So...new company rules, picky GM, and flats galore!

Quick back story:  The General Manager at my company is a relatively picky dude, nothing crazy but it can get a little over the top.  The company I work for makes race car parts, so as you can imagine with 20+ CNC and mill machines we create a lot of metal debris, and this ends up in the back lot when the recycling company comes to pick-up our shavings and such.  And we don't clean the back lot.

Up until recently I used to enter through a side door and avoid all the crap in the back, previously I used to park my bike back there and would end up with flats from stuff working itself into my tire.  Well we are no longer allowed to use the side door, and I work in the front of the building and the side door was much closer to the front and I avoided the metal getting into my tires.  Well so far 2 days I have come in the back, and guess what?

2 slow leaks and rear tires filled with really small shavings.  One tube I couldn't patch because I couldn't find all the small holes, and the one currently on the bike I haven't pulled off due to frustration of the situation.

So we were told we either need to come in the back doors (where all the debris is, not my happy place), or the front door.  If I come in the front I need to come through the front office and I am sure that won't be smiled upon.

My other option is to lock my bike right out front, we have a dual sided entrance with a little covering and large brick pillars I could throw a lock around.  Nice thing there is the front desk lady sits right there and would be watching my bike all day.

So should I go in and out of the front door through the office to the shagrin of the GM, just lock it up out front, or come in the back doors and deal with flats all the time?

And to give you an idea, I put about 500 miles on these tires last season when I bought them brand new and didn't have a flat.  I have about 260-ish and 2 flat, but never had a problem until being forced in the back entrance.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on April 22, 2014 at 5:11am

Hmmm... A couple things come to mind (aside from pissing off your GM):

  • Try something like Stan's sealant
  • Try some different tires (you don't mention what you have, but perhaps Continental Gatorskins come in your size)
  • Carry your bike through the "mine field"

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on April 22, 2014 at 5:31am

I thought about Stan's but doesn't that require no tubes?

As for tires, that is a bit out of the question budget wise, but if I keep getting flats it might be smart.  I run Continental Double Fighter II's but might look at the Gator skins since I have only heard good things.

And I guess carrying it might make me more interesting in cyclocross!

Permalink Reply by Lee Roy on April 22, 2014 at 5:46am

Mr. Tuffy's and Armadillo/Gatorskin in combination.

That should solve your problems.

Bit heavier, but if it's your commuter, it's all good. 

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on April 22, 2014 at 5:59am


Chitown_Mike said:

I thought about Stan's but doesn't that require no tubes?

I think it was originally developed for the tubeless set, but i think it is applicable to tires with tubes as well. I have used it in tubulars. Here are a couple threads:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/internet-bob/el85LQ2iGrw/tOabeZ0Upn0J

http://www.frankrevelo.com/hiking/biking_flatprevention.htm

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on April 22, 2014 at 6:14am

Just carry your bike through the debris.

Or clear yourself a path.

Nice and simple.

Permalink Reply by Justin B Newman on April 22, 2014 at 7:39am

Maybe a bicycle could be outfitted with a magnet that sticks out about 6" in front of the front wheel to auto-clear-path?

notoriousDUG said:

Just carry your bike through the debris.

Or clear yourself a path.

Nice and simple.

Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on April 22, 2014 at 8:05am

If the front desk can keep an eye on it, I would lock it out front.  Might get complaints that it looks bad having a bicycle in front of a automotive place, so that would be your opportunity to start using the front door.

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 22, 2014 at 9:24am

I vote for the front door. I hate flats; especially when they can be avoided

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on April 22, 2014 at 9:27am

Perhaps you could expense the cost of repairing all those flats. Bill them for time and materials. :-)

Permalink Reply by David Barish on April 22, 2014 at 11:06am

I'm with Skip and Dug. Portage through the problem. you are fortunate to be able to bring your bike in. I cannot do so and must lock up in front of my building.

Permalink Reply by Len Krietz on April 22, 2014 at 12:22pm

Dumbest thing said on this thread.  Go ahead and escalate the situation rather than solve it.  If that worked, any employee who had a car flat or breakdown on the way to work would bill the company for the privilege of going to work and collect  a pay check.  Even if the GM is a a-hole, he is the boss and makes the rules.  If they can't be negotiated, then your choice is to follow them or seek a more bike friendly place of employment.  Thats the choice I'd give one of my employees (though I am a very nice guy who tolerates a lot of things and allows bikes in the office


Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

Perhaps you could expense the cost of repairing all those flats. Bill them for time and materials. :-)

Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on April 22, 2014 at 1:00pm
Jiminy Crickets, man... Are you smiley-challenged?

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