Reading around the internet has taught me a minus to plus bikes. The quality of tyres to hoof them with. The carcass and walls are thin to keep the weight down. Four punctures in 150 miles confirms that. I can accept that. They can easily be repaired. Going tubeless should help to counter this shortcoming in the future. What I can’t accept is the sidewall ripping open . This happened on my last ride –

WTB Trailblazer 2.8 27.5 Plus tyre

Nothing remarkable about the terrain. A few rocks and stones on a 1/4 mile down hill. The tyre didn’t puncture this time.  I got home on it alright. I noticed the bulge when I was washing down the bike. No repair / salvage is going to make this one better. At around £55 each I expect more.

I have another tyre on order. A Maxxis Rekon+ Plus MTB Folding Tire TR EXO 3C MaxxTerra (side wall protection). I’ve read and heard good things about them. Fingers crossed they’re more robust than the WTB Trailblazers. At £65.00 a go they should be.