Hi all, just got my first ever commuter bike yesterday. I ran across a 2010 Cannondale Quick CX4 in my LBS that they hadn`t sold so they made me a pretty good deal on it. I really liked the way the frame is made, the tubes have different shapes instead of being just round.I had them put some fenders, bike computer, lights and a water bottle on it for me. It weights in a tad over 25lbs. I wanted one with disc brakes because here in florida in the summer, afternoon thunderstorms pop up almost everyday and besides I think they look cool. But anyway I took it out for a spin yesterday and it rode great. Then about 7 miles into the ride a had a flat , talking about a long walk back. So I had the.... New bike flat tire blues. Its got Kenda Small Block Eight tires on it now. Never heard of them. So I am going to start looking for a different tire. Any suggestions would be appreciated, maybe something with good puncture proof ability.

Update: Well, I got a 15 mile ride in earlier and no flats to report. Maybe I just had some bad luck yersterday with the Kenda tires and overreacted. First time I had a flat in a long time. Anyway later all....

Nice bike. The disc brakes will be great when it rains, plus the fenders really help. As for flats, they happen. Some tires are better than others but I wouldn't replace them until I absolutely had to. Have fun commuting.

Now you need to get a rack.

Nice bike. One less car, baby...

Pump and spare tubes or patch kit! Whatchoo got in the seatbag?

This is a good idea. These are things they dont tell you about when you get a bike:

Replacement tires
" Tubes
Pumps/CO2 Inflators
Patch kits

I just went with tubes and inflator kit for my road bike-turned-commuter. I carry both along with a multi tool in a triangle frame pouch.

Very nice bike.

Nice ride man.

I think you may be over reacting a little.

Flats are NO FUN! Even with a new bike they still sux.
Try riding on them for a little bit before you spend more $$.

If you want to change tires, I really like the ribmo's.
They ride ok, and are very flat proof. (knock on wood).
Man I hope I just didn't jink myself.

I'll tell you something else that I feel helps prevent flats - tire liners.
I swear by them these days, instead of swearing at flat tires.

Nice bike, like it very much.

Just quick tips, take them as you want them...

- One of the tire levers, I rolled around it a few inches of electrical tape.

* Have used it on those rainy humid days when it does not want to patch well, roll it around with electrical tape, once under pressure will at least help make it to your destination.

- If you can find one, like two inches long and one inch wide piece of an old tire (also tube, but tire is better).

* It saved me make it back when the tire had an insane slash that whenever I would fill up the tube it would stick out through the slash. Putting a piece or old tire or tube in between the two surfaces holds the tube in place, and gives it some rigidity so it does not keep on opening more.

* May seem crazy, a small tube of Crazy Glue (or any from Dollar Tree), whenever the patch does not want to stick, the tape does not help, the piece of rubber does not stay in place. hey, just Krazy Glue it and call it a day.

* An extra level, nothing worst than the level snapping in two pieces...

Of all the above the one I give it most priority is the piece of tire for big slashes from broken glass or sharp aluminum/steel pieces on road, and the extra level.

Note: the bike looks nice, only thing I cannot no matter my commute, the reflectors go out the window asap...

Thanks alot guys for the compliments and info for what to carry. I have just been carrying my phone, keys and a lock in my bag. Might be time to stuff a spare tube or patch kit and tools in there like ya`ll are talking about. I had some Infinity Armadillo`s on a Specialized Crossroads bike I had and never had a flat. I was all over the place yesterday. Got a chance to really check it out and it seemed to ride, shift and stop really good. So you really don`t like the reflectors, oneofpr, LOL. You know I just might take em off.

Im thinking some aluminum foil between the spokes would look hot.

Dope ! Get a nice back rack and you are chillin !

Aluminum foil, LOL. You might be right. No but seriously, I did take the reflectors of my mountain bike but I think I will leave them on this one. People where I live drive like there is no tomorrow. They act like it is a drag strip from traffic light to traffic light and I do ride at night sometimes just to go down to the local redbox. I know some people think they are for rookies but I can deal with that and live to see another day.

Nice bike! My OEM Kendas were the first thing to go.

Nice bike, looks real sturdy and it should last you a while. I would leave whatever reflectors you can on and only take them off if you have to. Unless you are really concerned with how they look but that's up to you. I think they are really effective and with the addition of some rear blinkys and front headlights for dark riding i think you would be all set. The more visible you are to cagers the better.... just my 2¢

Anything you can do to increase your visibility and still not look like a dork is a good thing. Reflectors have a purpose - you can see them suckers from a long way off. Visibility is the primary factor leading to your safety while riding.
I have reflective tape lightning bolts, and gearhead skulls on all the strategic points of my bike. Red ones!
I use blinkies, too - 2 or 3 different ones. My kid says I look like a UFO from a distance.

At a casual, daytime glance all this stuff has a serious look to it. Kinda stealthy/gadgety/ninja-ish. Not dorky at all.
At night, however, I am the unidentified flying object people avoid. THAT is what safety is all about.

I`m with you on the anything you can do to increase your visibility, dahut!

Sounds cool! Maybe do a little test, first?
Get you some Coroplast or stiff cardboard and make a disposable fender to the size you want. Attach it with wire twist ties or zip ties and see what happens. Lift the back, spin the wheel, baby, and hit it with the hose. Adjust accordingly.
I'm thinking you'll end up somewhere between parallel with the ground or a little higher.
Now, if you had a rear rack, your options would at least double........

haha....so much for the edit when dahut quotes you on the next post...anyways, i think you would get sprayed if you cut it too short. They are long like that for a reason. But, I think if you did cut it short, when you reattach the mud flap maybe have it stick up at an angle a little instead of hanging down to catch as much of the spray as possible. Who knows, this may look pretty cool.

Thanks for the info. I`m really trying to stay away from a rear rack. I rarely need to carry stuff. I ride mostly for exercise.

LOL, ya`ll caught me on that one. That a good idea on kicking the mud flap up some Koa c

No commuter/townie bike is complete without a rack. It's like hand without glove, Mutt without Jeff.
I'm just sayin'

I`m just trying to turn my first ever commuter bike into a speedy,sporty, zipping around town commuter bike.Thats all. No carrying packages, no carrying anything . Just getting out and exploring my city, and riding in a few fast sprints in every now and again. Maybe every once and a while going to work on it, but mainly just going riding to different places. I might be in the commuting catagory by mistake. But I think this style of bike is what I have been looking for for what I want to do. Maybe getting a backpack in case I did need to carry something. Nothing against bike racks though , maybe on day I will put one on it