More Flats
 

This is frusterating me. The other day after riding in philly and having three flats, I took it into the bike shop (because it was on my way home) and they looked at it and changed out the tube. Then today I went riding and noticed the signs of the tire going flat again.

Is it due to the weight load? Thinking of getting gators (I think thats what they are called). I read somewhere they only give you more protection on the side walls. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Did you check your tyres when you fixed your flats? If you've got something small enough you can't easily spot it but sharp enough to pierce your tube then changing the tube without removing the pointy thing isn't going to fix your problem.

cont: Thanks for the reply. I was hoping the shop did but perhaps I need to check again. I did when I was on the philly ride. Had me and another person check it. We ran our fingers inside the tire and looked outside as well. It was raining on that day so perhaps we missed something.

It's often worth using a piece of rag or something to run around the inside of the tyre, so anything small and sharp will snag the rag rather than your fingers.

^ Some folks swear by a cotton ball or facial tissue for that sort of thing.

whatever happened to good ol soap and water for finding holes? Carry a small piece of dish soap soaked cloth or rag in a sealed baggie when you need it just add water to the bag.

By the time you've removed the tube, soap and water doesn't work on the tire since the whole thing is no longer under pressure. It might work for finding the problem with the tube, though.

If you want to avoid flats and don't mind the weight penalty you should try schwalbe marathon plus tyres. They come in all sizes, 700 and 26", from 25mm up. I have used them for touring for over 8000 miles now and have had only one puncture. As a result I have put a set of 700x25s on my fixie for riding around town.

I wouldn't use them on my road bike, they're heavy and they aren't as good as a racing tyre when cornering hard, especially in the wet. But for general purpose cycling/training/touring they are amazingly durable and puncture-resistant.

Yeah I was going to say that but figured most people already knew that LOL...

Yes flats can be frustrating. Could it be you are riding way to the right edge of the shoulder? If so and you don't wish to move closer to the fog line or even take the lane more, then as was mentioned in an above post, the schwalbe marathon plus should do wonders for you, they are harder to remove and replace, but the likely hood of a flat is greatly reduced. Leaning how to fix a flat is a worthwhile and easy skill to learn btw.

Yeah I got 4 flats in a week when I started riding, it was an unlucky week lol. Most of them were understandable, a nail, a staple etc but there was one when I was out on my first ride with Neil that was actually a small stone that made it through. As the tires were the one's that came with the bike I decided to put some new tires on (GP4000's) and I have only had one flat in a couple months, the tire found a sharp piece of metal.

Edit: oh yeah and I love the GP4000's

If/when you get another flat, don't take the tube all the way out of the tire. Leave the stem in. Inflate the tube (yes, as it hangs outside the tire) so that you can begin to hear/feel the air escaping from the hole. Find the hole. Line the tube up with the tire, making sure to account for the curvature of the tire to find exactly where--on the tire-- the hole is coming from.

Check that spot on the tire meticulously. Also check the rim tape. If it doesn't completely cover the spoke holes in the rim, that could also be a cause. If the rim strip is narrow, and barely covers the spoke holes, get to a LBS and pick up some wider tape. It's cheap.

Also, make sure when installing a new tube to not twist the tube inside the tire. That way, if the hole is on the inside of the tube, you know it had to do with a spoke hole or a pinch flat. If it's on the outside, it came from a puncture.

What tires are you running? Mentioned many times in the past, stock tires are cheap soft junk. Ditch them then get a decent set of tires. Most new riders think stock junk is fine, it's not. Spend a little cash and get some good tires. Save yourself some haeartache.

Weight load will affect flat tires if you also have cheap stock rim liners. Spend five bucks and get that medical type tape liner (Velox). It is worth 10 times more when it comes to protection from spoke holes causing flats.

+1.

While we are talking about cheap tires allowing everything to penetrate, I noticed some tires have Kevlar lining and do not cost that much more, do they really make a difference, or is it a marketing ploy?

Definitely check the inside of your rims. I was getting flats last spring, and it was a TINY sliver of metal that had formed on the inside of my rims. I would have never seen it, but the guys at my LBS fixed the issue. No flats until summer. The LBS owner was telling me that the heat of this summer has not helped -- sticky tires give more time for small particles to work into your tubes.

It's much better to jsut buy good quality tires.

Turns out more expensive in the long run when you find out you that kevalar liner stuff doesn't work then you have to buy the good stuff anyway.:D

Post #12 is a great suggestion.

If you end up with everything apart:
1) Run your fingers along the inside of the tires, and do it both directions. If you find blood and pain, there is something there.
2) Do the same with the rim, look for spoke punctures or bulges in the rim tape, and feel for shears along the exposed metal.
3) check your valve stem hole for jagged spots. punctures can happen there too.

Good tires are definitely worth the money. There are more brands than Schwalbe out there that work. I have had good luck with Vittoria tires. I have a Serfas tire on my bike now and while I know it stops stuff from puncturing my tube I am not sure I like the tire yet.

I just got a pair of Vittoria Rubinos for my spare wheels, and they're a beeyatch to get on the rims. Toughest tires to mount I've ever had. I hope they're worth the effort.

Went to the bike shop today (wonderful people) and we went into the back to check out the back tire. The machanic said he thinks it was the rim tape because it was slipping a little to one side. He said that when the tire is under high pressure that it is possible that the edges can become sharp and puncture the tire. Sounded feasable. Went with gatorskins

and got a SWEET deal on a Park bike stand

I had the same problem, although the toughest tire I ever mounted were Armadillos, but I have had good luck with them for over 2 years on 2 different bikes.

Which stand? I have been contemplating purchasing a new stand to replace my cheapo that is falling apart.

As I mentioned earlier. ;) Did you have the good Velox type tape on there or is the stock plastic stuff? Again, stock stuff is junk and you are in for more trouble you dont' go with the very expensive $5 stuff.:D

No mr b. I bought the 6 dollar kind. Good stuff.

Ahh, lighter, faster and stronger!:D