Hello everyone,
I’m two months away from a 2,500 km trip, and I recently bought and mounted the Schwalbe G-ONE RS Pro (40-622) on both wheels of my bike. Apparently, they are the fastest gravel tires and perfect for asphalt, which is exactly what I need.
However, I’ve already had two flat tires within 100 km, just from tiny sharp stones. I’m assuming I need more robust tubes, as I’m generally happy with the tires.
Do you have any recommendations or experiences with very robust, puncture-resistant tubes (not tubeless)?
Thank you very much for your help!
by formadaso
9 Comments
Tubeless
Tubeless
No such thing as a puncture resistant tube. Butyl is by design a soft and supple material.
If this is a concern for you you should sell your current tyres and get marathon mondials. Your current choice don’t score that well for puncture protection. You can have fast, light and low rolling resistance or you can have puncture resistance, but it’s one or the other. For what it’s worth my current tyres are vittoria randonneur cross
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/cx-gravel-reviews/schwalbe-g-one-rs-pro-40
Here’s me thoughts:
1. People scream tubeless but I would never go tubeless. You can always buy a tube and you’re bikepacking so there’s always space for one. Fixing tubeless when it goes really bad on the trail is a mess because there’s the stuff.
2. Two punctures sound like a tyre issue. Here’s the thing: fast tyres = low puncture resistance. You’re gonna have to compromise on rolling resistance. I switched to Specialized Pathfinders and they’re great on both asphalt and gravel, haven’t had a flat since and I rode some roughy stuff fully loaded. Check them out.
3. Get the tube rated for your tyre on the lower end of the spectrum. So: have a 35c tyre, DONT get a 28-35 one. Get a 35-45 one instead. This way it will expand less and have thicker walls. It’s also be heavier but you’re bukepacking anyways so you’re gonna be heavy enough.
And HAVE FUN!
It depends on your style of riding and your preferences.
1) if you don’t want to have a flat tire at all and you ride only light gravel or road (bike touring):
Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour
2) If you prefer speed and off-road passages (bike packing):
Tubeless
3) If you don’t want to rely on tubeless equipment and would like to to change a tire wherever you are:
Tubes
If you’re getting a lot of flat tyres now on the same routes you were riding before, that would tell me that these tyres are not good at resisting punctures. Sorry to say, but you should probably get different tyres in that case
Either you are unlucky or you should convert to tubeless given the road situation in your area.
If tubeless is not an option, I would use a tire protector – those sticky stripes made of hard material that you stick inside of your tube to prevent punctures.
Also I am a fan of TPU tubes,I feel I get less punctures with those.
Tubeless. Your tires have a decent puncture resistance according to bicyclerollingresistance, and (as you said) they’re now among the best for all-road riding (I am considering trying them).
When you get a puncture in a tube, it often leaves debris. You can clean the rim, and the tire, but that pesky invisible thing will puncture again.
I consider myself unlucky (if you read my post history, it becomes comical), but I mitigated the punctures by “just” going tubeless. I gave my wheels to a shop and I have had no flats for a year.
Get a spare TPU tube in your tool bag if you want some peace of mind.
I had the same issues with puncture with the G ONE RS. Would recommend this rire.
On my last bikepacking trip I tried the G One Overland (riding tubeless) on my gravel bike, and they turned out to be pretty great!
No punctures after almost 2k km on mixed terrain, fairly fast and robust bulid.
I guess they work just as fine with tubes if you insist on tubes.