ILUVUK

I hate to do it, but BF search sucks big time! After 4,500 miles, I've decided my shimano r500s are simply complete crap....serious crap! Way too many flats. I know how the Open Pro rims and Ultegra hubs are lauded around here. They're $235 on bicycle wheel warehouse currently. I've also noticed the Mavic CXP33 rim and Ultegra hubs for ~$250 at BWW. I'm just curious what your opinions are on these two choices. I'm 5'9, 160lbs, the archetypical recreational rider. I'll do about 3,000 miles this year or slightly under. Most of my riding occurs on country roads with a little bit of MUP activity. I'm guessing I couldn't go wrong with either choice, but I'd still appreciate some BF input. Again, sorry for another wheel thread.

mrvrsick

Flats?
Please explain...

deadly downtube

hrmmm??

ILUVUK

In two full seasons of riding, I've had probably about 25 flats. About 90% rear wheel (of course). A few are due to glass and such....you know, the expected flats. I'm OK with those. Vast majority have no easily determined cause. I've even taken the wheels and tires to a LBS to have them see if they can determine a problem. They've changed rim tape, but I still get flats. I've been on about 4 or 5 rides this season and so far I'm up to 3 flats and one broken spoke. I went out to my garage the other night and there is another damn flat on my rear wheel...no debris in the tire as it is brand new. I've been on Rubino Pros for the last year. Previous tires were no better...I'm fed up. Cycling is not even fun right now.

ILUVUK

Why?

Cdy291

what kind of tubes are you using.

You know how to install a tube correctly, right?

ILUVUK

Mostly use Bontrager tubes from the local trek store (not sure who makes them), but have used Giant (which I think are made by Kenda)...similar luck with both. I've read a lot on changing tubes and even the tubes changed by the LBSs don't hold up. I ride with friends and they never get flats, so assuming I'm not having pathetic luck, I'm guessing it is a problem with my wheels.

Cdy291

I don't get a flat but about once a year. You have got a problem. And on those flats you have when you have to damage to your tires, where is the whole in the tube located. When you take the tube out you can find the whole and that will tell you a lot about what happened.

ILUVUK

I believe you're right. There is really no discernable pattern to the hole locations on the punctured tubes....well, there might be to a forensic scientist, but not to me! I think I'm just going to replace the wheels. I imagine either the CXP33 or OP with Ultegra hubs would be a solid choice. I don't care much about weight...if they're under 2000 grams, I'm fine with that!

Tapeworm21

I've never gotten a flat and thought about cursing my actual wheel. Tire? Yes. Tube? Ehhhhh, unless the valve falls off.

Save money on wheels and buy a set of Continental 4 Seasons. I'm rockin 2000 miles with those without a flat. Not even a slice in the tire! They also corner like a dream and last a long time. I HAVE to talc my tubes because they sit in the tire so long. I weigh 180 btw.

If you do decide to get new wheels, get the CXP33. Everyone is going the Open Pro route these days. Be different.

ILUVUK

perhaps, but i've used 3 different tires with similar results. the fact that my friends don't get flats is what really concerns me. Good call on the CXP33...i do like the idea of being different!

Cdy291

Between my last to flats I went ~9200 miles. 6,000 of those were on PR3's.

Tapeworm21

Ok, what tires???!!!!! You walking into your LBS asking for the cheapest tire? Wire bead? Yeah, you'll get some flats that way. Get a NICE set of tires.

But before you do anything, figure out what's causing the flats. Fill a flatted tube with air and find the hole. Go from there.

ILUVUK

that's awesome! when i get lycra-ed up for a ride, a flat is one of the first things on my mind. somehow takes some of the enjoyment out of it!

ILUVUK

Cheaper tires, mostly. Michelin Dynamics came on the bike...no need to comment on that one. Michelin Speediums replaced those...no better...not a great tire, i realize that. But Vittoria Rubino Pros are not pieces of crap...same result.

Tapeworm21

I've heard good things about Rubino Pros as far as performance goes. Michelin tires I know nothing about.

If you are TRUELY worried about puncture flats, get the Conti 4 Seasons for a nice performance/puncture resistant tire. If they're out of your budget, try a Specialized Armadillo folding tire. Not a big fan of the Armadillo but hard as hell to flat.

Oh, PUMP UP YOUR TIRES TO 115-120 PSI BEFORE EVERY RIDE. The Rubino's go up to a ridiculous amount of pressure so those are different. That'll rule out pinch flats. My bike doesn't even know the meaning of "100 psi."

Flats are rare for most of us. My wife has been riding for 3 years... mostly just commuting but 35 miles a week is her general riding... through crappy Oakland streets. Not one stinkin flat for her. However, she invested in a nice tire like I commanded her to do.

rooftest

Quit running over sharp stuff.

ILUVUK

Who can argue with this sage wisdom?

Cdy291

The one big thing I forgot was to check your tire pressure, often. If you are letting your tires get down to like 75psi that would explain the problem.

ILUVUK

I can see that. I pump up my tires every other ride to 110psi...front and rear. maybe I should be doing that on EVERY ride instead of every OTHER ride.

or do as Tapeworm suggests and up it to 120.

chrisvu05

1) Rubinos are a race tire...not a training tire. They are soft and supple. I rode some for about 1400 miles until they went bald but that's about half as long as I get out of a Conti Grand Prix 4000

2) Pump up your tires every ride...this might help

3) Avoid road debris and large holes

4) Quit routing for UK You guys should've never got rid of Tubby!!! They can't seem to get anything going for them lately and it might just be following the fans around...(had to make a crack since I'm a Vandy grad )

lifevicarious

Sounds like this is your problem Road tires can lose 10 to 15 psi a day in pressure. Best case scenario you ride every day your tires are below 100 PSI on your second ride. That would explain everything. You have to refill your tires EVERY ride.

RichinPeoria

+1 on the CXP33's

veggiemafia

I wish I could get away with commanding my girlfriend to do things.

"I command you to clean the kitchen!"

"And I've issued an edict that you must take a second job to buy me new wheels."

StanSeven

There are only a couple ways wheels can cause flats - either the rim tape isn't covering the spoke holes or there'a burr or metail shaving around the rim surface such as where the weld is or a rough spot where the rim scraped the raod surface from riding on a flat.