Cycling UK Forum

Hi,
Two years ago I bought a Boardman COMP Hybrid as part of the cycle to work scheme at Halfords.
I was a bit concerned about the size and lack of tread on the tyres that came with the bike (MAXXIS Detonator 700x28) so I replaced them with Schwable Marathon Plus 700x32. I am paranoid about punctures and these came highly recommended. I also used "slime" tubes.
Today, I had my first flat since using these tyres so I took my bike to Halfords to put a new tube in for me ( I have their care plan and nearly ended up in tears last time I tried to replace a tube!). However, they said the tyre was the problem and i could see that the bead had come away. They said that the "slime"tubes were not much good and recommended that I buy a new tyre, tube and some ribbon type thing to add extra puncture protection. I paid out £30 and they did the fit for me. I did a 16 mile cycle this afternoon and discovered the tyre had a flat on my way home!!!!
However, I noticed that they fitted a schwable landcruiser 700 x 35c to replace my schwable marathon plus 700 x 32c.
Is it OK to have different size tyres on front and back? I'm sure i was previously told that 32c was the maximum that should be fitted.
I'm thinking of taking it back to Halfords tomorrow, have I a good argument for a free of charge replacement?
Thanks

the actual size and the nominal size are not necessarily the same thing. It isn't impossible that a nominally 35 section tyre (even one from the same manufacturer ) is the same size or even smaller than a 32 section tyre.

Re the inner tubes; you will get as many opinions about what works as you will varieties of favourite biscuit. I personally don't favour an additional strip inside the tyre for the simple reason that occasionally the strip can move and this can cause punctures, rather than prevent them.

Of more concern is that the landcruiser isn't as puncture resistant as the marathon plus. If this is your top priority then they may have sold you the wrong tyres. Very many bike shops will happliy sell you something they have available, even if it isn't what you asked for, or even quite the right thing....

On the plus side land cruisers are considerably easier to remove from the rim, and they also ride more pleasantly. The puncture you have just had may well be some kind of problem in the tyre fitting. Proving it, however, may be difficult.

In the long term I'd suggest learing how to fix punctures. However I don't suggest that you do this with marathon plus tyres, because they are notoriously difficult to remove and refit.

cheers

Brucey wrote:In the long term I'd suggest learing how to fix punctures. However I don't suggest that you do this with marathon plus tyres, because they are notoriously difficult to remove and refit.

But not 'impossibly' difficult, as demonstrated here

grother wrote:Hi,
.........I was a bit concerned about the size and lack of tread on the tyres that came with the bike (MAXXIS Detonator 700x28) so I replaced them with Schwable Marathon Plus 700x32. I am paranoid about punctures and these came highly recommended. I also used "slime" tubes.

Please don't take this the wrong way but TBH if you really are paranoid about punctures,the only thing that'll stop them 100% is not to ride a bike.Much better to be prepared if and when because punctures will inevitably happen whatever the tyre.
M+ tyres are as good at it gets at minimising punctures but the cost is an extremely inferior ride quality and an absolute pig to take off and replace when the inevitable does happen.
If you're well drilled and prepared to repair punctures and accept it,life can be much more pleasant than M+'s also you need to look for punctures before they happen by checking tyres weekly for foreign bodies,slivers of glass,thorns and flints and other debris,that once embedded work their way further into the tyre by each revolution of the wheel,and so need digging out before they get too deep.
I reckon anyone,with a bit of practice,can have a puncture repaired at the roadside in a maximum of 15minutes,10 if they find the cause immediately,if commuting build that into your journey time and there's no problem.
Being paranoid and riding M+'s does nothing for enjoyable cycling.As for slime tubes,I wouldn't even consider them.

Today, I had my first flat since using these tyres so I took my bike to Halfords to put a new tube in for me ( I have their care plan and nearly ended up in tears last time I tried to replace a tube!)

More unnecessary expense that could be cured with a little knowledge.I'm not surprised an M+ drove you to tears.

.However, they said the tyre was the problem and i could see that the bead had come away.

There's been some people on here with the same complaint on M+ tyres

They said that the "slime"tubes were not much good

They weren't wrong there.

some ribbon type thing to add extra puncture protection

Sadly another waste,they're crap!

. I paid out £30 and they did the fit for me. I did a 16 mile cycle this afternoon and discovered the tyre had a flat on my way home!!!!

That could be to do with the fitting or just bad luck but I'd go for the former though.

However, I noticed that they fitted a schwable landcruiser 700 x 35c to replace my schwable marathon plus 700 x 32c.

L/cruisers are good tyres for a mixture of tamac and unsurfaced tracks etc.

Is it OK to have different size tyres on front and back? I'm sure i was previously told that 32c was the maximum that should be fitted.

If there's enough clearance under the mudguards or frame ie more than 10mm then there's no problem with the tyre size fitted even if there's a smaller section tyre on the other wheel.

I'm thinking of taking it back to Halfords tomorrow, have I a good argument for a free of charge replacement?
Thanks

See above.

Guys, thanks for all your replies. I am a newbie so am grateful.

M+ tyres are as good at it gets at minimising punctures but the cost is an extremely inferior ride quality and an absolute pig to take off and replace when the inevitable does happen.

I have only ever ridden on Marathon plus tyres. Will I really notice a big difference in ride quality if i change to something different.