Flat-preventing Tires?

**kjay** · 07-13-2008, 02:45 PM

Occasionally I've heard about tires that are made to prevent (or decrease the chance of) flats. I like to ride one-week tours, and this appeals to me.

Do any of you have or know about such tires, and if you do have them, do they substantiate the claims? Perhaps they're heavier than regular tires?
(I have a Trek Pilot.)

**KnottedYet** · 07-13-2008, 02:50 PM

I have the double-layer Vittoria Randonneurs, which are supposed to be more flat resistant than the average bear. Someone on TE recommended them to me a couple years ago, and I have them on 2 of my road bikes. So far, so good! I have no complaints and they don't seem unusually heavy to me. (I ride on broken glass and pot holes and other urban hazards. No goathead thorns or other exciting things like that!)

**kjay** · 07-13-2008, 02:53 PM

Thanks, KnottedYet! I will check them out right now.

**SouthernBelle** · 07-13-2008, 03:01 PM

There are several tires that have kevlar. I just put on a set of Maxxis Courchervals which have it. But I haven't had them long enough to comment on effectiveness. Try a search on TE of kevlar and I suspect you will find several.

**CarbonCandy** · 07-13-2008, 03:20 PM

Additionally, you could check out some "thorn" resistant or heavy duty tubes.

**boy in a kilt** · 07-13-2008, 06:32 PM

Concur on the vittorias. I've got gazillions of miles on them with very few flats. Well, maybe not gazillions but definitely a butt load. They hold my standing record for most miles without a flat, about 5,000, including a loaded tour in central oregon.

The bike was loaded. I was only loaded a couple of time.

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 07-13-2008, 07:00 PM

I ride Continental Grand Prix Four Seasons tires....700x25. Good flat protection.

**Running Mommy** · 07-13-2008, 10:03 PM

Conti Grand Prix 4000's here.
NO FLATS in over a year and a half, and they last. A bit spending at 50 clams a tire, but I won't use anything else.

**sundial** · 07-14-2008, 07:57 AM

Kenda C2C--iron cloak protection from bead to bead. And they look nifty too.

**tab123** · 07-14-2008, 01:54 PM

Conti Gatorskins - the ride quality feels a bit rough but they are almost bullet proof.

For better ride quality, Conti 4 Seasons.

Also, lower your tire pressure - that seems to really help with flat protection. I ride in an area with a lot of broken glass.

**sundial** · 07-16-2008, 05:01 AM

I'm curious about the Schwalbe Stelvios sold here at TE. Anyone try them?

**Crankin** · 07-16-2008, 05:55 AM

I had the Shwalbe Stelvios for about a year and a half. They were great, until one got cut when I was on a century. I am not sure what the offending object was, but it was probably something really bad. They were very easy to deal with.
I now have the Continentals discussed above. We got them very cheap on Steep and Cheap.

**PscyclePath** · 07-16-2008, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by sundial

I'm curious about the Schwalbe Stelvios sold here at TE. Anyone try them?

I ran Continental Gatorskins for a long time, and found them to be pretty good, and fairly bulletproof for touring and fitness riding. I've been runnig Vittoria Rubino Pros for the past two years, though, and I like them even better. The only reason I've had to replace them in thousands of miles has been an occasional sidewall cut.

One of my buddies runs the Schwalbes on his Bike Friday, and has been very happy with them over four months of commuting and touring use. One neat thing I like about them is the reflective bands built into the sidewalls... very cool & useful.

TOm

**7rider** · 07-16-2008, 06:03 AM

The Vittoria Randonneurs have been great on my DH's flatbar road bike.
I've been less than impressed with the life span of my Conti Gatorskins.
So far (knocking on wood), I've had great luck with Bontrager RaceLite Hardcase tires on my commuter. And...as a bonus...your LBS/Trek dealer should have them readily available.

**Geonz** · 07-16-2008, 08:24 AM

I have BOntrager Hard Case and when my shoe got caught in my wheel and ripped my fender off and ground it into the tire... it still held air. Should have been slashed to ribbons. (I did replace the tire, though, because it had been pretty shredded... just not past the top layer). The only flat I've had in a few thousand miles was last week when the tube failed... oh, and trying to put the tube back in when I replaced the tire. THey are *hard* to get on, tho' I think I might have figred out the secret (to put the tube in with *no air*).

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