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Ultimate Flat Prevention - HELP ME.

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Old 05-30-08, 01:09 AM
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Ultimate Flat Prevention - HELP ME.

Hello guys, I am tired of my tubes going flat on me. I've had my road bike for 2 months now, and I have to change the tubes 6 times...

Tell me what I need to have the ultimate flat prevention. Please.
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Old 05-30-08, 01:36 AM
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Step 1: Determine what is causing your flats so that you will know how to address the issue.

Or let us offer blind solutions until someone gets it right by accident.
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Old 05-30-08, 01:39 AM
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Originally Posted by MrZhuKeeper
Tell me what I need to have the ultimate flat prevention. Please.
Don't ride your bike?

EDIT: https://www.airfreetires.com/
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Old 05-30-08, 01:46 AM
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Originally Posted by MrZhuKeeper
and I have to change the tubes 6 times...

Tell me what I need to have the ultimate flat prevention. Please.
get thee to the lbs, explain your recurring predicament, and have them give your system/method a once over twice.
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Old 05-30-08, 01:47 AM
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https://sheldonbrown.com/flats.html#tireinspection
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Old 05-30-08, 01:53 AM
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good call of course, i'll usually make relational marks with tape on the tire and tube when taking those off, then once i find the leak i'll search the corresponding inner wall of the tire.
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Old 05-31-08, 08:35 AM
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The solution flats is to buy better tyres. Some suggestions: Specialized Armadillos, Continental GP4000s or Gatorskins, Schwalbe Ultremos.
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Old 05-31-08, 08:44 AM
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Possible causes:
Rim: sharp valve hole edge
poor rim tape
protruding spokes (too long)
Tyre: Embedded sharp
+ others
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Old 05-31-08, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by rdk
The solution flats is to buy better tyres. Some suggestions: Specialized Armadillos, Continental GP4000s or Gatorskins, Schwalbe Ultremos.
Not always true. What if his flat is being caused by a faulty rim strip?
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Old 05-31-08, 08:59 AM
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I have never used these, I am not shilling or even recommending them, all I am doing is saying they exist. I am certain you can ride a bike and never have a flat with these.
https://www.airfreetires.com/
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Old 05-31-08, 09:13 AM
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If your tire pressure is too low and you're hitting holes/rocks in the road you may be getting pinch flats.
You could be damaging the stem when you inflate the tire. Any sideways force on a Presta valve can split or rip it. Use a flexible hose pump i.e. Topeak Road Morph. Also, don't ride too close to the right side of the road, that's where all the debris is lurking. Of course if you have no shoulder this is impossible. Beware of small twigs and branches also, don't assume since they're lying flat on the ground that they're safe. I've had my share of flats from thorns. Just my two cents.
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Old 05-31-08, 10:04 AM
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Try these.

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Old 05-31-08, 10:27 AM
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Your rim tape may not be covering spoke holes - if not, reapply tape.

You may be pinching tube with tire - inspect bead for pinches. While inflated, inspect rim and tire for asymmetry.

You may have burrs or sharp edges on the rim - run finger along inside of rim for them. If found, file down.
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Old 05-31-08, 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by daoswald
Step 1: Determine what is causing your flats so that you will know how to address the issue.
+1.
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Old 05-31-08, 11:07 AM
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Use good tire levers and make sure you don't pinch the new tube when installing it. Pry the tire on just enough as you work it around, to avoid the tire lever going deep inside and possible causing a small pinch.

If the tire-rim combination allows, don't use tire levers at all to install. Work the bead over the rim with your thumbs. I like to put a tiny bit of air in the tube to give it shape, put the tube in the tire, then put them on the rim together. This helps make sure the tube is neatly inside the tire, not bunched up, twisted, or caught under the bead. It's a bit tricky with some foldables though.
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Old 05-31-08, 11:16 AM
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https://sheldonbrown.com/flats.html#tireinspection

+1

Also...

Mr. Tuffy tire liners are priceless!
Thorn tubes help also!
Get a tire with a puncture resistant kevlar belt.

With these three things, you may go 4000 miles (messenger, city, broken bottle miles) before catching a flat.
If you do get a flat, FIND THE REASON, FIX IT, the patch or replace the tube.
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Old 05-31-08, 11:26 PM
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I agree with the posters above. If you're getting an inordinate amout of flats and there is no obvious reason, you probably have rim tape problems. I was riding Armadillos and had three or four flats in a few days. After having the rim tape replaced, I've gone 1500 mile without incident.
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Old 05-31-08, 11:32 PM
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stop riding over glass
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Old 06-01-08, 12:10 AM
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I think there is a hidden thorn in there somewhere.
Run your hand around the whole rim looking for sharp
things.
Use a Mr. Tuffy.
Inflate tires to proper pressure.
Good luck.

S.
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Old 06-01-08, 01:12 AM
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While I have no first hand experience with them, my dad swears by Mr. Tuffy. They'll find their way on my road bike once I get it.
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Old 06-01-08, 01:23 AM
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Maybe I'm blessed but I havent' had a flat on the road for the last 6 or 7 years. I just watch what I ride over. I also replace my tires both front and back every season. The old tires go on my trainer bike.
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Old 06-01-08, 04:21 AM
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1) dodge potholes/glass/debris
2) when fixing a flat check for thing in the tire
3) check rim strip
4) dont pinch tube between rim and tire when fixing a flat
5) apply baby powder on the tube before placing in the tire
6) fill the tire to 60 psi then release the air so that tube falls in place then go up to 120 psi
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Old 06-01-08, 07:49 AM
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Performancebike sells a product called "Spin Skins Kevlar Road Tire Liners" that might help.
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Old 06-01-08, 08:21 AM
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Michelin Kyrlion Carbons...........and make sure your rim tape is in place and in good shape.
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Old 06-01-08, 09:29 AM
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when you run your hand around, you can actually just use a cotton ball and save yourself some blood and bandages.

I've once had a faulty metal tyre bead that was poking right through the inner tyre casing which caused a flat.
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