Better tires
Posted on 07/02/2021 7:22:23 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
What do the mountain bike riders use?
I just Googled it and found that the best strategy is to use proper tire pressure in thorn-resistant tubes filled with tube sealants inside puncture-resistant tires with tire liners.
So what’s the most effective way to avoid flat tires?
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Depending on the wheel set and tires, I highly recommend going tubeless. Pretty much standard now for mountain biking.
I only switched over to tubeless about 2 years ago. Being an avid mountain biker, about every 10th ride I’d manage to ride over a thorn which would cause a slow leak necessitating an inner tube change.
When I brought a new bike with 2.6” tires I decided to give tubeless tires a go. Partly this was due to the fact that inner tubes for plus size tires are hard to come by and they’re heavy; adding about a pound to the rotational weight.
Tubeless does require tires that are tubeless ready. usually designated by a code; such a Maxxis’s “TR” marking. Rims also need to be tubeless compatible. That said, there are lots of differences in just how “compatible” some rims are with tubeless setups. Some rims are super easy, like RaceFace ARC. Others can be a real struggle to seat the tire.
If you’re going to go tubeless, I also recommend being a rapid tire inflator like the “Airshot”. Inflating tubeless tires requires basically supplying a sudden shock-wave of air to the tire and popping the bead onto the rim.
Now if all that sounds like a big pain, the plus side is four-fold.
1. Reduction in rotational weight, especially on wide tires like a mountain bike
2. Self-sealing of small punctures due to the liquid tire sealant used with tubeless tires
3. A more compliant tire due to removal of the inner-tube
4. Ability to run tires at lower pressure providing for better traction over uneven surfaces.
Thanks.
thx...
“What do the mountain bike riders use?”
I have no idea.
I imagine rim bending is more of an issue than tire popping on a trail. However, If you have noticed, mountain bike tires have gone from 26 x 2.25 or so and going to 29s now or 27, but I think 29 inch rims might be the new thing and 26 inch rim tires are losing the presta and going to Schrader valve... soon if not already.
By the way, good bike how-to videos, including tubeless setup on the Park Tool Channel on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzaZ1sPWEuZN-I8_XT6AH8g
Fair enough, unless you want to go really really fast.
At my age I do not intend to ride really fast.
(Freedom cry of pedestrians harassed by bicyclists too afraid to ride legally on the streets)
the guy with two broken arms might feel different...
Update:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/01/sports/cycling/tour-de-france-crash-fan-arrest.html
Arrested and will be prosecuted. Jail unlikely.
Posted!
“The incident has been blown out of all proportion,” Prudhomme said, according to A.F.P. “So we’d like to calm things down now that the message has got across that the roadside fans need to be careful.”
from the article as I expected...
Add a motor to the bicycle.
Add a 4 stroke motor to your bike
https://youtu.be/AVU5VMdWTFw?t=1737
https://www.addmotor.com/u_file/1807/photo/2eedec9acb.jpg
Charged in the province where it happened with reckless endangerment.
This is a nice surprise!! Didn’t know this thread existed.
Anyone here into fat and plus size tire bikes? I ride a salsa timberjack in 27.5+. I normally run 3.0s which are my all around tire. Since I only own 1 bike it has to do it all…road, single/dbl track and the beach.
Check out the Specialized Roll. They aren’t terribly expensive, either.
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/roll/p/184486?color=298961-184486&searchText=96121-7002
Better tires
I've been commuting for almost 10 years on the Marathon Plus Tour tires. I've had one flat, and that was on a worn tire and a big nail went through it. This is in an environment filled with goatheads and road debris.
All good information. Thanks!
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