First commute

[Wallie]

Well, I've completed my first commute - very happy with the performance of my Aggatu as it got me door to door in 50 minutes which is just about how long it takes in the car on a bad day. The glass on the cycle paths is a nuisance - is it worth going for the Marathon Plus tyres and changing the Continental ones that came on the bike - I've heard they are bomb proof.

 

[Cyclezee]

I changed the Continentals on my Agattu for Marathon+'s for peace of mind after finding a large thorn in the front tyre and several fragments of glass, but the downside is increased rolling resistance and a slightly hard ride due to the less supple and stiffer construction of the tyre.
I recall Flecc saying something along the lines of he wouldn't bother because it is easy to repair a puncture on bikes with crank motors. From my experience puntures usually happen at an inconvenient place and time.

John

 

[keithhazel]

I recall Flecc saying something along the lines of he wouldn't bother because it is easy to repair a puncture on bikes with crank motors. From my experience puntures usually happen at an inconvenient place and time.

John[/QUOTE]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

this is very true as the number of punctures i have got while in my garage next to my tool kit is a rather low percentage of all punctures recieved...

 

[Wallie]

Yes, I saw that advice too - I'd rather not have the puncture in the first place, if at all possible, than have to worry about repairing them. Given the amount of glass and tree/hedge debris on my route, I'd rather go for something that I know would provide as much protection as poss.

 

[frank9755]

Well done! I'm sure you won't regret making the switch. Even in bad weather, 50 minutes on a bike is always more fun than 50 minutes in a car, and better for you.

I've done about 800 miles on a pair of Continentals with no puncture. I think they're pretty good and they roll very well. On three other bikes I've done over 2,000 miles on Marathon Plusses in the last year, again with no punctures. They're both good tyres but with the Continentals I worry when I ride over a patch of broken glass, while with the Marathon Plus, I hardly care. If you want to do all you can to avoid punctures, switch to the Marathon Plus.

 

[fishingpaul]

its a hard choice lower rolling resistance against fewer punctures,time spent repairing punctures or time spent on the road,sometimes a slower journey can be more relaxed than a rushed journey due to a puncture.

 

[Wallie]

I'm pretty sure that I want to change over - ironically, I have to take this afternoon off to get home (on the bike) to take my car in for repairs to two punctures. So, I've got two car punctures and trying to avoid a third on the bike - I don't think this will be a cheap month!

 

[john]

The other option is to put these

under the tyres. It's a cheaper and lighter option and I've found them to be very effective.

Slime Tyre Liner Road/Cross 26/27/700 Pairs - Only £9.99 - Rutland Cycling

 

[oldosc]

Having had many & I mean many punctures, I always carry a tin of foam as well as a couple of tubes. \also a little co2 cylinder and adaptor..most punctures occ when you are tired, or wet. So I justhrow the tube or fill with foam and top up with the co2 (untill the Aggatu with these razor tyres my bike used 2.5 inch Farmer Giles for traction (even on the Champs in Paris)
The double action pump is also pretty good...although I wont need it so much as the pressure here is only 65..as opposed to the 90 I used.(may be I will get an adaptor, because as these tyres are low pressure you can use a Garage forecourt)

 

[essexman]

Excellent! Kudos on your commute! I've used the slime Liners and found it works for certian types of puncture. Much better than the crappy slime in your tubes blocking your valves.

I suspect if you are using cycle lanes your tyres will get shredded. Get the M+s