Since when do CF bikes get flats!!!???
01-18-16, 05:03 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Tucson Az
Posts: 1,676
Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix, 1983 Team Fuji, 2019 Marin Nail Trail 6
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 336 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times
in
137 Posts
Since when do CF bikes get flats!!!???
I got my first flat yesterday on the Ridley I bought last July. You would think as light as a CF bike is that it would float...no....hover over the road hazards, and the flat gnomes would give us riders a break, knowing we had to bargain with the devil (our wives) just to be able to get one. 
At least it was a slow leak. I discovered it with a about a half mile left to ride, so I crossed my fingers, gave the tire a shot of co2 and took off for the end. I made it without any problems, but the tube feels like it has negative pressure in it today.
At least it was a slow leak. I discovered it with a about a half mile left to ride, so I crossed my fingers, gave the tire a shot of co2 and took off for the end. I made it without any problems, but the tube feels like it has negative pressure in it today.
01-18-16, 05:06 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,484
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7650 Post(s)
Liked 3,472 Times
in
1,833 Posts
Well, you should have sprung for the CF tires.
01-18-16, 05:07 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
C/f bicycles DO NOT get flats . . . however the tires/tubes do as they are not carbon fiber!!!
01-18-16, 05:26 PM
#6
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
My first 4 years I had zero flats. In year 5, i got 4 of them.
"S" happens.
"S" happens.
01-18-16, 06:02 PM
#7
Senior Member
Don't forget, "flat" is a 4-letter word. 
01-18-16, 06:17 PM
#8
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
01-18-16, 06:23 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southwestern Ontario
Posts: 5,124
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1581 Post(s)
Liked 1,189 Times
in
605 Posts
The tires on a c/f bike are meant to go flat. They are designed to absorb and dissipate the environmental hazards that would otherwise cause an instant asplosion of your c/f frame and fork.
This is the dirty little secret that The Bicycle Companies do NOT want you to know.
This is the dirty little secret that The Bicycle Companies do NOT want you to know.
01-18-16, 06:40 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
313 Posts
I havent had a flat all season with my ALUMINUM bike.
01-18-16, 08:07 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,719
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 258 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I was wondering this past summer about my getting a flat 'cause back in the old days I never got road bike flats. Then while cleaning out some old bike stuff from well over 20 years ago I ran across a kept for a spare tube with over a half dozen patches on it. Old age misremembering is a wonderful thing.
01-18-16, 09:19 PM
#15
Conquer Cancer rider
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 6,039
Bikes: Fun bike, city bike, Bike Friday, Brompton (also fun bikes)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I hate to tell you this, but the chance of getting flats has nothing to do with whether it's a carbon fiber bike or not. It's all about how whether it's raining and hard it is going to be to be to get the tire off the rim.
My (dismal) record is 4 tubes on a single flat. One tube had a faulty stem, one I pinch-flatted, one the good Samaritan who stopped to lend me his spare tube pinch flatted and the final one was the original, nicely patched.
That one is still on the bike, I think.
My (dismal) record is 4 tubes on a single flat. One tube had a faulty stem, one I pinch-flatted, one the good Samaritan who stopped to lend me his spare tube pinch flatted and the final one was the original, nicely patched.
That one is still on the bike, I think.
__________________
Zero gallons to the mile
Zero gallons to the mile
01-19-16, 08:52 AM
#16
www.ocrebels.com
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 6,186
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
I get flats on my carbon bike, my steel bike, my aluminum bike and my titanium bike. I get them when it's cold, it's raining and in beautiful warm sunny weather.
There is no escape.
Rick / OCRR
There is no escape.
Rick / OCRR
Last edited by Rick@OCRR; 01-19-16 at 09:36 AM.
01-19-16, 09:04 AM
#17
Senior Member
01-19-16, 06:22 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Maumelle, AR
Posts: 1,075
Bikes: 2012 Scorpion FX trike, 2016 Catrike 700
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 93 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I certainly get flats, especially since I am a larger rider, but it seems I never flat on a long steep climb when I really could use a good "reason" to stop for a while.
01-21-16, 06:37 AM
#21
Senior Member
The only time I have ever gotten a flat on my bicycle is when I was riding it, never seem to get one when it is in the rack.
01-21-16, 10:18 AM
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Tucson Az
Posts: 1,676
Bikes: 2015 Ridley Fenix, 1983 Team Fuji, 2019 Marin Nail Trail 6
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 336 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times
in
137 Posts
So, I'm going to do my birthday ride tomorrow (a day early), and I'm thinking since apparently I'm too large to hover over road hazards right now, I'm going to fill my tubes with helium and see if that helps.
I'd try to lower the air pressure like Tom Brady did (allegedly), but I suspect it might have the opposite result.
I'd try to lower the air pressure like Tom Brady did (allegedly), but I suspect it might have the opposite result.
01-21-16, 10:29 AM
#23
Beicwyr Hapus
I'm thinking of buying a pair of wheels from a friend's Giant carbon bike for my steel Genesis. Does this mean I'm not going to get flats?
01-21-16, 10:38 AM
#24
Senior Member
I could contribute and speculate but we all know what will happen if I post something about having or not havingflats. For those who are looking for solutions, refer back to the drone thread and find a way to capture a few of them. Tie them to your frame and give it a shot. Send me a picture if it works out.
01-21-16, 01:21 PM
#25
Pedals, Paddles and Poles
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Vegas Valley, NV
Posts: 5,495
Bikes: Santa Cruz Tallboy, Ridley Noah, Scott Spark 20
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 69 Times
in
58 Posts
My Ridley flatted 9.2 miles out on my first ride. I considered trading it in for something from Walmart! Mr. Noah has behaved after stern discussion and trading the Mavics out for a pair of Hutchs.
__________________
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.