Originally Posted by
jplynch019
Where (on the road) are you riding? If you are in the breakdown lane, where all the debris is, you will get LOTS of flats. I made that mistake my first year of commuting. Took 7 flats the first year. After that I started to move closer to the traffic lane and didn't get as many (maybe 1 or 2). Sure it takes a bit more nerve, but you will stay out of the crap on the side of the road and get fewer flats.
Haven't changed road position although I push it a little more on the new bike.
old: entry level hybrid, Kenda Kourier 700x40 @ 65psi, generic rim tape and Forte SV tubes. 13 months no flats.
new bike: 26x1.9 tires @ 65psi=3 flats and now has 26x1.25 tires @ 85psi. Name brand rim tape and Bontrager or Forte PV tubes.
My commute is on two, 5 lane arterials at night. The traffic is fast (45+mph) but less dense than the day time. There is a gutter lane maybe a foot or more wide. I ride this as traffic flies by but move closer to right tire track when its clear. I also move away from storm drains with the 26x1.25 tires. 4 of the 7 major intersection have some sort of club so there is broken glass all the time. The Forte tires are still on probation before I switch to SM+s. The latest culprit: