Another cycle puncture and subsequent new inner tube was the final push to investigating a change to solid tyres. Are they actually any good?

The big concern is that being solid they don’t create the same grip onto the road particularly in cornering that the traditional pneumatic tyres provide. Reading around cycling forums and reviews showed a lot of opinion but very little definitive evidence either way. But at least there wasn’t a chorus of disapproval.

So over to to Unleashed cycles in Warwick/Leamington Spa get a pair of Tannus tyres fitted. There are plenty of instructional videos available but I’d recommend letting the supplier fit them - they are significantly more awkward than a pneumatic tube and tyre and it’s not something I’d want to get wrong. Without the inner inflation the tyre size needs to be accurate so be very sure on your wheel sizes and rim width before ordering, or get your cycle shop to do the measuring and ordering.

One nice advantage is that, being a (sophisticated) polymer, the tyres come in a range of colours. Or they did, the website seemingly now only doing black. I was hoping for red, but black was an in-stock delivery and I was trying to get everything sorted to a deadline. Oh well, maybe next time. Which might be a long time coming as they are rated to be twice as durable as traditional tyres. Another positive.

So given the indecisive discussions in the cycling forums how do they feel and perform? The first part of cycling back home felt very skittish, like cycling on ice but after a while and some bedding in they felt much more normal. The feel is of riding on tubes inflated to their full, correct pressure. So maybe a little more care in low-grip situations or cornering but easily accommodated, in fact after a few rides not even thought about. That ‘fully inflated’ feeling remains constant, so no more checking pressures before a ride. They are effectively always the correct PSI.

They are not cheap. With fitting it was £140 for the two tyres. BUT consider… A pair of decent pneumatic tyres will eat up £70, they last twice as long, and there are no more costs for repair patches, glue and inner tubes. No more need to carry a pump and repair kit. And the peace of mind of being able to do a cycle tour and ignore the possibility of punctures is priceless. If I’m out cycling I want to be cycling, not stuck in a lay by replacing a tube.

Overall, very pleased and would recommend. Unless you like pumping and patching.