TourDeHood

So I have popped a couple of spokes and gotten a couple of flats on a bike that I have a about 100 miles one. It is a stock

I am beginning to think that 25c is not cut out for a combination of city (Boston streets) and my size (6'3" about 280).

So is my size and type of riding good for 25c, should I find a better tire for city riding per my girth.

socalrider

25c is fine and even 23c is ok.. what are the wheels you are using and tires?

TourDeHood

Stock Bontranger Race All Weather Plus.

CJ C

I ride chicago streets and was 259lbs at one point. im at 239 now on 23c and so far so "knock on wood". I wouldnt think that it would be an issue unless your bunny hopping curbs and such.

i wonder if the wheel and spokes were bad? i got a new wheel last year and the kid didnt put any rim strips so the spoke were poking holes and the wheel went out of true in a month. took it back and the owner fixed it all up for me and it went all summer/fall strong.

its not you or your girth just a bad wheel i think.

bigfred 

Chances are, it's more of a wheel issue than a tire issue. Increased tire volume 'can' provide 'some' shock absorbtion. However, if you aren't experiencing pinch flats, the 23's can do that same. On the flats that you experienced, where were the hole(s)?

sueb2b

I'm agreeing with the "not the tires" thoughts. I've ridden a 23 and 28 on a road bike around Chicago, and had flat probs related to stuff getting into the tires. I switched to armadillos and no more probs.

chasm54

If you are breaking spokes on a bike after only 100 miles I'd say it is very unlikely to be anything to do with tyres. The more likely issue is the wheels. You're a big rider, if these are lightweight wheels with a low spoke count that may not be the best idea. If not, then I'd bet on the spokes having been less than perfectly tensioned before you got the bike. A LBS should be able to do that for you.in fact, if the bike is a recent purchase I might expect them to do it for free, or at most the cost of the spokes.

As for flat tyres, 25s are fine of you have them inflated to the recommended pressure. But some are more puncture-resistant than others.

TourDeHood

Thanks on the replies.

They fixed the spokes both times it broke, and they also repaired the flat for free. She also said she'd be willing to warranty the wheel should another spoke break which is great. She did mention that it would not be likely that I get a wheel similar to the front since the bike is an older model, which in the grand scheme of things is not a big deal, but is a slight bummer.

jethro56 

The rear stock 23mm Bontrager Tire didn't last long (300 miles) on Trek Madone 4.5. I'm 230 and I went with a 25 mm Maxxis Refuse Kevlar on the rear That's still on it 2000 miles later. I run 130 psi on it. The stock front tire I got about 600 miles out of before a 1/2" cut took it out of service. I went with a 25 mm Conti Gatorskin I ran 90 psi in it. I put about 600 miles on it and tried a 25mm Conti 4000s on the front. It was love at first mile. The Gatorskin is still fine and will go on the rear when the Maxxis wears out.

What kind of flats are you having? If it's the rim "snakebiting" the tube then inflation pressure is too low. Cuts were what did in the stock tires on my bike. I'm only running 24 spoke wheels on the Madone but I check spoke tension with a meter often and as soon as I break a spoke 36 hole wheels are going on it.

Which bike do you have?

Yo Spiff

I was 280+ a year ago and riding on 25C's and 28C's. I think I rode with 23's at one time. Never had a problem.

TourDeHood

Good info. Second one turns out was glass. The first I have no idea, slow leak over night. Just went to the LBS again and they trued the wheel once again and gave me a new tire. Hopefully it was a blip in the radar.

For the record my other two bikes both sported gatorskinz and armadillos respectively. I just ordered a creme pair of Schwallabe Durano's for this bike, as the gators or dillo's dont go with my newer bikes. "motif" (Flame me for being vein! haha)

Thanks guys

jr59

As they others have said, it's more a wheel problem than a tire problem.

That and flats happen. No matter what, they just happen.

So what, just fix it and ride on

oddtanlines

I was having spoke-popping issues as well. A few years back I bought a pair of Mavic Speedcity rims and couldn't be happier. Not only are all the spokes staying intact, I haven't even had to true the wheels. I weigh 245# and some of the roads around here are awful.