General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wheels/Tires and Flats Rss Feed  
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2005-07-27 7:46 AM

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Cleveland, OH
Subject: Wheels/Tires and Flats
I've been getting a lot of flats lately. I've lost all faith in the reliability of my my tires. I'm really ticked about it actually. Last night for example, I fixed a flat in the rain b/c of a tiny, tiny piece of glass that no one could have seen from on the bike pierced my tire/tube.

I do mostly commuting, and I need some reliability but don't want to sacrifice speed. I'm thinking I need more durable tires, and maybe (MAYBE) wheels.

What do you all recomend?

HD



2005-07-27 8:00 AM
in reply to: #208517

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Expert
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Wye Mills, MD
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats

There are far more experienced riders than me, but for what it's worth, I've been happy with the Michelin Pro2 Race.  I got a flat a week or so ago (not the tire's fault) and, on a recommendation from the LBS, I'm replacing them with the Vittoria Rubino Pro (with kevlar).  I hope they perform as well as the Michelins, because they were less expensive on eBay.  If I don't like them, I won't hesitate to go back to the Michelins.

For sheer durability, I've heard good things about the Continental Ultra GatorSkins. 

2005-07-27 8:24 AM
in reply to: #208525

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Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
wyecrab - 2005-07-27 7:00 AM

There are far more experienced riders than me, but for what it's worth, I've been happy with the Michelin Pro2 Race.  I got a flat a week or so ago (not the tire's fault) and, on a recommendation from the LBS, I'm replacing them with the Vittoria Rubino Pro (with kevlar).  I hope they perform as well as the Michelins, because they were less expensive on eBay.  If I don't like them, I won't hesitate to go back to the Michelins.

For sheer durability, I've heard good things about the Continental Ultra GatorSkins. 

Coincidentally, I have the ProRace (not 2) on my road bike and the Rubino Pro on my tri bike, no problem with either tire.

Ultra GatorSkins are good, but everything I've heard says that Specialized Armadillos are better for flat protection.

As to the original poster, are you finding the source of every flat, can you pinpoint it to a thorn, a piece of glass, or is it just a mystery flat?

2005-07-27 8:37 AM
in reply to: #208544

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Cleveland, OH
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
the bear - 2005-07-27 8:24 AM

As to the original poster, are you finding the source of every flat, can you pinpoint it to a thorn, a piece of glass, or is it just a mystery flat?



No mystery flats. I'm finding either a small stone chip, glass, etc. I did replace a tube before finding one offender just because I'd had so many flats on it and it wasn't worth it to me to patch it again.

HD
2005-07-27 10:18 AM
in reply to: #208517

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Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
Along these lines, does size have anything to do with the frequency of flats (I am currently 210). I purchased a new bike at the end of April. I have traveled 1,100 miles, approximately. I have had 4 flats during this time. Seems like a lot. My tires are always properly inflated and I am only riding on pavement. Thoughts anyone???
2005-07-27 10:38 AM
in reply to: #208689

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Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats

gtrieb33 - 2005-07-27 9:18 AM Along these lines, does size have anything to do with the frequency of flats (I am currently 210). I purchased a new bike at the end of April. I have traveled 1,100 miles, approximately. I have had 4 flats during this time. Seems like a lot. My tires are always properly inflated and I am only riding on pavement. Thoughts anyone???

Size shouldn't matter (I know you've heard that before). I was up around 210 earlier this year, just now getting below 200, and I've had one flat in 15 months (knock on wood), probably 3500+ miles.



2005-07-27 10:59 AM
in reply to: #208517

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Master
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South of SLC
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
I use the Conti 4 season tires for training and let me tell you, these guys are bullet proof. They are a little more money, but i have not flatted when using these tires this year. I will buy a new set at the end of the season for my winter training.

Mike
2005-07-27 11:13 AM
in reply to: #208517

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San Jose, CA
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
i live in a downtown and the expressway to get out is full of crap.

I roll on Conti Gatroskins with Tuff inserts. I'm also 225 or so pounds, so that only makes me more flat prone.

Your results may vary.
2005-07-27 11:59 AM
in reply to: #208716

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Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
Okay, so size should not matter. How about tire quality? I am riding on Bontrager Race X Lite. They came with the bike, seem to feel okay when riding and I believe they are fairly light. The tires are 700cc/25cm. Should I just get a new set of tires?

Thoughts???
2005-07-27 12:05 PM
in reply to: #208814

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Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats

gtrieb33 - 2005-07-27 10:59 AM Okay, so size should not matter. How about tire quality? I am riding on Bontrager Race X Lite. They came with the bike, seem to feel okay when riding and I believe they are fairly light. The tires are 700cc/25cm. Should I just get a new set of tires? Thoughts???

Generally speaking, the lighter the tire the more susceptible to flatting. The tires recommended above (Gatorskins, Armadillos) have a Kevlar belt (same stuff as bulletproof vests) that thwarts punctures, but with that protection comes added weight. Like most things in life, there is a tradeoff.

2005-07-27 12:06 PM
in reply to: #208517

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Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats

I have bike commuted a lot on both road and mountain bikes and likely have endured more flats
than all of you combined... sadly.

The road bike always gets more flats.

I haven't had particularly good luck with the Armadillos one person suggested.
I'm currently using a Gatorskin and Mr Tuffy liner combination, too. This is pretty good, but I'll still get a flat a week on average.

I'm under 200 and do try to keep my tires reasonably inflated. There's just lots of crap in the road.



2005-07-27 12:19 PM
in reply to: #208517

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Coach
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Boston, MA
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats

Are you putting enough air on your tires? Last year I used to get flats all the time and I couldn't figure out why. Until one day I asked my LBS and he told me, it was because I wasn't checking my tires pressure and putting enough air for my rides. Hence my tires were more prone to flats. Anyway, now I check my tires pressure & put air b4 every ride and I haven’t had a flat in a LONG time. (Dam it, I just jinx myself… !)

2005-07-27 12:25 PM
in reply to: #208829

Member
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Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
This has got to be a tire pressure issue as suggested. Nobody is that unlucky. I will stop complaining now, because I was wondering if I did something wrong having a flat a month. By comparison, I am doing okay. Better luck down the road.
2005-07-27 12:33 PM
in reply to: #208517

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Veteran
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Cleveland, OH
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
Well, I'm still going to get new tires b/c I've been inflating to 120-130 at all times and still get more flats than I think I should. I weight 200, but usually carry about 15 lbs of backpack w/ me.

HD
2005-07-27 1:59 PM
in reply to: #208517

Regular
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Sunriver, Oregon
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
I run Armadillo's on one bike, Kenda Contenders w/Kevlar on the other.  The Kendas were dirt cheap and probably better for training/commuting.  Armadillos seem indestructable. Over 1k on both, no flats. 
2005-07-27 2:14 PM
in reply to: #208517

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Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
I've been commuting to work on my bike for over 30 years and I have had too many flats to put a number to the amount.  Flats are a hazard of cycling.  I had not had a flat since spring and then last week I got three flats on my way to work one day, then I got another flat on Friday and then again this Monday.  I ride on Vittoria Kevlars, which I just last Wednesday so it can't be the tires.  And it can't be "a piece of glass or sharp debris stuck in the casing" either because I check it every time.  It's just that the roads are in extremely rough condition at this time of year what with broken bottles and all sorts of garbage on the side of the road.    


2005-07-27 9:38 PM
in reply to: #208517

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Veteran
340
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Greenville, NC
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
Inflate to 100 instead, and try latex tubes. they need inflating every day, but ride much smoother, and despite being lighter and more dleicate to install, they flat less cause they can flex better when pushed against by sharp objects. You might try to see if they make a tube with a removable core in the valve that would let you use Tufo's latex goo. I have it in my tubulars and it works well. Think SLime for bike tires.
2005-07-27 9:44 PM
in reply to: #208517

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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
Another vote for Gator Skins. I haven't had any flats in 600 miles since I replaced the Hutchinson Top Speeds that came on my new Cannondale. The Hutchinson "felt" faster. but my speed limitations are more with the engine than the tires...

Mark
2005-07-28 7:42 AM
in reply to: #208517

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Veteran
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Cleveland, OH
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
Went to the LBS last night and the mechanic suggested the Armadillos in 28c. The tires that came on my Allez Sport were 23c and he recomended that those only be used for racing strictly as they just aren't durable enough, in his opinion. He didn't have the 28c's so I get 25's. The in this morning was nice. The tires ride nice, and I noticed very little reduction in speed. My problem in in my spare tire, not my bike tires . We'll see if I get fewer flats.

HD
2005-07-28 10:27 AM
in reply to: #208517

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Member
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Lake Jackson, Texas
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
i ride 25miles/day and get about 2 flats a week. I need to try some better tires. Just this past monday i had 3 flats. These roads are crazy dirty. Never seen road with this much debri.
2005-07-28 12:57 PM
in reply to: #208517

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Veteran
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Greenville, NC
Subject: RE: Wheels/Tires and Flats
Riding on plain debris shouldn't be a problem. Our roads frequently have sand and small gravel up to 1/8" thick. That stuff should be fine. glass is the enemy. City commutes are much more hazardous for tires for sure. In that environment a tire with a kevlar protection band like the Armadillo would be good. I had a couple puncture flats riding my Conti attack/Force tires in the city. I run Specialized 23C Mondos with latex tubes and I've ridden down gravel and dirt roads, on grass, etc. No flats. However I should say that I weight under 140 which I'm sure makes a difference.

The other way to go is super skinny tires and hope you avoid bad stuff. I run Tufo 19mm tubulars on my race wheels at 160psi and haven't flatted. If I do in a race, I'm DNF since I don't race with spares. How many folks carry spares and air when they race? I figure I'm done if I flat. Now when I move up to 1/2 IM then I'll probably carry spares.


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