Too many flat tires for my tastes - Suggestions?

Imagine3

I have a Giant OCR (of little concern here) but anyways, I bought a pair of Bontrager Race Lite wheels last year but unfortunately because of sickness, got no use out of them. I am rather happy with the weight and stiffness the wheels have, but perhaps the most important thing is lacking... the ability to stay inflated. So far this year, I have gotten 2 flat tires while riding the trails around my house. I am riding on the I&M Canal (Illinois & Michigan) which for the most part is crushed limestone. I have never had a problem riding on this trail before and NEVER had any flats on the trails.

Both times it has been the rear tire that has gone flat. When I looked at the tube after I got home, it is on the outside of the tube lending me to believe that it was caused by something I rode over.

The tires themselves are the standard ones that come on the Race Lite wheels and the tubes are Bontrager tubes that the bike shop carries stock. There is nothing in the tubes that would lead to a punctured tube and the wheel surface feels smooth as well. There are a few bumps on the trail but nothing too serious. Should I get new tires? any suggestions? And I am not too worried about weight since I am not racing on these. I just like to ride as hard as I can for the feeling of being drained at the end of the day.

jhuskey

Check the tires for any material that might puncture the tube. I had a similar problem and found a small wire that was puncturing the tube.
Sometimes they are imbeded in the tire and very hard to locate.
No way to know if this is your problem but I think it is worth checking.

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Mister C

Are you vigilant about your tire pressure? I had a similar problem riding crushed limestone trails. No problems on the asphalt section but I got a series of flats on the crushed limestone. I finally realized I was getting pinch flats (aka snakebites) from the rim slamming against the tube with insufficient pressure. It was always my rear tire and was usually occasioned by hitting a slightly larger rock than usual or going into a small ditch on the trail.

I now air up my tires each and every time I ride. I forgot to do this a couple of weeks ago and...you guessed it...another pinch flat. I am now resumed vigilant tire inflation before every ride.

You might also try spin skins (a kevlar reinforced tape that sits between tire and tube). There are a few other equivalent products out there. Spin skins are a bit of a pain to install but they do help.

Best of luck to you.

Imagine3

Yes I am very watchful of it. I check the pressure every time before I go out on a ride. I fill it to the 110lbs. the tire says to fill to. Also if I go over some really rough surfaces, I will stop, pull over and check just to make sure. I would rather find out sooner rather than later that I have a flat or a leak. There are parks about every 3-5 miles on the trail i ride on so If I can make it to a park, I have an easier time patching and at worst, I can call for a ride and pick me up at the park.

besides the kevlar things, is there a thicker tire that would help with it? I love riding on asphalt because it is so smooth, but where I live, the roads are all too busy and I don't get a chance to go out to the country that is about 20 miles away to ride on back roads. So I am left with riding on trails

Mister C

You might try Continental Gatorskins or Specizlied Armadillos. I have used both and they do seem to help with flat prevention. They are a fair bit heavier, particularly the Armadillos.

I would also suggest running a wider tire as they have a bit more rubber thickness (I believe, not completely sure). I usually run a 25mm tire for mixed asphalt, crushed limestone. The 25s are also more stable when pushing past 20mph on crushed limestone.

Also, check to see that your spokes are not intruding onto your tube. Spoke tightening can make that happen sometimes and cause flats.

Lastly, i have given up patching tires. I just replace the whole tube. It seems more reliable to me but does have added cost.

threaded

I use "Dutch Perfect No Flat" tires. Due to the amount of broken glass and other sharp detritus on the cycle paths here I find they're finely sliced and diced before the tread is actually worn out. No flats - touch wood. I occasionally try another make, against my better judgement, but go back pretty soon.

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Imagine3

I am actually on 25's and still getting the flats. I am going to look to see if there is a tire that is thicker or something. Maybe I will look into those "Dutch Perfect No Flat"

Imagine3

Are these used on road bikes?

slovakguy

i went with spinskins two years ago and haven't flatted in that time. prior to that, didn't seem to go a week without swearing by the side of the road.

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Imagine3

I think I am going to give these a try.

threaded

I'm using them on all commuter bikes and the racers I use for Audax/Radoneur etc. Used them on the PBP last year. for example. The time and effort saved from not having to worry about flats makes a psychological difference, also not having to watch out for glass so much improves safety, I feel.

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garage sale GT

I use the I&M trail a lot. I had some Panaracer Pasela TGs and they didn't flat although I scraped through three sidewalls and gave up on the whole concept of skinwalls. I just use a regular kevlar belted tire now.

Local trivia: the paved north end of the I&M canal trail finishes up a few hundred yards from the Willowbrook Ballroom, where Mary liked to go dancing. A couple of miles further north up Archer avenue, we find the Resurrection cemetery.

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garage sale GT

Try carrying a spare tube so the tube you patch doesn't have to be pressed into immediate service. Works much better that way.

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Imagine3

I am in the joliet area so I do not make it up there ever but I know the story of Resurrection Mary very well.

As for the kevlar belted tires, do you have a brand you prefer to use or would suggest?