Changing Tires
 

I have been getting a load of flats lately, all of them pinch flats. I am riding the same roads and I weigh significantly less than i did months ago. Will a reinforced tire like the gatorskins help prevent this? or am i simply destined to swerve across the moon like streets of Topeka praying for leniency from the bike swallowing potholes?

Weight? Tire size? Can you increase tire size? Are you sure you mounted them correctly?

If your getting pinch flats, and on a MTB, that means your tires need more air. On my MTB I run them at 55 to 60 psi. And on the road bike I run them at 110 to 120 psi. It makes for a harder ride but it will stop the pinch flats. hope this helps.

Also, it sounds like you ride at night. So get a good bike light that will let you see the potholes way before they eat your tires. LOL

I am currently using 700x23c.
My brakes do not allow much rooms for a larger tire.
I do ride alot at night, I use a romissen rc-n3. It works well for my purposes, but nothing can make topeka streets ok. We have huge holes everywhere, particularly on those parts of the road the law allows me to use.

in that case you may want to try a 25mm or 28 mm tire. It may help you some because it will hold more air and take big hits better.

Thanks for the quick help.

Is it a brake or frame/fork limit? Can't long-reach brakes be used to mount larger tires?

bkwentz -
Not that this is the quick or simple (or inexpensive) option, but if the fork and stay width will allow you to run wider tires and the height at the brake bridge/fork crown are the only clearance issues, you might be able to switch from 700c to 650B wheels. Of course, this means new wheels/tubes/tires, long reach brakes, and you'd have to check your crank clearance (since smaller wheels will decrease your lean angle) to see if you'd want shorter cranks.

It's like buying a new car because you don't like the radio in your current one... but it is an option.

1) add more air to your tires

Yes, some tires will provide better pinchflat protection than others, but I don't see that the gatorskins are one of them. Although I don't like them as much, I think the Armadillo might be a little better for pinchflats because of the hard-ass sidewall.

But still... if you're going to ride a bike with 23's, you need to avoid obstacles, not run them over.

I was really hoping that I could just upgrade my tires for the cheapest fit. I am not particularly interested in upgrading too much else. Money being what it is in college. That said, I suppose i will just have to pay better attention. I was hoping that i could replace responsible cycling with equipment. Oh well.

I had Kenda Kwest 700x 28 on my Road bike and put 700x23 on it. Then started geting pinch flats as well. Went back to the Kenda Kwest and problem fixed.

+1 on more air.

If you think you need new tires too, the Panaracer claims their RiBMo tires are 233% more resistant to pinch flats than a regular tire of the comparable weight. They also say they're three times more puncture resistant than Kevlar belted tires. I just got a pair, but I've only put 150 miles on them so far, so I can't give much direct testimony.

Higher pressure. But 23mm tyres isn't optimal for commuting.

If you can't squeeze 28 or more in there, the only other option, using that frame is Clifton's suggestion.

To learn more about 650b, see here. Conversion info link, lower right.