Celebrating 1 year flat-free!
#1
Super-spreader
Thread Starter
Celebrating 1 year flat-free!
That's right, one year, over 5,000 km and not a single flat. I never believed this was possible.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 1,050
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 69 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
That's fantastic! I made it through my first year of commuting with no flats (knock on wood for year two). In fact, I still haven't had a commuting flat, but did just recently have one when I was out on a recreational ride.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC
Posts: 2,014
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 86 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well done! What rubber are you using?
I also went over a year until the flat a few months ago, I am not sure of the mileage though, over 4000 km. But the previous flat was an over pressure flat on a hot road on a hot east coast day after a fast downhill with a stop sign at the bottom. So it has been longer since an actual puncture.
It is nice not having to fix them. I still plan time for fixing them on my commute.
I also went over a year until the flat a few months ago, I am not sure of the mileage though, over 4000 km. But the previous flat was an over pressure flat on a hot road on a hot east coast day after a fast downhill with a stop sign at the bottom. So it has been longer since an actual puncture.
It is nice not having to fix them. I still plan time for fixing them on my commute.
#4
New Orleans
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,794
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Mr Hairy Legs
What are the roads like in your part of Canada?
Potholes
sharp cracks
Various CRAP on roads 1)Glass 2)Nails 3)Sharp edged pebbles 4) Miserable burrs blown on roads(do you have miserable burrs??)
Usually road junk glass or burrs small pieces of metal or even sharp edged plastic or other sharp "things" cause my flats
Thanks
Charlie
PS Do you use any magic-special tubes special tires or vinyl anti flat strips(which I use and which seem to work-maybe 3 flats per years-one every 1000 miles)
What are the roads like in your part of Canada?
Potholes
sharp cracks
Various CRAP on roads 1)Glass 2)Nails 3)Sharp edged pebbles 4) Miserable burrs blown on roads(do you have miserable burrs??)
Usually road junk glass or burrs small pieces of metal or even sharp edged plastic or other sharp "things" cause my flats
Thanks
Charlie
PS Do you use any magic-special tubes special tires or vinyl anti flat strips(which I use and which seem to work-maybe 3 flats per years-one every 1000 miles)
#5
Thunder Whisperer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NE OK
Posts: 8,843
Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 275 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
You'll be wanting to take 3 new tubes with you on your next ride after bragging like that
__________________
Community guidelines
Community guidelines
#6
Super-spreader
Thread Starter
The roads/trails on my commute are bad - lots of nails, glass, sharp rocks, tiny wires and raspberry thorns.
My main commuter bikes both have Marathon Plus tires now. Before this investment, I was getting on average 1-2 flats per month. Huge difference!
And yes, after this boast I fully expect a catastrophic puncture this week. In the dark.
My main commuter bikes both have Marathon Plus tires now. Before this investment, I was getting on average 1-2 flats per month. Huge difference!
And yes, after this boast I fully expect a catastrophic puncture this week. In the dark.
#7
Tractorlegs
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 3,185
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 119 Post(s)
Liked 60 Times
in
42 Posts
I'm at 8 years since my last flat, because I have been using Continental's puncture-resistant line of tires (specifically the SportCONTACT and the Touring Plus amongst others), plus a heck of a lot of luck thrown in. However I still carry a tube, patches and the frame pump . . .
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: La Jolla, California
Posts: 191
Bikes: Trek (Fisher) 29er Mamba, Giant 64cm Defy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm happy for you, but I'm jealous! That's truly amazing. I just switched to Armadillos a few hundred miles ago so I'm hoping.......
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Cascadia
Posts: 1,206
Bikes: Jamis Quest Comp
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 169 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
The roads/trails on my commute are bad - lots of nails, glass, sharp rocks, tiny wires and raspberry thorns.
My main commuter bikes both have Marathon Plus tires now. Before this investment, I was getting on average 1-2 flats per month. Huge difference!
And yes, after this boast I fully expect a catastrophic puncture this week. In the dark.
My main commuter bikes both have Marathon Plus tires now. Before this investment, I was getting on average 1-2 flats per month. Huge difference!
And yes, after this boast I fully expect a catastrophic puncture this week. In the dark.
Heavy and a pain to mount and no good off road...but for commuting on road? Perfect.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 205
Bikes: Rivendell, Trek 7700, Univega Viva Sport, Bike Friday, Bike Friday Tandem, Bike Friday Triple, Trail-A-Bike, Trailer.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Do you replace your spare tubes periodically to ensure they have not rotted at the creases? That caught me out on my last flat.
I hope your good fortune continues.
I hope your good fortune continues.
#14
Super-spreader
Thread Starter
#15
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 297
Bikes: 2020 Kona Rove ST, 2020 Kona Woo, 2013 Cannondale Caad 10 Rival, 2020 All-City Super Professional, 2023 Kona Honzo, 1991 Bridgestone CB-1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
4 Posts
I didn't even want to click this thread
#16
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,469 Times
in
1,435 Posts
In the dark, in the rain, at 33ºF, with a heavy wind blowing.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#17
contiuniously variable
#18
Banned
23-622 flats until I got reasonable tires (Gatorskins) after they're worn out I'll go with some Marathons ... but I expect a year or two out of the Gatorskins.
#19
commuter and barbarian
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Potomac, MT, USA
Posts: 2,494
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
You people are amazing.
In July I bought Armadillos and within 35 miles got a flat (pyramid shaped chunk of wood I didn't see in the rain and darkness). Ran my wet-softened fingers along the inside of the tire to see if the offending material was still in it and sliced open two fingers. By the time I finished changing the tube and remounting the tire, the puddle under me looked like a scene from Psycho.
In July I bought Armadillos and within 35 miles got a flat (pyramid shaped chunk of wood I didn't see in the rain and darkness). Ran my wet-softened fingers along the inside of the tire to see if the offending material was still in it and sliced open two fingers. By the time I finished changing the tube and remounting the tire, the puddle under me looked like a scene from Psycho.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern Wisconsin US
Posts: 275
Bikes: Schwinn DBX, Trek 820
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#21
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,469 Times
in
1,435 Posts
Ew, gross. I wonder why I haven't cut myself in all these years of finding glass embedded in tires. I guess I know how gently to press my fingers against the surfaces?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.