Commuting - 26" Tires

Just as I arrived at the university today my front tire went flat. There was a little hole in the tube, but I couldn't find anything on the tire. I had just ridden over some rocks on the road. Must of hit a sharp one, I guess.

I'm using Continental Town and Country 26" tires. I thought they would have held up better.

Anybody have any tires they could recommend?

R

Just as I arrived at the university today my front tire went flat. There was a little hole in the tube, but I couldn't find anything on the tire. I had just ridden over some rocks on the road. Must of hit a sharp one, I guess.

I'm using Continental Town and Country 26" tires. I thought they would have held up better.

Anybody have any tires they could recommend?

RSpecialized Nimbus EX (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=10407&JServSessionIdroot=5y3e6pffmz.j27009) I've been running the same set for about four years now and they still look brand new.

Nice looking tire - thanks.

Nice looking tire - thanks.
Gets the job done - here's some reviews. http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/product_23329.shtml (Reminds me i need to do a follow up.)

The Specialized Armadillo Fatboys (? I think) are their high pressure kevlar lined 26" slick... sweet tyre.

I'm using some 1.5 inch city cheng shin tires that were hell a cheap. They have a bit of space between the knobs so im hoping they will make good snow tires, and i wont have to put my 2.1 inch panaracers on.

The cheaper the better, IMHO.

Those cheng shins were like 15 bucks for two tires and two tubes (with shipping included) off Ebay. Work great, last longtime!

And use slime, the green stuff that self seals little holes like you were talking about.

Just as I arrived at the university today my front tire went flat. There was a little hole in the tube, but I couldn't find anything on the tire. I had just ridden over some rocks on the road. Must of hit a sharp one, I guess.

I'm using Continental Town and Country 26" tires. I thought they would have held up better.

Anybody have any tires they could recommend?

R

So, what's wrong with the Continentals? Mine have been on the bike for 4 years and several thousand miles. I've had several tubes wear out inside the tires (small holes, etc.) but nothing has ever pierced the tires themselves. Where was the hole in relation to the tire? My last one, the tire rode fine for 40 miles, I put the bike away for the night, and the next morning it was flat. A small hole next to the stem at the end of the molding seam in the tube was the culprit(a common place for tubes to fail). Even the treads won't wear out. It took about 1200 miles just to wear the molding strip off.

And use slime, the green stuff that self seals little holes like you were talking about.
Personally I'd rather start using heavy duty tubes, rather than use Slime. I've had the same plain ol' Specialized tubes in those tires since day one with absolutely no issues.

So, what's wrong with the Continentals? Mine have been on the bike for 4 years and several thousand miles. I've had several tubes wear out inside the tires (small holes, etc.) but nothing has ever pierced the tires themselves. Where was the hole in relation to the tire? My last one, the tire rode fine for 40 miles, I put the bike away for the night, and the next morning it was flat. A small hole next to the stem at the end of the molding seam in the tube was the culprit(a common place for tubes to fail). Even the treads won't wear out. It took about 1200 miles just to wear the molding strip off.

As I found out today (when I went to get my bike and my front tire was flat again), glass was the culprit. I didn't see the tiny hole on the tread or feel anything on the inside of the tire when I first changed the tube - it was lodged in there so I couldn't feel it. Pushed it out with a small knife. The glass pierced the top of the tire.

But I think a tiny hole like that in the tire should be ok?

Also - I didn't have a spare tube with me so I patched the hole. Is this ok to ride for a while or should I get a new tube in there right away? The hole was very small.

Thanks.

Oh, and I'm glad to hear about the Continentals. When I was looking for slicks I wanted something that could handle the crappy Regina roads and last a while. I do like the feel of them - a lot, especially in the rain. I was just disappointed when I thought it was a rock that pierced them. I guess there isn't much one can do about glass.

I saw some self-sealing tubes. Would these have worked?

As I found out today (when I went to get my bike and my front tire was flat again), glass was the culprit. I didn't see the tiny hole on the tread or feel anything on the inside of the tire when I first changed the tube - it was lodged in there so I couldn't feel it. Pushed it out with a small knife. The glass pierced the top of the tire.

But I think a tiny hole like that in the tire should be ok?

Also - I didn't have a spare tube with me so I patched the hole. Is this ok to ride for a while or should I get a new tube in there right away? The hole was very small.

Thanks.

I think the Specialized Nimbus tires recommended are in the Armadillo line. If you patched the tube with a rubber patch and glue, it should last as long as a tube that never gets a flat. Mount your tires so the label on the side is centered next to the valve stem. Then when you get a flat, compare the location on the tube, the distance from the stem, with the tire, and look for what caused the flat to see if it's still in the tire. The self stick patches for tubes are only good for getting you home in an emergency. Always use the kits with the glue.

Great suggestion about mounting the tires. I'll do that. I looked pretty close the first time, but stupidly pulled the tube out before checking where the leak was. This time I was more careful.

Yes, I used glue. I'm generally not confident about anything I attempt to fix, but it's still holding air so far. I'd kind of like to use the patch where I can - less rubber in the landfill and I save a little dough. Plus, hey, I fixed it.

But I think a tiny hole like that in the tire should be ok?

Also - I didn't have a spare tube with me so I patched the hole. Is this ok to ride for a while or should I get a new tube in there right away? The hole was very small.

A small hole in the tire is nothing to worry about.

A patched tube can be used indefinitely. No need to buy a new tube unless it blows out and has too large a hole to patch.

I had a 1" hole in my tire and tube once, patched it and moved on. Put another 1000 miles on it. Tire was a specialized 1.95" hemisphere ex.

As I found out today (when I went to get my bike and my front tire was flat again), glass was the culprit. I didn't see the tiny hole on the tread or feel anything on the inside of the tire when I first changed the tube - it was lodged in there so I couldn't feel it. Pushed it out with a small knife. The glass pierced the top of the tire.

But I think a tiny hole like that in the tire should be ok?

Also - I didn't have a spare tube with me so I patched the hole. Is this ok to ride for a while or should I get a new tube in there right away? The hole was very small.

Thanks.

Oh, and I'm glad to hear about the Continentals. When I was looking for slicks I wanted something that could handle the crappy Regina roads and last a while. I do like the feel of them - a lot, especially in the rain. I was just disappointed when I thought it was a rock that pierced them. I guess there isn't much one can do about glass.

Nope. You can't do much about glass. I wouldn't worry about the tiny hole in the tire for now. Keep an eye on the area the hole is in and if it starts to become visible, it's time to change the tire. I once long ago rode a patched tire somewhere around 4000 miles (kids have no money for things like new tires). My recent daily ride went from smooth bike path to rough gravel(old paved road left to die 20 years ago) to the crappiest streets you've ever seen. The continentals are still going strong!

--Just noticed you said you patched the tube... Ride it till it fails. Or, if the thought of replacing a tube alonside the road makes you want to drive the car... Replace it... Tubes are cheap.

Thanks. I'm glad to hear about the Continentals - I'm going to stick with them for now and see how they manage. The hole is very small and I'll keep an eye on it. It's coming up on Nokian time anyway. And I'll stick with my patched tube, too! Still good so far (100 kms). I just hate the thought of throwing out all that rubber if I don't have to.

Drive a car??? Never! :)

R

I'd stick with the continentals too. they're good. I've had luck with armadillo as per no flats but the rubber is too soft for a tour. I ride "IRC metro duro" they are a 1.5x26 100psi. I put 3000miles on this tire with VERY few flats still with plenty of rubber.

So, you didn't lose any confidence going to the 1.5 size? I'm a bit of a novice and like the wider tires. Now that I'm going with longer routes to work (up to 20 km one way), speed is becoming an issue.

I'd be very appreciative to hear how your mtb handles with the narrow tires.

tnx

r

So, you didn't lose any confidence going to the 1.5 size? I'm a bit of a novice and like the wider tires. Now that I'm going with longer routes to work (up to 20 km one way), speed is becoming an issue.

I'd be very appreciative to hear how your mtb handles with the narrow tires.

tnx

r
I never had a problem switching to the narrower tire. The bike handles so much better on road it's crazy and the speed went up by about 5 mph (YRMV).

The width isn't the critical factor but the pressure that you feel comfortable with.
I fill my tires to 90psi or so but I mostly ride on the road and have a sprung saddle. Lower pressures (well too low) can actually increase your chances of flats it'll also slow you down. 1.5 is medium and good for most off road uses meaning good to fair trails, x-treme tires fat or thin are just that X-TREME. me I'm just riding around town. 20km is no novice. My bike isn't a mtb it's just a bike. The urge to over catagorize our bikes keeps us from using them the way we need to.