Road Cycling - how do I avoid flats? (and scrapes caused by them)

I am trying to find a way to avoid flats on a road bike which is occasionally ridden on dirty paved road shoulders and somewhat overgrown bike paths.

I am super-new to cycling and somewhat new to sports participation in general.

I started running (more than once per week) last february and have lost enough weight and gained enough endurance that I am really enjoying it. I even finish races with a few guys who arent retired yet (Im only 30).

The only cycling background I have is a comfort bike which I ride to the grocery or park occasionally. Because it has been so hot lately, my running has fallen back to only once or twice per week. To replace my running I bought a road bike last week for general exercise and possibly eventually ameteur racing.

I bought a late80s ('88 I think) trek 1200 with Shimano 105 gears and brakes in perfect mechanical condition (and with a warranty from a reputable local bike shop). Paid about $400. I am absolutely amazed by how fast and efficient a bike can be. I love it and wish I had bought it months ago.

My problem is that on saturday I found myself at a great local park with fast winding bike paths and wiped out going into a corner. My rear tire was going flat. It is unbelieveable how poor the traction is on a low tire!!!

I installed slime liners and slime tubes the day I bought the bike because I havnt had a flat on my comfort bike in over a year with that same setup. The flat was caused by a sticker between the sidewall and tread. The path is overgrown with thorny weeds at a few points plus I end up on unswept road shoulders every once in awhile, therefore completely clean, race-quality surfaces arent part of my riding alternatives.


As I write this my feet are covered with blisters from pavement burns. I was wearing clipless cycling shoes when I got the flat and the tire would not hold air when inflated with my portable frame-mount pump. I removed my shoes and ran the bike home barefoot on a 100 degree F day for about 2 miles.

I dont want this to happen again, and was riding around this afternoon and found myself worried about every tight turn because of my experience with crashing due to the flat. I wore a backback today and carried my running shoes just in case.

What is out there to make the tires safer and more durable? Is this pretty common? I really dont want to bloody myself every weekend on my bike cause a flat caused a wreck.

What do you do to avoid flats?

Thanks for replies in advance.

Jeff S
Wichita KS

I'm not sure there really is a way to avoid flats other
than not ride the bike.
You should really be carrying extra tube, patch kit and
some means of pumping your tires up.

You can also look into a tire with a more robust tread
such as Armadillios (not sure of the brand). I'm sure
other BF members will chime in on tire selections.


Marty

I don't know what size tire you have on your bike? Is it 700 or 27"?

ANyway, the Specialized Armadillo tires are used by a number of folks on this forum who have experienced flats due to stickers (or glass or whatever).

They are well known generally for being about the toughest around. Not perfect, but since I changed to them 1.5 years ago I have not had a flat. I had two on one day on my Continental Ultra 2000's just before I switched.

I don't know if they make the Armadillo's in 27 inch.

The slime in a road tire leaves a lot to be desired, including it may clog Presta valves and it is heavy.

Kevlar tire liners are another option.

Good luck. Wish I could be more helpful.

Welcome.

Originally posted by DnvrFox
I don't know what size tire you have on your bike? Is it 700 or 27"?


My bike currently has 700 x 23 Continental sport 1000 tires

Ill take any recomendations. I dont have a problem with spending 150-200 on new tires if it will make my bike safer and keep me off the side of the road.

Also, if Im going to be buying new tires, what is a good tire for a $200 and under budget. I have a 15 year old used "nice" bike and dont want to spend more on tires than I did on the bike. I have no idea really. What makes a good bike tire and what should my budget be for riding like 50-80 miles per week on a 15 year old trek 1200

Like the others have said check out the Specialize Armadillos they are not close to $200 and are about the best you can get for flat protection..
http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?section=13038&browselevel=tires&JServSessionIdroot=wxnbkwdt27.j27006

They are about $30 a piece you're LBS might carry them to. The slime and other stuff like it does not work that great alot of the time because of the high air pressure you put in road tires.
You will get a flast now and then no matter what, but if you carry a spare tube and patch kit you will never be stranded. I would say most of the time you get a flat you just stop and fix it no big deal and no crash.

Tire levers, frame pump, and spare tubes, and a patch kit are a must. CO2 cartridges also work, but you have to carry enough cartridges. Number of flats you will get = Number of cartridges + 1. Well, if you have my luck.

Wipe your tires.

If you ride rough roads or trails for fitness, get the widest tyres which will fit under your brakes. This will probably be a 25, or perhaps a narrow 28.
Armadillos are not particularly fast, and definately not racing tyres, but they are very tough.

Originally posted by MichaelW

Armadillos are not particularly fast, and definately not racing tyres, but they are very tough.


I've heard this said before - I've just changed to 23mm Armadillos from 28mm, and my LBS said it was definitely the best choice for flats.

How much faster would another tyre be, and is it just because of it's additional weight over other brands, or is it other factors? Certainly the armadillo's don't feel "slow"!

I've also heard of people throwing a strip of tape (some kind of kevlar type tape?) between the tube and the tire, which has been mentioned to help out.

Second, buy a small pack for under the saddle and buy some tire levers, a tube and a patch kit, your frame pump should be able to inflate the tire enough to get you home. There should be no reason to be stuck walking home on a rec level ride, it's just not worth it.

Of course you could switch to Tubulars, lots of people just ride them flat for a couple of miles (in an emergency to get home).

Andrew

That's easy......I just watch where I'm going and I simply avoid taking my road bike on rough roads.

Yeah, I hate to say it but you gotta stick to paved roads or get a more mountain type bike. This is why roadies constantly stress about traffic laws, bicycle lights, etc, because you have to be on the road where the cars are. Even the gutter of a normal road has enough debris (not to mention sewer grates,) to flatten even the best tires. Get a hybrid or mountain bike for gravel trails, hitting curbs and stuff like that.

Performancebike.com has some "thorn proof" tubes for $3. I ordered a pair and, though they're as heavy as two regular tubes, they have a real think layer of rubber that goes against the tire. That might be the easiest and cheapest solution. I was pretty impressed when I took them out of the box...

The first thing I'd do is get rid of the tubes with Slime (or any other sealing agent) in them. While the stuff does work for smaller holes, if the puncture is large enough to still make the tube flat, the liquid behaves as if someone poured oil under your tire. You'll find your tire squirming around all over the rim and that is often enough to lead to a crash. [Disclaimer: This is just my opinion based on my experience. If you are the maker of any of these products, please don't sue me.]

For flat prevention, I try to stick to the roads with a road bike and use a belted tire such as Ultra Gator Skin. With those on, riding a longish commute over terrible roads littered with glass, I average <1 flat per 1500 miles.

Paul

Armadillos=no flats no matter the psi or tubes u use.I would use lites with them since they weight a ton.

I used Armadillos and FlakJackets for a couple seasons, and got plenty of flats with them, and due to the stiff sidewall, they are a bear to remove and remount.
I switched to Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX (700 x 23) and they are incredible. Fantastic ride, sweet in the corners, 290 TPI (threads per inch), and 1 flat all season. They are supple and come off/ remount like a dream-no levers needed, thumbs only. They are around $60 each, and well worth it.
Whatever tire you go with, get the highest thread count you can- it's worth it.

thanks everyone for the replies. I bought the armadillos and got rid of the slime tubes. I had three flats in a week before the 'dillos and it makes riding no fun.

I ride only on bike paths and shoulders but avoid roads. I have been pushed into the curb and brused up on my mountain/comfort bike so many times I avoid the road if I have to share a lane wth a car. no one here passes safely i( I live in a very fat very redneck city). there is a nearby highway with a nice wide new concrete shoulder and I think Im gona start riding it more often.

For anyone searching and looking for tire info read this:
SLIME WORKS GREAT ON COMFORT BIKES AND ONLY MAKES A MESS ON ROAD BIKES!!!

I pulled a huge thorn and some glass out of my armadillos today after riding about 30 miles. I think I need to stop and wipe the tires about evry hour or so. from the looks of the thorn I think the tire deflected the thorn and gave it a much more shallow and harmles entry into the tire. No flat though. I like the 'dillos.

Again. I really apprecialte the time so many people took to reply to my question.

Regards,
Jeff

Originally posted by cammac
I used Armadillos and FlakJackets for a couple seasons, and got plenty of flats with them, and due to the stiff sidewall, they are a bear to remove and remount.
I switched to Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX (700 x 23) and they are incredible. Fantastic ride, sweet in the corners, 290 TPI (threads per inch), and 1 flat all season. They are supple and come off/ remount like a dream-no levers needed, thumbs only. They are around $60 each, and well worth it.
Whatever tire you go with, get the highest thread count you can- it's worth it.
Highest tpi count i've seen is the GP3000 and 4season,430.Got to use the right material for the tpi to work.

More than half the flats repaired at a bike shop are caused by too low inflation. So, be sure your tires are pumped to spec. Always carry a spare tube, tire irons and a pump. Finally, watch where you put your wheels. If you don`t hit sharp edges or ride through debris you`ll be surprised how few flats you get.

If your trails are really that bad, you can attach the following item to your bike. The bottom part drags against the tread to dislodge glass, tacks, etc. The top part mounts to the brake pivot bolt.

http://www.motorera.com/saver.jpg