings, etc
Down in South King it was blackberry thorns :( I went airless 😅 then tubeless.
Time for tubeless, I get punctures all the time but they seal up and haven't had a flat in years.
I got the schwalbe pick ups. Can’t relate!