LoRoK

I changed 2 flats today. One was a goat-head on the way to class on the rear, then on the way home a shard of glass on the same tire. I then swapped out my front tube which has had a slow leak for a couple weeks now, and the replacement tube kept making a crackling sound when I got the pressure up to about 120 or so and would go flat in about 5 minutes and I'd have to patch it. We played that game, the tube and I, three times on top of the two times I changed my rear tube. Finally I used my last patch on the original front tube and all seems to be well now. I also found the little sticker in the tire that caused the leak. Anyway, my hands hurt like hell from changing the tires so much and I really, really don't want to do that again. Ever. I searched google, but the search didn't bring back anything. Rather, it brought back everything on the web that said presta and/or thornproof which wasn't all that helpful. So I says to myself, why don't I ask the friendly, helpful people on BF?

AfterThisNap

I've been putting about 20cc of latex sealant in my normal presta tubes. At first I used the TUFO sealant for tubulars, then when I ran out I refilled the adaper bottle with Stans tubeless sealant for my mountainbike. Works great.

I first used it when I caught a flat on my normal tube and was too lazy that day to patch it or replace the tube. I pulled the piece of glass out, dumped in the tufo selant, and when I aired up the hole sealed in the first revolution. I'm still using the same tube after wearing through 2 tires. Good stuff. It's much better than heavier fiber based sealants (slime, etc.)

riderx

Besides sealant, the other option is tire liners

bali shag

i had the same problem with the long stemmed presta tubes. i just use short stem ones with a schrader adapter and tire liners and since then havent had any problems.

snafs

I ****ING hate goatheads.

So far i have had good luck with slime tubes on my geared bike.
https://www.amazon.com/Slime-700c-19-.../dp/B000UVZUIG

You can also try thicker tubes with slime, slime in what ever tubes you have or tires with good flat protection (YAY free Kevlar rear tire).

genericbikedude

I have no idea what a goat head is, but since using conti gatorskins I really just don't get flats anymore. Maybe think about the tire before you worry too much about the tubes?

snafs

genericbikedude

those look like caltrops.