I'm cursed!

[ladyjai]

I have had flats like you wouldn't believe. Hideous buggers, and issues with patches, and... It is not uncommon for me to have a flat(or 3) every 20-40 miles. Keep in mind that I ride 150-170 miles a week. Flats like to hit me in packs, and it is not always a servicewoman issue. I could change a flat in 7 minutes on my Hardrock. I've learned to check the tires, to take the road, avoid debrie, whatever. I hoped with my new ride, I'd be free of flats, at least for awhile.

However... (there's always a but), on my commute today, it was beautiful. I'm flying down the road, almost at work, then, Ssssi---Sssssi---Ssssi---Ssssi---Ssssi---Ssssi---.... grrrrrr... I pulled over, and made very load groans and moans and whining noises. Checked out the tire... noooooo... a nice gash at least half an inch long on one side - and these aren't thick tires. grumble, grumble, walk back to the shade and try to get the tire off.. There are a couple walker-commuters passing by who I'm sure got to hear my joy....

Good morning, I offer and go back to my tire. oh, yeah, these tires aren't thick. I, um.. can't get them off without tools.. look around.. i could try a stick..hmm.. ID cards.. drivers license and ASU ID to the rescue... bent them up a little trying to get the tire back on, though... pump it up to 60-80 range, which is about all I can do with those silly pumps in a decent time. I only need to get 1 mile. lovely.. i can see the tube through the hole.... bet that was how I got the flat...

I visited the bike shop during lunch, but grrrrrr... i didnt even get a full 100 miles before something like this happened...

The good news is, at least it no longer makes me want to cry. grumble, growl, but then laugh - I mean, what else can I do? I'm cursed, flats look like they are a part of my life. Wonder how fast I'll get to be at fixing them on this bike?

[bikerchick68]

UGH! I soooooooo feel for you! After having 5 flats in a week and a half, I replaced my tires.... had another FOUR flats in the next week and a half... 9 in 3 weeks!!! I finally caved and put Gatorskins on... 1300 miles with no flats... they don't roll quite as fast but I'm no racer and making up plenty of time by not sitting on the side of the road changing flats!!!

[Crankin]

Since you said ASU, I assume you are in Tempe. I know that when my son lived in Tucson for a year, he had flats constantly. I think it's something in the roads in AZ. We finally sent him a giant supply of tubes and some tougher tires.....good luck!

[newfsmith]

I think the "something" is "Goatheads" a very hard, spiney seed that is very common in the southwest. They are quite lethal to tires. You might want to try Spinskins, but the tire sidewall is not well protected by any liner.

[sarahkonamojo]

Similar to you, I was flat cenral myself. I caved and bought the gatorskins. Not perfect. 1 flat this summer, BUT much improved over 1 flat/week prior to the skins.

I feel your pain.
skm

[ladyjai]

thanks!
I'll keep those gatorskins in mind. I do have a pair of spinskins. but ended up taking them off my other bike because they were more in the way when changing flats, lol.. though they did save my tire once, from a piece of wire... I may put them on this one.

thanks gals

[CorsairMac]

you can also get self-sealing tubes. We have goatheads here in NM too and I ride with slime or air-loc in all my tubes plus teflon strips or kevlar tires, and haven't had a problem yet - well.....ok.....there was this One afternoon about a week ago...............