Aversion to Puncture
Flats happen. But on the road or on the trail, you don't have to let them leave you. . . well. . flat. By simply taking time to learn about flats and how they happen you will be well on the road (or trail) to being flat free.
Types of Flats
Flats come from a variety of sources and each cause looks different and has a different fix. By identifying the type of flat you will know what steps to take to avoid them in the future. First remove the wheel from the bicycle and remove one side of the tire from the rim, remove the tube from the tire and take care to note where the valve lines up in the tire, this can make resolving your problem much easier. Inflate the tube with a few strokes of air so it looks like a snake that has swallowed a good sized guinea pig. Find where the air escaping and look for the following indications.
-
Pinch flat or Snake Bite. This flat is identified by 1 or 2 distinct puncture marks where the tire has become caught between the rim and the tire.
- Punctures due to glass, thorns and other objects. If there is a small hole or cut in the tread of your tire, and a matching one in the inner tube chances are you have a puncture from an object.
- Sidewall cuts. A hole in the side of the inner tube can indicate a cut or damaged tire sidewall.
- Rim puncture. A hole or cut on the inside of the inner tube can be caused by a sharp edge on the rim, a place where the rim strip has been moved aside, or even a too long spoke that has punctured the inner tube from the inside.
Prevention
Each type of flat has a different method of prevention.
Pinch Flats
Pinch flats are caused by hitting a sharp bump such as a lip of pavement, a sharp rock, or good sized log with too little air pressure in the tire. Prevention is simple: top up your air pressure frequently. Finding the right air pressure can take some experimentation since not all tires/rims/riders are created equal. Generally you can follow the recommended pressures on the sidewall of the tire and be fine. If you ride in rough conditions, have rims that are slightly undersized, or carry a heavy load you may have to increase the air pressure to prevent pinch flats.
Punctures
Prevention methods range from belts of Kevlar® in the tread of the tire, inner tubes filled with sealant, extra thick inner tubes, added liners to the inside of the tires, to solid tires! In some parts of the country flats from "goat heads" (thorns of Tribulus terrestris or puncture vine) are very common. Glass is a very common hazard in both urban and rural areas. Sharp pieces of stone or gravel get kicked up from driveways and shoulders. Other bits of debris can include metal banding from pallets, nails, tacks, you name it. Check out the chart below for the best way to address the hazard you most frequently encounter.
| Hazard |
Kevlar belts |
Sealant |
Thick Tubes |
Liners |
Tough casing like DuraSkin® |
| Glass |
Good |
Good |
Fair |
Good |
Better |
| Thorns |
Fair |
Better |
Fair |
Fair |
Good |
| Debris |
Good |
Fair |
Good |
Fair |
Better |
| Gravel/Stones |
Fair |
Fair |
Good |
Good |
Better |
|
Sidewall Cuts
The best prevention of sidewall cuts is good riding technique and proper inspection of your tires. That being said one of the tough casing tires like those with Duraskin® by Continental can really reduce sidewall cuts. Sidewall cuts can also be caused by a brake pad rubbing on the side of the tire, slowly wearing a hole in it.
Rim Puncture
Replace your stock plastic or rubber rim strip with a good quality cloth rim strip of the proper size. Inspect your spokes to make sure that none are contacting the inner tube. Run your finger around the inside of the rim and feel for sharp edges or burrs pay special attention near the rim seam, smooth them out with emery paper or a sanding sponge.
