Punctures are cyclists’ worst nightmare, as not only they can ruin a good cycle ride but can also make you late to somewhere, such as work. Here are our top tips on how to reduce the risk of getting a puncture and protecting your bike. 

Tyres:
Tyres is the first line of defense, as they are the main contact with the road. Stronger tyres will resist objects like nails or thorns from piercing the tyre and tube. To prevent thorns and nails from puncturing them, tyres can have stronger or thicker casings, thicker treads, or even puncture protection strips underneath the tread. 
The casing is the main walls and body of the tyres, and this is the first barrier of protection between the tube and the outside world. Tyres that have a thinner casing can provide a more comfortable ride due to them riding better of bumps. However, this does mean that they can puncture more easily. Thicker side walls make the ride a bit less comfortable but are more resistant to punctures.  

Avoiding Flint and Glass:
This may sound like common sense, but it does happen. Flint and glass that can be found on roads can puncture your tyres. Watch where you are riding, look ahead. Look out for the clearest paths set by cars, because tarmac is more compressed, so the repeated weight of car tyres pushes down into the road, offering a smoother and faster ride for cyclists.

Tyre Pressures:
Making sure you have correct tyre pressure is important. If the pressure is too high or low this increases the chances of getting a puncture. With road bike tyres becoming wider and wider, it’s not unheard of to ride with 6 bar or even less. With mountain bikes, tyre pressure above 3 bar is very high already. Most mountain bike tyres have no issue with a tyre pressure of 2 bar maximum.

Try to go Tubeless:
Tubeless riding on road bikes is still in its infancy but is becoming more popular. It means that you cycle with a special tubeless tyre with liquid latex inside.  This latex seals off any chance of a puncture you might get during cycling. However, the holes are not just sealed automatically, because going tubeless has more benefits, you can ride with lower tyre pressure, so makes the ride more comfortable. 

If need any advice on punctures or have a puncture and need it repaired contact us today, the team are help to help.