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Gatorskin & Armadillo users, do you carry a repair kit & spares?

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Gatorskin & Armadillo users, do you carry a repair kit & spares?

Old 05-31-08, 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by ok_commuter
you pinch flatted at 100lbs?
Not too surprising.. my understanding is that us heavier humans need to be at least at 100psi if not more like 110 on skinny tires.
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Old 05-31-08, 08:39 AM
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I am 170 and was carrying 30 lbs in my panniers Wed when I pinch flatted while running 700X23 dillos at 110. 110 is the recommendation for my weight. I should have boosted it a bit with my load and avoided the pot hole.
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Old 05-31-08, 09:35 AM
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I always carry tools/spare tube if I am going further than i can walk.. For me, its a peace of mind thing.. knowing that IF i flat.. i am ok.
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Old 05-31-08, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by icedmocha
...Nothing guarantees that you will not get a flat...
I disagree. I've been running Nu-tecks for over 8000 total commuting miles and haven't flatted once. If the OP switches to Nu-Tecks @ 130 psi for 28mm+ and 115 psi for 20mm I'll GUARANTEE he wont get a flat and wont be 'slowed down'(much) by airless tires either. But, GET THE MOUNTING TOOL! You wont be sorry.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus, puncture resistant tubes, Spinskinz tire liners and a street sweeper ahead of you on your route everyday and eventually you're going to have a flat. THAT I can guarantee, too.
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Old 05-31-08, 10:44 AM
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My non-wire beaded Gatorskins are a snap to mount. I don't even think I used tire levers. The Marathons, are a whole different story...
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Old 05-31-08, 11:33 AM
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I have a wedge pack with a spare tube, patch kit, levers and CO2. I carry a schrader adapter and a couple spare cartridges just in case. It sits under my seat and I don't notice it.

I have been completely unable to flat my Bontrager Hard-Case Tires in over 3,000 miles. I run them at 100 PSI. Also, I run 28-32mm tubes inside 25mm tires. You can tell me how bad that is, but the only side effect is when I do have to put them on, I have to be more careful to not get the tube pinched in the rim.

My route has its share of potholes and loads of glass. I actually hit a curb head-on a few days ago. No damage to the rim or wheel at all, and no flat tire. I've ridden about 80 miles since then. This does bring me to my next point. 25mm Bontrager Race-Lite hard case tires don't grip nearly as well when you have to brake hard or corner hard. The reason I hit the curb is because I lost control of the bike (but managed to keep the rubber side down) taking a hard left corner after a high-speed downhill. Another thread, another time.
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Old 05-31-08, 03:09 PM
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Pinch Flat @ 100lbs

Yes, It surprised me too. I have one mile or so of a real nasty stretch of road where there are asphalt patches, potholes, and where chunks of the top layer of asphalt have broke loose. I ride pretty conscious of the road condition but as a car passed or something I may have not noticed hitting something hard. I just noticed the rear tire losing air. Pulled over and changed it in just under 10 minutes. My worst flat fix time ever but it was my first flat on a skinny tire. Since then I run 120l+bs and top it off every time before I commute to or home from work. I was unsure since I had never seen or had a pinch flat before.
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Old 05-31-08, 03:14 PM
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I always carry a spare tube; it doesn't really add anything to what I lug to and from work. I have to ride pretty far, so if I get a flat, it's a pretty big deal if I can't fix it.

I actually just got some Gatorskins; so far so good. Nice tire too, it rides very nice, grips well, and is much faster rolling than the Bontrager Hard Case I used.

I would not recommend the Hard Case, or the Armadillo. The Hard Case wasn't very good in the flat protection department, and actually road fairly harsh, especially for a 32. The Gatorskins I purchased are 28's, and run at 115psi, and are smoother than the 32 Hard Case's were @ 100psi.

The Armadillos also weren't very helpful with flat protection, and about the slowest, harshest tire I have ever ridden. Never again.
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Old 05-31-08, 03:25 PM
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I would avoid pushing a bicycle with a flat for a long distance due to causing improper wear on the tire and the rim.

Also, when flatting, your bicycle is useless until it is fixed? Right? So, the repair will have to be done eventually. In my book, better sooner than later.

I used to be really slow and clumsy at changing tires. Especially Gatorskins, once you install these tight bad-boys on your rims you understandably don't want to have/fix a flat. So, as I have changed a tires a few more times having more than one bike I have gotten better. At least enough to have the confidence to fix one on the roadside. Some tire tools I have used have been too bulky for a skintight tire like the Gatorskins and have found thinner ones. Belief it or not, reinflating the tire after fixing the flat is the most daunting task to me as there are only a couple of good frame pumps and those can work you to death for high psi tire.

I'd say get a clear picture of exactly what you need to fix a flat on the roadside. The repair materials are not that many (as someone mentioned a wedgepack is a great for these items.) It's just battling the Gatorskins that can be a difficulty. After the Gatorskins have been ridden on for awhile they become easier to manipulate to reinstall on the rim.
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Old 05-31-08, 03:30 PM
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I have gatorskins and always carry 1 tube, patch kit (I actually usually have 2, which is silly), and 2 tire levers. Gatorskins are great for flat protections, but I've gotten 1 roofing tack, a big nail, and 1 mystery flat. Would rather change right away.

(Go Cats!)
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Old 05-31-08, 05:22 PM
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Look at it this way: flats happen.

If you'll use the supplies and fix it yourself then carry them. If you won't then don't. You're going to flat with any tire except airless at some point
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Old 05-31-08, 05:25 PM
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I have Armadillos and carry both a patch kit, spare tube, pump, and CO2. My over-preparedness has lead me to never get a flat on the road.
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Old 05-31-08, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by thirdin77
The theme I'm getting about the Schwalbe Marathons and the Spec Armadillos is that they're really difficult to mount or insert tubes into.. is this a characteristic of tough, puncture-resistant tires?

My wire-beaded Gatorskins are also "mount resistant" but that seems to be purely because of the wire bead; I'm hoping that the folding bead version is pretty easy to mount...
Spec Armadillos were a pain to mount. You better have a good set of levers cause the plastics tend to break.
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Old 05-31-08, 06:42 PM
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Yes. I have repaired the tubes of more then one attractive female.
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Old 05-31-08, 07:27 PM
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I use neither, I do use Schwalbe Marathon Plus' on one particular bike....along with Performance brand thorn resistant tubes.

I do carry tubes and patch kits only to help other people I may come across. I have never had a flat with these particular brand tires....if I do end up having a flat, I have my cell phone.....I don't think I'd ever be able to put a new tube in those Schwalbe's....
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Old 06-11-09, 11:06 PM
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yes, I ride gatorskins, I still carry two spare tubes.

^^^^^^

ultra gatorskin is same as gatorskin

folding has kevlar bead , non-folding has steel or alloy bead. it's only a logistical thing
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Old 06-11-09, 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by ddac
When you guys refer to Gatorskins, is that synonymous with "Ultra Gatorskins"? Or is there a difference? Also, are there any differences between the folding version vs the non folding version?
Synonymous. I've read recently that one version has more side walls problems than the other, but I can't remember if it was folding or non-folding that was better. I put about 3000 miles on my non-folding, and there were a couple of places where the sidewall looked like they were about to burst, but it never did.
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Old 06-12-09, 12:03 AM
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Pedro levers, spare tube and CO2 inflator. If you have these things, you will never need these things. If you don't have these things, you'll need these things. The Law of Universal Perversity.
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Old 06-12-09, 01:09 AM
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Funny how I keep reading how difficult it is to mount Marathon Plus and Gatorskin tires. My first Marathons were almost impossible to mount on 27" bike, the next pair just fell right off, and the Gators I bought next just barely stay on. Only my new Marathon Pluses fit onto my 700c setup perfectly-- not too tight, not to loose. So I wonder if there is a lot of size variation between lots being manufactured... Both the Schwalbes and the Contis are hand made, supposedly.

Oh, and despite not having had a flat yet in either of my bikes with the new tires, I would never dream of leaving home without a patch kit. But then like I said, both sets of tires are pretty easy for me to change, guess I got lucky. I would rather have walked my bike home ten miles than try to change one of those old Marathons on the road!
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Old 06-12-09, 07:06 AM
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It's a bit funny to read a thread I started a year ago; I was such a NOOB!

Last weekend I rode my first century. Not only did I have two spare tubes, I had a folding spare tire and all this stuff;

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Old 06-12-09, 07:12 AM
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I've used both ultra Gatorskins and specialized Armadillos during the last year I have had 3 flats in over 2500 miles with the Gatorskins, so I now carry a pump, tube & tire irons on all rides.

I've never had a flat with the Armadillos. I consider them to be bullet-proof, but the are heavier, slower and slick on wet roads. Ideal for night travel or any time avoiding a flat is paramount.

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Old 06-12-09, 07:28 AM
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I subscribe to the belief that it is better to have a spare tube,flat kit, park tool wallet,
tire boot,chain link,small lube bottle,first aid kit and not need it.
Then to need all these things or one of these things and not have it.
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Old 06-12-09, 08:25 AM
  #48  
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Yep, I do. Air wants out. It's just a matter of time until it gets there.
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Old 06-12-09, 08:55 AM
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To each his own. I have Armadillos and carry a tube, patches, and tools. I also carry clothes and food. If your commute is short and you can take the bike on a bus if you get a flat, then I guess you'll be fine.

I will always carry the stuff I carry, because that's who I am, and the things I carry represent my core values. We can both coexist on the roadways, no problem.

Happy riding!
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Old 06-12-09, 09:04 AM
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I carry a repair kit, though the only flats I've had since going to Armadillos last year were due to failure at the tube/valve joint and they occurred when inflating the tires in my garage.
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