Commuting - Grrrrr...Need advice on sidewall flats..

So a friend of mine talked me into getting a pair of Hutchison Carbon Comps (yea they were on sale too) great ride and smooth, but Ive gotten 2 serious sidewall pictures in only five, 20-mile rides already since I put them on.
One even required me to do the old floss-stitching technique to prevent the tube from poking through...

I commute average about 18-mile each way and put on about 180 miles a week on my bike. I ride the usual road shoulders, avoid the glass and stuff, but these flats are frustrating.. especillly my old Maxxis tires would go 3-4 weeks without a flat.

Since I already dropped $50 into the tire, id like to not scrap them right away. Does anyone have any suggestions to do? Slime? belt?

Thanks, eric

Slime is absolutely worthless, especially when it comes to sidewall issues. I can't even recommend a Tuffy strip as again it's the sidewall not the tread.

Don't run over stuff. Seriously, if you are getting flats that require you to stitch up the tire, then you have two options: Get a sturdier tire, or avoid the junk in the road.

Maybe there's a prticularly bad stretch of road where you tend to get flats. If so, then try to reroute your commute to avoid that road. Otherwise, keep your eyes peeled or get some tough tires like Specialized Armadillos.

it seems to me that one shouldn't get sidewall flats if one's tires are inflated enough (35 psi for 2 inch tires, 70 psi for 1 inch/23 mm tires if you weigh 130 pounds, like me. higher pressure would be needed to keep the tires off the sidewall when the rider's heavier, of course.

it seems to me that one shouldn't get sidewall flats if one's tires are inflated enough (35 psi for 2 inch tires, 70 psi for 1 inch/23 mm tires if you weigh 130 pounds, like me. higher pressure would be needed to keep the tires off the sidewall when the rider's heavier, of course.

Unfortunately, the junk that waits in the road for you doesn't play by the rules. A large chunk of glass or a bent nail can get flipped up when the tire runs over it and jab the sidewall. Often the front tire hits the object and causes it to roll or bounce so the rear tire gets (literally) nailed. I had a small nail go in through the sidewall of a rear tire and exit out the tread once. My tires were properly inflated. It just happens.

I don't have anything in the way of constructive advice. For my commuter, I always use the cheapest set of tires I can find at the LBS or Performance (walk-in, not catalog). My commuter has a cheap pair of Ascent tires I picked up at Performance for $5 each two years ago. Considering I commute 3-4 days a week, 12 months a year, that's pretty good. I save the expensive or near expensive tires for my weekend roadie. I put Hutchinson Fusion tires on in May and they have been good tires. A friend got the Carbon Comps at the same time and is having the same problem you are having.

I got some of those Hutchinson tires when they were on sale at Performance for $20. They are Kevlar bead folding tires. They are also what I carry in my back jersey pocket ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES!!!!!!!!!!! I did not like them one bit, and had a few flats with them. I normally use Conti Gatorskins for riding, and something with a kevlar belt for commuting. If you are normally just commuting on that bike, get some Specialized Armadillos. They ride a bit rough, but it's pretty hard to get a flat with them. For a slightly smoother ride, Michelin has a kevlar belted tire also.