Tire liners anyone?
#1
daily small wheel rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Posts: 52
Bikes: SoloRock spin 3, SteelMaster 16", Dahon Classic III 16", Dahon Boardwalk
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tire liners anyone?
Two rear tire flats in one day! Glass!
I ride a 16" Dahon classic III and a 20" Dahon Boardwalk daily around my neighborhood usually accumulating 20 to 30 miles. Flats have been a rare occurrence - maybe two last year. Since I've had a year's worth in one day, I am thinking tire liners might help. Do they eliminate puncture flats from tiny glass shards?
I ride a 16" Dahon classic III and a 20" Dahon Boardwalk daily around my neighborhood usually accumulating 20 to 30 miles. Flats have been a rare occurrence - maybe two last year. Since I've had a year's worth in one day, I am thinking tire liners might help. Do they eliminate puncture flats from tiny glass shards?
#2
Banned
Yea they're a thing.. you cut down a long one for bigger wheels.
taper the end on the bench grinder, slows its abrading the tube, due to relative motion every time the wheel rotates.
but after a while they harden and or make a hole in the tube.
It is an additional barrier, ... eliminate? not 100%, realistically. still a good idea to inspect your tires and remove those shards.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires put a similar polymer under the tread, part of the tire itself.
....
taper the end on the bench grinder, slows its abrading the tube, due to relative motion every time the wheel rotates.
but after a while they harden and or make a hole in the tube.
It is an additional barrier, ... eliminate? not 100%, realistically. still a good idea to inspect your tires and remove those shards.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires put a similar polymer under the tread, part of the tire itself.
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-31-17 at 08:58 AM.
#3
Senior Member
Well, at least you're not in the southwest US where goat head thorns take out a good percentage of bicycle tires.
Here's how I deal with broken glass on a bike. Constantly scan the road ahead for anything that glitters, because it could be glass, and if it is, ride around it (assuming the way is clear, don't want you riding into traffic to avoid broken glass). If I inadvertently ride into broken glass, very first thing I do is dismount. Since I wear bike gloves, I pick up the bike, spin each wheel slowly and use the palm of the bike glove to brush away any shards. (Taught my wife to do this, which she does regularly!)
It's not the first contact with glass that often ruins the tire/tube, it's riding on it and further embedding it into the tire/tube.
Not a fan of tire liners. Beach to install, adds weight, tire liner can puncture the tube if not carefully installed, can complicate finding a leak, and all around a hassle I'd prefer not to deal with. Puncture resistant tires like the Marathon Plus mentioned above can help, but won't stop the worst offenders from breaking through.
Here's how I deal with broken glass on a bike. Constantly scan the road ahead for anything that glitters, because it could be glass, and if it is, ride around it (assuming the way is clear, don't want you riding into traffic to avoid broken glass). If I inadvertently ride into broken glass, very first thing I do is dismount. Since I wear bike gloves, I pick up the bike, spin each wheel slowly and use the palm of the bike glove to brush away any shards. (Taught my wife to do this, which she does regularly!)
It's not the first contact with glass that often ruins the tire/tube, it's riding on it and further embedding it into the tire/tube.
Not a fan of tire liners. Beach to install, adds weight, tire liner can puncture the tube if not carefully installed, can complicate finding a leak, and all around a hassle I'd prefer not to deal with. Puncture resistant tires like the Marathon Plus mentioned above can help, but won't stop the worst offenders from breaking through.
#4
daily small wheel rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Posts: 52
Bikes: SoloRock spin 3, SteelMaster 16", Dahon Classic III 16", Dahon Boardwalk
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thank you for the detailed information [MENTION=197614]fietsbob[/MENTION] and [MENTION=324221]bargainguy[/MENTION]. I knew there could be no panacea, but knowing that tire liners can cause problems I think I'll continue to inspect, hope for the best and fix'em when they flat'em.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 1,498
Bikes: Many Downtube Folders :)
Likes: 0
Liked 24 Times
in
17 Posts
I'm not a fan of tire liners. They never worked out for me.
Thanks
Yan
Thanks
Yan
__________________
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
Designer of Downtube Folding Bike
Ph.D. Temple University ( Math )
Biked across the USA twice
Semi-active chess player ( two time Bahamas National Champion )
Sivananda ( Bahamas ) Trained Yoga instructor ( 2013 ) and ThetaHealer since 2013
Bicycle delivery worker for Jimmy John's. Delivering is the best workout I have ever had.
#7
Full Member
Slime in your tyres would be a better option..Many motor bikes have it!
#8
I have been thinking for some months now that something must have happened with peopels tyres since I remember several years ago there was alot of threads about flats. Now we hardly have them. I remember "solid" (foam) tyres being discussed and not found good enough. Recently there was a thread in the utility forum about such tyres on a trailer and I did some searching and reading. Looks like they are better now (ride qualit) and more peopel use them.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...s+for+bicycles
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...s+for+bicycles
#9
Senior Member
I used Slime brand liners for quite long. Once I figured out why i got punctures from them (cut ends not sanded down) I easy pleased with performance. Until these idiots changed the recipe to a much stiffer material causing loads of punctures and I abandoned them.
I then tried Slime brand slime in the tubes. I will never know how many punctures were stopped but I got really small punctures that the Slime didn't stop. Plus the Presta valves became clogged. So that was that. I gave up on Slime brand stuff. I have bought another brand of stuff to go inside, a latex goop, but haven't tried it out yet. One thing that put me off is that it only lasts 6-12 months.
I then tried Slime brand slime in the tubes. I will never know how many punctures were stopped but I got really small punctures that the Slime didn't stop. Plus the Presta valves became clogged. So that was that. I gave up on Slime brand stuff. I have bought another brand of stuff to go inside, a latex goop, but haven't tried it out yet. One thing that put me off is that it only lasts 6-12 months.
#10
daily small wheel rider
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Punta Gorda, FL, USA
Posts: 52
Bikes: SoloRock spin 3, SteelMaster 16", Dahon Classic III 16", Dahon Boardwalk
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies. Tire liners are removed from my "things to try" list. Kevlar belted tires are on the list when my tires need replacing.
#11
Banned
One thing I found, Marathon + with the blue polymer puncture band is spec'd at 3mm thick,
that seems to mean it displaces that much tread rubber, resulting in very little wear miles, exposed the blue band .
in my 349 rear tire...
Green gard is spec'd at 2mm thick, the Marathon K (kevlar belt, fabric) is no longer available.
..
that seems to mean it displaces that much tread rubber, resulting in very little wear miles, exposed the blue band .
in my 349 rear tire...
Green gard is spec'd at 2mm thick, the Marathon K (kevlar belt, fabric) is no longer available.
..
#12
I still remember a 'talk' I had one time with who was likely drug runner while we were on the transit. He noticed my thin tires and asked how durable and of course I replied not much. He told me he can't under any circumstance get caught with a flat tire, and his ghetto workaround - he basically stuffs a old thinner tire with the sidewall cut away inside a larger tire. He said even if he popped the inner tube the tire will hold itself up long enough for him to get out of trouble. Interesting.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Henrico, VA
Posts: 1,499
Bikes: Origami Gazelle, Origami Crane 8, Origami Cricket 7
Liked 419 Times
in
247 Posts
I have been thinking for some months now that something must have happened with peopels tyres since I remember several years ago there was alot of threads about flats. Now we hardly have them. I remember "solid" (foam) tyres being discussed and not found good enough. Recently there was a thread in the utility forum about such tyres on a trailer and I did some searching and reading. Looks like they are better now (ride qualit) and more peopel use them.
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...s+for+bicycles
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...s+for+bicycles
__________________
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
Paul Pinigis
Owner of Origami Bicycle Company
#14
Stans No Tube is much better than Slime at filling small (up to 1/4") holes in tubes. I've ridden with others in goat-head territory where they've had numerous flats and I've had none.
I run Stans in my Brompton.
Agree, Schwalbe Marathon's are probably your best defense. Add Stans and you're virtually guaranteed no flats.
I run Stans in my Brompton.
Agree, Schwalbe Marathon's are probably your best defense. Add Stans and you're virtually guaranteed no flats.
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I installed Mr. Tuffy tire liners in my commuter a number of years ago and reduced my flats significantly. As others have mentioned, eventually the liner will rub a hole in the tube but I could probably get at least 1000 miles before that happened. Since then I've switched to standard Schwalbe Marathon tires and Schwalbe tubes (no liners, no Slime) and have not had a single flat in over 5000 miles.
#16
55+ Club,...
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Somewhere in New York, NY
Posts: 4,516
Bikes: 9+,...
Liked 979 Times
in
688 Posts
How about some thorn resistant innertubes? I use them, instead of liners. They're a bit heavier, but they've worked out well for me.
Amazon: Sunlight Thorn Resistant Innertubes
Amazon: Sunlight Thorn Resistant Innertubes
__________________
If it wasn't for you meddling kids,...
#18
Senior Member
I tried slime for a while and thought it was cool. I had a couple of punctures and witnessed the slime do it's thing. I guess I should have known that you have to still replace the tube quite soon afterwards as eventually those slime-plugged puctures elongate to the point where the slime no longer holds and then there's a big messy slime explosion.
#19
Senior Member
After getting a couple of flats on the Marathon Plus (!) rear tire on my Brompton, I installed a standard Brompton kevlar tire and added an anti-puncture inner tape from Zéfal.
It's been a few weeks now, and no flat even after a few hundred km's on tarmac roads and country roads.
Besides, those tires are lighter and way simpler to install than M+.
It's been a few weeks now, and no flat even after a few hundred km's on tarmac roads and country roads.
Besides, those tires are lighter and way simpler to install than M+.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,660
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
Liked 630 Times
in
434 Posts
You should (IMO, and as recommended by others) install Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. I ride in Chicago where there is a fair amount of debris on the streets, and I would have 2 or 3 flats a year. This is a real nuisance commuting to work, though I could repair a rear flat in 20 minutes. Since the switch to Marathon Plus I have had *zero* flats... several years and probably almost 10,000 miles. Why do I still carry a pump? Murphy's Law...
Final recommendation: Marathon Plus tires. They are said to have slightly more rolling resistance, but I don't notice it. Anyway, I would take a bit of resistance in trade for fewer flats any day!
Steve
#21
Banned
My winter studded tires, Suomi Nokian 26-1.9, are in their 25th season , no problems..
I use thorn resistant tubes, only have to top them up once I see the Icy streets forecast..
I use thorn resistant tubes, only have to top them up once I see the Icy streets forecast..
#22
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sant Cugat del Vallès, Catalonia
Posts: 41
Bikes: Just 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been using tire liners for 6 or 7 years now in all my urban bikes (folding bikes included). I used to have flats quite often (sometimes several times in one week), but since I use them I've had none (and that's more than 12.000km of urban riding).
I combine them with high quality tires (preferably Schwalbe Marathons).
I've used Mr. Tuffy and Zéfal liners, but in my opinion Mr. Tuffy work better and are easier to set up.
I combine them with high quality tires (preferably Schwalbe Marathons).
I've used Mr. Tuffy and Zéfal liners, but in my opinion Mr. Tuffy work better and are easier to set up.
#23
master of bottom licks
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Agreed. Not only do they make the tire feel squirrely but I've had them shift off center during the course of less than 100 miles worth of riding. Just get good Schwalbes. It's very rare that I've gotten flats on my bikes with Big Apples, Big Bens, Fat Franks or Marathons.
#24
master of bottom licks
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Don't be fooled by Kevlar. It's strong stuff but as a woven fabric as used in a tire carcass it will still allow sharp objects to pass between the threads and puncture the tube. I've found that the best puncture resistance comes from belts such as the ones Schwalbe uses. Where Kevlar shines is that it can be a thinner, lighter, more flexible but stronger weave than other woven fabrics so it allows the tire to flex more and conform ('glide') over road irregularities offering a smoother and faster rolling tire.
Last edited by BassNotBass; 06-14-17 at 04:54 AM.
#25
master of bottom licks
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
If you do use Slime you have to be sure to get the one intended for tube use. Even then it's not all that great a solution and the tube needs to be properly repaired or replaced when you get home. A drawback is that Slime makes things really messy if you do get a puncture because some of it will leak between the tube and tire before it has a chance to congeal and seal the puncture.