Goat Head Season
08-10-20, 03:23 PM
#1
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Goat Head Season
I guess it is here in central California. I got a flat on my rear, slow leaker, and pulled the remnants of a goat head from the tire tread area. then about 3 miles further up the road, I got a quick flat on the front wheel. that tire had 7 or 8 goat heads clinging to the tread. after pulling them out I examined the tire and found the tell tale beige "dot" of the ground down goat head in another 7 places. I gave up and called for the SO to come and get me.
I could only get 4 of them in the pic.
I did find an advantage of the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires though... since they are open tubulars, which i had never seen before, they acted more like a tubular than a clincher when flat, kind of covering the rim edges to prevent damage, rather than allow the rim to contact the ground and get damaged. they also popped on and off very easily compared to the Conti GP 4 Seasons i am used to riding,
I could only get 4 of them in the pic.
I did find an advantage of the Challenge Paris-Roubaix tires though... since they are open tubulars, which i had never seen before, they acted more like a tubular than a clincher when flat, kind of covering the rim edges to prevent damage, rather than allow the rim to contact the ground and get damaged. they also popped on and off very easily compared to the Conti GP 4 Seasons i am used to riding,
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08-10-20, 05:51 PM
#3
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08-10-20, 06:39 PM
#5
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While I don't have goat-head problems anymore, when younger I used tire wipers/scrappers on my tubular wheels.. Worked well for these type of stickers.The trick is setting them barely above the tire. Haven't seen one in decades..
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08-11-20, 08:49 AM
#8
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I usually just add sealant to my tubes. Just buy tubes with removable cores, and best of both worlds. I was enjoying the nice supple tires (Challenge paris Roubaix) on my new bike so I was waiting until I needed to get a more puncture resistant tire and add sealant. I just ordered Conti GP 5000, so we shall see if the Black Chilli compound and Vectran band helps.
08-11-20, 07:23 PM
#9
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There are a lot of goatheads here I hear, but never on the road. Passing cars blow them toward the curb.
08-11-20, 08:28 PM
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I didn't know that goathead was a plant and was very confused for a short while. I was thinking of mountain goats that had come to a horrible demise. After looking at pictures, I can see that the plant is aptly named.
08-12-20, 06:08 AM
#12
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Well, like i said, new bike, riding stock. when i get the new tires, I will set it up that way. usually works. I guess i can go to road tubeless, but even just using tubes and sealant, I hate the mess I can't seem to avoid making... can't imagine it would be better with sealant in a tire!
08-12-20, 07:10 AM
#13
Senior Member
Interesting! I've seen those things (in Colorado) but never knew they had a name. I got them on my car tires when I was out there. Too much rubber for them to penetrate fortunately.
The worst I've gotten here in Illinois were cinders from the power plant. They used to spread them on the roads on the winter, and unlike salt, they don't wash away when they get wet. It's a bummer to get a flat tire in July and find it's a cinder...
The worst I've gotten here in Illinois were cinders from the power plant. They used to spread them on the roads on the winter, and unlike salt, they don't wash away when they get wet. It's a bummer to get a flat tire in July and find it's a cinder...
08-12-20, 08:13 AM
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YUP!!! I got my first flat in quite a while two weeks ago on my ItalVega. It was a nasty goat head(just one) . I fixed the flat and went on with my ride so I have been watching for the nasty little things as best I can. I usually see them around tumble weeds or other debris.
08-12-20, 08:42 AM
#15
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I also live in Central (albeit coastal) CA, and I am not sure I have ever seen a goathead here. Where is "The Baths"? I tried looking it up.
08-12-20, 08:46 AM
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Reading comprehension issues, or just rushed by the need to be snippy?
I usually just add sealant to my tubes. Just buy tubes with removable cores, and best of both worlds. I was enjoying the nice supple tires (Challenge paris Roubaix) on my new bike so I was waiting until I needed to get a more puncture resistant tire and add sealant. I just ordered Conti GP 5000, so we shall see if the Black Chilli compound and Vectran band helps.
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 08-12-20 at 08:49 AM.
08-12-20, 09:15 AM
#17
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DUH...Los Banos! more like the toilet of CA, but I have lived in worse places.half way between Monterey and Fresno basically! Cant wait until the wife gets a job in the central coast area, so we can move to the Paso Robles area! no one is hiring in the medical field in the times of Covid.
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08-12-20, 01:21 PM
#20
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You can see why they are so good at puncturing a tire. They are natures caltrop.
08-12-20, 04:53 PM
#21
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One of the commuters on my route carries a garden weeding tool and digs them up on the side of the trail if he sees them.
Where I live they have tried importing a weevil to control the vine but I don’t know how successfully.
Where I live they have tried importing a weevil to control the vine but I don’t know how successfully.
08-12-20, 05:49 PM
#22
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Tribulus terrestris grows in my front yard. When the pods are dry I harvest them and keep in film canister which I carry in my jersey.
