London Fixed-gear and Single-speed

Tyres sized 700x23C (to max 700x24C)

Designed as puncture-resistant:

Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase 330gr (wears easily)
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/119612.html £14.49
Continental Supersport Plus 320gr [folding], 400gr [rigid] (direct compeitor to Durano Plus - same technology)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=49770 £21-£24
Continental Ultra Gator Skins 280gr (fragile sidewalls)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=18800 £19.99
Duro Fixie Pop ??gr (700x24) [9 colours, plus undertread insert]
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/...s-folding-tyre £14.99
Halo Courier Berlin 415gr (700x24) [the most puncture proof tyre(?)*, though see Tyre Reviews for overall opinion]
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/produc...=m5b0s121p5950 £22.99
Hutchinson Intensive 230gr (normal tubed version)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=34957 £23.99
Hutchinson (new) Intensive 320gr (THIS IS A TUBELESS TYRE - with sealant it should be special)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Hu...es/5360046072/ £40.49
Maxxis Re-Fuse 245gr [real weight = 321gr] (possibly the best [lighter tyre] under forumenger tests)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=12537 £22.99
Panaracer Pasela TG 290gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=53957 £18.99
Panaracer RibMo Steel 310gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=53938 £26.99 (wired), £31.99 (folding)
Panaracer Stradius Sport TG 310gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=54104 £14.99
Panaracer Extreme Duro PT 260gr (practically a slick)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=54096 £31.99
Schwalbe Durano Plus 340gr () [expensive but a good road tyre]
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=45443 £29.99
Specialized All Condition Armadillo 405gr ()
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-tyre-ec001821 £22.99
Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elite 280gr ()
http://www.webstersbikes.co.uk/produ...d=m2b1s121p833 £44.99 per pair
Specialized Roubaix Armadillo Elite 295gr ()
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/pws/Uniq...ductID=C326CXX £29.99
Vredestein Ricorso PRS 370gr
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/115919.html £9.98 (colours)


* For it's weight; the Schwalbe Marathon Plus (not available in 700x23c) is claimed to actually be the best at this, but at nearing double the weight.
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Slightly puncture-resistant:

Deda Grinta 240gr ()
http://www.shinybikes.com/product.ph...4&cat=0&page=1 £12.11
Dia-Compe Gran Compe SS 198gr(claimed)/243gr(actual) (Blk, Grn, Brwn, Pnk, Wht, Purpl & Orng)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Di...re/5360042507/ £31.99
Kenda Koncept 255gr (blk, yllo, red, blu) (deemed as extemely poor)
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-tyre-ec026014 £12.99 (wired)
http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/bi...php?xProd=7815 £29.99 (folding)
Panaracer Stradius Sport 250gr (blk, yllo, red, blu)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=54103 £14.99
Schwalbe Blizzard 250gr (blk, yllo, red, blu)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=24609 £19.99
Schwalbe Lugano 325gr (blk, yllo, red, blu)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=24894 £12.99
Vittoria Rubino 310gr (blk, yllo, blu, red, white)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=31768 £12.99
Vredestein Fiammante DuoComp 300gr (blk, yllo, blu, red, white)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=47704 £17.99

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Lighter, fast training, or race tyres: (less than 240gr)

Continental Ultra Gator Skins Folding 220gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=18800 £19.99 (wired), £25.99 (folding)
Continental GP 4000 205gr (blk, gold, red, blu, Conti yllo, brnz, met blu, lemon)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=15872 £32.99
Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons 220gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=18794 £31.99
Continental Ultra Race Folding 220gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=18807 £17.99 (wired), £19.99 (folding)
Hutchinson Atom (tubed version) 195gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=47258 £35.99
Hutchinson Atom (tubeless version) 270gr* (included because weight is extremely low, compared to tubed tyres)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Hu...re/5360042202/ £39.99
Hutchinson Fusion 2 220gr ()
http://www.petracycles.co.uk/product...ducts_id=36464 £26.99
Hutchinson Top Speed 210gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=35231 £16.99
Kenda Konstrictor 210gr (tough to fit and remove = very stable cornering shape)
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/117179.html £19.44
Kenda c2c 200gr ()
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/112761.html £22.98
Michelin Ironman 220gr ()
http://www.thebikefactory.co.uk/prod...roductid=41701 £31.95
Michelin Krylion Carbon 235gr (cuts up easily)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Mi...re/5360023132/ £22.70
Michelin Pro 3 200gr (yllo x2, red, blu x2, grey, orng, ivory, blk)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Mi...re/5360035644/ £27.39
Schwalbe Durano 235gr ()
http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP7592...campaign%3dDPL £26.45
Schwalbe Durano S 225gr ()
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y0088 £41.39
Schwalbe Stelvio 235gr ()
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/detail.asp...lt_Black_Black £16.30 (black)
http://www.totalcycling.com/index.ph...urrency&id=GBP £19.49 (colours)
Schwalbe Ultremo DD Evolution 195gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=35727 £35.99
Schwalbe Ultremo R.1 180gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=35728 £29.00
Schwalbe Ultremo Aqua 195gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=48752 £32.99
Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 195gr ()
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=60318 £34.99
Specialized All Condition Pro "QuickStep" 210gr *verify* (blk, red+white)
http://www.mailordercycles.com/produ...d=m2b1s121p808 £35 per pair
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo-CX 230gr ()
http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP7189...campaign%3dDPL £41.61
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo-KS 230gr ()
http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP6426...campaign%3dDPL £39.44
Vittoria Rubino Pro III 225gr (lots of colours)
http://www.highonbikes.com/vittoria-...e-folding.html £17.50
Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp 240gr ()
http://www.cyclingbargains.com/produ...roducts_id=365 £22.95
Vredestein Fortezza Quattro Tricomp 230gr ()
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/roa...mp/VREDTYRF225 £24.75

Anti-Puncture Strips:

SpinSkins (14 gram road model) (negative reviews; only recommended for races)
http://www.spinskins.com
Panaracer Flataway (Must be glued in - use only once)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Pa...er/5300003783/

Stop Flats2
http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.a...S+2+TIRE+LINER
Mr.Tuffy Tyre Liner (high rolling weight gain + risk of pinch flats - tested by GA2G)
http://www.pedalon.co.uk/acatalog/mr...iner_road.html

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Recommendations: Designed as puncture resistant

Lightest - Hutchinson Intensive,
Strongest - Halo Courier Berlin, Maxxis ReFuse, Schwalbe Durano Plus, Specialized Roubaix Armadillo Elite,
Fastest - Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase,
Best Value - Vredestein Ricorso PRS,

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Recommendations: Designed as slightly puncture resistant

Lightest - Dia-Compe Gran Compe SS,
Strongest - Schwalbe Blizzard, Deda Grinta,
Fastest - Hutchinson Top Speed,
Best Value - Deda Grinta, Schwalbe Lugano, Schwalbe Blizzard, Vittoria Rubino,

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Recommendations: Designed as lighter, fast training, or race tyres

Lightest - Schwalbe Ultremo,
Strongest - Continental Gator Skins Folding, Vredestein Fortezza Quattro Tricomp,
Fastest - Michelin Pro 3,
Best Value - Schwalbe Stelvio, (being phased out)

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Excellent Tip: (from mikec)
"take all the bits....out of (sic) the tyres every couple of weeks and superglue up all the holes.
Also keep max psi at all times.

Excellent Tip: (from zippie)
Use SuperGlue "Gel"


High Pressure RIM TAPES (list)
http://www.lfgss.com/post2554901-9.html
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PHOTOS OF SELECTED TYRES BELOW:

What the hell did you just post?

Sweet, I'm all over it now. Thanks for the help.......

Ultimate / Most Puncture-Proof Tyres / Tires

It appears that I should have expanded the Anti-Puncture Tyres lists to include other tyres, that didn't necessarily come in the standard, for road bikes, 700x23c size.

Here are the best that I can find. Data taken from this forum's recommendations, and tests/reviews elsewhere, plus one's own research.

Many of the tyres are of standard construction, but a few are either tubeless/solid, or are manufactured from a relatively new technology.

Continental Top Contact, 700x28/32/37/42/47, blk, £41.35 [excellent reputation]
http://www.petracycles.co.uk/contact...72g3flnbor7a83
Dutch Perfect Road Tread, 700x23, blk, £25.19
http://www.cyclesuk.com/364-481799
Dutch Perfect Road Rider Tread, 700x28, blk, £25.19
http://www.cyclesuk.com/364-481800
Dutch Perfect Hybrid Arrow Tread, 700x35, blk, £25.19
http://www.cyclesuk.com/366-481801
Green Tyre Racer 700x20, 320g, 100psi, blk, gry, blu, grn, ylw, £19.99 [a bit slower, more vibration, but very puncture proof]
https://airfreetires.com/shopping/p-...racer-622.aspx
Halo Courier Berlin 700x24/29 £22.99 [my choice]
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/produc...=m5b0s121p5950
Panaracer RibMo Steel, 700x23/25/28/32/35, blk, £24.99 [slower rolling, rarely punctures]
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/product-Panaracer-Panaracer-RibMo-Steel-Rigid-Road-Tyre--Black--700-(622)-17497.htm
Ricktig nuteck 700x20 TT, blk, DKK268 ()
http://ebutik.ricktig.dk/product_inf...0f105a7f87670c
Ricktig nuteck 700x28 Touring, blk, DKK220
http://ebutik.ricktig.dk/product_inf...0f105a7f87670c
Schwalbe Marathon Plus, 700x25/28/32/35/38, blk, £19.99 [excellent generally, but not so much in the wet]
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/product-Schwalbe-Tyres-Schwalbe-Marathon-Plus-Kevlar-HS348-Rigid-Tyre-with-Reflex-and-Smart-Guard--Black--700-(622)-11908.htm
Schwalbe Durano Plus 340gr £29.99 [not as puncture proof as Marathon Plus or the Courier Berlin, but a great road tyre]
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=45443

Schwalbe Durano Skid 700x25 Blk £TBA [competitior to Randonneur] ******for 2011******
http://www.schwalbe.com/gbl/en/produ...ID_Produkt=266
Vittoria Randonneur 700x28/32/35, BLK, £13.05 [fantastic tyres, though heavyish and harder to fit]; 700x28, WHITE, £14.99
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Vi...re/5360025223/

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/...aTYVIRAWH70028
Vittoria Randonneur Pro 700x32/35, blk, £21.59 [highly recommended, and favoured]
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Vi...re/5360035184/

awesome.

but by 23cm do you mean 23mm (tyre width)?

I been running a continental gatorskin, and I must say its superb.

The tyres are extreely well made, seem to be multi layer, and have no manufacturing flaws.

The side walls are thin, but I would say they are extremely stong. You can see a woven cross hatch fibre mesh in them, whih binds the whole thing together rock solid. They feel like they could take A LOT OF pressure. And resist potential punctures.

THe walls are suprisingly shiny and seem to be made of something completley different to other more rubbery tyres, like the cheap continentals.

THe best thing about the tyres is, immense grip!

Its alost impossible to skid in the dry, and when you do it on a shiny wet surface, its lovely and controllable.

Sorry to be a huge advert, I just really like the tyre.

yeah me too ^

Sweet, good reference point...

well done good reference post.

I will 2nd the week side walls on the conti ultras. LEss than a thousand miles and I had a massive tear.

Great post. Just a point of information though - the stuff marked as Vittoria Rubino all points to info about the Rubino Tech, which has extra sidewall protection. The standard rubino is lighter and cheaper (and I've not punctured one in months)

i wont class the rubino as a "puncture proof" tyre. nor was it marketed as one.

I'm not going to tell you what tyres I've got and I'm not going to tell you how many p***tures they've had because if I do I'll get a puncture tomorrow, guaranteed. And it'd be all your fault...

Yep, good point. But then neither is the Rubino Pro. Either way, I've found them to be amongst the most resistant tyres I've had...

I've never had a puncture on a 700c clincher tyre. Fact.
And I've run all kinds of junk.. serious no-name 20 year old junk.
Both times my ex-girlfriend rode my bike, she punctured.
Both times I've run tubs, I've punctured within a week (they were old and super light).
In 4 years riding fixed, I've never had a puncture.

It kinda scares me.

It's saving up until one day you ride more than 2mi... you'll be in the middle of the Australia outback with no spare tubes and then BANG!

Well now you've done it. Take your pump out with you tomorrow.

and that, officer, is how I ended up with my knob up this kangaroos arse

Not exactly..

that kangaroo is one lazy f**er

unlucky

how do you want your kangaroo sir? Grilled…

ithanggyooouuuu

Thing is, I'm so complacent that I don't even own a bike pump any more.

specialized armidillos are sick. fuck the rest.

Never had a puncture on my stelvio plus tyres... i ride ~ 100miles per week in london

Bontrager hard case.
Fast and relatively puncture proof.
I also think the more you look after your tires the better they will serve you. I take all the bits of shit out of them every couple of weeks and superglue up all the holes. Also keep max psi at all times

Gluing the cuts.. never thought of that.. nice one..

I like the cut of your jib.

i just bought 4 more sets of armidillos. i had a few different ones on for a while, and they either were all weighted funny, or they wore quickly, or just straight punctured. with the 'dillos i don't even carry a patch kit or an extra tube anymore.

I've come across an interesting anti-puncture strip called Spin Skins. So I've included that as well as Panaracer's Flataway strip and Mr.Tuffy's Tire Liner.

The SpinSkins look ideal for making light fast tyres very puncture resistant.

Something missing from the tire list: Hutchison_Fusion 2 (top of the Hutchison range for race performance and punture protection from Decathlon) currently 2 for 1 £33.00
I've used them for about two months and I'm very impressed thus far. Whilst I don't have the weights to hand, they are lighter than the gator skins and the Hard cases (which disintegrate once they begin to wear).
There is another cheaper Hutchison alternative to the fusion2 in decathlon which are billed as being extremly punchture proof.

Hope this helps

i run conti gp4000 and have never had a puncture in them, had gators before and got a few in them! love the gp4000's just wish i had brought a coloured pair not all black!

i pulled a fucking huge thorn out of my armadillo the other day. I only noticed it because something had become lodged onto the thorn and was hitting the seat tube every rotation of my rear wheel. I thought i'd snapped a spoke or something.

The thorn was like 8mm long, and it was RED - as if my tyre was bleeding!

I've never* punctured an armadillo, and i treat them like shit - I skid them hard, swear at them, offer them sweets then whip them away at the last minute.

*I have punctured them once, but i pulled a neolithic flint arrowhead from the tyre, then rode it till there was a half-inch of red puncture layer all the way round.

Swear by 'em! (As well as at them)

red layer, pfftt, there are about 12 layers after that!!!

well to offer a bit of balance to the armadillo jerkfest that's goin' on mine did basically explode on putney bridge yesterday afternoon. The casing seemed to be torn to shreds at one point and I think it was causing the inner tube to clip against something.

Then again it wasn't new by any means and it saw me to Cambridge . Plus I was given it by none other than Hillbilly, the tyre tryer himself.

i think the newer versions are shit. i've got a stock of older style ones.

PJS - have you seen hillbilly skid? he goes through every single layer of a tyre in one go! :)

I've kept the armadillo, i think i might put it back on. I can only see the threads in a couple of places.

The basic rule is - if it starts to bulge, take it off! (saying that, my rubino pro on the front of my beater is bulging in several places...)

I just wanted to contribute asm. It's been days since I've locked horns with anyone around teatime.

TTBOMK Hillbilly hadn't ridden mine but we both agreed it was a used tyre. Any tyre Hillbilly had admitted to putting on his rear wheel would be a tyre I would pass on. Them kind of tyres is for Hillbilly only in my book.

How's the NE btw?

I rode over a drawing pin last week. I rode the 4 miles home with ok pressure... just left it in!

my cats breath smells like cat food!

Very useful thread GA2G, thx. For wot its worth:-

I replaced my old patchy 'red' armadillos' a month or so ago (5000ish miles on em) with the new version and got a flat front within a week.....vicious piece of flint put a big hole right through it. So popped on an old Gatorskin which I never much liked, but its been OK for a few weeks now.
I don't think the new armies are the full ticket though.
Also, on my road bike (touring really) I've been using Roubaix armadillos (they're 23c/25 so very comfy for long rides). They did a solid job on my LeJog in 2006 when they were new, but have just started to puncture......they've not done more than 2000 miles. So I'm gonna get some Roubaix Armadillo Elites and see if they're up to 1000mile puncture free touring. £24.99 each they wanna be!

I'm just about to replace my Continental Grand Prix 4000 tyres. They've been in use for over a year and have about 4,500 miles on them.

I'm only replacing them out of caution as they've not punctured once and the outer does show a number of marks but nothing substantial. I'm a firm believer of replacing before something it fails.

I'm replacing them with the newer Continental Grand Prix 4000s. Hopefully they'll prove as good as the ones I'm taking off.

No prob Kipsy.

By the way, it seems that quite a few people have noticed that the "new" armadillos aren't as strong as the old recipe. I use the red-sided armies, and might change to something else instead, when mine have worn through. I think I'll try either of 3: Gator Skins, Re-Fuse, or the Hard Cases.

But, given that VB has used Conti 4000s for a year without a stoppage, then I'd also consider those, but with SpinSkins inside for extra insurance. Should be a total of 219g each tyre+strip. Way lower than my 405g armies.

@kipsy, CONdor gotta a special on the army elites £19.99 :)

If ever useful to you, could you give a (really) short reply?
Obviously you don't have to - statutory rights and all that. Cheers.

Endoraement for 4000s's, 22 months no puncture, and with long rides to Kent.

Endorsement of almost every tyre that's ever been manufactured, based on anecdotal evidence from thousands of cyclists.

Warning to steer clear of almost every tyre that's ever been manufactured, based on anecdotal evidence from thousands of cyclists.

And in other news...

Not had a puncture on my Ultra Gatorskins yet. Got them on the 11th of last month and i've done 842miles on them. Not had a puncture at all and they are pretty grippy aswell, been round some tight courners fast on them aswell and not come off with them yet.

what's good in a 650c? anything puncture proof?

Anyone know shops in London/ Cheapest online place that sells Continental Top Contact tyres, they look tough as nails wanna give em a go.

thanks

Conti can usually be found here..