General Discussion Triathlon Talk » How often do you get a flat tire? Rss Feed  
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2009-04-15 2:17 PM

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Subject: How often do you get a flat tire?

The weather is finally allowing some consistent riding outdoors however I am getting frustrated and discouraged at the number of flat tires I am getting on my bike.  The last two rides have both ended in flat tires.  I am riding under normal conditions and do not think that the roads are any different than anywhere else.  Is this number of flats expected?  I am seriously considering some Speciallized Armadillo tires as I hate changing flats.  Does anyone use the Armadillos for racing?  Do they significantly decrease speed?



2009-04-15 2:22 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Slower Than You
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Cracklantaburbs
Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?
Only when I forget to swap my saddle bag/repair kit between frames. Then and only then.

On a serious tip, watch a little more closely what you're rolling over. Missing the little things start to add up quickly.

Edited by bcart1991 2009-04-15 2:30 PM
2009-04-15 2:23 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?
One flat in 2006......knock on wood.
2009-04-15 2:26 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?
Did you double-check the tire after you flatted?  Sometimes rocks or metal can get stuck in the tire, puncture the new tube and give you a slow leak.  What PSI are you pumping the tires up to?
2009-04-15 2:30 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?
I inspected the tire after the first one and did not find anything. The second happened last night and have not dealt with it yet.  I am inflating the tire to around 100psi.  The area in which I ride has a lot of pebbles on the road; would these cause a flat?
2009-04-15 2:38 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Pro
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Vancouver, BC
Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?

I don't get any for a long time, then I seem to get a bunch all at once. One flat each the last two times is probably normal. Do check your tires for cuts and your rim tape though. Was the flat in the same place both times?

ETA: I mean in the same place on the tube, not the same place on the road?



Edited by jeng 2009-04-15 2:38 PM


2009-04-15 2:43 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?

Is it the back tire?  Look at your tube and if it looks like a snake bite -- two holes -- it's a pinch flat.  Pinch flats occur when your tire is not properly inflated, and when you stand up out of the saddle the back of the bike bottoms out on the rim.

Speaking of rim, inspect the inside of the rim.  Make sure your rims aren't poking though the rim tape.  Also make sure their isn't any debris in the rim.  Take a cotton ball and run it along the inside of the rim.  If there is sharp debris in there it will grab it. 

I ride with a Gatorskin on my back.  Yes it slows me down a bit, but it's like wearing trainer running shoes to train; then on race day you throw on race tires - or racing flats, to keep the analogy going.  If you do use a different tire for training, I recommend you put on your race tires a few weeks before the race so you can get used to them.  But that's just me

 

2009-04-15 2:45 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Champion
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Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?

Knock on wood, it's been over a year.

Check the rim tape and check the inside of the tire again, and again, and again.  About two years ago, I had some flatting problems and thought I'd checked everything.  About the fourth time I felt the inside of the tire, I found a shard of metal.

2009-04-15 2:49 PM
in reply to: #2086817

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over a barrier
Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?
krypt - 2009-04-15 2:30 PM

I inspected the tire after the first one and did not find anything. The second happened last night and have not dealt with it yet.  I am inflating the tire to around 100psi.  The area in which I ride has a lot of pebbles on the road; would these cause a flat?


I usualy run at 120 psi and inflated before each ride....
2009-04-15 2:52 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Elite
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Whispering Pines, North Carolina
Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?

Out in Arizona, flats are really easy to get. They have these burrs that poke through any tire. Self sealing tubes are a big business over there.

Here in Georgia, eh, no so much.

Self sealing tubes and Armadillos slow you down, bro! i'm not that fast, so i need all the advantages I can get.

2009-04-15 3:23 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?
Get gatorskins or armadillos and end that

Never on the gatorskins. I don't even avoid glass any more. Couple hundred miles on bike paths that seem to have contests on how many bottles can be broken per mile on them.

Oh, the past few rides I've gone between the gatorskins and GP4000 and I can now seriously tell the difference. The gatorskins are sluggish but they're damn near flat proof.

Edited by DanielG 2009-04-15 3:25 PM


2009-04-15 3:27 PM
in reply to: #2087004

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?
I'm not sure what it was, but I was getting flats all the time for a while (like almost every significant ride).  With different wheels, tires, tubes, etc...  I think getting a little better tires helped, and a little more care where I road.  It's been a while, actually...

Edited by Aikidoman 2009-04-15 3:27 PM
2009-04-15 3:33 PM
in reply to: #2086763

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Extreme Veteran
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Concord, NH
Subject: RE: How often do you get a flat tire?
Like others have said check the rim strip.  Are the flats happening because of a puncture from through the tire or is the rim strip not covering everything? 
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