Minimizing or eliminating the chances of flat tires

[Peter]

I commute to work by bicycle frequently.

My problem is that I get too many flats. Last year alone, I got 4 to 5 flats.

This year, after riding only 600KM, I already got a flat.

I am getting fed up with this because while changing a tube isn't hard, it's the times that it happens (like on the way to work) that's the problem.

On cars by comparison, I've gotten exactly one flat in 10 years.

I haven't tried anything yet.

I've been considering switching to solid rubber or foam filled tires.

Note that I care more about reliability than all-out speed.

And my bike is a 2004 Norco Olympia hybrid with 35X700c tires.

So what I'd like to know is... what do others here do to reduce or eliminate the chances of getting a flat (beyond riding carefully)?

What do you recommend to maximize tire reliability? Any particular brands of tires? Brands of tubes? Other stuff like 'slime' that I've heard of?

Thanks!

[joe]

Something similar happened to me a couple years ago... I probably got 10+ flats one season (April - October)... and that was with mountain bike tires (which are supposed to go flat less frequently with road-riding - due to less contact with the road).

I eventually got my bike shop to put on better quality tires... and there are ones that are supposed to have kevlar linings in them which probably help a lot.

Here are the Kevlar ones that MEC sells.

I'm not assuming that your bike has sub-standard tires... it *could* just be bad luck... I felt jinxed that year with all the flats.

I'm on a new bike now (a Trek 7100 hybrid), that has been really good with flats so far (knock wood), but had crappy wheels, and I had about 10 spokes break on me over 2008 on the rear wheel... so I upgraded that wheel this spring.

[Fab]

Are you getting the same types of flats each time? Pinch flats vs. punctures. did the flats happen with a new peice of equipment...like a new rim/spoke replacement. Is there a part of your commute that takes you through a lot of pot holes or construction....anything that might increase your chance of getting a puncture. I had a similar problem last year with a brand new set of tires for my cyclo-cross. Every two weeks my tire would flat on my way to and from work. I just kept replacing the tube without checking the tire. I had a very small staple stuck in the tire, it wasn't visible from the outside of the tire and hardly visible from the inside. I just happened to brush my finger along it. Otherwise start from the beginning, check your your rims for problems, don't buy lightweight expensive tubes or tires, install everything properly (I've been a city commuter for 10 years) and it wasn't untill 4-5 years ago I realized there are better ways to replace tubes...And talcum powder on the inside of the tires before putting in tubes. Besides that tires and tubes designed for touring and commuting work best, buy from a reputable company and don't buy the high-end expensive stuff...it usually means less weight, less material and less durability. Other than that leave 5 mins earlier, carry a spare and latex gloves to keep your hands clean.
Fab

[joe]

This topic will be continued in the new Forum on the BikingToronto.com domain.

I've started a topic on how to avoid flat tires. :)

[Jeff Radecki]

I Have the simpliest Cheapest and best solution for this...

Not to brag as i just read about it in a cycling Magazine about 5 years ago but here is what you do.

I only do this on the back tire as a front tire flat is rare for me but you can do it on both.

What you need:

1- Good new Tube
1- Old tube, probably the flat one.
Scissors
Roll of electrical tape -Important
Bike pump

Basically it's called a double tube you pump your new tube up so that it takes shape.

Then you take the broken tube and you cut out the inflator nozzle and cut a seam around the inside of the broken tube so that you can wrap it around your new tube. Make sure the seam is on the inside (towards the rim).

Then use electrical tape to hold the wrapped tube in place and install it as a normal tube. It needs to be electrical tape because it A) will stick to itself well and B) it will stretch when you pump up the tube so your tire will be a proper shape.

Note that this will add "rotational weight" to your tire which is apparently really bad but I never really noticed a difference and I go years without flats.

Other things to look out for are small burrs or metal scarring in the rim or long spoke threads pushing their way through the rubber band.

I swear by it and you probably have a spare tube electrical tape and scissors around the house anyways so it's definately worth trying out.

[joe]

This topic will be continued in the new Forum on the BikingToronto.com domain.

I've started a topic on how to avoid flat tires. :)