Schwalbe 'Puncture Protected' MTB Tyres

[james239]

I appreciate you can never make a tyre 100% puncture resistant, but what are people's experiences with these tyres?

My old mountain bike had pretty budget tyres, so I stuck some of that kevlar felt lining in them. In the past 6 months that I've been doing proper mountain biking on regular long routes I only had 2 punctures. One thorn on the edge of the tyre just beyond the felt lining and another from a small nail that went through the felt.

My new bike has got a Fat Albert on the front and a Nobby Nic on the rear. Both claim to have puncture protection and they came pumped up to a really high pressure which I'm told is good.

First ride out I got a flat rear - whatever punctured it didn't stick in the tyre 'cause I found nothing after several thorough checks. Second ride I got a thorn in the front - pulled it out and it's tiny so wouldn't have thought it would go through. Then found a second small thorn too but that one didn't puncture the tube.

Anyone had better experiences with them? Thinking of sticking some of the lining in these too but it's annoying having to buy extra protection for tyres that are supposedly good at protecting against punctures.

[Matt London]

I use to ride Racing Ralphs but had trouble with thorn punctures, I was getting one every other ride.
I changed to Racing Ralph Double Defence and have had just two punctures in 16 months, which is about 70 rides.

[shalmaneser]

I've found that Schwalbes have relatively thin sidewalls, not great for punctures really. Obviously puncture proof ones have thicker carcasses but they don't deform as well so have less grip - swings and roundabouts.

You mentioned high pressures, if you're off road then you really don't want to be running much more than 30 psi unless you ate all the pies, much more than that and grip becomes seriously compromised.