Puncture Resistant Tires

[Trek1500]

Well I got a flat this morning...once again. I'm thankful it was today and not during my duathlon on Sunday, but still.

I'm on a Trek 1500 with Bontrager Select B tires. I have problems with the rear frequently. Does anyone have any advice on a puncture resistant tire? Are they really effective? If yes, any recommendations? Thanks for any info.

[SalsaMTB]

I recently installed a set of thorn resistant tubes in a person's road bike. Those things are THICK!! I can't imagine ever popping one. I have no experience using them, but from the looks, it seems like it would work well. I don't recall the brand, I apologize. One thing I will say though, they are a VERY tight fit with the tire. DH actually had to help me out, at first i thought the tube was just too big. Very difficult to change, so if you ever did get a flat, you're basically out of the race.

Also, they are quite heavy. If you're into keeping the weight down, don't go with these. They make your tire feel like solid rubber, so I highly doubt you would get a flat, but, you definitely sacrifice in weight.

[SJCzar]

I switched to Continental Dura Skins and have around 1,800 no-flats miles on them. I have, unintentionally of course, ridden over plenty of glass on my commutes to work and so far so good. I hope this does not jinx me now.

[Aggie_Ama]

I second the Continental Gator Skins/Dura Skins. I have road 2000+ miles and had one flat. The flat was completely my fault. I hit a rock with an under-inflated tire. DOH! I ride in an area with a lot of glass and road debris without issue. I am not very good at avoiding road hazards.

[songlady]

I use Armadillos and like them a lot, have had a pretty good luck so far. My father uses Continental UltraGatorskins and has done extremely well with them.

[Running Mommy]

Conti GP 4000's are the bomb diggity!! No flats on them for me so far.. MAN I hope I haven't jinxed myself!!

[Dogmama]

Conti GP 4000's are the bomb diggity!! No flats on them for me so far.. MAN I hope I haven't jinxed myself!!

Conti 4-season are great too.

Regarding thorn resistant tubes - I ran over a wood screw (pointy end) - went right through the tube. Of course, that was pretty extreme.

When I start getting a lot of flats, that's a cue that the tire needs to be replaced because the tread is too thin. Oh, and it's always the rear tire - the hardest to change out!

Another option would be tubes with slime in them.