adamant

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i will start to commute to work and i know flats cannot be totally eliminated i need to try my best to avoid flats. my ride is on back roads that are heavy littered . tire size is 700x23/25c
what do you guys recommend?

10 Wheels

Carry spare tubes and a pump.
Practice flat changes at home.

dscheidt

I'm a fan a Panaracer Pasela TourGuard. (The TourGuard (or TG) means it's got a kevlar belt under the tread). I think they're available as 700X25.

Soma Roark

1. For commuting, try going to bigger tires with less pressure. Not only will this increase the comfort, it will decrease your chance of flats. (Read up on sheldon brown or grant at rivbike.com). From what I read, Schwalbe seems to make the most bomb resistant tires.

hammond9705

+1

I like the Continental Gatorskin.

https://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1320

CigarDad

I have used for 10+ years the Specialized All Condition Armadillo Tire. Very puncture resistant.




DURABLE PUNCTURE-RESISTANT TRAINING / ALL SEASON PERFORMANCE
Our All Condition road tire does absolutely everything well, making it one of the best all-around tires available anywhere. Proprietary Armadillo flat protection assures riders can cover as much terrain as they want and never have to worry about punctures. The lightweight dual-compound siped tread blends all-condition traction even in wet conditions with exceptional wear. Top it all off with our motorcycle-inspired dual radius design (DRT) that minimizes contact in straight lines, while maximizing contact surface and traction in corners.


•Casing: 60 TPI
•Bead: Wire
•Compound: 68a
•Flat Protection: Armadillo
•Dual Radius Tread (DRT) design for low rolling resistance and great cornering
•27 x 1-1/4 approx. weight 460g, PSI 115-125*
•700 x 23 approx. weight 405g, PSI: 115-125*
•700 x 25 approx. weight 435g, PSI: 115-125*
•700 x 28 approx. weight 460g, PSI: 115-125*

cyclokitty 

This is the first year using Marathan Plus tires on my bike and not a single flat even though quite a few of the bike lanes I use attract shattered glass. The tires roll right over debris, whether it was shatter proof glass, broken beer bottles or sharp strips of metal I didn't
see until it was too late to avoid. They were pretty pricey -- about $70.00 each but I hate fixing flats.

sancle1

i agree with cigardad, go with the armadillos. i found them a little heavy but i never got a flat on them. and a lil tuff to get on the first time. good luck

hencio

I went up to 35s and became more diligent about monitoring tire pressure. Much more comfortable on the bumps too.

deep_sky

I've been pretty happy with my Bontrager Hardcase tires. At $50 a pop they are expensive, but I've had one flat on them, and that was my fault for being lazy and not going over the tires after a previous ride and picking the rocks/glass/etc out of the center strip. I have had to replace my rear tire once a large cut I had there for about 1500 miles finally opened up and some of the cords cut. We have rough roads around here, but most of our debris are rocks and pieces of the road since paving is a lost art.

that-guy

Get the largest sized tires you can fit. I also used double rim tape/strip. I like the Conti Gatorskins in 25mm for my SS/FG from probikekit (no tax, no shipping to USA). I have the Bontrager Hardcases on my new LHT and they seem tough as hell but they are 32mm.

CliftonGK1

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Those were without a doubt the most disaster resistant tire I've ever ridden. They're on the heavy side, but I rode through the worst patches of glass... even pulled a couple of staples from them without any leak issues.

Greg_R

I use Conti Contacts and have been pleased so far. Please note that most of these puncture resistant tires are heavier than other options.

gattm99

I've had super good luck out of the GP4000 25s, and I know people who ride nothing but gator skins since they hate flats.

Pamestique 

I like Gatorskins but Armadillo are practically puncture proof. Then again, they are a stiff heavy tire. I am not "manly" enough to get those tires on and off my wheels.

I've probably now jinx'd myself, but I have been riding the same Gatorskins for 2 years (I do alot of bike touring) with no punctures. I am very good about checking the air pressure before every ride (I use a 700X28 tires and so pump the front to 90 and the rear 100) and I watch where I ride. After my ride, I check the tire for debris. But punctures are no problem. I can change a flat in about 5 minutes including getting all my gear out etc.

jyossarian

Conti Gatorskins 700x28. Rolls decent, resists punctures. They're my everyday commuting tire and need to be replaced after 3.5 years, but still holding up well which is why I haven't replaced them. That and PBK seems to carry 23 & 25, not 28 anymore.

kevntri

i have had good luck with Serfas drifters

BikeNewEngland

The Specialized Armadillo is practically bullet proof. The Continental Gatorskin is almost a flat-proof. I've never had a puncture with either.
Gordon Harris
www.bikenewengland.com

CPFITNESS

i've got the armadillos in a700x28 they are pretty tough, I did get one piece of glass that made it's way through a couple weeks ago but thats it. I live in nyc and had about 5 flats in the first 2 weeks with the stock tires, just the one flat in the 2 months since switching. the tires do have a crappy heavy ride feel to them to the point that when it's time to change them i'll probably try the gatorskins which many have told me are just as flat proof with a much better ride feel.

bautieri

I've had great luck with my gatorskins. They do run a little small though, so I would order the 28s if you usually ride 25s.

I'm going to shut up before I jinx myself.

Neil_B

Bontrager Hardcase tires.

ilmooz

Conti Gatorskins or Top Contacts. There's a Gator Hardshell too, which I haven't tried but sounds to be even more puncture resistant.

funrover 

I agree with Cigardad. These tires have been the best I have had ever for me. I am 260 (was 285)

socalrider

I have had good luck with gatorskins too.. I found the wire bead a little more puncture proof than the folding.. The new model gatorskin is called the Hardshell, it is supposed to be better than the stock gatorskin.. Reviews online have been solid on the new model..

https://www.westernbikeworks.com/prod...ardshell--700c

subdermis2000

+1 for the 25s which actually measure in at 28mm on my Mach 1 240 wheels. I tried the 700x18 Contis first but switched the rear to the armadillo after getting 4 flats in 2 weeks, and i rarely get flats (I know I've cursed my self now ). The armadillos will also take 15 psi more pressure that the contis.

So far so good running a conti in front and the armadillo in the back.