Road Cycling - Tire question

I'm new here so please take it easy on me :). Just picked up a '85 Trek 460 road racer in pretty good shape. Of course it needs tires and tubes (plus the needed spares). What I need help with is a good durable but not too heavy tire so I can enjoy it without having to repair flats everytime out. Here is what's on it, presently: Specialized Transition 700x23gr. Is it possible to minimize flats? I'll try to keep it off the gravel and not bump curbs:)


many thanx!

Olds

run it at the correct pressure. make sure the lining between the tube and the rim is good

redfooj, thanx...I need all the tips I can get. This bike is an older model but I sure didnt have or afford this kind of equip when I rode back in the 70's. Just now I found the little stem adapter so I can use the floor pump.

How about another question....how can I check pressure?



Olds

I fill my bike at the gas station with a meter. Now i know it's probably +/- 3psi, but it does the job.

a decent modern pump should have a built in gauge thats fairly accurate... 90psi should do you well on a 23mm wide tire unless youre a heffer :D

heffer, hah! I clock in at 5'9 and weigh 183 so that'll work :)

So after some reading on this tire subject I think it's going to be Armadillo's. The extra weight probably wont be felt at this point in the game.

thanx!


Olds

Oldscool
This is probably obvious but make sure you have good rim tape on the rims. I probably should'nt say this knock on wood but I have not gotten one flat in a bit over 2000 miles on my new bike. I have continental GP3000's 23's with Michellin tubes, the rim tape is this piece of plastic that was really hard to stretch over the rim but then sets in real nice. I used to get flats all the time on my old touring bike; cheaper rims and cloth rim tape, I don't know if hat is why? I pump them up to 120psi which is the max pressure. These tires are a bit expensive but they came with my bike. I think the next set will be Conti Gatorskins from my lbs for about $30 a piece