Hello, this is my first post here. I am not a cycling expert, and thus I am hoping you can help me figure out a solution to my problem.
First, some context. I recently bought a road bike, which I intend to use for two purposes: (1) commuting to work 3-5 times a week, and (2) weekend rides with friends. I don't plan on racing, or competing in any way. This is what I've ridden so far http://ridewithgps.com/users/190009. While not an expert, I do know how to ride a bike, and I like the idea of the freedom it brings you. I ride on the bike lanes, in San Jose (CA), as well as on paved biked paths. Nothing different, nothing unique, same as many of you I am sure, and yet....
Second, the problem. In a word, flats. I have been getting so many flats, so frequently, that it has seriously made me want to throw in the towel. In particular because I do commute to work and I have already had missed meetings, etc.
Third, details. Well, I *think* I am doing things right (e.g. changing the tubes with as much finesse as I can muster, checking pressure before every ride, making sure the tubes are up to 110psi at least, not riding too close to the curb, where the rocks/debris accumulates, "going light" on the rough patches to minimize the risk of pinches, etc). I even swapped the Hutchinson Equinox 23mm tires that came with my bike for 25mm Gatorskins in hopes that that would fix it. Such is the level of frustration I have reached that I even made an embarrassing YouTube video of me changing a tube to see if I am actually doing it right http://youtu.be/gyS_RuWQC2E
Fourth, the problem appears to be pinch flats/snake bite flats, as I have yet to encounter one nail/thorn/glass piece stuck in my tire. I have had tons of flats, as you can see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28276127@N04/sets/72157635449894885/ and all but one of them have been in the back tire.
Fifth, one afternoon I collected all the punctured tubes and decided to fix them all. I did so and pumped them all to twice their volume (give or take). Checked them all to make sure no air was leaking (using a bucket of water). Everything fine. Left them hanging overnight. The next morning, about half of them had deflated substantially and only a few of them were as I'd left them. Is that normal? I mean, it is normal for a tube to deflate *a little* but not overnight, right?
Finally, I have resisted going with the "puncture resistant tubes" such as this one (http://www.amazon.com/Avenir-Resistant-Bicycle-Presta-27-Inch/dp/B002K2KULA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1378750511&sr=8-5&keywords=thorn+resistant+tubes+700c) because the rolling resistance (already increased by the Gatorskins) would be even worse, and honestly I don't know if the tube would help. As a matter of fact, after reading about the Gatorskins I thought they would be the answer to my problems and I have been getting as many flats with them as without them.
So, any advice? Any help? I have read as much as I can find, and as mentioned above I think I am doing the right things, though evidently I must not be. Thanks in advance for any advice.
--Luis
First, some context. I recently bought a road bike, which I intend to use for two purposes: (1) commuting to work 3-5 times a week, and (2) weekend rides with friends. I don't plan on racing, or competing in any way. This is what I've ridden so far http://ridewithgps.com/users/190009. While not an expert, I do know how to ride a bike, and I like the idea of the freedom it brings you. I ride on the bike lanes, in San Jose (CA), as well as on paved biked paths. Nothing different, nothing unique, same as many of you I am sure, and yet....
Second, the problem. In a word, flats. I have been getting so many flats, so frequently, that it has seriously made me want to throw in the towel. In particular because I do commute to work and I have already had missed meetings, etc.
Third, details. Well, I *think* I am doing things right (e.g. changing the tubes with as much finesse as I can muster, checking pressure before every ride, making sure the tubes are up to 110psi at least, not riding too close to the curb, where the rocks/debris accumulates, "going light" on the rough patches to minimize the risk of pinches, etc). I even swapped the Hutchinson Equinox 23mm tires that came with my bike for 25mm Gatorskins in hopes that that would fix it. Such is the level of frustration I have reached that I even made an embarrassing YouTube video of me changing a tube to see if I am actually doing it right http://youtu.be/gyS_RuWQC2E
Fourth, the problem appears to be pinch flats/snake bite flats, as I have yet to encounter one nail/thorn/glass piece stuck in my tire. I have had tons of flats, as you can see here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28276127@N04/sets/72157635449894885/ and all but one of them have been in the back tire.
Fifth, one afternoon I collected all the punctured tubes and decided to fix them all. I did so and pumped them all to twice their volume (give or take). Checked them all to make sure no air was leaking (using a bucket of water). Everything fine. Left them hanging overnight. The next morning, about half of them had deflated substantially and only a few of them were as I'd left them. Is that normal? I mean, it is normal for a tube to deflate *a little* but not overnight, right?
Finally, I have resisted going with the "puncture resistant tubes" such as this one (http://www.amazon.com/Avenir-Resistant-Bicycle-Presta-27-Inch/dp/B002K2KULA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1378750511&sr=8-5&keywords=thorn+resistant+tubes+700c) because the rolling resistance (already increased by the Gatorskins) would be even worse, and honestly I don't know if the tube would help. As a matter of fact, after reading about the Gatorskins I thought they would be the answer to my problems and I have been getting as many flats with them as without them.
So, any advice? Any help? I have read as much as I can find, and as mentioned above I think I am doing the right things, though evidently I must not be. Thanks in advance for any advice.
--Luis