2012 The Year Of Flats?

Anyone else having more flats than usual this year?  Seems like I so much as think about a flat and I'll get one.  Maybe it's simply a matter of it being my turn.

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Permalink Reply by MagMileMarauder on June 10, 2012 at 8:02am

Except for nails, this should solve your problems.

Permalink Reply by Vondo on June 10, 2012 at 8:30am

Seems that way. I got a flat 5 minutes into the Naked Ride yesterday, literally flatted while rolling my bike into the street in front of Gabe's building as we were heading to the rally. Helped a few riders with flats along the ride as well, including loaning my pump to help while another Security team member (I think his name was Will) fixed a flat for a girl with no rim tape on her wheel.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 10, 2012 at 9:39am

Buy  high end puncture resistant tires and never look back. 

Schwalbe Marathon Plus, Gatorskins, Vittoria Randonneurs, etc. offer more, and better, flat protection than those tire liners can.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 10, 2012 at 9:39am

I am one of those people.

h' said:

Some hold that tire liners can also cause the f-things.

MagMileMarauder said:

Except for nails, this should solve your problems.

Permalink Reply by yaj 7.4 on June 10, 2012 at 10:08am

I'm probably jinxing myself, but my Continetial Gatorskins are holding up great.  Hundreds of miles so far this year and no flats. Even so, I'm riding around with 2-3 spare tubes and CO2 for the inevitable...

Permalink Reply by Katie on June 10, 2012 at 10:16am

I heart my gatorskins.

Permalink Reply by bk (aka: Dr. Mambohead) on June 10, 2012 at 5:21pm
oh NO!!! Sounds more like Gutter Gnomes! The mild winter has them breeding like rabbits!!!! They may have it in for your ride... Wait... they heard me!!! Gotta go!
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on June 11, 2012 at 12:32am

They work IF you keep your tires pumped up.  Gotta be diligent about it, then the tire liners work great.  If you let the tires get a little soft, then ride over harsh bumps, railroad tracks, steel plates, etc., you can get a pinch flat. 

I've got Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus tires on all my bikes and can't remember the last time I had a flat out on the road.  They get some severe south side tests - rides w/lots of broken glass, potholes AND railroad tracks.

h' said:

Some hold that tire liners can also cause the f-things.

MagMileMarauder said:

Except for nails, this should solve your problems.

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on June 11, 2012 at 1:17am

I used to get flats close to once or twice every two weeks- upgraded my tires and haven't had one in about six months now- gatorskin in the front and armadillo on the back. Both have been working out very well **crosses fingers**

Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on June 11, 2012 at 1:38am

Gatorskins rarely last me two months before getting a flat, while I consistently ride on Armadillos until they're bald. I know other people swear by Gatorskins but I guess I've just got weird luck with them.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on June 11, 2012 at 1:40am

Maintenance, inspection, and proper equipment.  

Flat-resistant tubes  & tires are nice, but having flats all the time can be an indication of your current tires have stuff in them, your rimtape is shot, spokes are loose and/or sticking up through their nipples, have rusty rims (if they are steel) or a host of other equipment issues that can contribute to flats.  Putting on high-end flat-resistant tires can solve the problem of a cruddy old tire with junk embedded in it, but so can cheaper normal tires. 

I agree with Dug that tire-liners can contribute to flats if not properly installed or if they get dried-up and can curl and/or present a sharp edge to the tube.  Sometimes they can also pinch the tube, especially if you are the type to ignore tire pressure for days at a time.   I've never had an issue with them and use them in my tweed bike as well as my heavy city bik.  They also add weight to your wheels which is the worst kind of weight -rolling weight.  People spend a lot of money to get lighter rims/wheels/tires & tubes.  Putting it back in sort of sucks sometimes.  Many of the more expensive flat-resistant tires don't add a lot of weight over other less-resistant tires.   It's the way to go as you get flat-resistance without a lot of weight.   But you pay $$$ at the counter.  TANSTAAFL.  

I have not had a flat on the road for about 2 years.  I suppose I'm due.  I carry a flat kit, patches, AND a spare tube everywhere I go.

Permalink Reply by Shawn C. on June 11, 2012 at 3:53am

I've been using Vittoria Randonneurs for 3 years and I haven't had a flat (yet).

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