The Cyclist's Thread!

[M2M]

Just out of curiosity, how many flat tires (no, NOT FAT TIRE ales) do you guys average in a week or a month? Seems to be alot of glass and "goatheads" (barbed burrs) on the road as of late. Like 50% more than last Spring.

Possibly thinking about going back to mt-biking (for the Winter) cuz of all the insane flats..

Tires: Gatorskins or Armadillos?

Gatorskins - average 1 flat around every 500 miles or so ( to be honest, I realy don't keep track)- except if I ride with my friend from the La tri club - then a flat is guaranteed !!!! I switch out the front tire when any wear is showing (flat spotting) - that tire goes on the rear and then is tossed when I get a rear flat - I,m prety a#al about tires as a big boy,,, I tend to go fast on the down hills
may I suggest getting a mirror simply so you can ride the road and move over as cars approch as necessary -once your used to it, you'll wonder why you ever road w/o it
my 2 cents

[MountainNut]

Yeah, I tried the helmet-mirror thing last year. Gave me a headache - too small, too close-in, and blurred imagery.

Had a handlebar mirror on the mt bike for street riding but never bothered on the road bike. May give that idea another try, as I always see that the asphalt to the left of the white line is alot cleaner than the line I typically travel on the far right/shoulder.

Gonna go with Gatorskins and see how that goes. Also put one or even two strips of anti-flat strips between the tire and the tube to help prevent punctures penetrating all the way thru.

Have had mixed results with Slime being inserted into the tube when new. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't..

And Michelin tires suck for preventing flats.

Do they even make a 5x-thicker inner tube (like Slime's) for 700cx19-23 tubes? I have one of those in my mt bike now (26x2.125?).

[highanxiety]

Anyone see this vid yet, sorry if its been posted already.. This guy kills it on a road bike, back flip wtf?

http://youtu.be/7ZmJtYaUTa0

[M2M]

Yeah, I tried the helmet-mirror thing last year. Gave me a headache - too small, too close-in, and blurred imagery.


Do they even make a 5x-thicker inner tube (like Slime's) for 700cx19-23 tubes? I have one of those in my mt bike now (26x2.125?).

the helmet mirror does take a bit to get used too -I used it in small doses and found that if I peeked at it VS trying always to keep it in view helped- you tend to focus on it if you don't "train yourself to use it"
they also make one that goes on your glasses -
I used a bar end one but I always seam to break those
on the tire front - they do in fact, make a flat resistant tube for road bikes - use one on the trainer -
hope this helps

[M2M]

Anyone see this vid yet, sorry if its been posted already.. This guy kills it on a road bike, back flip wtf?

http://youtu.be/7ZmJtYaUTa0

great stuff -
now, if I could only remember the name for that bike discipline - (big in europe)
biker, a little help here

[Biker395]

Whoa …. I’m behind here!

Lessee … tires:

For commuting, I run on Gatorskins. The wire-beaded versions are pretty heavy, but they’re less expensive than the Kevlar bead version, and weight is irrelevant for my commute. The last a long time, and don’t get a lot of flats.

I actually bought a pair of Armadillos years ago and their still sitting in the garage. They were so tight on the rim, I had a hard time installing them even using tire irons. I finally realized that if they are tough to install at home, they’ll be even tougher on the road an possibly in bad weather, so they’re still sitting in the garage. If I can find ‘em, you guys are welcome to them.

Armadillos have a reputation for bulletproofness, but they are heavier than hell.

For road biking in the mountains, I go with Conti 4000s. A bit lighter than Gatorskins, almost as flatproof, and they last almost as long. They’re not cheap, though.

I’ve also used Michelins. I didn’t get a lot of flats with those either … I just like the Contis a little better from a handling perspective.

Mirrors:

Gotta have a mirror if you’re riding in the street, and I find handlebar mirrors pretty useless. Keep at the helmet or eyeglass mirror and you’ll get so used to it, you’ll find yourself looking up where the mirror is at when you are walking down the street. To me, a mirror is a very close second to a helmet in terms of safety. I would not ride without one.

Back flipping road bikes:

Not sure of the discipline … last time I did that, it was on a crash. lol

And other news:

Where’s the pix of the new baby, M2M?

[M2M]

Whoa …. I’m behind here!

And other news:

Where’s the pix of the new baby, M2M?

- all I can say is - - - -
the bike is unbelievable

[MountainNut]

Thanks for all the info in your replies, M2M, and biker. Besides Gatorskins (and Armadillos), any other tire/brand model comparable to the protection-factor of the 'Skins? Kevlar-lined?

I forgot to ask about tire liners also. Have you guys used the Mr Tuffy-type liners in your tires at all, and what did you think of the results? Any pinched or cut-into tubes at any time? I now know better than to try and cut an over-size liner down to size to fit for a 700x23c. Bad result there..

Any brand of liners better or extra-protective of flatting?

[Biker395]

Thanks for all the info in your replies, M2M, and biker. Besides Gatorskins (and Armadillos), any other tire/brand model comparable to the protection-factor of the 'Skins? Kevlar-lined?

I forgot to ask about tire liners also. Have you guys used the Mr Tuffy-type liners in your tires at all, and what did you think of the results? Any pinched or cut-into tubes at any time? I now know better than to try and cut an over-size liner down to size to fit for a 700x23c. Bad result there..

Any brand of liners better or extra-protective of flatting?

Sweet bike, M2M! I think my next bike will be Ti.

I've used tire liners before ... Mr. Tuffy's as a matter of fact. I've had people tell me they actually increase the number of flats you get, but that wasn't my experience. I stopped using them because I found that with the right tires, I didn't get a lot of flats anyway, and those liners are a PITA to deal with when you're changing a tube.

Hey, they're cheap ... give them a try!

Other flat resistant bike tires? They're out there, and my guess is that they're pretty good. I just haven't tried em yet.

[M2M]

Thanks for all the info in your replies, M2M, and biker. Besides Gatorskins (and Armadillos), any other tire/brand model comparable to the protection-factor of the 'Skins? Kevlar-lined?

no, I've been happy on the gators

I forgot to ask about tire liners also. Have you guys used the Mr Tuffy-type liners in your tires at all, and what did you think of the results? Any pinched or cut-into tubes at any time? I now know better than to try and cut an over-size liner down to size to fit for a 700x23c. Bad result there..

never used liners -

Any brand of liners better or extra-protective of flatting?

Sweet bike, M2M! I think my next bike will be Ti.

this bike is just soooo much fun to ride - they told me I'd be amazed, and they were right !!

[OzzyBuckeyeBluechip]

It's looking mighty cold in the mornings in town. Has anyone been riding in Mammoth? Are the mornings bearable? I'll be back in town next weekend with the road bike.

[M2M]

It's looking mighty cold in the mornings in town. Has anyone been riding in Mammoth? Are the mornings bearable? I'll be back in town next weekend with the road bike.

riding at altitude,,, below 40 just sounds nasty - winter down here when it's cold is bad enough, maybe we can arrange a winterfest spin around town

[Photoho]

I have always admired those golfs I see riding up to Main in the dead of winter.

[MountainNut]

It's looking mighty cold in the mornings in town. Has anyone been riding in Mammoth? Are the mornings bearable? I'll be back in town next weekend with the road bike.

riding at altitude,,, below 40 just sounds nasty - winter down here when it's cold is bad enough, maybe we can arrange a winterfest spin around town

In the 1970s I had no car, so I had to ride my 10 speed Raleigh to work every day. Every month or day of the year. It was bad from Dec-March when it was covered in snow and ice on the asphalt near our house. I fell a few times on the damn ice going into turns. Never broke my hip, but always banged my wrist and elbow pretty good (collar bones survived). God, that sucked to ride home at 3 AM when it was -30F windchill. Or during a snowstorm if my folks were plowing snow or not home.

I would NEVER do that cold-weather-riding today, though I am heavier and can push thru the wind alot better now. Back then I had such a freakish metabolism that I never got cold (well, except all my hands or feet all day on a Kawasaki or Arctic Cat 440 at -20F. Kinda like the young guys hang in there out surfing in the cold Winter's ocean water!)

Hell, I don't even like riding in downpours any more either.

We get weaker as we age, eh?

[M2M]

I have always admired those golfs I see riding up to Main in the dead of winter.

what's a golf,? or,, are ya calling winter riders Goofs ??????