A thorny problem - autumn tyres

[defblade]

Seems like GP5000s, for all their greatness, don't get on with hedge cutting and thorns... this shouldn't really be a surprise

I've swapped them out for some Schwalbe Marathons hanging around the garage that used to live on my old audax bike.
They're not actually that much slower, having taken them on a ride, but they don't half take the joy out of riding... they feel like wood and take two thirds of the verve out of the frame (was less of an issue on my old steel bike, probably because I had nothing much else to compare it to!)... and don't feel like they roll at all compared to the GP5ks.


Now, I understand that low weight vs puncture-proofing vs low rolling resistance is going to be 3 points of a triangle; any suggestions for tyres that might push out towards all three and give me back some of the fun, but with added peace of mind?
I've googled a bit, but come up with too many review lists which read like the Fast Show's "Brilliant!!!!!"character, so I'm after some real world recommendations.
Riding is pretty much 100% road, but a lot of the roads are poor-to-very-poor and currently covered in pot holes, gravel and bits of hedge (and tree if it's been windy). it's harder to avoid all these in the dark, too




Or, (dare I whisper it?)... time to try tubeless?

[Simes205]

Tubeless.

[prand]

i tried different tyres. I still got punctures, I got fed up with punctures, so I put Slime into the tubes, and have not had a puncture since. Didn't notice much gain in weight or issues rolling, and have saved at least 20 minutes and pain every other ride not having to change a tube.

[Bathroom_Security]

defblade said:

Or, (dare I whisper it?)... time to try tubeless?

Yes, Get some Stans race, put the sealant in MTB style (as in not through the valve like Roadies do - why do roadies do this ffs) by tipping it into the tire before levering the last bit on.

[Master Bean]

Don't bother with tubeless under 28mm tyres. Lots of people in my club like the gp4 season.

[defblade]

Master Bean said:

Don't bother with tubeless under 28mm tyres. Lots of people in my club like the gp4 season.

I'm running 32mm with the GP5ks; the Marathons are "only" 28mm which again probably doesn't help the feel over my local roads.

prand said:

i tried different tyres. I still got punctures, I got fed up with punctures, so I put Slime into the tubes, and have not had a puncture since. Didn't notice much gain in weight or issues rolling, and have saved at least 20 minutes and pain every other ride not having to change a tube.

Ahh, a middle ground... I know I've got tubes with removable valve cores, I might give this a go first

[GCH]

prand said:

i tried different tyres. I still got punctures, I got fed up with punctures, so I put Slime into the tubes, and have not had a puncture since. Didn't notice much gain in weight or issues rolling, and have saved at least 20 minutes and pain every other ride not having to change a tube.

Honestly, more people need to do this. An ounce of stan's or similar inside the tubes works wonders without the faff and mess of tubeless.

[stargazer30]

I have 38cc marathon mondials on one bike and 38c schwalbe one speeds on the other. Marathons are non folding, tough as heck and do feel a bit woody. The one speeds roll better, feel nicer and like for like riding seem to be as puncture proof so far.

Having said that the one speeds are folding tyres so if they did puncture I’d be walking home as they simply will not come off the rim or go back on without a major flipping drama, high air pressure, broken levels and lots of swearing….

[Harpoon]

Bathroom_Security said:

defblade said:

Or, (dare I whisper it?)... time to try tubeless?

Yes, Get some Stans race, put the sealant in MTB style (as in not through the valve like Roadies do - why do roadies do this ffs) by tipping it into the tire before levering the last bit on.

What's wrong with putting sealant in via the valve? Saves having to fight with the tyre when you're topping up.

[ChocolateFrog]

100% don't bother with tubeless, I lasted 1 ride and 4 punctures before I binned mine.

Also the GP5000 are very prone to damage from things like thorns and flint. More so than their predecessor.

I'd be tempted by something like gatorskins and slime filled tubes. Might sacrifice a couple of Watts and 200g but worth it for less faff.

[GCH]

Harpoon said:

What's wrong with putting sealant in via the valve? Saves having to fight with the tyre when you're topping up.

Nothing. It is the sensible way to do it, as it seals the tubes from the inside when punctured. It works well.

[Master Bean]

I use 32mm Pirelli Cinturato Tubeless. I'm not sure if they're up to the speed or grip you're used to but I give them plenty of abuse on Bridleways and they seem to hold up well to it.

[Dnlm]

I have Schwalb Ones on commuter/winter bike that have done really nicely since early spring. Zero punctures so far.

[defblade]

Master Bean said:

I use 32mm Pirelli Cinturato Tubeless. I'm not sure if they're up to the speed or grip you're used to but I give them plenty of abuse on Bridleways and they seem to hold up well to it.

I like the grip, but I'm only used to speed on the downhills


Popped to the LBS earlier and came back with a couple of bottles of slime, so the GP5s are back on the bike, and my inner tubes are a little heavier. Should be out for a ride tomorrow, so I'll see if I can tell the difference (I doubt it!)



I have used slime before, but on motorbike tyres. I didn't find it that fantastic, but then motorbike tyres have to deal with a lot more force, and the holes tend to be bigger (usually screws. Why are there screws everywhere on the roads when your motorbiking? I never see them from the push bike...). What it was useful for, was spraying bright green all over the back end of the bike, which at least told me to go look for a slow puncture before I needed the bike again.

Edited by defblade on Sunday 10th October 19:07

[Bathroom_Security]

Dnlm said:

I have Schwalb Ones on commuter/winter bike that have done really nicely since early spring. Zero punctures so far.

Opposite experience for me with Pro Ones. Hated them

[David_M]

Continental GP4Seasons are a good compromise between GP5000s and the Gatorskins. I use them pretty much all year round.

[ArnageWRC]

Last winter I ran Vittoria Cora Control 30mm tubeless tyres; never had a flat - in fact they're still on now, and have used them on wet summer road rides. The rear has started to show signs of wear, and when looking for a replacement, they were either out of stock, or a silly price. They did need more sealant than on the instructions, but once sealed, they just worked.

So have ordered a set of 32mm Panaracer GravelKing slicks, and will run them tubeless. There are mixed reviews, but I'm willing to take a chance with them.

I'd only run tubeless at 28mm or bigger....any smaller will need higher pressures, and the whole point of tubeless is running lower pressures.

If you can't/won't run tubeless, I'd use the slime filled inner tubes; they may be slightly heavier, but who cares in winter if it keeps the tyres up?

[defblade]

defblade said:

Popped to the LBS earlier and came back with a couple of bottles of slime, so the GP5s are back on the bike, and my inner tubes are a little heavier. Should be out for a ride tomorrow, so I'll see if I can tell the difference (I doubt it!)

32 miles today. Nice to have the nice tyres back! Can't say I noticed the weight of the slime at all.
However, I did manage to exceed the GP5Ks' grip limits with resulting blood (as may be seen on the "photos..." thread), but on the bright side, the large thorn I found buried in the front tyre shortly after picking myself back off the floor caused me zero problems when pulled out and no loss of pressure before or after, so I'm now happy with the slime-in-the-tube solution

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

defblade said:

defblade said:

Popped to the LBS earlier and came back with a couple of bottles of slime, so the GP5s are back on the bike, and my inner tubes are a little heavier. Should be out for a ride tomorrow, so I'll see if I can tell the difference (I doubt it!)

32 miles today. Nice to have the nice tyres back! Can't say I noticed the weight of the slime at all.
However, I did manage to exceed the GP5Ks' grip limits with resulting blood (as may be seen on the "photos..." thread), but on the bright side, the large thorn I found buried in the front tyre shortly after picking myself back off the floor caused me zero problems when pulled out and no loss of pressure before or after, so I'm now happy with the slime-in-the-tube solution

Nice, good to see someone doing some proper testing for a change

[upsidedownmark]

stargazer30 said:

I have 38cc marathon mondials on one bike and 38c schwalbe one speeds on the other. Marathons are non folding, tough as heck and do feel a bit woody. The one speeds roll better, feel nicer and like for like riding seem to be as puncture proof so far.

Having said that the one speeds are folding tyres so if they did puncture I’d be walking home as they simply will not come off the rim or go back on without a major flipping drama, high air pressure, broken levels and lots of swearing….

Erm.. there's nothing intrinsic to folding tyres that says they'd be hard to get on / off. If they really are that bad, it's a rim/tyre combo thing. (e.g. IME continentals plus mavic rims = pain) Or technique / bad levers.

Personally I'd rather walk than ride marathons or gatorskins, but ymmv. Have always carried a spare tube and I reckon 10 mins to change it (with co2, not faffing with a silly pump). I would agree to being unconvinced on tubeless in <28mm. I never really saw the need, but the current bike is 28mm, and I am loving the tubeless - but still have concern over what happens if it doesn't seal. Carry bacon strips and a spare tube, but..

For some kind of objective reviewing, maybe google bicycle rolling resistance (website) they do actual puncture testing. Not sure how real world it is, but maybe worth something for comparative details.