Flats in the rain

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2009-09-15 1:19 PM

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Subject: Flats in the rain
Raced over the weekend and it rained pretty good before the race and during the ride.  There were a lot of people who had flat tires.  One comment was from the Sag wagon that there were over 40 flats that day (and the race was not over) with a field of 334+ finishing.  This seemed like a lot of flats but it was put forth that races in the rain usually have more flats.  Bear mentioned one theory that I will let him explain about road debris sticking to wet wheels.

Any ideas on why this would happen?

2009-09-15 1:34 PM
in reply to: #2407654

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Subject: RE: Flats in the rain
Two things I have heard. One, the rain washes more debris into the road causing more flats. Two, the water acts as a lubricant for the debris to penetrate the tire.
2009-09-15 1:48 PM
in reply to: #2407685

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Subject: RE: Flats in the rain

kmac1346 - 2009-09-15 1:34 PM Two things I have heard. One, the rain washes more debris into the road causing more flats. Two, the water acts as a lubricant for the debris to penetrate the tire.




Water acts as a lubricant for the debris to penetrate where? Between the molecules of the tire? Sounds a little far-fetched to me. 

Also, in this case, it rained maybe five inches over three days. Any debris could have been washed onto the road, off the road and into the Gulf in that time.

Here's the theory I've often heard:

When your tires are wet, debris will stick to them, We're talking real small debris like pea gravel or small glass fragments. If your tire was dry they would easily fall right off. But the water holds them on, and after several revolutions they get pounded through the tire.

Not sure if there's any substance to this. I know I've flatted in the rain and the piece of pea gravel that was the culprit was still embedded in the tire.

2009-09-15 2:05 PM
in reply to: #2407654

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Subject: RE: Flats in the rain
Also, people tend to run over stuff they may otherwise have avoided b/c it was obscured.

People tend to ride through puddles not knowing how deep they are...hit something in it, bam.
2009-09-15 2:10 PM
in reply to: #2407654

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Subject: RE: Flats in the rain

I always thought that the water acts as a lubricant, making it easier for the glass and rocks to work through the tire and get to the tube.

2009-09-15 2:12 PM
in reply to: #2407717

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Subject: RE: Flats in the rain
the bear - 2009-09-15 2:48 PM

kmac1346 - 2009-09-15 1:34 PM Two things I have heard. One, the rain washes more debris into the road causing more flats. Two, the water acts as a lubricant for the debris to penetrate the tire.




Water acts as a lubricant for the debris to penetrate where? Between the molecules of the tire? Sounds a little far-fetched to me. 

Also, in this case, it rained maybe five inches over three days. Any debris could have been washed onto the road, off the road and into the Gulf in that time.

Here's the theory I've often heard:

When your tires are wet, debris will stick to them, We're talking real small debris like pea gravel or small glass fragments. If your tire was dry they would easily fall right off. But the water holds them on, and after several revolutions they get pounded through the tire.

Not sure if there's any substance to this. I know I've flatted in the rain and the piece of pea gravel that was the culprit was still embedded in the tire.



Really is it easier in the bedroom when its dry down there? how often do people slip in dry showers vs wet ones?

Doesn't seem to far fetched to me.

Take a piece of rubber and rub it on a glass bottle now take one and do it wet which slides easier? Perfectly logical for glass to possibly be more likely to penetrate a tire when there is water to lubricate it, certainly not far fetched. A piece of glass that  may have started but had too much resistance dry could certainly be eased in by being wet.

2009-09-15 2:19 PM
in reply to: #2407769

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Subject: RE: Flats in the rain
mrtopher1980 - 2009-09-15 3:12 PM
the bear - 2009-09-15 2:48 PM

kmac1346 - 2009-09-15 1:34 PM Two things I have heard. One, the rain washes more debris into the road causing more flats. Two, the water acts as a lubricant for the debris to penetrate the tire.




Water acts as a lubricant for the debris to penetrate where? Between the molecules of the tire? Sounds a little far-fetched to me. 

Also, in this case, it rained maybe five inches over three days. Any debris could have been washed onto the road, off the road and into the Gulf in that time.

Here's the theory I've often heard:

When your tires are wet, debris will stick to them, We're talking real small debris like pea gravel or small glass fragments. If your tire was dry they would easily fall right off. But the water holds them on, and after several revolutions they get pounded through the tire.

Not sure if there's any substance to this. I know I've flatted in the rain and the piece of pea gravel that was the culprit was still embedded in the tire.



Really is it easier in the bedroom when its dry down there? how often do people slip in dry showers vs wet ones?

Doesn't seem to far fetched to me.

Take a piece of rubber and rub it on a glass bottle now take one and do it wet which slides easier? Perfectly logical for glass to possibly be more likely to penetrate a tire when there is water to lubricate it, certainly not far fetched. A piece of glass that  may have started but had too much resistance dry could certainly be eased in by being wet.


Wait.. you get flat tires in the bedroom?  Dude, you are doing it wrong.
2009-09-15 2:41 PM
in reply to: #2407654

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Subject: RE: Flats in the rain
I think a few people could stand to look up the meaning of the word "lubricate"
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