Solid / Puncture Proof Tyres any advice please?

[Geriatric]

Apologies for assuming that you were fully functioning. I can now see your dilemma.
I'd still recommend the Marathons. Solids just do not give the road holding required to remain safe.

Hello and thanks for your post and easily understand the thinking behind your comment.

The reason I undertook this course of action (puncture proof consideration) was in direct recognition to my physical limitations re puncture repair, within an E-bike suspicious environ.

Pre planning would also certainly be a maxim for others to consider including Politicians, Bankers, NHS bosses etc...

 

[mike killay]

Reading an old motor cycle book,
(Motor Cycle Cavalcade, by Ixion)
I see that pre First World War, motor cyclists carried butt ended inner tubes (i.e. instead of a hoop, they were a straight pipe with butt ends), so there was no need to remove the wheel to replace the tube.

 

[RobF]

Is it too late to urge you to reconsider?

Those solid tyres are truly dreadful, and will be genuinely difficult to fit to a 20" wheel.

You mention tacks.

The Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres to which you've been referred are tack-proof, or at least the tread is.

I'm not a big fan of YouTube clips, but this one is only a couple of minutes and features a young man who inserts a ring of tacks into a Marathon Plus to prove the point:

Schwalbe Marathon Puncture Test! - YouTube

 

[103Alex1]

Puncture proof inner tubes (available in 20 x 1.95) are another exactly matched consideration Link/tubes hopefully they're easier to fit too!

I think you may have come upon a compromise there that would be a better ride than going with solid tyres... if you installed these inner tubes then you could likely get away with cheaper tyres than Schwalbe Marathons - but even with the hasstle of getting the bike to hatti to get punctures fixed if you were unlucky enough for them to go through the SmartGuard protection I'd still consider putting them on. If Protek Max self-healing inner tubes were available in 20" tyre sizes you'd have even more peace of mind with definitely no deterioration in ride quality but so far as I know they only come in 26" and 28" sizes - however sounds like those Bluetube inner tubes are a similar thing (nice find !).

I actually use self-healing inner tubes and puncture-resistant tyres (bike is huge and very hard to fix roadside) .. fingers crossed have never had a puncture.

Just thought I'd mention this too if getting a puncture would cause you or your wife a major headache getting the bike home in order to get it off for fixing :

Bicycle Roadside Assistance | Cyclist Rescue & Recovery | Cycleguard

Won't come out for you if within a mile from home as they figure you can walk it but nonetheless it's a fix for any risk of being stranded 4 miles from home and unable to do a roadside repair .

 

[Geriatric]

Reading an old motor cycle book,
(Motor Cycle Cavalcade, by Ixion)
I see that pre First World War, motor cyclists carried butt ended inner tubes (i.e. instead of a hoop, they were a straight pipe with butt ends), so there was no need to remove the wheel to replace the tube.

Simple and effective I would think, I expect today a combination of the EU & H&S would find them suicidal and ban them? (along with everything else!)

 

[Geriatric]

I think you may have come upon a compromise there that would be a better ride than going with solid tyres...

The more I read and watch the posted vids I think I'll go belt and braces (bluetube inner tubes and Schwalbe Marathon tyres.

The only slight problem is that Marathon only seem to have 20 x 1.75 as a max profile available which means the profiles a bit lower and the rim size is HB420 - my wheels are 422?

I'm unclear quite what either 420 or 422 signifies, much less if its significant as a contrast?

 

[Geriatric]

Is it too late to urge you to reconsider?

Those solid tyres are truly dreadful, and will be genuinely difficult to fit to a 20" wheel.

You mention tacks.

The Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres to which you've been referred are tack-proof, or at least the tread is.

I'm not a big fan of YouTube clips, but this one is only a couple of minutes and features a young man who inserts a ring of tacks into a Marathon Plus to prove the point:

Schwalbe Marathon Puncture Test! - YouTube

A very effective persuader, real 'Road Runner' kit! I take it Schwalbe have some form of reinforced layer. The tacks on the vid are actually larger than the one's favoured by our young hardware enthusiasts round here. They must just have a better equipped class of social assasin in Indonesia?

Thank you sincerely, I think its the route to go. The 'Solids' I have are the wrong size anyway, so I've returned them today.

 

[103Alex1]

The rims are HB 422's by the way.

The only slight problem is that Marathon only seem to have 20 x 1.75 as a max profile available which means the profiles a bit lower and the rim size is HB420 - my wheels are 422?

I'm unclear quite what either 420 or 422 signifies, much less if its significant as a contrast?

Is 420 the hub rather than the rim ? I can't find any references to an HB420 rim on google but found this on the HB422 rim as far as compatibility of tyre specs with this rim :

Smallest tire for HB 422 rim [Archive] - Bike Forums

You should be fine with the 20 x 1.75s - someone on there even went down to a 20 x 1.5 with them. You can never be 100% puncture proof, especially from sidewall perforations or slashes, even with the Marathon Plus and puncture-proof inner tubes but if you reduce the risk down to pretty much minimal then it's just extremely bad luck if you get one and it shouldn't be a regular thing by any stretch of the imagination - especially with the low mileage and paved routes envisaged.

Did a little bit of googling around the usual suspects and Amazon do seem cheapest at £25.79 each for the 20 x 1.75 ones with SmartGuard reflective sidewall (good at night too). The Marathon Plus ones with Greenguard are only 20 x 1.5 and probably a bit tight. Hatti might do you a supply and fit too.

I take it Schwalbe have some form of reinforced layer.

Indeed. There's a bit more information on it here :

http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus/

 

[RobF]

Simple and effective I would think, I expect today a combination of the EU & H&S would find them suicidal and ban them? (along with everything else!)

Linear tubes, sometimes known as cobras, are still around.

The majority of bikes have quick release wheels, so there's no real advantage, quite the reverse, pratting around with a cobra takes longer.

If electric bikes become more mainstream, then so might cobras to fit.

But I think the days of the really cheap ebike with no in-line connector for the motor are over.

My local bike shop removed the rear wheel of the Woosh Scirooco I had on test.

The man told me it was a simple process, although the motor meant the wheel wouldn't fit on his truing stand.

 

[jackhandy]

You should be fine with the 20 x 1.75s - someone on there even went down to a 20 x 1.5 with them. You can never be 100% puncture proof, especially from sidewall perforations or slashes, even with the Marathon Plus and puncture-proof inner tubes but if you reduce the risk down to pretty much minimal then it's just extremely bad luck if you get one and it shouldn't be a regular thing by any stretch of the imagination - especially with the low mileage and paved routes envisaged.]

No power-sliding or bunny-hopping, then & should be ok

 

[Ajax]

Puncture proof inner tubes (available in 20 x 1.95) are another exactly matched consideration Link/tubes hopefully they're easier to fit too!

Thanks for the heads up on these blue tubes, they seem to be the 'tube equivalent' of solid tires, and would probably have a simulated psi of an inflated tube. Because there isnt a uniform deformation of the tube, the ride is likely to be as hard as running on solids. On the plus side, grip should be the same as your normal tires allow. Worth considering.

 

[flecc]

I take it Schwalbe have some form of reinforced layer.

This shows the under layer of the Marathon Plus tyre, thick enough to prevent a standard drawing pin from reaching the tube. It's material is also penetration resistant, having plenty of sharp object insertion resistance. Remember it's only the Plus versions that have this, other Marathons don't:

 

[Geriatric]

Thank you,

Much appreciated

 

[catsnapper]

We reside near Frinton on Sea, (North Essex) but would be happy to drive down to Southend to get them fitted. I'm glad to make contact, as I'd like to get this bike serviced every year and it's a relief to find a specialist who at least will consider working on such a device! It's a Pro-rider e-Wayfarer by the way, new in November last year.

Hi,

I'm based at Maldon, with a well equipped small workshop for building bikes, although I specialise in wheels. Most of my work is for e-bikes so I'm familiar with the problems of tyres and wheels

If I can be any help contact me either via PM on the forum, or alan[at]catsnapper.co.uk

Alan

 

[banbury frank]

Hi I can Highly recommend Alan He has spoke wheels for us and supply's spokes made to length

His Prices are also reasonable

Frank

 

[Geriatric]

Thanks for your reply.

 

[morphix]

Just bought some puncture proof tyres, after re-assurance that these to me 'solid' replacements (20 x 1.5) will replace the existing (20 x 1.95) pneumatics that are fitted. The rims are HB 422's by the way. The solids look a bit narrow to me, but expect they spread as they are stretched on?

My two local cycle shops are terrified of 'electric' bikes and won't work on them, even to change tyres, because of the connections for the back drive wheel apparently.

Assuming they are the right size? does anyone have knowledge if are they easy to replace, any advice gladly accepted.

Many thanks

I can't imagine why anyone would put solid tyres onto a bicycle. That would be horrible to ride surely? Solid tyres are more for golf trolleys, wheelchairs etc. There's good puncture resistant tyres available and other measures you can take without the drastic step of solid tyres and compromising your bike ride..


I've been in the market for puncture resistant tyres myself this week after a rear wheel blow-out last week, so I've been doing a bit of research into different tyres.

Schwalbe's Marathon tyres seem to be the best..they're on sale at the moment with SJS Cycles and cost between £12-£15 a tyre (for 16" anyway).

You can still get the original Marathon HS368 with the "Kevlar" Guard protection or you can go for the newer Marathon "Plus" which replaces the Kevlar belt and uses a layer of recycled rubber in the tyre, 3-5mm thick. The Marathon Plus tyres meet safety standards for use on electric bikes at speeds up to 50km/h and are said to be more durable on the sides, if used at lower pressure, compared to the original Marathon.

I've used the Marathon Plus for 2 years on my 26" e-bike and ridden over all sorts, through broken glass many times and in countryside over brambles, and never had a puncture. The tyres are still showing no signs of wear and I used Schwalbe inners which as they say on the box, don't lose pressure..I've never had to inflate them! The Marathon Plus have good rolling resistance too, despite the extra layer of rubber inside..but I went for the thinner tyres with road slick tread.

Another tyre to consider is Panaracer Crosstown Rigid Tyre. These have puncture protection and are said to be very durable tyres, but are pricey.

EDIT: literally as I finished typing this post, my intercom rang and 2 new Marathon HS368's (16" 1.35 size for my Mezzo). Looking at them, they look like any ordinary tyres, nothing special about them inside and they look thin and flimsy compared to the Marathon Plus which you can see inside are thicker and reinforced with that rubber layer I mentioned. I can only assume the "Kevlar Guard" is some very thin layer thing inside the tyre below the tread which makes the rubber more durable against minor punctures. It seems to be incorporated into the tyre with nothing visible from the underside and no obvious indication its even there. I doubt these would stop a thick thorn, would be interesting to test that theory! I'm confident the Marathon Plus WOULD stop most thorns and I suspect paying extra money for Marathon Plus would be worth it on e-bike. In hindsight, I wish I'd now spent a few quid extra and gone with the Marathon Plus! There was a weight difference though (420g for Plus v 350g Kevlar) which swayed towards the Kevlar. I think I may stick these on eBay and buy the Marathon Plus, because I'd just feel a lot more confident on longer rides with those tyres on.

 

[morphix]

This shows the under layer of the Marathon Plus tyre, thick enough to prevent a standard drawing pin from reaching the tube. It's material is also penetration resistant, having plenty of sharp object insertion resistance. Remember it's only the Plus versions that have this, other Marathons don't:

Flecc is the Marathon HS420 the "Plus" version? Looking at the description, it does seem to be the case:

Schwalbe Marathon Original HS420 Rigid Tyre

GreenGuard - The highly elastic, India rubber layer is 3mm thick. Other manufacturers call such a tire "Plus". However, Green is not just the colour, but also the philosophy: One third of the GreenGuard is made up of recycled latex products.

"Anti-Aging" - The completely new sidewall construction can withstand for much longer the typical cracking resulting from overloading due to insufficient inflation pressure. Also the new Endurance Compound substantially increases durability.

E-Bike Ready - The new Marathon has been designed for use on all types of E-Bikes. The following sizes bear the ECE75 mark, suitable for use on faster, up to 50kph, E-Bikes.

I have the Marathon Plus on my 26" and I've just received a new pair of the old Marathon HS368 with "Kelvar Guard" and my impression is that the Plus/HS420 are a significantly improved level of protection and better option for e-bikers than the HS368's/Kevlar Guard. I agree that the Plus tyres will probably stop a drawing pin or thorn puncture, but I have my doubts this Kevlar Guard will, there's no extra padding like you get on the Plus..it just seems to be some kind of very thin layer inside the tyre rubber .

 

[flecc]

I don't know, but judging from it's fairly low profile, I doubt it. The thick under layer on the Plus versions make them fairly "tall" tyres. That one may be a half way compromise between the two types.

 

[jhruk]

Thanks for bringing the SJS Schwalbe sale to our attention – I might stock up for the summer.

Some confusion here – mostly due to Schwalbe.

The HS368 is the old (pre 2011) Marathon tyre with ‘Kevlar Guard’ which was replaced by the HS420, confusingly named Marathon Original, which has ‘GreenGuard’ protection. Schwalbe rate the Kevlar Guard 3 and the Greenguard 5 in their 1-6 puncture protection ratings.

The HS348 Marathon Plus is their only 349 tyre to get their maximum 6 rating for puncture protection.

I’ve not tried a Marathon Plus on a small wheel but imagine it would be rather uncomfortable as it is quite a stiff tyre.