13 replies to this topic

[JudoJohn]

I had a flat on my Monday ride.  Fortunately, I carry a spare tube and tools. i also bought a CO2 cartridge tire fill set up last year.  This was the 1st time I'av had to use it.  Well, it works GREAT!  back on the trail (Grant's) in 10 minutes with a properly inflated tire.  I know with my old frame pump, i couldn't get the tire that full.  that CO2 device was worth every penny.

[JerryW]

It's good when it works; however, I've had multiple flats on a ride so I prefer a good pump. Make sure to check your tire pressures before every ride on that tire. CO2 molecules are smaller and leak out faster than air.

[thefutureofamerica]

Not about molecule size, it's about solubility in the butyl/latex tubes. CO2 molecules are bigger than O2 (~20% of air) are bigger than N2 (~79% of air). A CO2 cartridge will fill a second flat enough to get you home and by the 3rd one... or you could just run good tires with sealant and reduce flats to a once or twice a decade problem.

JerryW, on 25 July 2012 - 12:19 PM, said:

It's good when it works; however, I've had multiple flats on a ride so I prefer a good pump. Make sure to check your tire pressures before every ride on that tire. CO2 molecules are smaller and leak out faster than air.

[AJC]

I have been having flat after flat this summer...it's been very frustrating. Forgive my ignorance, but what is sealant? Is this something used with clinchers or tubeless wheels/tires? Does it substantially improve tire reliability? Any downsides to using it?

I train on clinchers and am running Continental GP4000's right now...Anyone else here have any advice about preventing flats in general? I ride carefully, avoid glass and rocks and other obstacles (as best I can), but I still flat all of the time.  


Thanks for any information...

[Aaron Koch]

AJC, on 26 July 2012 - 06:01 AM, said:

I have been having flat after flat this summer...it's been very frustrating. Forgive my ignorance, but what is sealant? Is this something used with clinchers or tubeless wheels/tires? Does it substantially improve tire reliability? Any downsides to using it?

I train on clinchers and am running Continental GP4000's right now...Anyone else here have any advice about preventing flats in general? I ride carefully, avoid glass and rocks and other obstacles (as best I can), but I still flat all of the time.  


Thanks for any information...

Have you replaced the tires? How many miles are on them? Flatting the same tire over and over is a good indication that the tire itself is in need of replacement. Sealant is great in tubeless tires, but with tubes its a mixed bag.

[saint_john]

AJC, on 26 July 2012 - 06:01 AM, said:

I have been having flat after flat this summer...it's been very frustrating. Forgive my ignorance, but what is sealant? Is this something used with clinchers or tubeless wheels/tires? Does it substantially improve tire reliability? Any downsides to using it?

I train on clinchers and am running Continental GP4000's right now...Anyone else here have any advice about preventing flats in general? I ride carefully, avoid glass and rocks and other obstacles (as best I can), but I still flat all of the time.  


Thanks for any information...

If you're getting flat after flat then something is wrong. As Aaron suggested it may be time to replace your tires. GP4000s are great tires but they don't last particularly long.

What kind of flats are you getting? If you're getting pinch flats (two small holes next to each other in the tube) then you're probably not running enough air pressure. Make sure you properly inflate your tires before each ride.

If you're getting punctures over and over again then you may have a piece of metal or other debris stuck in the tire. Carefully run your fingers all ove the inside of the tire to feel for something sharp.

Also, don't forget to clean the tires now and then. Just take a dry rag and wipe all the grime off the tread.

[AJC]

Thanks for the opinions...I'll try the wiping down with a rag idea after riding. I don't currently do that. I do, however, run with enough tire pressure--110 at least and generally more like 120--and I replace my tires regularly. I bring my bike to the shop for tune-ups on a regular basis and I basically replace the tires every time they suggest that they are worn out. As far as types of flats, there is no consistency...sometimes pinch flats, sometimes simple punctures, sometimes obvious things (like a big nail, for example).  I definitely put in a lot of miles per week (200 min), but I'm sure others do, too, and I feel like I flat way more than anyone I know regardless of which of my two wheel sets I use. Thanks for the information.

[JerryW]

thefutureofamerica, on 25 July 2012 - 04:29 PM, said:

Not about molecule size, it's about solubility in the butyl/latex tubes.

Thanks for the correction.

[ssalmons]

Get some Gatorskins and you can stop swerving around the glass and rocks, they are that good.

[thefutureofamerica]

AJC, on 26 July 2012 - 11:21 AM, said:

Thanks for the opinions...I'll try the wiping down with a rag idea after riding. I don't currently do that. I do, however, run with enough tire pressure--110 at least and generally more like 120--and I replace my tires regularly. I bring my bike to the shop for tune-ups on a regular basis and I basically replace the tires every time they suggest that they are worn out. As far as types of flats, there is no consistency...sometimes pinch flats, sometimes simple punctures, sometimes obvious things (like a big nail, for example).  I definitely put in a lot of miles per week (200 min), but I'm sure others do, too, and I feel like I flat way more than anyone I know regardless of which of my two wheel sets I use. Thanks for the information.

That is a lot of miles... with GP4000s I'd say your tread life is probably about 6 weeks. Agreed on the Gatorskins... they're not the only product on the market that works well (Specialized Armadillos, Schwalbe Duranos are also good), but they do ride nice for a tire with good flat protection. Wider tires might also help, especially if you're a larger rider.

The different sealants are various sorts of latex/other chemical concoctions that you add to your tubes or tubeless tires... they stay as a liquid inside the tire and the rotation of the tire throws the liquid to the outside. If there's a puncture, the pressure drop at the site of the puncture causes the latex to foam and turn solid, sealing the hole, usually without you even noticing. They won't seal pinch flats or large cuts, but they do work well with small holes. I haven't tried them in clinchers, but I have saved expensive punctured tubulars with Stan's. You can add a sealant to any tube with a removable valve core - you just unscrew it and pour the liquid in.

[steve]

ssalmons, on 26 July 2012 - 12:02 PM, said:

Get some Gatorskins and you can stop swerving around the glass and rocks, they are that good.

+1 on the Gatorskins.  Ride and roll nearly the same as the 4000's that you are riding but will be much more reliable and last a lot longer.  I started riding some 700x25's last fall as my normal everyday training tire and have yet to have a flat.  I have ridden Michelin ProRace for years and the Gatorskins are not that much of a difference and I can't believe how many more miles I am getting out of them.  In summer months I typically wear out the ProRace on the rear in a month.  I now save my nicer wheels and ProRace for a faster day on nice roads.

[Aaron Koch]

+1 on the Gatorskin suggestion. Ride nice tires for racing, but for training Gatorskins are worth their slow roll.

[Russian Bear]

I can get to 100 psi with my lezyne road drive. And it's shiny! And if you still like CO2 chucks, Lezyne has some nice ones. Really just like pimping Lezyne because they make such a fantastic product.

[MPbike]

ssalmons, on 26 July 2012 - 12:02 PM, said:

Get some Gatorskins and you can stop swerving around the glass and rocks, they are that good.

Couldn't agree more!!!!!!!!