When will M2 reopen...

[vosadrian]

First commute on the M2 in a month... first puncture due to the tyre wire. Last commute I did I had the same. I used to ride the M2 daily and get a puncture every few weeks, but I am at almost every ride now. Always using GP4000s. Just bad luck I guess. I might have to go to a puncture resistant tyre now. I was happy with a puncture every few weeks on good tyres, but I can't do this every ride thing. What tyre resists the thin wires but still rolls well? I do like to roll at 35-40kph on the M2.

[rheicel]

I think the thin tyre wires will puncture any bicycle tyres inflated with air. I am cool to be corrected though.

[vosadrian]

If that is the case, I will just put it down to bad luck and keep with what I have. I used to start to get more M2 punctures when the tyres were more worn, and these are pretty worn. Mostly the wire, but sometimes glass or pinch flat from an obstacle in low light in Winter.

[webx007]

My rear GP4000 was getting shredded by glass on the M2, I swapped the rear for a Specialized armadillo on my one bike and Bontrager AW3 Hard-Case on the other.

Done about 2000 M2 km's on Armadillo, only had a steel wire puncture once.

Verdict is still out on AW3, only done 700km, but no punctures so far.

AW3 seems to roll a lot better that Armadillo and have better grip.

[queequeg]

What tyre resists the thin wires but still rolls well? I do like to roll at 35-40kph on the M2.

My SMPs (28mm) roll just fine, despite their ridiculous weight (740g...each!). I average up to mid-40s city bound on the M2 with no problems, and up to 40km/h westbound, but more typically in the 35-37km/h range (lugging panniers).

I was kicking myself this morning. I had a nice roll going coming out the Epping tunnel and I missed the KOM on the Terry's Creek to Browns Waterhole exit by a paltry 1s, so heavy tyres are not really affecting me. The pannier bag is what costs me!

[vosadrian]

All else equal, would a wider tyre be more prone to puncture as it has a wider contact patch so can therefore "find" more of the evil wires? I know they have other benefits, but assuming your aim is to prevent these punctures only.

And what are those SMPs? I have not used them before. Something like a gatorskin?

[queequeg]

All else equal, would a wider tyre be more prone to puncture as it has a wider contact patch so can therefore "find" more of the evil wires? I know they have other benefits, but assuming your aim is to prevent these punctures only.

And what are those SMPs? I have not used them before. Something like a gatorskin?

Schwalbe Marathon Plus

I have tried alternatives, but I keep coming back to these for their ability to take a crazy amount of punishment. You can still puncture, but we're talking 1 or 2 a year, and those have to be bad luck rather than any fault of the tyre. I've had huge nails go through the top and out the sidewall, and after removal (with pliers!), the tyre is fine. Other ones I have tried have had to be binned after getting grazed by a piece of glass.

On the road bike, my 2nd choice is the Durano Plus. not as resilient as the SMP, but still an excellent tyre.

[am50em]

Schwalbe Marathon Plus

I have tried alternatives, but I keep coming back to these for their ability to take a crazy amount of punishment. You can still puncture, but we're talking 1 or 2 a year, and those have to be bad luck rather than any fault of the tyre. I've had huge nails go through the top and out the sidewall, and after removal (with pliers!), the tyre is fine. Other ones I have tried have had to be binned after getting grazed by a piece of glass.

On the road bike, my 2nd choice is the Durano Plus. not as resilient as the SMP, but still an excellent tyre.

I recently changed from Durano Plus 32 to Marathon Supreme 32 (but measures 30mm) which gives a much smoother ride and rolls just as well with good grip.

[Skindogs]

Does anyone know when the M2 will close for cyclists between Windsor Rd and PH Rd for the NorthConnex integration works?

[Boognoss]

Does anyone know when the M2 will close for cyclists between Windsor Rd and PH Rd for the NorthConnex integration works?

Still no further news following emails back and forth months ago. Westbound still expected to be closed but not eastbound.

[queequeg]

I recently changed from Durano Plus 32 to Marathon Supreme 32 (but measures 30mm) which gives a much smoother ride and rolls just as well with good grip.

Walls made of tissue paper...two tyres binned within 6 weeks

[Boognoss]

Schwalbe Marathon Plus

I have tried alternatives, but I keep coming back to these for their ability to take a crazy amount of punishment. You can still puncture, but we're talking 1 or 2 a year, and those have to be bad luck rather than any fault of the tyre. I've had huge nails go through the top and out the sidewall, and after removal (with pliers!), the tyre is fine. Other ones I have tried have had to be binned after getting grazed by a piece of glass.

On the road bike, my 2nd choice is the Durano Plus. not as resilient as the SMP, but still an excellent tyre.

I recently changed from Durano Plus 32 to Marathon Supreme 32 (but measures 30mm) which gives a much smoother ride and rolls just as well with good grip.

I've had good results lately with Mr Tuffys tyre liners on the three bikes that I use to commute. All using varying tyres - Continental GP4000S, Gatorskins and Grand Prix Classics. None are particularly hardened against puncturing like the SMPs so I still get metal/wire punctures but zero from glass since installed and dropped down to less than one a month for the past few months. A lot less than pre-liners. Not counting the angry puncture fairy on the way home today.

[Skindogs]

Does anyone know when the M2 will close for cyclists between Windsor Rd and PH Rd for the NorthConnex integration works?

Still no further news following emails back and forth months ago. Westbound still expected to be closed but not eastbound.

thanks - can't seem to find any other info online that is more recent than several months ago

[Skindogs]

Schwalbe Marathon Plus

I have tried alternatives, but I keep coming back to these for their ability to take a crazy amount of punishment. You can still puncture, but we're talking 1 or 2 a year, and those have to be bad luck rather than any fault of the tyre. I've had huge nails go through the top and out the sidewall, and after removal (with pliers!), the tyre is fine. Other ones I have tried have had to be binned after getting grazed by a piece of glass.

On the road bike, my 2nd choice is the Durano Plus. not as resilient as the SMP, but still an excellent tyre.

I recently changed from Durano Plus 32 to Marathon Supreme 32 (but measures 30mm) which gives a much smoother ride and rolls just as well with good grip.

I've had good results lately with Mr Tuffys tyre liners on the three bikes that I use to commute. All using varying tyres - Continental GP4000S, Gatorskins and Grand Prix Classics. None are particularly hardened against puncturing like the SMPs so I still get metal/wire punctures but zero from glass since installed and dropped down to less than one a month for the past few months. A lot less than pre-liners. Not counting the angry puncture fairy on the way home today.

I've read the SMP's are very hard to change - particularly roadside!

[Boognoss]

Does anyone know when the M2 will close for cyclists between Windsor Rd and PH Rd for the NorthConnex integration works?

Still no further news following emails back and forth months ago. Westbound still expected to be closed but not eastbound.

thanks - can't seem to find any other info online that is more recent than several months ago

That's pretty much all there is plus email correspondence between me->Northconnex, and the same thing from Bike North->Northconnex, etc.

The night roadworks/investigation that has been happening I think is a sign that stuff will happen "soon" but no change to anything that I've observed in the last week. The section just west of the bridge near Windsor Rd is to have a ramp constructed down to the bottom which will be a works site, but not a sod has been turned.

[Boognoss]

I've read the SMP's are very hard to change - particularly roadside!

I've witnessed that. Need levers with SMPs, don't with any of mine.

Also poor Queequeg has very little tube changing practice. Because it's so rare.

I'm a master at it now

[Skindogs]

I've read the SMP's are very hard to change - particularly roadside!

I've witnessed that. Need levers with SMPs, don't with any of mine.

Also poor Queequeg has very little tube changing practice. Because it's so rare.

I'm a master at it now

I'm definitely getting better at it! My Maxxis Refuse aren't refusing much any more and it's time to change. Thinking of going with Gatorskins!

[Bunged Knee]

I recently changed from Durano Plus 32 to Marathon Supreme 32 (but measures 30mm) which gives a much smoother ride and rolls just as well with good grip.

There`s no Durano Plus 32. It only got 23,25 and 28 wired Durano Plus. Only 23 and 25 for folding Durano Plus.

I've read the SMP's are very hard to change - particularly roadside!

Yes, and I`ve learned on how to do it after practices to work around it. First time, it was a bugger and then it`s ok after doing some verbal abuses to myself.

[Skindogs]

Boogs, When the works begin are you planning on just getting on at PH Rd or do you have an alternative route in mind that will still go thru B Hills to Beecroft?

[AndrewCowley]

I've read the SMP's are very hard to change - particularly roadside!

Hmmm... I have found Durano Plus really hard to change. Am dreading the first time I have to do it roadside. In my living room it resulted in much cursing and swearing.

[am50em]

I recently changed from Durano Plus 32 to Marathon Supreme 32 (but measures 30mm) which gives a much smoother ride and rolls just as well with good grip.

There`s no Durano Plus 32. It only got 23,25 and 28 wired Durano Plus. Only 23 and 25 for folding Durano Plus.

Correct - they no longer make Durano Plus in 32. Which is why I ended up going with the Supreme 32.

[am50em]

I recently changed from Durano Plus 32 to Marathon Supreme 32 (but measures 30mm) which gives a much smoother ride and rolls just as well with good grip.

Walls made of tissue paper...two tyres binned within 6 weeks

I guess YMMV. My combined rider/bike weight is around 115kg and I have done 900+km so far including on M2.

[Boognoss]

Boogs, When the works begin are you planning on just getting on at PH Rd or do you have an alternative route in mind that will still go thru B Hills to Beecroft?

Eastbound "they say" will not be affected at all. Only the westbound side. I reckon something will be happening on the offramp to P/Hills Rd from the west which wouldn't bother me anyway as I'm riding through on the M2. I'm actually closer to the P/Hills Rd onramp from home but it's slower with more hills. I prefer the faster/longer version in the morning and go on at Windsor Rd or (more often) turn right at Windsor Rd->Sunnyholt Rd->U-turn and then back to St Leonards.

If eastbound is blocked, I'll go back to the short version of Castlewood Drive, Taylor St, Aiken Rd, P/Hills Rd down to the M2 like I did when the M2 was blocked (continued past the M2 to Murray Farm Rd and the backstreets of hell).

[vosadrian]

Would gatorskins be a good intermediate option to a full treaded hybrid style tyre like the SMP. I don't mind an occasional puncture (1 in 20 trips down the M2 say). But looking to avoid the puncture every second trip whilest having my roadie. Of course most of my puncture seem to be from the wire and perhaps the gatorskin is no better than GP4k. I think I am just on a bad luck streak.... should I risk the M2 home today?!?!

[queequeg]

I've read the SMP's are very hard to change - particularly roadside!

It depends on your rims. I have no issues with Open Pro rims or A719 Rims. I can get them on easily with bare hands, but as they say, practice makes perfect!
There is a technique for fitting wire bear tyres like the SMP, and you will struggle if you don't follow it.