Flat tyres - how often?

[Hodgee]

Speaking of tyre pressures, I run a max of 90psi in the front, usually 80-85 and a max of 100psi in the back but usually around 90.

Not sure if you have tried these lower pressures but the ride is much more comfortable, there is more traction when cornering and no difference in speeds to running 120psi.

The only thing you'll have to be careful of is how much you weigh - too much weight with too low a pressure can result in pinch flats. I'm around 70kg and don't have any trouble. Give the lower pressures a go.

Not gonna work for me then!

[Bex37]

I'm around 90kg  so I'm guessing 90 PSI might be a little low. I'll give 105 PSI a go front and rear. Thanks again for the tips.

[wannie]

I use Conti's (GP4000 and Gator) and they're great - but like all tyres, once you start getting flats in bunches like you describe it's time for a new rubber! 

[Bex37]

Sent to Steve Prince at Wyong Shire Council today:

Dear Steve

I have recently stopped riding along the Tuggerah Straight cycleway and have started using the road. The reason for this is that I'm currently averaging a flat tyre every second time I ride along the cycleway. Since I ride to work almost every day, this has become very frustrating.

On close inspection of the punctured tyres and the cycleway, it is clear that the cause is the excessive amount of debris that has built up. In particular, there are several locations along the cycleway covered in broken glass.

It's a shame that I'm not using the cycleway. It's a great facility provided by Council and it would be great if there were more of them. Furthermore, riding on the road decreases rider safety and frustrates some drivers as they fail to understand why I'm not on the cycleway.

However, a puncture is also a safety risk, particularly when you consider that Tuggerah Straight is the approach to the busy roundabout and railway overbridge near Tuggerah Station. If a flat tyre caused me to fall off the bike in this area, the consequences could be very serious.

Is it possible for Council to sweep the cycleway in the near future and establish a plan to monitor and maintain the cycleway more regularly? I would appreciate it if you could respond via return email at your earliest convenience.

Chris Becker
Member - Central Coast Cycling Club.

[GrantF]

Well, this one's just about been done to death, but just to show my age I'll throw something else into the mix too.
If you must ride on these debris-strewn areas, then you might consider resurrecting the use of something known as a "tyre saver" (see http://www.sheldonbrown.com/flats.html for more info).

As an additional re all the tyre talk, you might want to consider Conti UltraSport Kevlar tyres for training (especially if you use them on a home trainer as well).
And shame on all you guys if you are training on GP4000s - they're racing tyres aren't they??

[Stu Eddy]

GP4000's reltatively cheap, bulletproof and the one ride a week always feels like a race anyway!! 

[Mitch]

I weigh 86kg and find that I need 100-110 Psi in the rear but I would never run lower than that.  I also worry about them rolling off on a fast corner.

I used to puncture all the time (once/wk on average), now only a couple of times a yr.

1) Change to Continental Gatorskins -- massive mileage and just about puncture proof.  Pain to change as they are tight, however, as you don't pop them often they are worth it.

2) Run your glove over your tyre when rolling every so often and after rolling over glass.

Hope that helps  

[Simon]

I'm around 90kg  so I'm guessing 90 PSI might be a little low. I'll give 105 PSI a go front and rear. Thanks again for the tips.

I've stuck to the gatorskins or armadillo's and 120psi as I'm also over 90kg's- result is very few flats.

[PeZulu]

I have come to the realisation that the more I think about flat tyres, the more I seem to get.

Chris, check that your Karma is not being chased by your Dogma.

I have found that an increase in weight (i.e. in excess of 900 Newtons) combined with an increase in pounds per square inch in tyre pressure (in excess of 115 psi) = more flats.

I started using 105 psi (a more comfortable ride at a slightly lower pressure) in the front & 110 psi in the rear and have reduced my flat's significantly.

I have always used 700 x 23 Conti's (sic) & find the new GP4000 with the chili black to be the best for me. I have been using Bontrager X Lites on the training bike of late, & although they seem very puncture resistant, I find that they don't roll as comfortably, especially on "dead" surfaces.

Hope this helps.

Col..

[Stuart]

I started using 105 psi (a more comfortable ride at a slightly lower pressure) in the front & 110 psi in the rear and have reduced my flat's significantly.

If you flat on a coffee ride with me again I'm keeping my distance or at the very least avoiding those sticks you litter the road with Col 

[rusty1972]

specialized armadilllos at 120psi through potholes over debris (floatsam or jetsam??) at numerous speeds down somersby F3 hill. Just my 2 bobs worth

[Bex37]

specialized armadilllos at 120psi through potholes over debris (floatsam or jetsam??) at numerous speeds down somersby F3 hill. Just my 2 bobs worth

So do you inspect the tyres after every ride and pick out all the embedded glass?

[PeZulu]

If you flat on a coffee ride with me again I'm keeping my distance or at the very least avoiding those sticks you litter the road with Col 
[/quote]

Fair enough Stu considering what that morning's escapade ended up costing you.

Truth be told, I had replaced a new GP4000 with an old tyre for that morning ride as I hit something at the Entrance earlier in the week that put an inch cut straight through the tyre. Luckily I always carry a $5 note with me for such emergencies & managed to patch the tyre from the inside.

Moral of the story: He who replaces new tyre with old tyre for coffee ride will cost riding mates more than the $5 used to patch new tyre previously.

Col..

[Jason]

Ive been lucky over the last few months NO flats for me must be the new set of GP4000 Im ridding on, well there was one but it was on the Swansea ride every one expects a flat on one of them     

[Hodgee]

Ive been lucky over the last few months NO flats for me must be the new set of GP4000 Im ridding on, well there was one but it was on the Swansea ride every one expects a flat on one of them     

Let's rephrase that Jason, "everyone expects you to flat on one of them".