Thorns
Thread started by
danya at 11.25.09 - 9:49 am
WTF. In October, I got two flats from these nasty little fuckers. They're over half a centimeter long, and go straight through my Gatorskins. They're just barely long enough to pierce the tube once they're jammed all the way into the tire, so they're a bitch to get out too. I think these are the famed thorns of the Orange Line bike path, since that's about the only place I ride nowadays, especially on the fixie.
Thanks, diary. I'm done whining now.
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When is the annual picnic ?
Every year the bike shops get together and have a thorn bush planting party.
This insures rent can be paid selling tubes and slime.
Dedicated81811.25.09 - 10:02 am
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Mr. Tuffy tire liners. Lighter than slime tubes, kind of a pain to install, but help you cut WAY down on the number of flats.
http://www.bikepro.com/products/tubes/tubes-tuffy.html
JB11.25.09 - 10:16 am
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goat head thorns the indigenous californian plant beloved by all cyclists that seem to love us as well since they flourish along side bicycle trails.
my friend had a little spring loaded wire called a "sitcker-flicker" that would flick a thorn or piece of glass off before it sunk in deep enough to cause a flat.
i have no idea where to find these.
last time i got a flat on the orange line past it set me back about 10 minutes. i was able to ride to a local gas station off the path. i knew exactly where the thorn was d didn't even need to take off my wheel i just removed the thorn, pulled the tube out, and patched and pumped. the gas station dude even gave me free air (they will about 75% of the time if you ask).
a patch kit, levers, and a prest/schrader adapter gets me out of most flat situations in urban environs and only weighs a few ounces.
trickmilla11.25.09 - 10:42 am
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my goat head proof system.
1. Always check psi before every ride.
2. tire liners on all my bikes.
I've had 2 flats in 2 years. One was a valve leak. Second was thorn in the sidewall (WTF?)
thegodofthor11.25.09 - 11:12 am
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yeah, that happened to me on the Chandler bike path a couple months ago... damned thorns!
canadienne11.25.09 - 11:21 am
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i got 2 in my front tire yesterday
luckily i had latex tubes, and it didnt puncture the tube, just stretched it.
_iJunes11.25.09 - 12:51 pm
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How much more arer latex tubes then normal tubes? I've heard they hold the air pressure better too.
thegodofthor responding to a
comment by _iJunes
11.25.09 - 2:28 pm
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what are the disadvantages of latex tubes?
666 responding to a
comment by _iJunes
11.25.09 - 2:33 pm
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iven never heard of latex tubes before but i am intrigued!
Your Price: $15.00
If you want the finest ride quality available from your clincher wheelset, consider a latex tube. They have their downsides, being a bit pricier than traditional butyl tubes, and requiring more frequent air-ups. However, the upswing is an incredible ride quality, reduced rolling resistance and better puncture resistance. This is because latex has a much higher elasticity than traditional butyl rubber. The absolute pinnacle of tire performance is a tubular, and this is achieved in part through the use of a latex tube. With the exception of Continental and a few unknowns, every tubular manufacture we can think of use latex tubes in their products. Considering how inconvenient riding tubulars with any regularity can be, the latex tube inside your clincher tire is an excellent compromise.
700x22/23
Presta Valve
60mm valve height
Weight: 84g
trickmilla11.25.09 - 4:03 pm
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Latex tubes are B.S. to expensive vs. any advantage
they are for technoweenies trying to save weight.
You will be more prone to flats, and your tires will deflate at a faster rate,
as the air in the tube will disapate faster through the latex.
Tire liners can also cause flats if your not on top of keeping your tires inflated to
max psi. The liner can rub a hole in a under inflated tube.
Just use standard tubes and carry spares........
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by 666
11.25.09 - 7:20 pm
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oh snap!
you just called juno a technoweenie.
coldcut responding to a
comment by Dedicated818
11.25.09 - 7:25 pm
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I've ridden the orange line bike path since it opened and haven't got a thorn yet, knock on pressed particle board. But I stay on the pavement. The path around balboa park is bad for thorns. Also get just off the road around chatsworth lake and you can hang it up. Browns Creek bike path is another favorite when I feel like getting thorns in my tires.
On the other hand I rode from Victory to Las Virgenes cyn last sunday over the hills without a problem. Have to try Victory to Westlake.
dave11.25.09 - 7:26 pm
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Ride quality is determined by the tire.
Treads per inch on the casing.
Most everybody I know who has used Latex tubes including myself,
has gone back to standard tubes after continually flating out with the Latex tubes.
A lightweight butal (black rubber) tube will serve you better.
Specialized and Michelin make some quality ones.
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.25.09 - 7:29 pm
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So how do they compare with the lambskin ones?
Manny responding to a
comment by Dedicated818
11.25.09 - 7:30 pm
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