Quote Originally Posted by Nanci
(And anyone else interested!) I was just going to write you yesterday to ask how my bike's twin was, (Trek 2100 WSD 2005) and to tell you I had 1250 miles on her. I was wondering how many miles my tires would last. I thought of you and all your flats. Even though I had run over a bottle neck last week, I hadn't experienced even one. But last night, right after finding out BF was coming home late and I could ride till dark, I ran over another bottle neck and flatted.

May I say that my Topeak Road Morph, which I bought based on recommendations from MTBR and here, that I had never previously used, was simple to use, inflated my tire to 80 PSI effortlessly, and to 90 with not much more effort (then I decided to head home.)

I had planned on riding my bike to the post office to pick up my new rack, a super eBay bargain. My patched tire was flat. Fine, put in a new tube. It blew. Fine, put in my other new tube. It blew. (I don't think I like super light race tubes...) Yes, I had diligently checked for glass remnants. I think the tire wasn't seating right, near the stem, but it wasn't apparent until too late. So I added an additional patch to the old tube and that held. But I was covered in grease and it was too late to ride.

So I drove to the PO, in my bike clothes, covered in grease, and picked up my Topeak beam rack, MSRP $45, bought on eBay for $9.00, brand new!!! I forgot, though, that my seatpost was carbon, and you're not supposed to clamp anything onto carbon, are you? But the seatpost itself is clamped into the seat tube...Anyway, I lined it with innertube to protect the seatpost and didn't clamp it too tightly. I'm only going to carry clothes on it, anyway. It is so cool! Now I just need to find a matching bargain for the trunk bag.

Since it's getting almost dark when I'm out riding, I bought a set of LED lights from Performance, for like $8, to put on my bike. They are so tiny! And then, finally, a windproof vest, pink, Spare-o, looks pretty cute. Reflective.

I can't believe how much I like riding my bike, even on the same old roads every day. I really missed going out today, though I did get to spend a lot of time with her, changing flats!

Nanci
Hi Nanci, Yasmin here. I,ve just invested in a carbon seat post & the guy said not to clamp too tightly (or carbon can shatter). He also turned the bolt part 180 degrees so it sat at the front. Another thing is NEVER to use grease with carbon as this deteriorates it apparently.
I've had the worst year for flatties this year. It seems some people are employed full-time to crush & leave glass in bike lanes. Shudder!.I agree the super-light race tubes aren't great under normal bitumen riding conditions. They're also more expensive, which I don't understand...less rubber & more $'s. I've lost a couple tubes by pinching as well. I guess it's all about strenght in the hands, technique & practise.
I hear ya when it comes to not being out there & riding. This week I've had a head cold, so haven't ridden since Sunday (hence all my posts on this site!). I'm going NUTS!!!. Congrats on your success with ebay. Good on ya!