Unfixable Flat
 

About 2 weeks ago I got a great deal on a Giant OCR1 w/ 105. I just started getting into road biking and am currently commuting to school w/ the bike. (I park it in my bosses office). The other night I was riding home and saw a piece of glass from a broken beer bottle a little too late and hit it. Got a flat. Came home and today I fixed it then went out for a ride and went a different direction and on my way back got another flat. I assumed that it was a bad patch...but no it's a tiny slit in another part of the wheel. So...is it time for a new tire? I don't want to use up another tube if it is gonna get flat after 30 minutes of riding.

Bummer. Sometimes you are lucky for a long time, sometimes you can't win for losing. Just be as careful as you can, and learn to patch tubes. Each hole in the tire needs to be evaluated to decide if the tire needs replacement or not.

Well if I do have to replace it what tire would you suggest. I unfortunately live in a city w/ terrible roads w/ tons of bumps and tiny potholes. 23x700

Did you find and remove the thing that caused the first flat from the tire? If you didn't, it is a likely cause for the second flat.

Specialized Armadillos are bombproof but take a lot of fun out of the ride. I use Panaracer Pasela TG folding 700c X 28mm. These have a kevlar belt under the tread to provide flat protection, but they have thin sidewalls to keep decent handling. 25X700 may be better for dealing with your roads.

I looked closely @ the spot and didn't find any glass shards. But the new slit is on the opposite side of the tire. Thanks Andrew. The ones I have now are Kendra w/ kevlar...i'll look into the armadillos and 25x700. Thanks.

sounds like just plain bad luck. serfas seca has a good flat prevention strip. also bontrager hardcase. i use those and i have seen peices of glass shoot out from under them as i ride over. its quite amazing.

Try search, lots of threads out there on tire recommendations.

Superglue is too stiff for large areas even if it works on pin-prick holes. It'll crack and cause the patch to peel off when the rubber underneath stretches. If you must use patches made from old tubes, make sure you scuff them up on the ENTIRE surface. Then use vulcanizing fluid.

The adhesive drying is a pain. Once you have opened the tube it is time to buy another patch kit so you can be sure of some fresh adhesive for your next flat

If the new flat is on the other side, it could be that you put the tube back into the tire in the other direction the same time around... I've done that a few times myself.

...which reminds me of a good tip, when you pull the tube out, remember which way it came out 'til you find the hole. Then search the corresponding area of the tire REALLY well for offensive items.