punctures while cycling/commuting to and from Work

gary_bre

Hi All

Ive recently brought a new bicycle for cycling to and from work, this was to replace my old trek that I had for 5-6 years.

This model of bike ive purchased is more of a hybrid with slimmer wheels. I keep getting punctures at since i got it , probably about 8 in the past 7 months. I put it down to the slimmer wheels/tyres as my old trek used to get a puncture once in a blue moon.

Now im not a newbie to cycling Ive been cycling for years now and look after my bike, but i wouldn't be any expert either.

Just looking to be pointed in the right directions in regards different tyres that might help me not get some many punctures

Also I would like to apologize if I have posted in the wrong section of the forum, Mods please transfer to correct section if need be.


thanks
Gary

seamus

My suspicion here is that you're running your tyres too soft. The narrower your tyre is, the more pressure you exert on it per square centimetre, and so the higher the air pressure needs to be within the tyre to resist this force.

What kind of punctures are you normally getting? Is it a hole due to glass or whatever, or the more usual "snakebite" puncture which has two holes close to eachother on the tube?

gary_bre

hi seamus

at the start i taught it might have been the air pressure, but i did have it at the correct pressure I even brought it into a bike shop in camden street to check and they said it was fine.

The types of punctures have been snake bites ones and also a few slow single hole punctures aswell. I taught it could have been the tyre itself so i replaced it with a new tyre but still no joy.

I also checked the inside rim of the wheel for any sharp edges or spokes that could be doing the damage but all seemed fine to me

Im a careful cyclist aswell as I taught it could have been an area i cycle through could be full of glass and sharp stones that could have been the problem but I use the cycle lanes that everyone else uses and they seem fine?

Im considering maybe getting better tyres on the bike but Im not sure what kind are good or bad?

petethedrummer

Have you got a track pump?

gary_bre

no i dont have a track pump , i probably should invest in one to be honest

seamus

You should really only be getting snakebites if you're hammering up sharp kerbs or banging through potholes without moving your weight off the wheels. If you're getting snakebites through everyday use, then your tyres aren't hard enough.

What kind of bike is it and we can recommend tyres?

Do the punctures seem to happen mostly on the front or back or is it mostly evenly spread?

petethedrummer

gary_bre wrote: »

no i dont have a track pump , i probably should invest in one to be honest

Get one and pump your tyres at least once a week. That will stop the snake bites.

scholesy

Hi.I commute to work on a Specialised Sirrus.Its less than a yr.old .In the beginning i was getting quite a few punctures.Someone recommended changing tyres ,so i bought 'Continental Gatorskins'.a little pricey 30 or 40 each but i havent had one in months(touch wood ).Also the track pump and checking correct pressure regularly helps.

gary_bre

Seamus , its the Make is Giant , i dont know the model as im in work and its at home with guess what :-)
will post the model tonight.

Its mainly on the back wheel i get the punctures , i dont go up and down paths unless i have to and i normally take it very easy when i do. sometimes i hit potholes due to not seeing them til the last minute.

might look into the gator skin tyres and track pump as it might be worth an investment.

route66

Have a look here for a related thread I started recently. In summary, I now use Continental Gator Hardshells (Not Continental Gatorskins) on my Hybrid and these work very well; they are a clear notch up in puncture resistance on the Gatorskins. I bought mine for €32 each.

Have a look here for the thread

happytramp

I believe a combination of all the suggestions here will effectively solve your puncture problems.

1. Good tyre pressure.
2. Avoiding potholes and kerbs.
3. A puncture resistant tyre.
4. Careful installation of replacement tubes.

Also, you could try a tyre liner! A thin strip of fiber kevlar (or similar) that goes between your tube and your tyre. I started using Panracer liners and went from 1 puncture a week to 1 in six months.

yogipear

I had exactly the same problem with a road bike,
tyre preasure at the correct level etc. etc.
Then i bought Gatorskins, haven't had a puncture since. do about 200- 250 KM's a week.
However I don't believe they have the same level of grip as the tyres that were orginally on the bike.