Hi ST
Sorry if this is a dumb question. Has anyone used solid tyres? know where to get them? I have found a company called green tyres and have aksed them for some info. I have a real issue with punctures and was just trying to see if there was a better option for training on.
Any info would be great.
Johan
Solid tires seem like a drastic solution, to what could be a pretty minor problem. What’s up w/the punctures? I’m sure there are plenty of people here who can help you figure that out. When I first started cycling heavily, I went through a “rash” of punctures, which I finally diagnosed as snake-bite, or pinch flats from under inflated tires. Since then, I can count the number of times I have flatted on one hand. Come to think of it, one finger. Maybe there are mitigating circumstances in your case…do you live down the street from a glass factory? Psycho ex-girlfriend spiking your route w/carpet tacks?
So, if you could elaborate on the problem*, maybe you won’t have to buy military spec. bike tires?
If you’re not concerned about weight, then I would suggest the Schwalbe Durano Plus Road Tire. THis is a foldable tire that is virtually bullet proof. Weighing in at about 370 grams it is designed to be a training tire. I ride often and in the last 16 months I have only flatted out once. I purchased these at biketiresdirect.com. I’m sure there are other great tires out there, but these have worked great for me.
Here is a link to a company that makes air free bike tires. They weight 370g and you can order them in custom pressure settings.
AirFree Tires
Thanks to all for replies.
I live in Denmark and they have a real issue with flint stones. In the dry I have never punctured. In the wet I always do…it rains a lot here too so I have to ride in the wet if I want to train. I ride tubulars (Or I did!). They are up at 125 to 135 psi. The punctures are little razor sharp stones. They go in deep and they get stuck but let the air and gunk out…nice.
I have orderd some clincher wheels as I just cant be doing with the tubulars any more, way too expensive for this kind of problem. I know people can change these tyres quick and easy and glue them in their sleep but I am not one of those people.
I was just interested really to see what the cons are against these solid tyres appart from wieght as I have to carry so much crap with me to fix damn tyres that I dont care about a few grams, it will give me more inertia 
Are they rubbish though or are they ok but just not very cool and not as “fast” as tubs or clinchers?
Many thanks
Johan
they aren’t just going to be slow, they are going to be VERY slow. and very uncomfortable, and maybe difficult to handle as well.
worth a try though, should make training rides hard as heck
Do you think its a dumb ass idea? I guess if its harder in training then when I switch to super light and nice expensive tyres with tubes on race day ill be flying along! I may just get a pair for a laugh and see how I get on.
i really don’t know, i’m intrigued. I suspect its going to be awful but there is only one way to find out
its just that the pneumatic tire was kind of a big deal for the last 140 years for a reason you know?
Do you think its a dumb ass idea? I guess if its harder in training then when I switch to super light and nice expensive tyres with tubes on race day ill be flying along! I may just get a pair for a laugh and see how I get on.
your right and im pretty damn sure that these tyres will end up on a wall somewhere or helping to hold my bike off the floor! but I guess its worth a few quid to have a go and see what its all about. They do make some odd colours too so it could be another way to look like an ass while I am riding.
Ill get them and stick some feed back on here so that noone else has to go through the trauma of even thinking about solid tyres
I haven’t tested the solid tires but a friend tried them - based on his comments I’d say the Crr was off the charts. I’ve heard descriptions of the “system” used by AZ riders who contend with a lot of goats head thorns on the road. IIRC they take a worn out tire, cut the beads off both sides, and use beadless tire as a tire liner. Not an easy rolling solution as well but it might be worth a try. Also Mr. Tuffy type tire liners might work as well - no side wall protection but that doesn’t seem to be a problem ??
Are you saying the basically put a tyre inside another tyre (with a bit cut off)?
Just get Armadillos. They really are in a class of their own and are the only tire that can consistently defeat goatheads. Sharp rocks should be no problem since there’s really nothing better at puncturing bike tires than goatheads, which appear to be made for that sole purpose. The rolling resistance is bad but probably still a lot better than solid tires.
Are you saying the basically put a tyre inside another tyre (with a bit cut off)?
Yes - that’s my understanding although I’ve never done it myself. Cut the beads which fit under the hooks of the rim off the used tire to be used as the liner. As was also suggested use Armadilllos or something like that. What do other riders using the same roads as you are riding use ??
not tubulars and they just change the inner tube. Every ride I have been on someone has had to change a tube. I guess they have given into the flint.
its just that the pneumatic tire was kind of a big deal for the last 140 years for a reason you know?
So was the horse and buggy, only being able to communicate via postal mail, and washing your clothes in the river. Not saying there’s a good replacement for pneumatic tires (yet), just poking fun at your argument.
For example, several years ago Michelin showed us a prototype of what might replace our current tires. Search “Michelin Tweel” on google for more info.
Flintstones, meet the Flintstones. Yaba daba doo!
Another option is the Performance Thorn Proof tubes for your clinchers. They are very thick on the side facing the tire tread. Sidewalls are not as well protected.
As an alternative to the Armadillos previously mentioned, I’d recommend Contineltal Gatorskins. They seem to last as long as the Armadillos, but the ride is much better. That said, I switched to the Gatorskins about 4 years ago (for training wheels) and the Armadillos may have been improved.
Im already on the gator skins and they were much better than previous tyres but they still fall to the flint in the wet.
in place of a tire inside a tire you can get a Mr Tuffy liner. i’ve used them with the gator skins and had excellent results.
http://www.bikepro.com/products/tubes/tubes-tuffy.html