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Reply to ? Flat protection?
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Spinner from DWF on 12/31/2015 9:59:57 AM:
Hi, every so often people that have ridden the trail 0have mentioned 'Flat protection' - I usually ride on Schwalbe Marathon's (NOT the 'Plus') are they considered "flat protection" that would be GOOD or just good enough? I do have a neurological condition that would make changing a challenge. Thanks
 
MimiandPapa from Springfield, Mo. on 12/31/2015 11:16:35 AM:
We are not experts on subject, but we learned our lesson and put tire liners in our tires. So far, so good. Hope this helps!
 
Jerry Whittle from Belleville, Illinois on 12/31/2015 12:43:31 PM:
According to what I just found on biketiresdirect.com about your tires "A 3mm thick Green Guard puncture protection belt offers improved flat resistance compared to previous models". I'd think that your tires would be fine. I did the full Katy twice with cheap factory tires that came with the bike and didn't have any flats. I do run Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700x32 tires now.
 
Kevin from Jefferson City on 12/31/2015 2:53:33 PM:
You will be fine. Those are sturdy tires.

I think the general consensus is that you can ride on pretty much anything, but wider, lower-pressure tires help absorb the bumps on the road and can better handle the various hazards that cause flats on the trail.
 
Brian L. from Wichita on 1/1/2016 11:21:12 AM:
My local bike shop actually advised against buying tire liners. They said unless they're perfectly installed there's a chance that they could actually cause a flat by binding up inside the tire and pinching the tube. I figured if they were trying to talk me out of buying something, I should take the advice! I have only ridden the trail a few times, but I did notice that the most debris and thorns seem to be concentrated on the extreme edges of the trail. So possibly if you try to stay closer to the center you have a better chance of avoiding flats. What do you old veterans say?
 
Anonymous on 1/1/2016 2:29:47 PM:
This is my "home trail" and log >1000 miles/year and never a flat on a hybrid bike but maybe I'm just lucky?
 
Anonymous on 1/2/2016 6:21:54 AM:
Not a fan of tire liners for the reasons mentioned above.

Am a fan on good quality tires with kevlar or other quality flat protective construction.
 
Don from Ellisville, MO on 1/2/2016 11:14:37 AM:
I have a set of thorn-resistant hybrid tires and tire liners that have put close to 1,000 on the Katy. I have never had a flat with them and they even help keep the air pressure (pumped them up once this year). I've hit some pretty rough walnuts, acorns and twigs. I keep them pumped to the recommended 80 psi. This is my second set-up like this. The first ones wore out after 4,000 miles of paved riding. Only had one flat on those. I hate to get flats and will do a lot to prevent them.
 
Anonymous on 1/2/2016 3:20:33 PM:
I find that hard to believe no pressure loss. Maybe with no use in a no temp change environment.
 
Brian L. from Wichita on 1/3/2016 10:43:56 AM:
Good to know, Don. What brand/model of tire?
 
Don from Ellisville, MO on 1/3/2016 1:28:58 PM:
Just went out to look at them. They are Kenda Kwest 700x28. I do not know the thorn-resistant tube brand -- I will have to check with my bike store. I just checked the tire pressure. It shows 75psi and I have not pumped them up since riding the Katy in October. My friend has the same configuration and has had no flats in 2 years, but his tires lose the pressure faster. Could be because our wheel rims are from different makers?
 
Robert from Atlanta on 1/11/2016 9:26:45 PM:
Trail surface varies tremendously. Problems I encountered were fall leaves covered the little holes. When you can't see them, you just have to cross your fingers. After storms there is so much tree trash that you ant avoid all the little twigs & branches-just too many. So again, cross your fingers. Any 32s in good shape will be fine. FWIW I saw a couple carbon road bikes & 1 guy on aerobars.
 
Allen from Shawnee on 2/5/2016 4:21:46 PM:
I have used Schwalbe marathons in several sizes on the trail many times they are very good, never had a flat with them. Never tried the pluses.
 
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