Hopelessy flat tube seeking long term relationship with reliable commuter tire.

[Pato]

I need some help from you commuters out there please. My friend is getting flats due to glass/thorns on a daily basis. He is currently running a 28x1 3/8 commuter tire and is looking to replace the tire with something more thorn/glass resistant.

I am not that familiar with commuter tires so I'm reaching out to the community for some assistance.

I have checked the current tire and there are no thorns or glass stuck in there causing the repeated flats. The rim strip is intact and stays in place. No sharp edges on the inside of the rim either. We have tried putting in a protective tire liner, but no luck. I have checked and verified that the the holes in the tubes are indeed on the outside edge indicating a foreign object piercing through the tire and tube.

Our next step is to buy tubes and fill them with either Slime or Stan's. My main issue here is that I'm really looking to get recommendations for a reliable, long lasting tire that will offer flat protection. Lightweight be damned.

Need help ASAP.

Sincerely,
Forever Flat

[freekengo]

I don't know about the availability in a 28" size, but anything armadillo edition from specialized has been bullet proof for the commute. Heavy as sin, but takes a lick'n and keeps on tick'n. I use their Nimbus armadillo for the street stuff. Good luck!

[duke777]

I second the armadillo too.

What size is he running? I have a pair of new armadillo size 23 for 25 bucks.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by freekengo

I don't know about the availability in a 28" size...

I believe 28" tires are compatible with 700cc tires. I'm not absolutely positive, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Also forgot to add that I'd like the tires to be at least 35mm wide.

[freekengo]

Pato, the width shouldn't be an issue with the armadillo tires. They make them in quite a different variety. I think they made those tires specifically for the commuters. Good luck!

[autoduel]

Mr Tuffy's Tire Liners.
Heavy, but bulletproof.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by freekengo

Pato, the width shouldn't be an issue with the armadillo tires. They make them in quite a different variety. I think they made those tires specifically for the commuters. Good luck!

Thanks, I'll look into them. Any others?

Originally Posted by autoduel

Mr Tuffy's Tire Liners.
Heavy, but bulletproof.

Thanks, but he's already using those exact liners yet he's getting multiple flats daily.

[sdyeti]

Is he riding through any goatheads?

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Pato

I believe 28" tires are compatible with 700cc tires. I'm not absolutely positive, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

Could it possibly be a 27" tire? I know 27" and 700c tires have a 8mm total difference between them, but I've read the two are not interchangeable (I haven't tried it myself though). Hmm...

[Pato]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Is he riding through any goatheads?

Not sure what goatheads are, but I've pulled out a couple of thorns and a staple. Lots of glass cuts on the tire as well.

Originally Posted by Alex

Could it possibly be a 27" tire? I know 27" and 700c tires have a 8mm total difference between them, but I've read the two are not interchangeable (I haven't tried it myself though). Hmm...

Well, according to the Fuji website the rim/tire is listed as a 700cc, but the tire that came o there from the shop is clearly marked as a 28x1 3/8. I know that 700cc=27.56" so I'm not sure what to use. I'm leaning towards the 700cc tire since I can't find any 28" tires.

[hoovermd]

I am partial to the Schwalbe Marathon Plus line myself.
If they are available in the size you need I'd highly recommend them.
Extra thick on the road side of the casing and reflective sidewalls as a bonus.
They roll nice too!

[jeff^d]

I commute with Continental Ultra Gatorskins and have had 2 flats in about 2000 miles, which I consider pretty good for this area. 1st flat was glass, 2nd was a thorn (not a goathead). After my 2nd flat, 500 miles ago, I put in Mr. Tuffy strips and am hoping to go flat-free for the next 2000.

They're available in standard 700c sizes.

[un-kola]

Originally Posted by Pato

Not sure what goatheads are, but I've pulled out a couple of thorns and a staple. Lots of glass cuts on the tire as well.

Goatheads are small knobs(1/4 inch or so),of very hard,dry wood-like material with one or two large thorns sticking out at an angle.When you look at them from the side,they look like a goats head.Hence the name.I don't know what kind of weed they're from,but they're at the worst this time of the year.The bane of mtbr's. They're the reason that I went tubeless.Haven't had a problem with goatheads since.- Lloyd

[Pato]

Thanks for all the help guys and gals. My friend went with the Schwalbe Marathon Plus since that's the only one he can get online and was $10 cheaper than the Specialized Armadillos and the Continentals only come in a 700x28. Hope this works out for him.

[DirtymikeTDB]

28x1/38 IS 700c. They are Identical size. So, your options are anything in a roadie tire, or anything in a 29er tire. Personally, Forget the liners, forget the thick tires, forget the TR tubes.

Go for the slime, in seven years I have not had a flat, simple, easy, very effective

[hoovermd]

I don't think he will be unhappy.

Originally Posted by Pato

Thanks for all the help guys and gals. My friend went with the Schwalbe Marathon Plus since that's the only one he can get online and was $10 cheaper than the Specialized Armadillos and the Continentals only come in a 700x28. Hope this works out for him.

[newpos]

stans???

[skflow]

Add a bit of Slime or Stans to the tube also for good measure. With prestas, need to do the extra monkey motion to get the goo in, but worth the hassle.