A truly puncture-free tyre that replicates the handling characteristics of a pneumatic tyre is the Holy Grail of cycling. Cyclists who know their history will be wary of any claims made of any new technology. For example, the radical looking ‘Air Free Concept’ touted by Bridgestone four years ago was supposed to go on sale by 2019…
For the time being, those wanting to avoid the puncture fairy have a choice of airless tyres from Tannus.
Win 6,000 of puncture-free cycling
The Tannus may not be as high-tech as the Bridgestone design, but it has the advantage of being on sale today and promises 6,000 flat-free miles. Best still, we have a set to give away.
Leave us a comment at the bottom of this page – we’ll pick a winner and then be in touch to find out which tyre size you require. Don’t forget, cycle insurance from the ETA includes Cycle Breakdown for free. If your bike suffers a mechanical breakdown or puncture, we pay for you and your cycle to be taken up to 25 miles to a cycle shop, railway station or home.
The folk at Tannus have done their best to address the problems that plagued previous solid bicycle tyres. For a start, the tyres aren’t really solid at all – polymer compound is a dense foam. Weight is comparable to a conventional tyre. The 700 x 23c Tannus Musai model tips the scales at 380g, which is comparable with the combined weight of the puncture-resistant Continental Gator Skin, inner tube and rim tape. Furthermore, you can leave your pump, spare inner tube and tools at home.
Nobody knows when the puncture fairy will strike, but many commuter cyclists are willing to compromise slightly on handling and price in return for 6,000 miles of puncture-free cycling. Oh, and you don’t ever need to check your tyres pressures either.
When British inventor John Boyd Dunlop in 1887 developed the first practical pneumatic tyre (for the wooden disc wheel of his son’s tricycle), the innovation transformed the performance of bicycles – and contributed towards the development of the first car by cycling fanatic Karl Benz. Since then, attempts to produce solid puncture proof tyres for bicycles have been too much of a compromise in terms of weight, rolling resistance, grip and stability on the rim to be considered a serious alternative to inflatable tyres.
The ethical choice
The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.
The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.
Alan Anderson
What no punctures, sounds like a lot of hot air to me.
Darren C
Yes please, I would LOVE, love, love to have these on my bike, although I have puncture resistant tyres and they have performed brilliantly against glass strewn cyclepaths and thorns etc. I unfortunately suffered a huge tear in the sidewall of my front tyre due to some unseen thing that under compression shot off at speed and caused a very loud bang that completely wrecked both tyre & tube.
Also like the super bright colours, great for getting you noticed while on the road.
John Mills
I’ve just finished mending a puncture – oh how I wish I’d had a set of these on the bike!
Robert
My puncture-resistant tyres do “OK” round the city’s streets and paths, but I still get a steady trickle of (typically) slow punctures — I guess one every few hundred miles. These look like they’ll put an end to that, and that would definitely be a Good Thing…
Alan Fletcher
If I win will I get a discount/refund on my ETA recovery insurance premium ? 😁 asking for a friend.
Stephen Conrad
Talk about making life fear free for someone who hates the thought of a puncture let alone it actually happening! Brings an orange glow. Roll on happiness!
Steve
If you gave them out to all your customers, you wouldn’t have to offer a puncture recovery service! 🙂
Keith
I’m sure neither the tyres nor the claims are inflated. That will do nicely.
Peter Clark
I’ve not had a puncture for so long now. Ive helped all my mates with their’s. I’ve got to be due one. Have I just tempted fate? These would hel protect me from karma
David Curran
With these on your bike, you could stop worrying about your “spare tyre” for good!
Chris
Would love a set of these for a friend of mine who hasn’t got a clue how to fix a puncture. I have to carry extra stuff when we go on a ride. When I ask what they’ll do if they get a puncture when I’m not with them they just say they’ll get me to come and pick them up!!
Alex Ralton
It would be great to put the days of roadside puncture repair in horizontal rain behind!
Chris Johnson
If these are useable then that would be sensational!
David Gray
It’s a major issue for some people and deters them from riding at all.
Richard
To be able to leave the toolkit behind! Great
Sarah Liveley
Ah such things dreams are made of 💪
Carol W
Really interesting. Would love to give these a go. I’ve been through *cough* several inner tubes in the past trying to fit them in my schwalbes 🙂
Eric Ludlow
What! You’ve killed the p#@nct%&re fairy??!!
Stuart Young
Really won’t let you down
Vincent Procter
I’ve never seen anyone using these and am sceptical as to whether they’re any good. However I would be happy to give them a try, so send me a pair please.
Sue B
If they fit a mountain bike count me in!
Steve Walsh
I dream of knowing I’ll never again have to fix a puncture with freezing hands in the pouring rain next to a busy road. These Tannus tyres have to be worth a try.
Ema A
Looking forward to the improvement they have made since they came out. Bright colours and less hassle on the road!
Bryn Gwyndaf Jones
I used to have solid tyres a long time ago, but these are far superior!
And I’m sorry the system prefers tires to tyres.
Annette Unsworth
Yes please. Anything to make my rides worry free 🙂
Bill
In our area the hawthorns are world leaders for causing bike punctures. Something special is needed to beat those darned thorns. I’m sometimes described as paranoid but was reassured when my doctor said ‘don’t worry – they are behind you’.
John Auric
Do these Tannus tyres glow at night ?
DougM
What a great idea. Punctures are not only inconvenient, but can also be very hazardous. A sudden loss of air in a front tyre when traveling at speed can cause a serious accident. So, yes please!
lucy hodgson
oh brilliant – punctures and I do not get on and if anyone can find the sharp stones on the road its me.
Al Napp
As I’m on the very side of heavy It’d be interesting to test them
please 😉
Chris
More time in the saddle going somewhere – less time on the verge going nowhere, being left behind! What’s not to like? These look great. If they come in a handy Brompton size this could translate many hours of headaches into greater adventures!
Rory harkins
I’d certainly give them a try for free
Mark B
I keep thinking of all the stuff I could leave at home if I had these! Please!!
Jamie J
At last, a reliable way to deter little pricks…
james
Sounds a great idea would save time and tools on rides
Andy
Got to love the timing of this, just been looking at Tannus tyres to see if any would fit my wife’s wheelchair, pretty please with cherries on……. 🙂
Luke
Don’t mind if I do, though 60,000 miles would probably be enough for me, my future children and their children…
Jane Collier
That would be one less thing to worry about!!
Howard
Once had 3 punctures in half a mile – a thorn I didn’t find. I nearly exploded! Oh for punctureproofness…
Stephen
Would love to give a pair of these a try please. Have experimented in the past with high end puncture resistant tyres, but even these are not infallible and are a pig to get on and off.
Alastair Seagroatt
Would like to try these out, our roads are stoney and thorny plus punctures seem to happen on chilly/ wet days.
Frank
Rear tyre for me definitely!
Fran
Broken bottle cycle path 0 – 1 Tannus tyre and me.
Pat Hagen
I would really really like a set of these after a disastrous puncture on my commute last week
Chris Bromwich
Like the idea of puncture free, especially if the feel of the ride is comparable with conventional inflated tyres.
Matthew Newell
These will be a complete game changer if they ride well. Would love to find out
Bill
Besides worrying about having your bike nicked, punctures are my biggest cycling bugbear. Fixing a puncture / replacing an innertube in the cold and wet is pretty miserable and to be free of that annoyance has to be a good thing. No more carrying around a pump, spare tubes and the relevant tools either. Winner, winner….
Lesley Carol
Yes purlease. They look fabulous!
Peter Chisnall
I’m pumped up about this
Jenny Maxwell
As I approach 80, I’m still cycling but changing tyres at the side of the road is not for me. With puncture-free tyres, I’d hope to be able to cycle for another 10 years.
Steve Green
An absolute must have, especially once the hedge flailing season gets going again.
Karl Wallendszus
I would certainly be interested to try these. I would take a fair reduction in performance to be guaranteed no punctures.
Pamela
My colleague has Tannus tyres and I am so envious. I live near a canal towpath and get loads of punctures, mostly from thorns.
Nate
I’d love a set of these. I remember them being shown on Tomorrow’s World and have often wondered why they aren’t on all bikes by now.
Kath
I’d love to try this
Wayne Fox
I’ve wanted these for my bike for ages, I am sure that they won’t be a let-down!
Anita Brayford
Would love these – a great innovation and peace of mind especially when a long way from home.
richard
One of those ideas any regular cyclist would love to try and find work out well.
Iain
Hope I’m not too late for this – would be a great thing.