ZacHults

Hey guys this is my first post here, I have a hybrid and I am consistently getting flats. I do most of my riding on paved road and dirt/gravel, I was wondering since I am almost regularly getting flats should i purchase new tires such as Schwalbe or Continental or would it be in my best interest to go with a mountain bike? I really enjoy my hybrid aside from the flats, I ride between 50-100 miles a week, I appreciate any responses.

Thanks

loimpact

What bike and (more importantly) tires are you running?

They're not a "fast" tire but I can vouch for Kenda Kwick Trax as being a pretty tough/cheap tire. I've had zero flats on 2 bikes in approx 700-800 miles so far and I probably should have by now.

Amazon.com : Kenda Kwick Trax Commuter Bicycle Tire with Iron Cap : Bike Tires : Sports & Outdoors

Of course, the Gatorskins or Armadillos will do the trick too, I'm sure, just at a higher price.

JamesRL

Tell us about your flats - are they pinch flats, or punctures from objects? Do you keep your tires fully inflated? Do you have Rim tape?

giantcfr1

You didn't explain why you get flats.
Also, you mention those two particular brands, why is that? It's more about the tyre quality than the brand name.

Little Darwin

Based on my understanding of your type of riding, based on your limited description, I wouldn't move to a mountain bike.

There is no tire that should provide you with frequent flats on gravel and pavement without some other cause... You can protect against various types of flats, but we first need to know which one(s) you are plagued with before we can provide reasonable responses.

2manybikes

As already mentioned you need to say what the cause of your flat tires is. Pinch flats, punctures, sidewall blow outs, ripped tube, other?

When you get a flat, do you always find the problem and identify it?

WestPablo

The problem is NOT in your type of bike!

Take a closer look at your tires, tubes, liners, pressure, sharp edges, and foreign objects

ZacHults

Thanks for all the responses, the flats i get are always due to punctures, I keep the tires inflated in between the suggested psi, should I always fill to the max? My hybrid is a Nishiki Montour with Kenda tires (stock), the roads in my area are littered with debris from winter. After getting so many flats and patching most of them I took the tire to my local bike shop and they replaced the tube and said they couldn't find any objects imbedded in the tire. I mentioned those two brands, because I've been searching forums for tires and those were the two I've seen come up the most. I am at work but when I get home I will take a closer look at my tires.

Thanks

dynaryder

Just to rule them out,pull your tires and check for anything in them. Actually turn the tire inside-out one section at a time and make sure nothing is in there. Also,since the tires off,take the opportunity to check your rim tape and carefully run a finger around both sides of the rim to make sure there are no sharp edges.

giantcfr1

Dydaryder mentioned rim tape. This is often overlooked. If it's thin or the shape has sunk into the spoke holes, the spokes could be rubbing the tube and causing the unusual number of flats. This plus spoke tension causes mystery flats smetimes. It happened to many many many years ago when I purchased a brand new bicycle. Two flats each ride for three weeks. The bike shop was replacing the tubes for free, but one day I noticed the dodgy rim tape. Bing bong, after replacing it and the shop tensioning the spokes, no more mystery flats.

Oh another incident I had was with continental ultra sports. Flats four times in one week. They are cheap and nasty. The reason for the flat was because the casing on the inside of the tire was not sealed in the tyre smoothly. The threads of the casing were rough and rubbing on the tube. Tyres I love are... Vittoria Rubino Pro, Kenda Small Block 8 and Schwalbe Marathon. I've never gotten a flat on any of them.