Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - What are the odds

I just bought two new Gatorskin tires last week after a blow out. I put them on and did a quick test ride on about 200 feet the other night. I head out for a nice ride this morning and after 2 miles I have a flat. I check the tire and install a new tube, check to make sure the tube isn't pinched and shoot the co2 to it. The new inner tube pops as I get it aired up and that is when I can see a 1/4 inch cut in the sidewall. I checked the tire prior to putting the tube in, but I guess I missed it. Took the tire to the LBS and you guessed it, doesn't meet warrenty requirements. So I get to buy a new tire to replace one with a whole 2 miles on it, well 4 if you count the two miles I had to push the bike to get home. What are the odds I would hit a piece of glass and cut the sidewall within the first 2 miles of riding on the tire.

Are the sidewalls of the Gatorskins a problem?

Flats happen

You Might want carry a frame pump and something to boot a cut tire.

How would I know that?

28 flats last year.

I have a gatorskins on front and back and have not had sidewall issues.

136419
This was a brand new 28mm Gatorskin which decided to split at the bead during the middle of the night. Zero miles on it.
Thankfully, the LBS called that a warranty replacement and gave me a new tire.

Outside of that, I've had no sidewall issues with the Gatorskins. I have been disappointed with the number of glass slivers which caused flats this winter, so I'm trying out some 32mm Pasela TGs instead.

You Might want carry a frame pump and something to boot a cut tire.

How would I know that?

28 flats last year.

Either you ride a lot or have bad luck

I believe.

You really need to carry a patch kit and couple of dollars with you when you ride to make an emergancy tube and tire repair. If you find a cut in the side wall patch the inside of the tire, some riders put a folded up dollar bill on the sidewall cut. This should be enough to get you home and not need to walk.

I normally also carry a cell phone, couple of extra cartridges of c02 and a frame pump, I don't like to walk. I have had some bad luck like 10wheels, 6 flats on one ride. After that experience I started putting new tires on my main bike every year or 3000 miles. No flats since. I also use continentals but have never used gator skins, I use touring 4000s.

136419
This was a brand new 28mm Gatorskin which decided to split at the bead during the middle of the night. Zero miles on it.
Thankfully, the LBS called that a warranty replacement and gave me a new tire.

I had a bead failure on a Continental GP 4-season tire that left me stranded a couple of miles out of cell phone range. I had something like 1500 miles on the tires. Other than the catastrophic bead failure, the tire looked fine. After reading CliftonGK1's post, I'm beginning to wonder about Continental beads...

I have bud luck with Conti Gatorskins. FLatted on first ride by smallest grain of glass on the tandem. Several more times within couple months. Removed tire, placed on my single bike, same results. Then after 1000 miles, tire wore expsoing threads andcord.:eek:

Removed other from tandem front, placed on single, same result. Biggest waste of cycling money ($80) since I started cycling 15 years ago.:mad:

I use a Sefas Seca on the tandem and my single now. Much tougher, wears better, rolls just as well. $22 at REI, $27 at the shop wire bead model. $32 for the folding.

I do use a 25 which is closer to the 23 GrandPrix............23's in this model like some others are a bit narrow.