No one enjoys fixing punctures, even less so when it is by the side of a busy road on the commute or loaded up with shopping or the kids. Unfortunately, it's part of the sport and preventing punctures is impossible, however, adding some extra protection will always help.
Most modern bikes, especially those with disc brakes, do this by being tubeless compatible. Older rim brakes and hybrid bikes including many e-bikes don't offer this, and this is where puncture-proof tyres are still really valuable.
For hybrid and e-bikes, there is nothing better than the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, it is a tyre that has been around for many years and for good reason. It delivers in just about every area with excellant protection, good grip and is extremely durable. For roadies look no further than the Continental Gatorskins, like the Schwalbe they have been the go-to for many years, but hold the phone. An honourable mention has to go to the Pirelli Cinturato Road. While this offers an additional layer of protection just like all the others in this guide, it doesn't compromise the performance.
We've reviewed a wide range of puncture-resistant tyres here at Cycling Weekly, soI have selected the seven best options for hybrid and road bikes to put into this guide.
The Cinturato Velo is constructed in the same ways as its tubeless cousin but designed for use specifically with a tube. Its 'Techwall + Road casing' offers an extra layer of protection without compromising on rolling resistance.
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Schwalbe embeds a super-strong puncture protection belt in the Marathon Plus tyre, which it reckons is 7/7 on its scale for puncture protection and effectively puncture-proof, although the tyre is not tubeless compatible.
The tread uses Schwalbe's durable Addix compound and there's a wire bead. Together they add up to 750g per tyre, although we didn't feel this when riding, with the tyres feeling comfortable and not inert. Harder cornering felt a bit nervous though. A reflective sidewall ups your visibility and the tire is also e-bike compatible.
The combination of speed with puncture protection makes this a good choice for those who don’t want to be slowed by having to repair a flat or by the tyres themselves.
Users of Continental's Grand Prix road tyre will recognise the tyre pattern, which features the familiar side grips and wear indicators in the slick centre tread. The addition of the Gatorskin protection adds about an extra 30g to the tyre's weight in comparison with the GP.
We ran the tyre at around 90psi and found the ride to be adequately fast and subtle over bumpy tarmac. That said you can feel the tire’s increased rigidity from its more substantial sidewalls and increased puncture protection. But like most tyres that place a premium on keeping flats at bay, it's a trade-off that you're likely to be happy to make; we experienced no flats during our testing.
The standout feature of the Durano Plus is its superb grip. The more we rode the tire the more we came to trust it, which did wonders for our confidence in less than ideal riding conditions.
When it came to puncture resistance, the Durano Plus also performed admirably. We rode it for several hundred kilometres and have yet to suffer a single puncture. Our testing included city streets and gravel trails, where the SmartGuard strip stopped the small flints found in the tyre from penetrating beyond the surface compound.
The only real downside is the tyre's weight, but given its performance, we were happy to trade a bit more rotating weight knowing that it's preventing a puncture and the hassle that goes with changing a tube on the roadside.
Designed to offer performance without the faff of the tubeless set-up, the Pirelli Cinturato Road tyres are a clincher-specific model with a 60tpi construction and are available from 24mm up to 35mm.
First impressions are that the Cinturato feels robust and there is certainly a lot of rubber which could be good for longevity. My 28mm only weighed 350 grams, which sits them nicely in between the Schwalbe Durano S and the Continental Gatorskins. Like all the tyres in this category, they did lack some give due to the extra sidewall protection but this didn't comprise the rolling resistance or corner grip too much. Actually, I was able to run them reasonably low (around 60psi) which still felt hard but helped a lot to increase the grip and comfort.
The Hutchinson Challenger tyres have a 66 TPI construction with a reinforced puncture protection layer - and there's a harder compound in the middle of the tyre to lower the rolling resistance combined with a softer one at the sides for a better grip.
We found that the puncture protection layer worked a treat; we suffered no flats during our testing. The tyre's durability also impressed us and matches its 'endurance riding' credentials. Likewise, the softer compound that promised improved traction rang true, especially when cornering.
Versatile for rides over all types of roads, trails, and gravel
+
Reflective sidewalls for added visibility
+
Affordable cost
Reasons to avoid
-
Feels heavy over long distances
-
Heavier tire contributes to a slower pace
We rode hundreds of kilometres on the H2 Hard Case Lyte and were left impressed by both the degree of puncture resistance and its overall durability. Despite riding over a mix of broken pavement and gravel, often littered with debris and even broken glass, we didn't experience a single flat tyre. And what's more, the tyre is still in one piece, with no cuts or tears, demonstrating a decent life span - and all this after a year of riding that encompassed a harsh winter and a hot summer.
Perhaps unsurprisingly we wouldn't recommend the tyre for longer or faster road rides; it's just too heavy. But if you're looking for reliability on your daily commute, especially if you like to tackle multi-surface rides, then it's well worth considering. Its appeal will likely grow when you compare its competitive price tag to that of some other all-weather commuter-specialist options.
Reflective sidewalls might not look cool but they are incredible effective
Specialized Nimbus Armadillo Reflect
Best for visibility
Specifications
TPI: 60
Weight: 645g (32c)
Widths: 28–45c
Reasons to buy
+
Reflective strip improves side on visibility
+
Hard compound fends off punctures
Reasons to avoid
-
Not as grippy as some
Specialized’s Armadillo casing has a reputation for fending off flats. The durometer (hardness) of the tread compound comes in at 70a, which is relatively hard. This has the effect of making the tyre more durable but sacrifices some grip.
With a reflective strip around the sidewalls of the tyre, side-on visibility is greatly increased. This is of particular benefit for evening commuters as it increases your visibility to drivers.
FAQs about puncture-proof tyre
Are wider tires more puncture-resistant?
Wider tires can be run at lower pressures than narrower tires without increasing the risk of punctures. This can make them more comfortable and gives you more grip, useful if you are an all-weather cyclist.
Narurally you should make sure that you don’t go too wide for your bike though, as rubbing will damage your tires and can damage your frame - as well as slowing you down.
Are tubeless tires more puncture resistant?
Tubeless tires provide many benefits, decreasing weight, decreasing rolling resistance and increasing resistance to punctures as they can self-seal.
However, tubeless sealants do dry out (with the exception of Finish Line’s offering, but that has had a mixed reception at best) and this can happen surprisingly quickly in hot weather. The guys from Orange Seal themselves say in the right (or rather, wrong) conditions sealant can dry up in as little as a month.
With the sealant dried out, the tires become significantly more vulnerable to punctures. For a commuting or town bike where simplicity and reliability are most important, the need to keep topped up on sealant makes tubeless tyres a less compelling option in this area. Although heavier and with greater rolling resistance, a puncture-proof tyre won’t need a second thought once it is set up.
What are Threads Per Inch (TPI)?
Rubber coats the outer of tyres, but beneath that are the threads that make up the carcass. Some manufacturers opt to use a smaller number of thicker threads, whilst others use a greater number of thinner threads.
A higher number of Threads Per Inch (TPI), will make the tyre more supple. However, the thinner threads are not as robust and are damaged more easily than their thicker alternatives. A tire with a moderate TPI count makes the best compromise for a robust tire.
Are puncture proof tyres any good?
The performance offered by modern bicycle tyres is incredible, even from some of the cheaper options. However, there is always a compromise. With puncture-resistance or proof tyres traditionally that has come at the cost of ride quality and sometimes grip.
You would think with the bicycle having used pneumatic tyres for over 130 years, we would have found the solution by now but unfortunately, not.
Several solutions offer more protection, like the tyres featured in this guide and brands like Tannus have created a decent solid airless tyre alternative, but they both have compromises.
Tubeless tyres fitted with a tyre liner offers one of the most credible solutions, the lack of a tube means the liner only needs to stop rim strikes from damaging the tyre, while any sealant fills any small holes. However, liners can be troublesome to fit and are not widely available for narrower road tyre widths.
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Like so many, Matt got his start in the bicycle industry wheedling allen keys and the occasional hammer at his local bike shop. Matt grew up mountain biking in the flint-strewn hills of the North Downs, but was convinced during his time with Evans Cycles' in-house brands Pinnacle and Hoy Bikes to take up gravel cycling and bikepacking. Spotting the changing industry, Matt jumped at the opportunity to become an E-bike designer, and won several awards with Cairn Cycles and their range of gravel E-bikes.
These days, Matt will more than likely have a toddler sat shotgun and a balance bike lassoed to his back somewhere on the South Downs. What time he does get to ride for himself, he chooses to take his Sonder Camino to just about anywhere that's quiet, off the beaten track or with some historical point of interest.
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