Comments on: SAGed

By: Bodhisativa

Bodhisativa — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:13:04 +0000

Same thing here Moe.
Just the other day I switched from 35c’s to 25′s and I got two flats in the same day. The first was on a gravel road and the area was marshlands infested with green heads (new englands seasonal arch nemisis, like a horsefly and bite fiercely).

Fortunately I had two tubes with me.

The next day I put the 35 back on because like you I hadn’t had a flat in about a year either.

By: rektide

rektide — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:50:36 +0000

I’m currently on vanilla Contie Ultras; I get periodic punctures but what I notice most is that if the PSI gets under 80 it is extremely easy to get a pinch flat. Obviously thats low PSI, but sometimes I opt not to pay attention to these things.

By: Palm Beach Bike Tours

Palm Beach Bike Tours — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:58:17 +0000

I have 400 miles on my latest pair of Continental Ultra Gatorskins. These are either my second or third pair and I have them on both my bikes. I know I'll flat next time I take the bike out having said this but, in 2,000 or so miles on Ultra Gatorskins, I haven't had so much as a slow leak, let alone a full-on flat. The tires wear well and hold the road nicely. My only real complaint is that they are limited to 120 psi . I'm a big guy and would like a harder tire. --Matt

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:34:35 +0000

Flats come in groups like that, too. It’s karmic or something…but you’ve got ‘em out of your system now!

By: Moe

Moe — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:26:43 +0000

Tadster: They are Continental Ultras.

Val: The section of the street where I got the flat had a lot of debris, I must have ran over some glass.

I checked the rims carefully and they checked out OK. I guess it was just my luck.

By: Val

Val — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:16:04 +0000

Indeed, the Conti Gatorskins are one of the toughest tires out there. It is worth remembering, too, that flats can be karmic and unpredictable. You should definitely check carefully, and try to determine the cause of the two you just had. Maybe the tires are a contributing factor, and maybe not. I would also be unsurprised if you were to put the Sweetskins back on and get flats in them, too (definitely NOT trying to wish anything on you here, just saying). Jared has a good point about the rim strips, and it could also be that something has changed on your route. Good luck!

By: lady clay

lady clay — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:03:51 +0000

I use the Conti Ultra Gatorskins and the only time I’ve had a puncture flat I found an industrial-sized wood staple in my sidewall. Other than that, I’d say I’ve put a couple of thousand of miles on them with no problem at all. I should point out that I commute to work in Atlanta and that riding over broken glass is a more or less daily occurrence.

By: tadster

tadster — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:37:17 +0000

Moe,
What model Continentals are your tires? I see the word
“Ultra” in the last pic, but I can’t make out the rest. I had been strongly considering upgrading to Continental Ultra Gatorskins because I had heard they are so reliable. But, your post gives me pause.

By: Colin

Colin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:42:35 +0000

I don’t really mind the occasional flat, but two in a row like that sucks. Still I’d think there’s gotta be something in between the seemingly flat-loving Contis and those huge 37c tires.

By: Arnie

Arnie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:34:19 +0000

Moe, I’ve been riding to work on a Marin Muirwood 29′er for the last 2 months. The bike came with Contis which have turned out to be a big disappointment to me. Why? I double flatted 3x and that’s never happened with other tires. After the 1st incident, I installed Slime brand tire liners and put Slime inside the tube and still double flatted twice. I’m thinking the rubber on the Contis are way too soft and now I’m in the market for a tougher tire.