Source
r/cycling•
NotMyFirstDown

Just started cycling - 3 punctures in 8 rides

As the title says, I just got into cycling and have already had 3 punctures in 8 rides - the most recent after I switched to gator skin tires to avoid punctures. Having my workout cut short every time I go out has completely zapped my enthusiasm for the sport. Is there any way to avoid this?

For reference, I’m riding in New Jersey and there appears to be a TON of debris on the side of the road. Do I just need to command more of the road and ride more in the center?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Posted Apr 24, 2021, 8:56 PM UTC

014
lonzo500•

One key part of having a flat tire is diagnosing what actually caused it. This is by far the most important step of changing a flat.

If you got a pieces of glass stuck in your tire that then punctured the tube, installing a new tube will only last a few miles before the piece of glass still in the tire punctures the new tube/patch.

As a mechanic at my local bike shop I have unfortunately seen many brand new bikes come with less than impressive rim strips (the bit that covers the spoke heads) that very well could be your issue and if the hole on your tube is rim side and not tire side start looking there. Gator skins are great puncture resistance to everything but the tiny little wires that semi-truck tires tend to leave behind which again get stuck in the tire and repeatedly cause issues if not found.

The ultimate answer is a true tubeless setup with Stans or OrangeSeal but the initial cost abs ongoing maintenance involved is generally more than most beginning riders would like to deal with. Tubeless will basically prevent anything less than a 1cm long cut from even stopping you during a ride.

9
[deleted]•

[deleted]

3
abercrombezie•

This is what I've done. Works for me combined with GP 5000.

3
Nightshade400•

Quit riding in the gutter or pick your routes better.

3
Ashamed-Judgment-366•

You might need to make sure your tires are pumped up at the right psi.

3
Goldsbar•

What part of NJ? The state has many good cycling roads. Are you riding on main roads through town centers? Those tend to have more debris.

1
NotMyFirstDownOP•

Central NJ (Princeton area). I’m following strava routes and that tends to be more town centers

1
jzwinck•

Try the canal towpath to New Brunswick. It's on Google Maps if you turn on the bicycling view. Great path to ride on, no debris.

How wide are your tires, how much do you weigh and what PSI do you inflate to?

2
NotMyFirstDownOP•

Ah, perfect. I thought it would be very rocky so great to hear.

My tires are 25, I weigh 185 and inflate to around 105.

1
jzwinck•

That's about 10 PSI too much according to https://info.silca.cc/silca-professional-pressure-calculator - but I'm sure lowering it those 10 PSI isn't going to help your punctures.

I used to ride the tow path on 25s and 28s, certainly 28s are better if your bike fits them but either way is OK, it'll be fun, just keep your body loose to soak up the little bumps.

1
Goldsbar•

Nothing wrong with that area. Always run your finger on the inside of the tire after a flat to make sure you remove the offending object. Gator Skins are an extreme solution. The ride is horrible. You probably just had some bad luck. No reason you can’t run a normal tie and tube (no need for liners or tubeless) if you watch where you’re going.

1
Bechlasagna•

Make sure you have a tire guage and proper psi

1
godutchnow•

If you can't make your wheelset tubeless get inner tubes with removable valve cores and put sealant in them, haven't gotten a flat in 10 years and I ride race tyres even used the vittoria corsa speed for a while...

1
Under-Rti•

Make sure: -There are no small sharp rocks or needles which went through the tyre and are touching the inner tube (gently run your hand on the inside of the tyre) -make sure you’re rolling at the right psi -check the rim tape is covering well all spoke ends , if nit double it up -if none of the above help, get some new tyres

1
Wants-NotNeeds•

Punctures? Tons of debris? Either avoid the garbage or, use even tougher tires (Specialized’s Armadillos). Slime-infused tubes, or tubeless with sealant is the other defense. Route choice matters, always, as no tire system is flawless.

I watch my track like a hawk and slice between suspect debris, as I still prefer high performance (thin, soft) tires and tubes. Sometimes I use my gloves hands to wipe errant debris from my tread, whilst still in motion, to prevent punctures. (It’s a pro skill, functional, but not without risk.)

1