THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF PUNCTURE:
PERFORATION AND CUTS
Nails, stones, thorns, etc. may be the cause of perforation of the inner tube or tubeless tire. The aggressive nature of the components of some road surfaces can also give rise to cuts.
The thickness and quality of rubber, the density of the casing cords and the presence of a textile reinforcing ply are factors which affect the tire's resistance to these punctures.
The type of inner tube used also has an effect: nature of the rubber, thickness and the presence of a self-sealing liquid.
Michelin recommend MICHELIN PROTEK MAX inner tubes for Mountain Bikes in particular and for urban use and city trekking.
PINCH PUNCTURE
The inner tube is pinched between the rim flange and the road when passing over an obstacle at high speed (a pothole, for example).
The tire's resistance to pinch shock stems from a wide cross-section, the thickness of the tire sidewall and the thickness of the inner tube walls.
A suitable inflation pressure also goes a long way towards preventing this type of puncture.
PERFORATION BY THE RIM WELL
This occurs when the rim tape is unsuitable (width, material, incorrect centring, etc.) or in poor condition.
This type of perforation is identified by the position of the hole in the tube, which is on the rim side, not on the tread side.
It is so as to avoid this type of puncture that we recommend changing the rim tape each time a tire is replaced, as we do for new inner tubes.