Puncture-proof tyres or roadside repair? You decide

Staying puncture-free is the Holy Grail of cycling - and for good reason. You can try your best to remain free of flats, but whether or not you fit reinforced rubber, apply slime or run the correct pressure, the puncture fairy is always lurking. And infuriatingly, flats are like buses - you stay puncture-free for many hundreds of miles and then two or three come along in rapid succession.

Replacing an inner tube is an inconvenience at the best of times, but add a dose of dark winter weather and it's a real chore so to mark the changing of the clocks this weekend, we're offering you a choice. You have the chance to win either a set of puncture-proof tyres or a repair kit.

6,000 miles of puncture-free cycling

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.

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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.

Prize #1 - Puncture-proof tyres

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 and 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 save weight by leaving your pump, spare inner tube and tools at home.

Prize #2 - Bicycle tyre repair kit

If you prefer the performance of a pneumatic tyre, but want the peace of mind offered by carrying a repair kit, we've put together a top tube bag, compact pump, Park Tools patches and levers to give away.

How to win

To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave a comment and specify whether you'd like the puncture-proof tyres or the repair kit.

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.

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