Fifty Plus (50+) - I knew it was going to happen sooner or later

I rode after dark tonight and was trying to be as careful as possible. I need a different headlight... mine makes ME very visible but not the road in front of me. The streets are lit in most places but I encountered a few short dark spots tonight. On my way back home I felt thirsty so I stopped for some water. As I started to ride again something didn't feel quite right. Actually, before I even stopped something didn't sound quite right -- like a cricket had hitched a ride on my back wheel. Anyway when I started to ride again something didn't feel right and suddenly I got that sinking feeling:eek: so I knelt down in the dark and...... sure 'nuff...... I could feel it -- my first flat tire. :cry: It was too dark to change it without my glasses :rolleyes: so I walked the bike the rest of the way home, three long blocks, holding the back end up, all uphill. I had to change sides every few minutes to give each arm a rest (remember, I ride a heavy hybrid). So, tonight's workout consisted of a bike ride, a walk, and weight-lifting. Does that count as a triathlon? :o

Next purchase: 700x28 Gatorskins.

You were very lucky that you were only 3 blocks from home, even if it was uphill.

BTW, why did you bother to lift the rear wheel as you walked? I would have just pushed it unless something was preventing you from doing so. If the tire was still on the rim, then it wouldn't have hurt it.

I believe the Specialized Armadillo tires offer even better flat protection than the Gatorskins.

I'm surprised you got a flat with those heavy, slime-filled tires. Those have a pretty thick rubber tread too, not like a thin, lightweight road tire.

Tom, the tire was completely flat, like a pancake. Since the bike is heavy I didn't want to take a chance damaging the wheel and I really couldn't see it well in the dark. We inspected the tire and found what appears to be a small nail that went straight in. We're surprised too, so I must have hit the the wrong thing at just the right angle and the right force.

Anybody know an on-line source for tires with good prices and good service?

I use these guys. http://www.biketiresdirect.com/

I'll give you a triathlon for that :D

Hate flat tyres, hate, hate, hate.

I don't walk bikes on flats either, but I think I could be pushed to if I got tired enough. The worst I've changed was in an all day thunderstorm - I'd already pumped the thing up and ridden on it three times, hoping I'd get home that way, but the last time, I could watch the wheel sagging. Naturally, the rain stopped soon after I was mobile again.

Thornproof tubes might be a good move - I've had a lot of luck with them over the years. The Black Beast runs Tuffy Tyre liners with the result of only one flat in over 1,500 km. But the only way to prevent punctures is to hang the bike on the wall over the tele and stare lovingly at it as you slowly assume the shape of your sofa.

Richard

It would be very hard to damage the heavy rims on a hybrid wheel, with a tube & tire on it, from just the weight of the bike. I could see someone wanting to be more careful on race wheels.

Now a car you never want to drive on the rims, as the wheel has hundreds of pounds on it.

Of course, you shouldn't need a new tire now. Just patch or replace the tube and you'll be fine. Unless you want to get new tires.

Actually, I wasn't thinking so much of the rims, I was thinking more of chewing the tyre and tube about, though I can imagine the rough bitumen we have here putting a pretty rough edge on an alloy rim.

Richard

Hermes: Thank you for the link.

Tom: I want new tires anyway.

Europa: :lol:

We'll patch the tube and order the new tires. Like the first scratch on a new car, I'm glad it's behind me and the circumstances weren't worse. And anyway, I had a good ride.

I still laugh at the flat tire fairy!......:p

Glad you made it home safe and sound. Congratulations on this important rite of passage. And let us know what tires and light you end up getting.

Heck, I even RIDE a flat tire, if it is a mtn bike tire and rim. So far, so good.

Sorry about your flat. Three blocks is not bad. I once did 5 miles. (That is before I knew to carry tire repair stuff)

Fix-A-Flat makes a size for bike tires also, to get you on your way quick without having to pull out the tube and patch it right then. I've used it before with good results on the mtn.bike (schraeder valve tube). Never tried it on a presta valved tube, but it did come with a presta adapter. And I'll give ya a triathlon on that one!

If you get the Gatorskins you will like them. I now have a set on the Coda and like them a lot. The Armadillos are a lot stiffer and may be better for flat protection, but the Gatorskins seem like a really nice compromise. I'm running 700 x 28's too BTW.

No way would I ever put slime in a bike tire, it makes flat repair a messy and iffy proposition. Very difficult to clean it off the tube and get a patch to stick.

+1 on no need to carry a bike with a flat and +1 on giving you credit for a triathlon, with an asterisk (no swimming)*.

I use these guys. http://www.biketiresdirect.com/

+1

I use a Nite-Rider Blow-Torch for lighting up the road at night, but also carry a small light to use when fixing flats in the dark (and reading my route sheet!), and yes, I've used it! Fixed a flat in the pre-dawn darkness of the Knoxville Double Century last year, in fact.

I've had ood luck with Conti's overall (700 x 23), but I never use Mr. Tuffy's, Slime, or Thorn-Proof tubes. Too much more rotating weight plus the added hassle when you do have a flat.

Rick / OCRR

Hi,

If there is one repair skill that one should acquire as a cyclist, it's repairing a flat tire. Front wheels are fairly easy to remove and rear wheels, while more difficult, can be done by most. Here is a good "how-to" from the Park Tool web site:

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=100

I tried using Mr. Tuffy for a few years and it was more trouble than it was worth. Also, every time I help someone who uses slime and gets a flat anyway, it is a huge mess. This is a long way of saying that a durable tire and a couple of spare tubes are what I find works best.

Hope this helps and good luck.

I have both Gatorskins and Armadillos.

The Armadillos are the tougher tire, but at the cost of a significantly rougher ride. The Gatorskins are grippier, and ride much nicer. I've flatted a Gatorskin once (in the rain), but never an Armadillo.

Gatorskins you can get online, I use eBikeStop.com (http://stores.ebikestop.com/store/search.aspx?&Page=1&Sort=5&key=Continental). The Armadillos you can only get walk-in at a Specialized dealer.

I run Armadillo Crossroaders on my Kaitai and Armadillo Robaix Pros on my Reno. I'm very happy with both.

+1 for Armadillos!

Well, I've used Armadillos for years. Last week, I got 4 goatheads, and 2 of them went right through the Armadillos!

Panaracer Pasela TG tires have worked very well for me. $20 at Nashbar.

Panaracer Pasela TG tires have worked very well for me. $20 at Nashbar.

Haven't used these yet, but they are atop my shopping list for my next set of tires. I've found many positive comments about them, including that their ride is a bit smoother than the Armadillos. Perhaps not as puncture resistant, but a good compromise of puncture resistance with riding comfort.

If you use Tuffys you can get a Tuffy flat, when the ends of the Tuffy saw through the tube. Slime, tuffys and those super heavy tubes are all a pain. Get decent tires, learn how to change a tube, and always carry the extra tube, tools and inflation device. A lot of the women I know pick tires for ease of mounting/dismounting from the rim. I think Kevlar bead tires are easier than wire bead tires.
I have Continental 4 seasons on my Gunnar and have had 1 flat in over 5000 miles, while riding all sorts of roads.

Haven't used these yet, but they are atop my shopping list for my next set of tires. I've found many positive comments about them, including that their ride is a bit smoother than the Armadillos. Perhaps not as puncture resistant, but a good compromise of puncture resistance with riding comfort.


I'll vouch for that. I used Armadillos before I switched to Pasela TGs and the Paselas are noticeably lighter and ride smoother. I've very rarely had flats with either.

I rode a flat once, several hundred yards on my mtb, on a gravel road thru the woods. It was dark and I wanted to get to a clearing to change the flat. I tried fix-a-flat for bikes and will never use it again. All it does is makes an unpleasant job worse.

You just have to bite the bullet and learn to fix your flats out on the road. I always carry 2 tubes, a pump, extra light, and a can of bug spray.

I now have Mr. Tuffies on my mtb. I hope they work. Time will tell.

Last week, I got 4 goatheads, and 2 of them went right through the Armadillos!
Nothing can withstand the goathead.

A lot of us have been in this situation. Never gets any easier. Sometimes, all it takes is a tiny piece of glass, shaped just right, or perhaps a nice little nail, bent just so. A stronger headlight won't help you spot any of these. Good thing you were close to home. I once had a night time flat, and had to find a place where there was suitable light to fix it. The place I found was was the Lincoln, MA commuter rail station. Good light, but not a soul around. I wasn't too worried, as this is a rich, low-crime area. But what was that sound, off in the distance?

I've had excellent results with Continental Gran Prix's. A little pricey, but worth it in the aggravation reduction factor.

Thanks everyone.

We changed the tire tonight. I learned how to change a flat several weeks ago but without another opportunity to do it, memory fades. I had the tools with me last night but not enough light. What I thought was a nail appeared to be a tiny piece of metal with a round head and a sharp point about 1/4" long, just enough to pierce the tube.

And the slime -- yuck yuck yuck! Not quite as oozy and thick as I imagined, more like bright green water.

I'll research all the tires recommended above and try to find the best deal.

Today I ordered a pair of reflective 28mm Armadillos. I decided to trade a little rougher ride for what sounds like more puncture resistance + night safety. When I get my new bike, this one will be my night-riding bike so I'm gearing it up for that. My new bike will have either Continentals or ???

Edit: Sigh.... how did I get a double post??

One thing about tyres- and that is they are all different.Punctures arrive and providing you are prepared- they are not a problem. Now onto the tyres- I have never worried about puncture resistant tyres. They are heavier- don't roll as well and offer more friction that a Lightweight racing tyre.

OK- I do not race so why do I use racing tyres? They are lighter- do not get punctures any more often than a "Puncture" resistant tyre and they Roll very well. Even When I was offroad- I use to use a lightweight tyre as these worked for me. Punctures only have one problem for me and that is Blackthorn. Not as bad as your goatsheads but still a problem on our roads. You feel the bike not handling right and you know what it is. I always carry a Tube- levers, patch kit and pump. The only thing that I do not carry is a rag. That is for running round the inside of the tyre to find the thorn(s) that are still there ready to puncture the replacement tube. It takes no longer than 5 minutes to repair a puncture so time to have a break, a drink and a snack.

The other thing I Have noted over the years is that If I get a spate of punctures on the same bike- It is time to change the tyres. They are getting thin on rubber- so time to find out what the latest development in "Go-Faster" tyres has been and search the net for the best price.

That reminds me- Have to hunt out some 21mm tyres for the winter. All that mud washed onto the road is going to play havoc with grip on the "Wide" tyres I have fitted at present.

And Yen- several postings on helmet lamps but for puncture repairs at night- They are invaluable.

Blackthorn is nothing. I've had them stuck in my ... before and it takes a few days for them to start to really fester.

You really DO need a few goathead seed pods to spread around and get something new and exciting started over there.

I rode after dark tonight and was trying to be as careful as possible. I need a different headlight... mine makes ME very visible but not the road in front of me. The streets are lit in most places but I encountered a few short dark spots tonight. On my way back home I felt thirsty so I stopped for some water. As I started to ride again something didn't feel quite right. Actually, before I even stopped something didn't sound quite right -- like a cricket had hitched a ride on my back wheel. Anyway when I started to ride again something didn't feel right and suddenly I got that sinking feeling:eek: so I knelt down in the dark and...... sure 'nuff...... I could feel it -- my first flat tire. :cry: It was too dark to change it without my glasses :rolleyes: so I walked the bike the rest of the way home, three long blocks, holding the back end up, all uphill. I had to change sides every few minutes to give each arm a rest (remember, I ride a heavy hybrid). So, tonight's workout consisted of a bike ride, a walk, and weight-lifting. Does that count as a triathlon? :o

Next purchase: 700x28 Gatorskins.

Maybe this will make you feel better. :D

I had a flat tire on this wheel in the dark without enough light. Coaster brake hub, driven by a sprocket right in front of it with a small chain. You can see the drive sprocket in the photo. The dropouts are shaped like a T and the axle goes out the bottom of the T. I had the dog with me, and lots stuff. When I got off to look at the tire I realized the small stream next to the totally dark unlighted path had overflowed and was flowing over the bike path. I stood in about 1/2" of flowing water.
To limit damage to the tire and wheel I took the dog out. He had been napping and thought it was now time to play in the water and run around. I walked about a 1/2 mile with the trike left handlebar grip in my right hand and the dog's leash in the left hand. I walked up a few short, but steep hills. I had the tools, but not enough light. And my shoes were filled with water.

Feel better ? :D

Oh yeah, I have enough light power to light a city, probably more than anyone in the forums, but I didn't bring any. :o

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/3096/croppedrearoftrikedrivenh0.png

Maybe this will make you feel better. :D

I had a flat tire on this wheel in the dark without enough light. Coaster brake hub, driven by a sprocket right in front of it with a small chain. You can see the drive sprocket in the photo. The dropouts are shaped like a T and the axle goes out the bottom of the T. I had the dog with me, and lots stuff. When I got off to look at the tire I realized the small stream next to the totally dark unlighted path had overflowed and was flowing over the bike path. I stood in about 1/2" of flowing water.
To limit damage to the tire and wheel I took the dog out. He had been napping and thought it was now time to play in the water and run around. I walked about a 1/2 mile with the trike left handlebar grip in my right hand and the dog's leash in the left hand. I walked up a few short, but steep hills. I had the tools, but not enough light. And my shoes were filled with water.

Feel better ? :D

Oh yeah, I have enough light power to light a city, probably more than anyone in the forums, but I didn't bring any. :o

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/3096/croppedrearoftrikedrivenh0.png

OK, you win -- I feel better now. :)

What a cute pup. What breed is he?

OK, you win -- I feel better now. :)
:lol:
What a cute pup. What breed is he?
Thanks, he is a Corgi.