View Poll Results: Punctured tubes
Patch on side of the road
10
10.99%
Replace tube
64
70.33%
What are tubes?
14
15.38%
I Like bacon and scrapple
3
3.30%
Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll
Flats during rides
11-19-23 | 10:58 PM
#51
Junior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 141
Likes: 74
From: Saint Louis, MO
Bikes: 2011 Cannondale SuperSix 3, 1987 Raleigh Technium 440
I have only had one flat within last 10 years on my road bike, and that was on my commute to work. Hit a staple on the shoulder. Running Gator Hardshells. I changed the tube, as I always carry a spare tube, a patch kit, three CO2 cartridges, and a spare tire. Friendly reminder to check your patch kit yearly, the rubber cement goes bad.
11-20-23 | 07:08 AM
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 2,002
Likes: 2,244
From: Missoula MT
Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8
11-20-23 | 10:12 AM
#54
Sr Member on Sr bikes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 1,293
From: Rhode Island (sometimes in SE Florida)
Bikes: Several...from old junk to new all-carbon.
I carry one new/spare tube, some “Scab” patches, two CO2 cartridges, and a pump. First flat, tube is replaced. If there is a second flat, depending on my situation…location, distance from home, time of day, weather, etc…I may patch the tube and continue. Or, I may call for a pickup.
There have been occasions when I’ve given my one spare tube away to another stranded cyclist I happen upon. And then…flatted myself later in my ride.
Dan
There have been occasions when I’ve given my one spare tube away to another stranded cyclist I happen upon. And then…flatted myself later in my ride.
Dan
Last edited by _ForceD_; 11-20-23 at 10:36 AM.
11-20-23 | 02:09 PM
#56
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 989
Likes: 416
From: Northern CA
Bikes: Cannondale tandems: '92 Road, '97 Mtn. Mongoose 10.9 Ti, Kelly Deluxe, Tommaso Chorus, Cdale MT2000, Schwinn Deluxe Cruiser, Torker Unicycle, among others.
QUOTE=rsbob;23076761]If I got 8 flats on one ride, I would probably find another sport. 
[/QUOTE]
Ha! I'd have abandoned the sport almost four decades ago if I followed this rule. Think I might have the world record...
Riding my mountain bike on the American River Trail outside of Sacramento in the late 80's with the GF on her road bike, I decide it would be fun to venture off the pavement and through the dirt for some fun. I go for a little dirt and then return to the pavement. "Hmm, this is strange, why is it still SO BUMPY?" I look down in horror to see I'm RIDING ON GOAT HEADS! HUNDREDS STUCK IN EACH TIRE! Not gonna ride away from THIS disaster!
Goat heads in CA and the Central Valley in particular are BRUTAL! This alone justifies tubeless mountain bike tires today, for sure.
[/QUOTE]Ha! I'd have abandoned the sport almost four decades ago if I followed this rule. Think I might have the world record...
Riding my mountain bike on the American River Trail outside of Sacramento in the late 80's with the GF on her road bike, I decide it would be fun to venture off the pavement and through the dirt for some fun. I go for a little dirt and then return to the pavement. "Hmm, this is strange, why is it still SO BUMPY?" I look down in horror to see I'm RIDING ON GOAT HEADS! HUNDREDS STUCK IN EACH TIRE! Not gonna ride away from THIS disaster!
Goat heads in CA and the Central Valley in particular are BRUTAL! This alone justifies tubeless mountain bike tires today, for sure.
11-21-23 | 07:28 PM
#57
I climb a lot
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 2,620
Likes: 5,697
From: NorCal
Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur 4 TR, Santa Cruz Hightower, Canyon Ultimate cf slx(x2), Canyon Endurace cf sl(rain bike,) Obed GVR, Ritchey Swiss Cross v3, Lauf Seigla rigid
Riding my mountain bike on the American River Trail outside of Sacramento in the late 80's with the GF on her road bike, I decide it would be fun to venture off the pavement and through the dirt for some fun. I go for a little dirt and then return to the pavement. "Hmm, this is strange, why is it still SO BUMPY?" I look down in horror to see I'm RIDING ON GOAT HEADS! HUNDREDS STUCK IN EACH TIRE! Not gonna ride away from THIS disaster!
Goat heads in CA and the Central Valley in particular are BRUTAL! This alone justifies tubeless mountain bike tires today, for sure.[/QUOTE]
Goat heads are no joke. I've flatted my road bike before, just pulling off to the shoulder to take a piss.
I went tubeless in the MTBs years ago, there really aren't many reasons not to go that route on a mtb. Even on my lightweight XC tires, they'll be covered in goat heads, but no loss of air. The only tubeless related issue I've run into, is that I've burped my tires in races. Not total flats, but they suddenly went soft on impacts...it wasn't your normal impact, but me hammering through rocks. I'm still not complaining, as tubes would've likely pinch-flatted in that scenario. At least with the tubeless, I could still ride it and/or just add air.
