Originally Posted by
Raptor1956
There are a couple parts to the frequent flats problem I think. First, there are sections of the Jordan River Parkway trail that are littered with goatsheads that will pop you tire easy so, in addition to other issues with that stretch of the JRP, I've decided to avoid that stretch and either do the Saltair route or the northern part of the JRP into the Legacy Parkway route -- much better pavement with fewer large gaps (pinch flat issue) and fewer stupid people. The other thing is replacing the worn tires that I probably should have replaced much earlier. I hope to pickup a pair of new tires within the next month or so and hopefully, that and my lower weight should minimize the flats problem. My current tires are 700x23C and I plan to go with 700x25C which should give an added margin for pinch flats.
Brian
Welcome back to riding. I know this feeling all too well, retrunging to ride after several years off thanks to breaking my back. I'm out in Tooele. I frequent the Salt Air frontage road, but the construction for the inland port and jail have made a bit of a mess. I have been on Legacy Parkway a bunch this past summer and it is an excellent ride. Next spring I was hoping to cover the entire Parkway from Farmington to Utah Lake...
On one of my bikes, I've had 28s, currently on 25s. But will go back to 28s when these need to be replaced. The other has 25s, no clearance for 28s. I'm not fast enough to notice any difference in speed. But the difference in ride was quite significant. Just personal observation. I do also ride a 29er. It is on 700x 54 currently, but looking for some narrower gravel tires for a second set of wheels. Might settle in at 700x40 maybe... The guy I got that 29er from had it set up as a "Monster Cross" bike, with drop bars and such...
Again, sir, welcome BACK!