Road Cycling - Just need to vent

I have owned a Trek Navigator 200 for about 4 years now. My flat tire syndrome started about 4 months ago. Got a flat and patched it.

Got another flat, same tire a week later. The rim was wobbly due to a broken spoke which my LBS fixed.

Less than a month later, flat on same tire so I put a new tube in and bought me two Specialized Nimbus Armadillos.

A week later, another flat and two more broken spokes at which point my rim looked like a pringle.

Bought two new Mavic rims and two new tubes. I had a heck of a time getting the tires onto the new rims so I had my LBS do the work.

Now after less than 100 miles I have a huge blowout tonight. I take it to the LBS and when he pulls the tube out, I noticed it has a 3 inch split on the inside of it. The tire bead in that area is shredded with exposed wire. Apparantly, the bike mechanic pryed on it so much he damaged the tire.

The LBS manager agreed with me and reimbursed my for the cost and shipping of the tire (major props for that!). But what sucks is I'm down for another 5 days waiting for the new tire as he does not carry them.

I need to ride at least 5 days a week for my mental and physical health. When I do not ride I have high BP, high cholesterol, migraines, and just don't feel well. When I ride, my BP, cholesterol, and migraines all stay under control. I cannot run do to a painful foot condition. I'm seriously considering buying another bike(road bike) just so this won't happen again and leave me without a bike.

I need to ride at least 5 days a week for my mental and physical health. When I do not ride I have high BP, high cholesterol, migraines, and just don't feel well. When I ride, my BP, cholesterol, and migraines all stay under control. I cannot run do to a painful foot condition. I'm seriously considering buying another bike(road bike) just so this won't happen again and leave me without a bike.

I can relate! Without riding I'm a mess to. Hop on a trainer with the good tire you do have or toss a crappy short money tire on the flat wheel in the meantime.

It's not the frame that causes flats so getting a new bike will not solve the problem.

If it's too hard to get the tire on the rim, then maybe you should ask the LBS to exchange it for a different rim or try a different style Armadillo tire. I know this would be a major hassle, but if you can't get the tire on and off the rim yourself, someday you're going to find yourself walking a long way home.

Nimbus Armadillos are very flat resistant. If the tire and tube are installed correctly, you should have very few problems with flats.

While you're waiting on the new tire, why not mount one of your old tires and go riding. If you get a flat, so what? Keep a spare tube with you for quick repairs.

It's not the frame that causes flats so getting a new bike will not solve the problem.


I guess in my fit of anger I didn't make myself clear. I know it's not the frame that causes my flats. Getting a second bike would allow me to have something to ride whilst the other is being repaired.




If it's too hard to get the tire on the rim, then maybe you should ask the LBS to exchange it for a different rim or try a different style Armadillo tire. I know this would be a major hassle, but if you can't get the tire on and off the rim yourself, someday you're going to find yourself walking a long way home.

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Good point about not being able to get the tire on when I'm stuck on the side of the road! I was hoping that as the tires break-in, they will become easier to get on and off. From what the manager at the LBS said, all the Armadillo's are tough to get on, he said the road bike tires are even more difficult.

What is the LBS doing to get the tire on that you arent? A set of three tire irons should take care of any tire. Just a suggestion. Good Luck!

What is the LBS doing to get the tire on that you arent? Have you tried a set of tire irons? Just wondered. Have you seen them mount it? You can do a lot with a set of three tire irons. Just a suggestion. Good luck!

I have found that it is the tire rim combo that makes the dif. Had MTB tread that was a pain in the A$$ to put on and road tires that with just hands CO2 and new tube did a rear wheel on the road change in less then 5min.
Not riding feels like being a caged animal wanting freedom.

What is the LBS doing to get the tire on that you arent? A set of three tire irons should take care of any tire. Just a suggestion. Good Luck!
The bike mechanic put alot of baby powder on it and pryed his a$$ off using long levers. In the process ruined my tire.

I do consider myself mechanically inclined. I even fix my own flats on my car tires and have 90% restored my old camaro even rebuilding the engine. I used to be able to fix flats on my bike without tire levers, just using my hands. I am telling you it was almost impossible to get these tires on the rim.

Thx for the suggestions.

FWIW, you can never have too many bikes ;)

If you have the funds, then a second bike allows you to ride during any situation that would force you to take one bike to the LBS.