I recently invested some of my hard-earned spondulecks in this bad boy.

I must say after a few years of road cycling it is a dramatic change both in style and attitude when riding a 29″ wheeled mountain bike.

Due to the massive wheels (in comparison to the road bike set up) one feels the drag on the roads and its like towing a caravan behind but that is no bad thing as it makes one work harder to maintain a steady speed.

However, it’s when rider and machine meet the rough tracks and  byways that this bike comes into its own and the road bike would be stopped in its tracks immediately. The Cube not only looks great (and comes in quite cheep at £850) but it rolls over the rough terrain easily and stabily. It does take some getting used to and finding the right gear at the right time does help stop being halted by sudden soft ground or humps. Rider error is everything and small mistakes can cost a lot.

Having the brass cahonees to tackle steep descents with rocks, steps and loose gravel is an individual ability and I for one have very small additions so often wimp out but the more I do the better my confidence. The huge travel in the front suspension helps no end as do the quality brakes.

Its is a far more intense ride both physically and mentally as one has to constantly work the pedals and look where the next obstacle is. The countryside and nature prove more interesting and soul improving as the lack of cars and road noise allow one to enjoy nature. Its stunning I promise you and even struggling around a field is fun.

There is one fatal flaw though (its more common than road cycling and harrassingly annoying) and its the cyclists nemesis and that’s the dreaded puncture. I hate thorns, sharp flints and any objects that can penetrate the rubber tyres. I mean hate with a capital “H”.

There you are miles from nowhere and home and you either hear that unwelcome hiss or feel the flatness of a deflatedness.

I can’t believe in these modern times that a truly punctureless tyre or system has not been invented. It ruins a good ride, can be costly, causes injury and damage and can actually put one off riding without support.

Carrying spare tubes, tools, pumps etc is both impractical and highly frustrating.

I know there is the tubeless option where slim or synthetic polymer milks can be used to seal nicks and holes but they are expensive and on many bikes the are an extra costly upgrade. The tyres are a nightmare to fit and even a special pump has to be bought. This option is also not foolproof.

Yes there are slime inner tubes but these are quite useless against hawthorn or nails.

Why not a foam based agent that can be pumped into a tube that will maintain the required PSi when pumped up and that can last the life of a tyre?

Or a piece of moulded plastic that sits around the tube and in the tyre that will allow inflation to a desired pressure?

Even solid tyres that can be moulded to rims and when worn can be removed under a high heat by cycle shops?

There must be something better out there or that can be invented to put an end to punctures, sore fingers and being stranded far away from civilisation.

Help!!

Ideas welcome in the comments area or advise in what to do to cut down on breakdowns welcome there too.

In our modern world of technology and science there must be an easy and relatively cost-effective solution to this ongoing problem without causing too much weight gain, handling problems or fitting issues??

THERE JUST MUST BE A FIX!!!!!!