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!

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

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