Selecting new tires

[OakLeaf]

Do you ladies usually keep a patched tube or just swap out for a new one?

I carry a known good tube and swap on the road, then patch at home. Patching done at home is much less likely to fail, because you can take the time to clean the tube well (whatever cornstarch or talc you lubricate your tube with will interfere with the seal if it's not washed off well, never mind any other microscopic road dust that might have gotten into your tire), and you're not tempted to apply the patch before the glue is completely dry. I carry pressure sensitive patches in my seat pack in case I have more than one flat on a single ride, but I've heard that they aren't as reliable as the old-school rubber cement kind.

Plus it's just easier to find the hole when you can dunk the tube in a pail of water, unless either the hole or whatever penetrated the tire is pretty large. Lining up the valve stem with the tire label when you install the tire will help with that, especially on the road - if you find something in your tire, you can go right to the hole in the tube, and if you find the hole in your tube, you can find whatever's stuck in your tire.

[Melalvai]

I don't patch. I don't know if it's me or what, but I've even had formal training in patching, and my patches still don't hold air. Like you described, they slowly leak. So I just use new tubes. I don't get many flats. Maybe one or two a year. So it's not that expensive to always use a new tube.

[Jo-n-NY]

Just another idea no matter what the tire. We put Mr. Tuffy's in between the tire and tube on all our road bikes. I also keep a piece of Mr. Tuffy in my under seat bag just incase the tire gets a slit. A dollar bill works for this also, but you never just in case the piece of Mr. Tuffy is always there. Flat are far and few with these.

[Dogmama]

I also just replace the tubes. I hate flats. Plus, I can NEVER find the darn hole even with inflating it & dunking it in water. Grrr...

Tires - I swear by Continental 4 seasons. A bit pricey, but I love that they have a bit of tread (great for that fine layer of sand that you don't see & scream through) and they really seem to hold up well. My LBS said they're the last "real rubber" tire - whatever that means. I just know that they hold up well with the AZ nasties that AZFiddle illuminated on. Oh - and don't forget jumping cactus pods in the bike lane. Must be the season for jumping cactus to shed or something

[deanywalker21]

Vredestein Fortezza Tricomps are what I have on my Ruby. 1000 plus miles on this set and they are showing no wear and handle very well. My last set were replaced at just shy of 3000 miles. More because it was time than need. Current set have pink sidewalls which were to match my black & pink Ruby...do wish they would wear out faster as the pink has to go.<g>

[gocard]

I swapped out my first tube yesterday and had everything installed in less than 10 minutes! I was a little bit shocked because I was prepared to struggle through it for at least half an hour. Checked the tire today and it still seems okay - I'll see how these tubes perform. I haven't tried Mr. Tuffy liners yet and I hear they are tricky to put on.

As for finding the puncture while riding, I was able to pump some air and feel for where the hissing was occurring. Fortunately I could find it and patched it up to enjoy another 10 miles before heading home. Thanks for the tire suggestions, everyone!