Celebrating 1 year flat-free!
11-02-14 | 10:22 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 101
From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
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. 
11-02-14 | 10:27 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
From: Memphis, TN
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.
11-02-14 | 10:35 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,014
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From: Nanaimo, BC
Bikes: 1997 Kona Hahana Race Light, 2010 Surly LHT(deceased), 1999 Rocky Mountain Turbo
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.
11-02-14 | 10:54 AM
#4
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)
11-02-14 | 11:11 AM
#5
Thunder Whisperer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,841
Likes: 7
From: NE OK
Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke
You'll be wanting to take 3 new tubes with you on your next ride after bragging like that 
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11-02-14 | 11:41 AM
#6
Thread Starter
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
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From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
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.
11-02-14 | 11:47 AM
#7
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
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 . . .
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Trikeman
Trikeman
11-02-14 | 04:09 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 3
From: Cascadia
Bikes: Jamis Quest Comp
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.
11-02-14 | 04:15 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Bikes: Rivendell, Trek 7700, Univega Viva Sport, Bike Friday, Bike Friday Tandem, Bike Friday Triple, Trail-A-Bike, Trailer.
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.
11-02-14 | 05:45 PM
#14
Thread Starter
Super-spreader
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 101
From: where black is the color, where none is the number
Bikes: shiny red tricycle
11-03-14 | 01:34 PM
#16
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,636
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
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
In the dark, in the rain, at 33ºF, with a heavy wind blowing.
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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.
11-04-14 | 04:39 AM
#17
contiuniously variable
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 2,280
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From: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Bikes: 2012 Breezer Uptown Infinity, Fuji Varsity
11-04-14 | 04:43 AM
#18
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 42
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
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.
11-04-14 | 05:42 AM
#19
commuter and barbarian
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,494
Likes: 3
From: Potomac, MT, USA
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.
11-04-14 | 08:03 AM
#21
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,338
Likes: 6,636
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
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
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.
