Another Flat!!? I had one last year. Reality Check
#26
Senior Member
I've got well over 3,000 miles on a set of Schwalbe Marathon Plus 25mms over the last year. In that same time I've had one inexplicable flat in about 1000 miles on a regular set of Schwalbe Marathonns (26x1.75 tire) and multiple flats over 500ish miles on a set of Conti Gatorskin 23mms. If I'm riding any distance, I feel most secure riding on the Marathon Plus tires.
Keith
Keith
#27
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Take a serious look at going tubeless. I got back from a road ride in Albuquerque with 4 thorns stuck in my tire and didn't even know it because my tubeless road tires worked perfectly. I also caught a staple in my tire going downhill at 45mph and pulled it out at the bottom after seeing my white goop seeping from my tube. I don't want to think what would have happened if it had been a bad blow out at that speed. I do love tubeless and recommend anyone in thorn country to give it a try.
Problem with these thorns, the flats are almost always front not rear tire. Rear flat is a drag to fix but not dangerous to get like a front flat...
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Last edited by Pamestique; 11-23-15 at 11:33 AM.
#28
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PS: Why can Diablo type g o o b e r and I can't**********
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Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
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Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
#29
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I have to seriously think about it... normally I just changed out the tube and kept riding but Saturday, becuase the front tire went flat just as I was turning, I took a bad fall and sprained both wrists... now I am alittle "gun shy" of getting flats while riding.
Problem with these thorns, the flats are almost always front not rear tire. Rear flat is a drag to fix but not dangerous to get like a front flat...
Problem with these thorns, the flats are almost always front not rear tire. Rear flat is a drag to fix but not dangerous to get like a front flat...
#31
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#32
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I'd guess there are a disproportional number of flats on the front simply because the front tire encounters road debris first but the rear tire has more weight. I'm not holding my breath for a study on the subject to cut through the anecdotal evidence. I do know front flats are a greater concern. My wife had a blow out flat while coming down a 9% grade. She's so good. She simply took solid control of the steering and slowed down slowly. The tire stayed in place. I was proud of her bike handling skills.
#33
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Been riding almost 50 years, done cross country rides; experienced mountain biker as well... I still turn the bike upside down (especially in dirt - rather get my bars dirty than the drive train) and I'll accept the label gladly...
PS: Why can Diablo type g o o b e r and I can't**********
PS: Why can Diablo type g o o b e r and I can't**********
one ******, two ****ers
#34
Me duelen las nalgas
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I managed to avoid any flats for the first month after I resumed bicycling in August after a long hiatus. But it was too good to last.
I had four flats in the next month, three of 'em in one weekend. Two from goat head grass burrs (and I plucked out a dozen more that hadn't yet penetrated). One metal shard. One from a burred edge in the rim's valve stem hole (since polished out). Maybe just a run of bad luck. The highway crews had just done their last big roadside mow of the season, which probably kicked a lot of very dry, very sharp grass burrs and other junk onto the road. Since then it's rained, so maybe the hazards would have solved themselves.
But eee-nuff, sez I.
I couldn't even roll the bike a short distance home on a flat with the old tires - they rolled right off the rims, taking the tube and rim strip along. So I installed a self-sealing tube on the rear (and plan to get one for the front) and, three weeks ago, a set of Michelin Protek Cross Max. Half the price of the Armadillos and Schwalbe Marathons. So far, so good. We'll see if they're at least half as good.
While I liked the ride quality of the original Specialized Hemispheres, they weren't resistant enough to flats and wouldn't stay on the rims when uninflated. I couldn't even roll the bike a short distance on a flat. The Michelins will stay on the rim uninflated, have much stiffer sidewalls, and need a little assist from tire levers to mount/dismount. The new tires are a little heavier but I'll take 'em in exchange for fewer flats and being able to roll the bike on a flat to get off the road.
And, yeah, I flip the bike upside down to change flats. It's a little hassle because I have to loosen the top-mounted bell and Mirrycle to rotate 'em out of the way. But I'm not gonna wrestle a 30+ lb hybrid/utility bike by trying to hoist the rear one handed, while the front wheel flops around, to remove the rear wheel with the other hand. Sounds like a great way to strain my back and neck. This is the 50+ forum, right, not the racing forums? Nope, I'll save that stunt for when I can afford a 15-lb Cervelo VWD. And if I could afford that, I could afford to call a cab whenever I get a flat.
I almost always have a bunch of paper towels or bandana in my pocket. And I usually have a packet or two of wet wipes in my first aid kit. Takes care of any smudges from chain/sprocket greasy gunk.
I had four flats in the next month, three of 'em in one weekend. Two from goat head grass burrs (and I plucked out a dozen more that hadn't yet penetrated). One metal shard. One from a burred edge in the rim's valve stem hole (since polished out). Maybe just a run of bad luck. The highway crews had just done their last big roadside mow of the season, which probably kicked a lot of very dry, very sharp grass burrs and other junk onto the road. Since then it's rained, so maybe the hazards would have solved themselves.
But eee-nuff, sez I.
I couldn't even roll the bike a short distance home on a flat with the old tires - they rolled right off the rims, taking the tube and rim strip along. So I installed a self-sealing tube on the rear (and plan to get one for the front) and, three weeks ago, a set of Michelin Protek Cross Max. Half the price of the Armadillos and Schwalbe Marathons. So far, so good. We'll see if they're at least half as good.
While I liked the ride quality of the original Specialized Hemispheres, they weren't resistant enough to flats and wouldn't stay on the rims when uninflated. I couldn't even roll the bike a short distance on a flat. The Michelins will stay on the rim uninflated, have much stiffer sidewalls, and need a little assist from tire levers to mount/dismount. The new tires are a little heavier but I'll take 'em in exchange for fewer flats and being able to roll the bike on a flat to get off the road.
And, yeah, I flip the bike upside down to change flats. It's a little hassle because I have to loosen the top-mounted bell and Mirrycle to rotate 'em out of the way. But I'm not gonna wrestle a 30+ lb hybrid/utility bike by trying to hoist the rear one handed, while the front wheel flops around, to remove the rear wheel with the other hand. Sounds like a great way to strain my back and neck. This is the 50+ forum, right, not the racing forums? Nope, I'll save that stunt for when I can afford a 15-lb Cervelo VWD. And if I could afford that, I could afford to call a cab whenever I get a flat.
I almost always have a bunch of paper towels or bandana in my pocket. And I usually have a packet or two of wet wipes in my first aid kit. Takes care of any smudges from chain/sprocket greasy gunk.
#35
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If they made tires sturdy enough not to get flats, they would be too heavy to ride. Flats happen. Be prepared. Practice at home if you need to.
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Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#36
Senior Member
Not very mysterious in my case. My bents have heavily-loaded front wheels (around 60%) compared to an upright. All three were pinch flat/snakebites, all in the spring. One was an invisible rock, the other two were pot holes I didn't see because I was in a draft line and nobody in front called them out. Once the roads get cleaned up for the summer, I do okay.
#37
Beicwyr Hapus
I have to seriously think about it... normally I just changed out the tube and kept riding but Saturday, becuase the front tire went flat just as I was turning, I took a bad fall and sprained both wrists... now I am alittle "gun shy" of getting flats while riding.
Problem with these thorns, the flats are almost always front not rear tire. Rear flat is a drag to fix but not dangerous to get like a front flat...
Problem with these thorns, the flats are almost always front not rear tire. Rear flat is a drag to fix but not dangerous to get like a front flat...
#38
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You have no idea how much it sucks. Couldn't ride this weekend and probably won't be able to ride over Thanksgiving. I was just getting back into the swing of things... in fact, before this last accident, I was having a "best day ever"; did a hard climb without much problem, wasn't all that tired, feeling good and then =WHAM= down and out... oh well!
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Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
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Private docent led mountain bike rides through Limestone Canyon. Go to letsgooutside.org and register today! Also available: hikes, equestrian rides and family events as well as trail maintenance and science study.
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