View Poll Results: How often do you get flats?
all too often




7
11.29%
somewhere in the middle




11
17.74%
once in a blue moon




44
70.97%
Voters: 62. You may not vote on this poll
are you prone to getting flats?
#1
Bookworm on Wheels!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New York City
Posts: 54
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i swear every bike i own i got at least two flats on and soon after getting them. usually on the back tire. after two flats i usually switch to the specialized armadillo tire and that usually keeps those flats away. although i somehow, amazing as it sounds, did once get a flat on an armadillo. my bf rides prob 3 times more than me and like never gets flats. i am drawn to them somehow

Last edited by lisasimpson; 05-24-05 at 12:04 AM.
#3
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
1 Post
This is The Ring of BikeForums threads. Anyone who replies to this thread and claims they don't often get flats will get one in seven days. BTW, I answered, "once in a blue moon" so I'm starting my countdown now.

__________________
1999 K2 OzM
2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM

"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,082
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by khuon
This is The Ring of BikeForums threads. Anyone who replies to this thread and claims they don't often get flats will get one in seven days. BTW, I answered, "once in a blue moon" so I'm starting my countdown now. 

#5
Toyota Racing Dev.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Knoxville, TN baby!
Posts: 3,339
Bikes: 2004 Kona Hoss Dee-Lux
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I got new tires, new pump, new patch kit, co2 kit etc, I'm prepared for a flat, and I get one, I get my **** replaced my specialized for FREE
#6
Just Ride
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne - Australia
Posts: 1,343
Bikes: 2005 Giant Yukon with the works.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
First flat with bike 2 weeks ago. I think a speed bump might have triggered it!
#7
Just Ride
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Melbourne - Australia
Posts: 1,343
Bikes: 2005 Giant Yukon with the works.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by khuon
This is The Ring of BikeForums threads. Anyone who replies to this thread and claims they don't often get flats will get one in seven days. BTW, I answered, "once in a blue moon" so I'm starting my countdown now. 


#8
slower than you
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: dairy country NY
Posts: 652
Bikes: Gunnar Road Sport, peugeot UO-10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I built new MA3's and switched to Conti Gator-Skins.
I'm thru with flats.
Ok, I've only got about 200 miles on them so far...but no flats!
I'm thru with flats.
Ok, I've only got about 200 miles on them so far...but no flats!
#9
okay maybe not.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: waukesha, wi
Posts: 598
Bikes: oh a bunch.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Applehead57
I built new MA3's and switched to Conti Gator-Skins.
I'm thru with flats.
Ok, I've only got about 200 miles on them so far...but no flats!
I'm thru with flats.
Ok, I've only got about 200 miles on them so far...but no flats!
__________________
question everything.
question everything.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Out there, on my bike
Posts: 5,421
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm sure I've already jinxed myself because I have written in another post that I have not had a flat in the 3 years I've been commuting. What the heck, it's bound to happen now!
I did manage to break the valve stem about a month ago. The tire held air fine, but I couldn't top it off like I am wont to do. So I changed the tube, but I pinched the new tube on the rim and it popped when I was pumping it up. I guess that counts as a flat, but it was in my dining room and not out somewhere on some lonely road.
But I'm way past due for a real flat, so bring it on! I'm ready!
I did manage to break the valve stem about a month ago. The tire held air fine, but I couldn't top it off like I am wont to do. So I changed the tube, but I pinched the new tube on the rim and it popped when I was pumping it up. I guess that counts as a flat, but it was in my dining room and not out somewhere on some lonely road.
But I'm way past due for a real flat, so bring it on! I'm ready!
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 17,932
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1174 Post(s)
Liked 215 Times
in
101 Posts
You need to constantly be scanning the surface of the ground in front of you and the road ahead back and forth all the time. Scan ahead for a certain distance then look at the vehicles for that much time. Don't look down, you sort of need to do both at the same time. If you concentrate as hard as you can it's much easier. Then it eventually becomes sort of a habit you can't stop. You need to study what things look like at a distance too. Anticipate further down the road for what's coming. If you see something that will give you a flat don't look right at it as you go by. You tend to go where your eyes look. Once you know where the object is look beside it as you go by. Look where you want to go.
7,500 plus miles a year 1 to 0 flats per year. And 1000 plus off road. No flats in about 4 years off road.
Everything is relative to what you are used to. Ride a motorcycle off road for 30 years and go 40 to 50 down foot paths in the woods. You become velocitized and then the slower speeds of a bicycle are easy. It's like driving in the car at high speed on back roads for a long time and then going on the highway for a while. By comparison it seems easier. I know this might not help but it's the only way I can explain how it feels when It happened to me.
I know, I know, now I'm doomed....
7,500 plus miles a year 1 to 0 flats per year. And 1000 plus off road. No flats in about 4 years off road.
Everything is relative to what you are used to. Ride a motorcycle off road for 30 years and go 40 to 50 down foot paths in the woods. You become velocitized and then the slower speeds of a bicycle are easy. It's like driving in the car at high speed on back roads for a long time and then going on the highway for a while. By comparison it seems easier. I know this might not help but it's the only way I can explain how it feels when It happened to me.
I know, I know, now I'm doomed....
#12
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Stop riding so far over to the sides of the road where all the junk lands.
If you have a friend click on this thread and cast their poll, then you won't get a flat, but you must do so within 7 days...
If you have a friend click on this thread and cast their poll, then you won't get a flat, but you must do so within 7 days...
#13
Drug Company Pawn
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 278
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My phone just rang... there was some dude with a creepy voice on the other end telling me I was going to have a simultaneous double blowout on my next ride.
And all my CO2 cartridges will be dead.
And my hand pump with be broken.
And my spare tube will have a leak.
I hung up when he started saying something about my cell phone battery being dead as well.
WHY DID I READ THIS THREAD?!?!?!?!?!?
And all my CO2 cartridges will be dead.
And my hand pump with be broken.
And my spare tube will have a leak.
I hung up when he started saying something about my cell phone battery being dead as well.
WHY DID I READ THIS THREAD?!?!?!?!?!?
#14
Huachuca Rider
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 4,275
Bikes: Fuji CCR1, Specialized Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can think of one ride in the past 3 years where I forgot to take my cell phone. Result: 3 flats in 17 miles.
All other flats over the 3 years (maybe 2 of 'em) have been the variety where you discover them before the next ride.
Conclusion: Cell phone prevents flats.
(I still carry extra tube and a patch kit though.)
All other flats over the 3 years (maybe 2 of 'em) have been the variety where you discover them before the next ride.
Conclusion: Cell phone prevents flats.
(I still carry extra tube and a patch kit though.)
__________________
Just Peddlin' Around
Just Peddlin' Around
#15
Bookworm on Wheels!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: New York City
Posts: 54
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
[QUOTE=slvoid]Stop riding so far over to the sides of the road where all the junk lands.
QUOTE]
easy for u to say you draft cars at 35 mph lol. if i move over any more i will be in traffic and i cant keep up the speed. granted at night when the roads are bare i can, which i did last night. but during the day i cant really do that.
QUOTE]
easy for u to say you draft cars at 35 mph lol. if i move over any more i will be in traffic and i cant keep up the speed. granted at night when the roads are bare i can, which i did last night. but during the day i cant really do that.
#16
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by lisasimpson
easy for u to say you draft cars at 35 mph lol. if i move over any more i will be in traffic and i cant keep up the speed. granted at night when the roads are bare i can, which i did last night. but during the day i cant really do that.
#17
Kelly Drive Amateur
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Philly
Posts: 470
Bikes: '86 Super Sport with mods
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Applehead57
....switched to Conti Gator-Skins.
I'm thru with flats....
I'm thru with flats....
#18
Geosynchronous Falconeer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 6,312
Bikes: 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour, Campy Habanero Team Ti, Soma Double Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
Stop riding so far over to the sides of the road where all the junk lands.
If you have a friend click on this thread and cast their poll, then you won't get a flat, but you must do so within 7 days...
If you have a friend click on this thread and cast their poll, then you won't get a flat, but you must do so within 7 days...
__________________
Bring the pain.
Bring the pain.
#19
Geosynchronous Falconeer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 6,312
Bikes: 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour, Campy Habanero Team Ti, Soma Double Cross
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
Just take the lane, they can a) wait behind you patiently, b) wait behind you impatiently, c) swerve around you, d) run you over. I can't see any of this being that much of a problem.
__________________
Bring the pain.
Bring the pain.
#20
Elite Rep
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Melbourne - Australia
Posts: 2,096
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by khuon
This is The Ring of BikeForums threads. Anyone who replies to this thread and claims they don't often get flats will get one in seven days. BTW, I answered, "once in a blue moon" so I'm starting my countdown now. 

#21
Kelly Drive Amateur
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Philly
Posts: 470
Bikes: '86 Super Sport with mods
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by khuon
This is The Ring of BikeForums threads. Anyone who replies to this thread and claims they don't often get flats will get one in seven days. BTW, I answered, "once in a blue moon" so I'm starting my countdown now. 


At least no demonic little girls with Cousin It hairdos attacked me.

#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 17,932
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1174 Post(s)
Liked 215 Times
in
101 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
Just take the lane, they can a) wait behind you patiently, b) wait behind you impatiently, c) swerve around you, d) run you over. I can't see any of this being that much of a problem.
