General Cycling Discussion - Longest time you had no flat tire due to road condition etc.?

Since I don't know how to repair tires :p and naturally never carry those tools, I pray I will never have a flat tire on the road. I ride exclusively on city streets, mostly smooth but some can be bumpy/patchy. Is it still unavoidable that I'll have a flat tire some day? Anyone has never had it? How often do you get a flat tire which ruins your ride?

one every 575 miles.

I have gone over a year without a flat, but I've also had 3 flats in 1 day. I've only had 2 rides where I ran out of tubes (the 3-flat day was one of them) and had to call for help getting home.

It's really not that hard to change a tire. The first time I did it (rear tire) it took me 45 minutes. Now I can do it in about 5 minutes.

I'm at 600 miles on new bike. No flats.
My group went riding Saturday(without me) on a section of highway I told them not to ride because I thought it would induce flats. 4 flats later I think they now might just believe me :)
Can't ride next to a busy highway and not expect not to get flats. Glass, steel from car/truck tire belts that get flung off especially in hot weather.

Year and a half... So far.

I went 8500 miles with no flats, then ran over something coming back from the grocery store.

My usual strategy is to have a patch kit and pump, but riding with walkable shoes can work too, if the distance isn't great and you don't have a load that will wreck the tire walking the bike.

I've gone over a year with no flats, and I've had 2 flats within a half hour. There's no predicting it.

Don't fear the flat though. With a very small amount of practice, you can change one in just a couple of minutes.

Bicycle tires are EASY to change. Many times they can be done with no tools. Try a dirt bike tire some day ;)

Answering this thread is a great way to curse yourself.

I will have one for sure tonight

Answering this thread is a great way to curse yourself.

you are correct!,,,Bad luck will follow....

I am not at liberty to answer the question.

Learn how to fix a flat.
Make sure that your tires are reasonably easy to take off and put back on.

I used a big heavy Armadillo for some training on mountian climbs (700X25) on the rear of my bike. Not one flat in 5,000 miles! :thumb:

Brand new bike. 3rd ride out on a trail. Ride went fine. That night, front was flat. Found a sticker in the tube. Went to the bike shop and bought 2 heavy duty tubes with Schrader valves and got rid of the Presta's. So I drilled out my rim and put on the HD tube. But me, being stupid, decided to leave the rear. Next ride, it went flat. Sticker again. So swapped it. Haven't had any problems since.

I suggest you learn to change your tires. It's very simple and requires no tools if you have quick release wheels.

I toured through Europe for about 4 months on a Vredestein Perfect, 700x37. No flats for the duration. Tire went from new to bald, on 60-100km per day, and no flats. I cherish the fond memories of that tire.

But god, what a terrible wheel it was on. I broke 15 spokes during that time!!!

It's been so long ago that I can't remember how long ago it was that I flatted. But I know I will flat again, you will as well. I suggest you learn how to fix a flat, and pick up and carry the small kit that will allow you to do so. It's easy

2 years.

I've been running Vittoria Randonneur Cross tires (35x700) on my Raleigh Sojourn. In 17,000 miles, I've had two flats, and both were from rim issues, nothing through the tires. I won't say they're unflattable, but sure better flat-wise than what everyone else uses, it seems. I've been getting about 5,000 miles on the rear tires and 10,000 on the front.

I'll be impressed if someone can beat me on this. No lie: no puncture flats between September 2004 and June-ish 2010 (can't remember exactly the date). During that period I put about 6000 miles on a set of 700x25 Armadillos, 10,000 miles on a set of 26"x1.5" Armadillos, another ~5000 between some Schwalbe Marathons, two other sets of Armadillos, and some Vredestein Fortezza Tri Comps, and finally ~5000 miles on some Continental Grand Prix Four Season tires that finally punctured one day on the way to work last summer (tire went flat during the day). I've since punctured once more after another ~5000 miles running the same Continental tires (but a new pair after the first wore through to the cords after 6000 miles).

The 700x25 and 26x1.5 Armadillos were retired due to wear without ever allowing the tubes to be punctured. Impressive.

During that puncture-flat dry spell, I did flat two times. Once was due to a poorly installed tube in the 26" Armadillos. Somehow, I had the tube slightly twisted when I installed those tires and 6000 miles later it flatted on me at 10pm on a dark road. I also had a flat due to improperly installed rim tape under the tube in my Vredestein front tire. Luckily the tube let go while I was taking a nature break on a ride. Scared my wife who was standing next to the bike and had me really confused when I returned to a flat front tire.

And for the record, I've always carried tools/tube to repair a flat even though I rarely get the chance to use them.

I went two years without any flats, but this year I had two in two days. bk

Answering this thread is a great way to curse yourself.
Haha for sure! By the way, (hope this doesn't sound too weird) I always like your posts and the way you think. To me, you seem to always contribute really good things to any thread, whether it's a funny quip or deep words of wisdom.

My last flat was last year.

Years ago I would try to ride my tires until they showing the cord. Most of the time I would start getting flats before the cord showed through. So I started to change my tires every year (3000-5000 miles). My flat problems stopped happening. Now that I have a few bikes, I don't change the tires that often, but if I get a flat I examine a tire for the cause, if the tread looks very flat then I get new tires.

Heavy duty tubes and or high quality puncture resistant wider tires
have made punctures pretty rare..

Over 10,000 miles and 4 years without a flat here in South Carolina. 2007 was the last time I had one (knock on wood, knock on wood).

However, with this new skinny tire Schwinn I got with 700x28 tires, I bet I start getting more of them.

I ride exclusively on city streets, mostly smooth but some can be bumpy/patchy.

Bumps probably won't cause flats, unless your tires don't have enough air in them.

But many other things can cause flats.

Longest time you had no flat tire due to road condition etc.?

It has been four years since I've had a flat. But now that you've asked, I'll probably flat both my tires today and then mess up with the inflator, blow threw my CO2 cartridges, break my pump out on the trail, drop my chain, gash my sidewalls, the seals on my fork will explode, and have to walk home with my bike in a baggie. :D


Since I don't know how to repair tires :p

Take an evening and run through the process once or twice. You'll be a more confident
rider for knowing how to fix your own flats.

Also look into some tires with flat protection. Schwalbe makes some urban tires with a flat-resistant layer. Other brands do as well. Such tires greatly reduce your risk.

My friend now has 21,300 miles on this Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700 X 32 tire with No Flats.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Roys%20750%20Mile%20Tour/750RoysIndpdTour070.jpg

My friend now has 21,300 miles on this Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700 X 32 tire with No Flats.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/Roys%20750%20Mile%20Tour/750RoysIndpdTour070.jpg

Here he is 8/5/11.

It is the rear tire on the green bike.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/LaurenandRoy.jpg

And for the record, I've always carried tools/tube to repair a flat even though I rarely get the chance to use them.

My rear tire was flat when I went to leave for work this morning :notamused:

Same here, 2 years with no flats, but in the past i once got a flat every time i rode my bike.

It is the rear tire on the green bike.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/LaurenandRoy.jpg
Hmm, not seeing any bikes in this pic. ;)

My rear tire was flat when I went to leave for work this morning :notamused:

I am so sorry for bring bad luck to you by starting this thread :(

If I have the same tires for a long time without a flat, should I change the tire to be safe?

I'll be impressed if someone can beat me on this. No lie: no puncture flats between September 2004 and June-ish 2010 (can't remember exactly the date).

And for the record, I've always carried tools/tube to repair a flat even though I rarely get the chance to use them.
From 1997-2009 I averaged 5000 miles a year commuting in Germany and USA without having to fix a flat on the road. I did have several slow leaks develop and flat while at work or home which I repaired before the next commute. Schwalbe Marathon 622 x 47mm tires exclusively. The last two years my commute has been for much less distance but still no flats on the road.

I also always carry tools/tube to repair a flat.

I am so sorry for bring bad luck to you by starting this thread :(

If I have the same tires for a long time without a flat, should I change the tire to be safe?

I brought my own bad luck, mainly by running my tires until the rubber is almost gone.

As for changing tires "to be safe", define a long time. If the tire isn't showing signs of severe wear or dry rotting, I'd say keep running it. Now, if you're going out and doing mountain descents at 40+ mph, I'd be a little more hesitant in my recommendation.

From 1997-2009 I averaged 5000 miles a year commuting in Germany and USA without having to fix a flat on the road. I did have several slow leaks develop and flat while at work or home which I repaired before the next commute. Schwalbe Marathon 622 x 47mm tires exclusively. The last two years my commute has been for much less distance but still no flats on the road.

I also always carry tools/tube to repair a flat.

Damn, that's some good mileage. FWIW, I haven't had a puncture flat that I had to repair on the road since 2004. All of my puncture flats have also been slow leaks fixed at work or at home. I have a long way to go to catch up to you either way.

It's been over 4 years, and that was a pinch flat from hitting a pot hole with a rear tire with too low on pressure.

Chain breakage was the only thing that has downed my bike since that flat incident 4 years ago.

Hmm, not seeing any bikes in this pic. ;)


Dammit! Beat me to it.

I've had my bike for 4 months and have ridden it 2700km. So far, no puncture flats - only 1 flat from a broken valve stem.

But given that a tube can go flat for many different reasons, I'd strongly advise carrying at least one spare tube with you at all times - it's pretty quick and easy to change the tube on a bike tire. :)

Thanks all. OK, so many of you advise to carry a tube and the tools. Are tubes of universal size, or do I have to buy the one that fits my tire? My tire is Kenda K-192 with K-shield 700x35c.

3 years :D

It's been at least 6 or 7 years and many thousands of miles since I've had a flat on the bicycle.

The motorcycle and cars are a different story. If I don't have at least a couple of flats a year on them I worry somethings wrong.

had my first yesterday too

almost 5 years and that only because the tube rotted. i use thorn-resistant tubes and slime. ALWAYS made it home w/o air.

I've never had a flat from road conditions in my life.

4720km on my touring bike with puncture resistant tires in the last year without a flat yet. Two flats this year on my mountain bike equipped with slicks, one on the road the other a slow leak noticed in the garage. I'm paranoid so I always carry a pump, levers, spare tubes and a patch kit.

You should practicing removing / reinstalling a tire at home so you know how to do it on the road. This way you'll know what tools you will require to do the job (ie: if you have a bike without a quick release and need a wrench for the job). Depending on the type of brakes you have, there are various methods for providing cable slack to allow for tire removal. The rear wheel is easier to remove / reinstall if you shift the cassette to the smallest cog.

There was an organized century where I live and as the only local on the ride, and on new non flat resistant 23mm tires felt totaly justified carrying four tubes. I generaly get two flats per century. By the end of the ride, I had given away three tubes and two co2 's. I was amazed that most other riders were only carrying one tube. The first century timed ride that I have never flatted.

Usualy I run armadillos or vittoria rando crosses. Last year at a kansas state park I pulled a few hundred goat heads out of the vittorias, no flats. In six days, I will be in the same park, so I am probably doomed.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6099589827_e17af18ff7_b.jpg

Not even an armadillo will stop a wood screw. Thing is, I am still using this tire!

Here he is 8/5/11.

It is the rear tire on the green bike.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/LaurenandRoy.jpg

Why is one of your water bottles upside down?

Nice ermm, everything though...

My tyre would keep deflating, now matter how much I inflated it. So I went to the bike shop and just then I discovered there was a small thorn stuck in the tyre. I really don't know how I got that.
Changing the tyre and the tube wasn't very cheap, but at least I can now ride my BMX bike again.
Until the incident with the thorn, I had been using another bike since 2006(If I remember correctly), without having a single flat tyre.

Since I don't know how to repair tires :p and naturally never carry those tools, I pray I will never have a flat tire on the road. I ride exclusively on city streets, mostly smooth but some can be bumpy/patchy. Is it still unavoidable that I'll have a flat tire some day? Anyone has never had it? How often do you get a flat tire which ruins your ride?

A lot depends on where you ride and what tyres you use.

I had my MTB tyres replaced with Schwalbe Marathons when I bought it and have never had a puncture on it. I've pulled inch-long thorns out of the tyre but nothing has ever pierced the tube.

On my Tricross (which came with Specialized Borough CX tyres) I'd only done about 250 miles on it when I got a puncture from a piece of metal about 1.5" long. It didn't ruin my ride, it just took me a while to fiddle with the bike (having never had to fix a puncture in the field before I didn't have the routine down to a fine art) but after about 15 minutes I was back in action again. Now I've got Schwalbe Marathon tyres on that bike as well - I'd planned to swap out the tyres anyway but the puncture was the hoof in the rear I needed to get on with it.