Recurring punctures on Brompton bike: how to solve the issue?

[RandallC]

Had issues in the past where the rim profile was sharp and cut the tube on the inside.
Cured with a couple of layers of insulation tape to cover the bare metal

 

[Guigsy]

I'd change to tubeless tyres if you can.All my MTB's are and no punctures for years

I agree that tubeless is great, but the Brompton rims aren't tubeless compatible and there aren't any skinny 16" tubeless tyres either.

 

[ChrisL]

I agree that tubeless is great, but the Brompton rims aren't tubeless compatible and there aren't any skinny 16" tubeless tyres either.

Apparently it is possible to put Tanus airless tyres on a Brompton but rolling resistance may be increased.

 

[Guigsy]

Apparently it is possible to put Tanus airless tyres on a Brompton but rolling resistance may be increased.

I also heard you need a hydraulic press to get them on.

 

[ChrisL]

I also heard you need a hydraulic press to get them on.

You could get a cycle shop to do it or......

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[Ridgeway]

Check the inside of the tyres for splits or cracks, I had several punctures on a motorcycle, eventually tracked it down to a small split on the inside of the tyre, constant flexing caused the split to nip the tube.

Think he changed the tyre as well as the tube.

 

[Burgo]

Just squirt a sealant into the inner tubes - Joe's, or Slime for example, pump up and forget about it. Then small punctures self seal. http://www.joes-no-flats.com/ or https://uk.slime.com/products/bike/sealants/ When we had the activity company here I had 18 mtbs out (before tubeless tyres were popular) regularly in thorny conditions and after we started using Joe's we went from 3 or 4 flats a day to 1 or 2 a month - so I know it works in tubed tyres as well as tubeless.

 

[Madcaravanner]

Lots of answers but

1/ check the inside of the rim so you can be certain the spokes are not fouling the inner tube

2/ Change the tyre for a puncture resistance one and a heavy duty inner tube

I have recently done this on our bikes with good effect

 

[March Hare]

I was fed up with getting punctures, so thought I'd try some tyre liners (Zefal), and they've been great . They sit in between the inner tube and the tyre, to prevent thorns etc getting into contact with the inner tube - well that's the theory anyway!

 

[MattR]

I run my road bikes at 110psi.

23 or 25mm tyres?

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[daveandsan]

23 or 25mm tyres?

23mm Continental 4000s

 

[Parrot Face]

Thanks everyone. Went to cycle shop in Javea, very helpful. It all came down to fault on pump pressure gauge. Pressure in tyres was low and wife's seating position wasn't helping. Pressure increase seems to be working. Got a new gauge.

 

[jezport]

We put Schwalbe Magic Mike BMX tyres on our folders as they have kevlar reinforcement and a chunkier tread like a mountain bike. No punctures since and far better handling on slippery bends and corners.

 

[VXman]

Can you get a solid tyre for the Brompton?

 

[MR BLO]

Reading this thread is there the opportunity to run tubeless?
If not, Not exactly for a folding bike, but there must be something like it available…..I run one of these in my mountain bike rear tyre (in winter) to allow me to run lower air pressure and not pinch damage the rim or casing. My bum only has so much inherent suspension before my heft is transferred to the rear tyre. I have to say that it works well.
Tyre Insert

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[ChrisL]

Can you get a solid tyre for the Brompton?

See posts #33 and #35

 

[scotjimland]

Buy a proper bike .....

 

[555 FRY]

Fitted our Bromptons with Swarbe Marathon plus tyres. Not cheap but no more punctures.

 

[sgl5gjr]

I'm on the tools and most of my advice has already been covered..... Marathon tyres usually used on the Brompton's only usually puncture through the sidewalls assuming the tyre tread area is not too worn out or in decent condition. If the tyre is clear of thorns and debris then nine times out of ten the rim tape is damaged or you maybe pinching the tube on reassembly. I usually replace the tape with Velox stick on tape if they look dodgy. Sadly there is nothing in this size tubeless unless you consider Tannus tyres. I am doing tubeless set up's week in and week out now, the tyres are more mature now and there are some terrific sealants out there too.

 

[Threeracers]

What type of Moho is that in the background?

I live full time in a 1989 Bedford MJ. Click on the Instagram link in my footer and you can see a bit more of it.

Mark

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[enark]

I live full time in a 1989 Bedford MJ. Click on the Instagram link in my footer and you can see a bit more of it.

Mark


View attachment 823323

What the the three ton box previously? CP or comms box?

guess that was my first “Moho” too

 

[Threeracers]

I believe it was one of the twelve Ptarmigan communications trucks. I didn’t know when I bought it but a friend who served in Germany recognised it and I Googled to find out more.

 

[Ridgeway]

Thanks everyone. Went to cycle shop in Javea, very helpful. It all came down to fault on pump pressure gauge. Pressure in tyres was low and wife's seating position wasn't helping. Pressure increase seems to be working. Got a new gauge.

Excellent you’ll be fine with regular tyres and correct pressure. You may get an odd puncture here and there but have to say I’ve only had 1 puncture in 4yrs on mine and it was most of the time on slick (Kojak) tyres.

 

[DABurleigh]

If the punctures are around the valve I've had that problem and you need to take great care to seat it properly to avoid pinching, especially over rougher terrain.

 

[Guigsy]

Marathon Plus tyres came with my Brompton. As mentioned, they were glass magnets. Through the tread. They were also heavy, slow and really hard to get on and off the rim each time. But Continental Urban Contacts don't seem to pick up glass at all. No punctures on a couple of years (although I'm mainly using the bike for errands, shopping and van duty now, not commuting).

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[Rambleon]

Just squirt a sealant into the inner tubes - Joe's, or Slime for example, pump up and forget about it. Then small punctures self seal. http://www.joes-no-flats.com/ or https://uk.slime.com/products/bike/sealants/ When we had the activity company here I had 18 mtbs out (before tubeless tyres were popular) regularly in thorny conditions and after we started using Joe's we went from 3 or 4 flats a day to 1 or 2 a month - so I know it works in tubed tyres as well as tubeless.

Totally agree, used to get punctures on our little foldups especially from pine needles on forest tracks ,got slime from halfords we never got another even after 5 years. One bottle did the four small tyres. It's easy to squirt in with Schrader type valves but when we go bigger bikes with presta type it was more difficult. I now get the tubes with the stuff already inside

 

[Rambleon]

I live full time in a 1989 Bedford MJ. Click on the Instagram link in my footer and you can see a bit more of it.

Mark


View attachment 823323

Drove the older version MK when stationed at Kiel in the 70s it had twice the range of the Bedford RL petrol AND it had a heater unlike the RL whoohoo