I’ve Had it with this Tire

I hate it when you buy a new tire, and you have to toss it away, after not even riding 500 miles on it.  I’ve always ridden Continental Grand Prix tires, and having to toss this after about 4 weeks is a shame.

This is the same tire that had me shorten the Bonny Doon ride because of multiple flats.  First hazard was a sidewall puncture … I even put a boot on it.

Then earlier this week, I rode into work, all excited to do the evening ride.  Getting to the bike cage, I found it completely flat.  Another tube gone, so made it home without issues.  Then, drove down to LA, with a stop off at the Rose Bowl, before a nice short climbing ride … no issues there.  Then, the next day, I’m ready to do a climbing ride, and yes .. it’s flat again.  Replace the tube, and no issues for the ride  (had to shorten the ride again), but 3 flats on the same tire … time to replace.

Don’t you hate it, when you buy a new tire, and have to replace it not even a month later?  I even booted it, thinking that should make my tire last … NOPE!!!!  And this was not even the back tire … it’s the front tire.

Oh well … tire’s replaced … looking forward to Karen’s climbfest on 4th of July .. you better not flat on me!!!!

Badass Commute with a Flat … was Just Not My Day

A really wicked cold front swept the entire west coast of the US, from California all the way up through Canada. Temperatures ranged anywhere from the teens to the low 30s. Yeah, I know, that’s not cold for some folks, but for California, we’re used to 45-50 degree temps.

Earlier this week, I go on my normal commute when I’m running late. When I left the house, it was 30 F, so I bundled up with booties, 2 layers of gloves, fleece long sleeve jersey, jacket, and long leggings, so I should be okay for the elements. I actually felt comfortable, even thinking my jacket is keeping me too warm. Then, I suddenly felt my rear tire a little squishy. Top by the gas station, and yes, I have a flat.

My 700×25 rims make the tire hard to pry off, so that took me a while to get off … And this is in 30 degree weather. I had to take my gloves off to feel for any scraps in the tire … Ooh, cold. Couldn’t find anything, so on goes the spare. Since it is cold, putting the tire back on is even harder than it usually is putting on a 700×25 tire. I don’t know how my hands were able to handle this, but at this point, you do what’s needed to get back on the road.

Got the tire on finally, and pump up with my small Lynze pump, but not getting any air into it. Try my original tube, and I am able to get air into it. After several tries, I came to the conclusion I may have a bad spare tube. I take the tire apart again, and yup, the spare has a leak. Damn! The original tube is able to hold more air than my spare. So back goes the old tube back on.

Slow Leaks Can Really Ruin Your Day

Last week, on a typical meetup ride, I get not one, but two.flats.  Flats are just part of cycling, just like having mechanical issues.  Luckily, when I had my flats, it was on the Tour De Cure route, and they were more than willing to help me with my flat, even though I wasn’t part of the ride.

While fixing the flat, I couldn’t really determine what caused the flat, so I figured I would find out later … just get me back on the road.

Tuesday, I checked the tire, and its fine, so I take it into work .. no issues. I then do the evening meetup ride, and it ess fine there too.

I didn’t ride this bike till Saturday, and just as I’m ready to ride, I see a rear flat. OMG, not again. I actually the cause of the flats was a really tiny wire and I can’t pluck out with my fingernail. Scrap the ride, go home, get a needle, and try to pluck out whatever it is that is causing this slow leak.

So I inspect the tire again, ready with my handy needle, but guess what … I can’t find that wire. Jeez …. screw it, I go to REI, and just buy a tire, even though this one is only 4 months old. I guess it’s a good excuse to clean my bike.