Banish the puncture fairy for 6,000 miles

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.

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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.

https://youtu.be/qXu9yg6xIqQ

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.

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