I keep getting flats!!!!

[Heyitsdave]

I use tubes. The lightest I can find, I don't want to weigh them down with sealers or weigh the wheel down with liners, which I used to use on my commuter, but they caused flats by fretting the tubes. I've learned a few things, some of them the hard way, so in order to not make the same mistake twice, I do this:
I index the tire to the wheel(valve stem,brake rotor side) with a ball point pen and I index the tube to the tire so I know where everything is in relation to each other. I use patches, Rema are the finest working I've found. After I make a patch, I put the thing back together. Where the patch is located I can scrutinize the tire and insure that there is nothing in the tire/wheel that will cause a repeat.

 

[ebenke]

Tubes suck! Go tubeless! I have not had a flat in 2 1/2 years!

Same here....GO Tubeless.....With Stans ! !

 

[IDY-Craig]

Thorns

After this bad boy I decided to set up a tubless rig...

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[destroyer]

We have a lot of thorns up here in the desert. I've been running tubes with stans in the tubes with great success for a little over a year now.

 

[Racer X]

..

 

[zerogravity]

About the weight, I only meant that since our bikes are not super light, if you put double protection like liners and thick or slime tubes, that extra weight, to me, "outweighs" :lol: the hassle of getting a flat.

As mfoga wrote, the SB8 tires are thin but also, since the knobs are shorter, the tire casing/body is closer to the ground and more prone to pick up bits of sharp, nasty stuff. On the tires with the big knobs, the bike floats more so there's less contact area for that junk to puncture your tire.

I just put a SB8 on another bike so I'll have to watch out for stuff on the trail. I'll try tubeless at some point...when I get the money to switch.

Im starting to realize the weakness of the SB8's/ My other boddies with the Bigger blocks have no problems with flats...starting to see a pattern here. Totally true though..more weight is better..at least i can finish a ride rather than walk back. Im sure its better excercise too to ride a heavier bike.

 

[irv_usc]

I run the tire strips. Just think, the heavier the bike, the better the workout!

 

[strobe]

If you are running an older bike, i will second the notion of checking your rim strip. Some older wheels have worn out the strip, stip has slid sideways, spokes exposed... all of these will eat tubes fast. Make sure your tube is protected from the rim. Even old nylon rim strips can chaffe and wear through a tube especially if its fraying.

As a new rider (like me) i don't suggest going tubeless yet. You haven't found "the tire" for you yet. I am waiting to go tubeless untill i find the perfect tire combo for my biking. Testing out tires and setting up tubeless is more of a hassle if done often (at least my impression since i haven't done it yet). Slime tubes or adding a sealant is probably best for now. I will also agree to make sure you check the inside surface of your tire and remove thorns. It sucks to slap in a fresh tube only to have it pop again on the same thorn that just punctured your other one.

Next, tire pressure. Too little and you will pinch flat easier. Too much is sometimes just as bad since under load and impacts it will spike even more.

As for your progress on climbing... its my noobie opinion that if you have to (or want to) stand up and climb, do it. Sitting isn't always the best way to climb. You gain more traction sitting and is generally more efficient, i think. But, standing will allow you to use more muscles and your body weight. Might even be more workout. Just what us noobs need. Have fun.

 

[auger]

Tubeless or UST with Stans is the only way to go I have not had a flat since I went tubeless about 6 yrs and many, many thousands of miles ago. Kinda cool to ck the inside of tire when you change it because the treads gone. Mine are aways full of thorns that the Stans sealed.

 

[thomaswildchild]

Run 2.5 Continental Kiazer tires on your bike. It would look sick, Also you would have some good grip. Just dont mind the 2-3lbs extra. They will make you stronger. lol

 

[SeanC]

I ran Slime Lite tubes for years and never got a flat. They are lighter than the regular Slime tubes and very effective.

 

[nailknot]

When running over thorns it is a gradual release of air pressure, not sudden. You don't feel your tire going soft through weird handling or sluggish acceleration? I know I can tell when my tire is going soft.If it is a sudden loss of air pressure I would suspect that it is something in your rim causing the problem

 

[zerogravity]

When running over thorns it is a gradual release of air pressure, not sudden. You don't feel your tire going soft through weird handling or sluggish acceleration? I know I can tell when my tire is going soft.If it is a sudden loss of air pressure I would suspect that it is something in your rim causing the problem

It is definitely a thorn cuz it is a gradual flat. I have used a slime tube up in front and it worked so far. I have to put one in the back now. One thing i did notice..it is a lot more drag. I noticed climbing felt like i had the brakes on slightly. Guess im gonna have to get used to it! Eventually im gonna go tubeless. Probably when i get newer rims. These rims are probably too old anyway.