flat tires

[stacy]

I am doing the 2009 Cross Country Tour...as I follow along the blogs for this years group I am noticing they have a lot of flat tires. Have any of you had experience with liners or goop in your tires to keep them from going flat? Some are having 2 or more flats a day.
Thanks!
Stacy

[bmccasland]

I have the liners, and knock on wood, have not had a flat since. Either use the liners or get thicker tires.

[songlady]

I use Spinskins in combination with Conti Gatorskins. I had one flat last year in 4,000 miles.

[Eden]

I used Mr. Tuffys in the tires on my touring bike and went about 15 years flat free... I did find that they did not work in the smaller tires on my current rain bike (its got 650's) there was too much overlap and the tuffy actually rubbed a hole into my tube! I probably could have cut the tire liner down (but they say not to...), but I chose to get tougher tires instead. I have gatorskins with no tire liners on right now and the only flat I've had on them was a pinch flat from hitting a sharp curb hard. My only complaint is that the contis throw up so much grit and junk from the road.. even with fenders and generous flaps I still get all mucky from road grit.

[stacy]

Thanks! I am totally comfortable with having to change a flat but it would be so great not to have to deal with it daily. I appreciate all your input!
Stacy

[chicago]

here's wishing you no flats or very little.

last year I rode 1800 miles without a flat. This year I bought new wheels (and expensive ones if that!!), and new tires (expensive ones if that)... and 5 miles out last weekend and BOOM!! Blow out!:eek:

Noone is sure of what happened. The bike club doesn't know, my boyfriend isn't sure as we checked the rim... everyone thinks it was a defective tire. I hope so... because I am going on a two week bike tour in Canada and I want no flats :p

How many spear tubes and tires are you bringing?

[stacy]

Wow....hope that doesnt happen...I have a fear of being in traffic and something blowing...yikes! The info sheet I have from the tour company says to bring 2 spare tubes but nothing about extra tires. We are limited weight wise for our gear. I think I read that they have spare tires in the trailer?

[chicago]

Wow....hope that doesnt happen...I have a fear of being in traffic and something blowing...yikes! The info sheet I have from the tour company says to bring 2 spare tubes but nothing about extra tires. We are limited weight wise for our gear. I think I read that they have spare tires in the trailer?

hmmm???... not sure, but if your tires are specific, I might throw one in the bag. I plan on bringing two spear tires on my trip!! I have until July, so hopefully I won't have anymore flats... I'll know by then if I have a rim problem or something :( but if they have tires, you are probably okay.

How long is this trip?, and when do you leave?... how exciting!!!:)

edit.... just saw this is 2009.... you've got a while :)