Curing pinch flats ...
#1
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Joined: Oct 2014
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Curing pinch flats ...
My tire's max PSI is 125 ... I have it filled up to 125 to prevent any more pinch flats (had two in a week!). Now when I ride my bike I can literally feel every bump in the road because the tires are so firm. Is there anything I should watch out for now? Or am I basically pinch-flat proof now? Should I be worried about the high pressure at all? I don't want to end up like this guy ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enRKvjKr7l0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enRKvjKr7l0
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,643
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
My tire's max PSI is 125 ... I have it filled up to 125 to prevent any more pinch flats (had two in a week!). Now when I ride my bike I can literally feel every bump in the road because the tires are so firm. Is there anything I should watch out for now? Or am I basically pinch-flat proof now? Should I be worried about the high pressure at all? I don't want to end up like this guy ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enRKvjKr7l0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enRKvjKr7l0
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,643
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
#5
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 191
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From: La Jolla, California
Bikes: Trek (Fisher) 29er Mamba, Giant 64cm Defy
I run my road bikes tires at 120, and they're noticeably harder than what little guys run at 80-90. That being said, I dont have pInch flats.
When the road gets wet, though, the risk of sliding or skidding seems greater.
When the road gets wet, though, the risk of sliding or skidding seems greater.
#8
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 764
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From: Long Beach
Bikes: Fitz randonneuse, Trek Superfly/AL, Tsunami SS, Bacchetta, HPV Speed Machine, Rans Screamer
+1 fatter tires; simply better in every way. Or I can refer you to a good dentist. 125psi does increase risks of rim sidewall failure a little, but with regular inspection is not overly concerning. The failures I have seen were on over machined sidewalls on very lightweight rims like 90s era Mavic open-pro. Haven't seen one fail since the 90s either.
#9
Full Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 409
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25's aren't really noticeably better. I was 175lbs when I finally wisened up to try out 28's. That's my ideal road tire size for healthy me. Now that I'll likely be up around 240 or more this spring, I don't think that I'll he on tires smaller than 32mm. I've used 35's on velocity deep-v model rims with zero problem.
Measure the inside of your rim.
Scroll towards the bottom, there's a section on tire width.
Tire Sizing Systems
I have a bike that can only fit 25's. It's not worth what I paid for it so I'll be putting 650b rims on so as to be able to fit a more sensible sized tire.
Measure the inside of your rim.
Scroll towards the bottom, there's a section on tire width.
Tire Sizing Systems
I have a bike that can only fit 25's. It's not worth what I paid for it so I'll be putting 650b rims on so as to be able to fit a more sensible sized tire.
#11
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 990
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Many
Riding style has a lot to do with pinch flats as well. Unweight the bike or even give it a little hop over sharp edges that may cause pinch flats.
FWIW, I'm 165 and don't get flats on 23mm tires at 100psi. Haven't tried any lower pressure, comfort is good using supple tires.
FWIW, I'm 165 and don't get flats on 23mm tires at 100psi. Haven't tried any lower pressure, comfort is good using supple tires.
#12
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 259
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From: In The Middle Of "Out There" / Downtown "Lost Angels"
Bikes: 2001 Trek 520 - Hvy Hauler, Epic Adventure Bike / 2011 Fuji Newest 1.0 - Sporty Quick Bike
+1
Supple Tires, Supple Rider.
My weight tends to fluctuate between 215 and 230 lbs.
I keep my 25mm tires @ 120 psi rear and 95 psi front on the Sporty Quick bike, as I often carry 10 to 15 lbs. of 'gear' in the Topeak rack trunk w/ the fold out panniers on my 30+ mi. r/t commute, often stopping for groceries on the way home.
My experience has been that the softer front tire improves comfort (mutes 'road buzz') and handling (improves traction), while the higher pressure of the rear tire eliminates pinch flats (tough to 'hop' rear tire when loaded w/ 20-30 lbs. of vittles in the panniers).
I learned long ago to 'Ride Light' (unweighting saddle, using legs as active suspension) even when I was much heavier than I am now.
Supple Tires, Supple Rider.
My weight tends to fluctuate between 215 and 230 lbs.
I keep my 25mm tires @ 120 psi rear and 95 psi front on the Sporty Quick bike, as I often carry 10 to 15 lbs. of 'gear' in the Topeak rack trunk w/ the fold out panniers on my 30+ mi. r/t commute, often stopping for groceries on the way home.
My experience has been that the softer front tire improves comfort (mutes 'road buzz') and handling (improves traction), while the higher pressure of the rear tire eliminates pinch flats (tough to 'hop' rear tire when loaded w/ 20-30 lbs. of vittles in the panniers).
I learned long ago to 'Ride Light' (unweighting saddle, using legs as active suspension) even when I was much heavier than I am now.
#13
Old fart



Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,411
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From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
#15
If HvPnyrs doesn't reply, I presume it means standing on the pedals as you go over a bump to shift more weight onto the pedal axle and off the rear axle and tires, lessening the force on the tires that might produce a pinch flat, as I understand it. I do it myself after seeing expert riders do it early in my riding experience.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-24-14 at 05:46 AM.
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