I use a 29er hardtail as my winter commuter around the decidedly grotty lanes and bridleways of north Dartmoor. Honestly, our lanes need to be seen to be believed at this time of year – we’ve got brambles growing in the middle and two inch think swamp mud on the rest.

Sorry this is where it turns into another “What tyre?” thread:

I’ve currently got a set of 700x50c Continental Travel Contacts (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/continental-travel-contact-wire-road-tyre) on which I quite like. However, after only 9 months, the rear one has developed a pronounced bulge which wont go away after several attempts to reseat it on the rim and produces a very annoying rhythmic thump as I ride. It’s put me off getting another set, so:

What fast rolling, reasonably puncture resistant, tyres for extremely muddy broken tarmac and stoney bridleways that are frequently covered in inch long blackthorn?

I’d quite like at least 2.0/50c for comfort reasons (and thinner tyres look a bit silly on the bike). The nobblies on the edge of the Travel Contacts have come in useful on the odd foray into the deeper stuff, so semi slick seems a good idea. I do about 10 miles each way 90% lanes and 10% bridleway. I use Contintental tubes with Schwalbe Doc Blue sealant in – and it actually works. I popped the tire off for the first time in 8 months and found 14 punctures, but had no flats.

I’m currently considering these:
http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/details.aspx/CONTINENTAL-SPEED-KING-II-MTB-26/410
http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/details.aspx/SCHWALBE-BIG-APPLE-PLUS-MTB-29/527
http://nextdaytyres.co.uk/details.aspx/SCHWALBE-BIG-BEN-MTB-29/542

I know everyone has has enough of “What tyre?” threads, but at around sixty quid a set I thought it was worth consulting the STW hive mind first.

Specialized Crossroads Armadillos if you want something a bit knobbly.
Or their Hemisphere tyre is faster rolling, but less knowingly on the edges.

I’ve been using Halo Twin rails for years. On road, off road, touring, put them on my wife’s bike too and they have been great everywhere. Even did a black downhill run in the Alps….wouldn’t do that again though it’s the only thing they’ve struggled with. Wear is great, don’t recall ever having had a puncture, roll really well and are around £20 from ISON in 26 & 29 flavours…..

Those specialized look like the right kind of tread pattern but it looks like they only do a 38c in 29er size. Halos look good, and not a bad price either, definitely going on the list.

Not the Continentals! I had a pair of those, not even man enough to shrug off small bramble thorns. Utter pish.

Similar to my commute though Oxfordshire is slightly less muddy and without the central reservation.

I use tubeless casualties that won’t mend but are fine with tubes (I run Stans in the tubes). Currently Ron front Ralph rear which are both snakeskin, work well and to all intents and purposes free.

Continental talk big about the puncture protection of the Travel Contacts, but they seem to offer no protection at all against the mutant thorns we seem to have down here, thats why I’m using the sealant. I probably won’t be getting more Continentals, but I do kind of like the tread pattern for this kind of use.

Geax Barro Race for £15.
I’ve used them and they’re fast on the road without being completely useless in mud.

got a set of 47c conti tour rides, with protection.
used for 2 month. £15 the pair delivered.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/continental-tour-ride-road-bike-tyre/rp-prod18835

I ran Conti travel contacts 700x42c on my crosscheck for years for an on-off road commute, loved them because they didn’t puncture for about 18 months and roll fast on the tarmac at 80psi without losing all off-road function. But they’re really heavy!

Surly died, so I’m now on 37c Schwalbe Land Cruisers that I had on my Genesis Vapour. They’re much lighter, no punctures so far and they seem to roll well enough, even at 65psi. Might be worth a try.

Schwelbe marathon in whatever flavour you need. I like supremes.

Think I’m going to try the Halo Twin rails, thanks for everyone’s input/offers.

Had marathons before but didnt really get on with them. Not sure any of the “puncture proof” tyres can really deal with thorns anyway.