Solid Bike Tires, Any one have them?

C'L's,

Looking into solid bike tires.  Anyone with any experience in this realm?  Late to work is going to be a big big problem.  Already have Kevlar tires but sometimes get a pinch flat and the like.  Need a 'zero flat' solution.  Very interested in talking to someone who has found a solution to this.

H/

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Permalink Reply by Dave Grossman on June 6, 2013 at 7:04am

Many people on this website recommended the Schwalbe Marathon Plus to me.  I went for them last fall and have had over 1000 flat free miles so far.

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on June 6, 2013 at 7:40am

Not sure if I'm at 1000 miles but I'm on three years with a pair and 0 flats compared to 2-3 a year previously.

Permalink Reply by Haddon on June 6, 2013 at 7:54am

Thank you, the amazon reviews for these are plenty high though I suspect it'll be a pain to get them on considering what people are saying. thanks again

H/

Permalink Reply by Gecko on June 6, 2013 at 8:05am

Are you from the past?  Solid bike tires were made obsolete by pneumatics in like 1895.

Joking aside, I can personally say I've never gotten a flat on either a Vittoria Randonneur 28C or a Michelin City 28C.  I've had one of each on my commuter for 3 years and thousands of miles.  Both have protective Kevlar belts in the tread and sidewalls, and although they may be heavier than other 28C tires, they've never let me down.

Permalink Reply by Dave Grossman on June 6, 2013 at 8:19am

I couldn't agree more with Cameron.  Learn how to do this after a few practice rounds and it won't seem like a big deal.  Be warned, anything with a thick Kevlar belt will be tough to mount for the first time.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on June 6, 2013 at 8:31am

Well the OP was asking about solid tires, by which I'm guessing he is referring to something like these http://www.airfreetires.com which may have other drawbacks, but are a zero flat solution. (Technically they are not solid, but also not pneumatic.)

I think they've come up before on the Chainlink, but searching here is impossible. If I recall correctly, the consensus was that the negatives outweighed the benefits. I remain curious about them myself. Even though I get something like 5% of the flats I used to get before the current generation of puncture resistant tires* the idea of a completely flat proof tire still appeals to me.

*I've never been able to bring myself to shell out the bucks for the Marathon Plus. The regular Marathons do a pretty great job as do Conti Gatorskins, at least when new.


Cameron 7.5 mi said:

There really isn't a zero flat solution. A tire change takes about the same amount of time as a relaxed coffee stop. Build something like that into your morning routine and if you get a flat you can skip it and still be on time.

Permalink Reply by Nançois on June 6, 2013 at 9:24am

Five years flat free on Nimbus Armadillos!

Permalink Reply by Vitaliy on June 6, 2013 at 11:09am

Thick-slicks?

Permalink Reply by Josh L. on June 6, 2013 at 12:01pm

It's not a problem and I'm a weakling.  use a lever...maybe a few minutes more than a standard tire.

Haddon said:

Thank you, the amazon reviews for these are plenty high though I suspect it'll be a pain to get them on considering what people are saying. thanks again

H/

Permalink Reply by Ken Gray on June 6, 2013 at 12:13pm

I do have solid rubber tires on an old industrial tricycle. No flats, but no speed either. Of couse the tricycle weighs in at about 150 pounds so the solid tires are the least of the problems. But there are solid tires out there. I'd be interested in hearing how they work out if you ever try them.

Permalink Reply by Alex on June 6, 2013 at 12:21pm

Keeping your tires inflated should help with pinch flats - and just for bad luck I'll say I've been running Panaracer Pasela Tourguards for at least 1500 miles with no flats, and probably for that I'll get a flat tonight.  

And if you have issues installing, get a Kool Stop Bead Jack, they cost maybe $10 and can shave some time off your tire installation, as well as spare your fingers whatever damage you may bring onto them.

Permalink Reply by Thedutchtouch on June 6, 2013 at 2:20pm
I can't weigh in on the solid tires, but I have conti gatorskins, dunno how many miles(probably around a measly 4-500) so far so good.

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