btppberk

I had a scary experience yesterday. I bombed down a hill with a sharp turn at the end. When making the turn, I (unbeknownst to me) had a partial flat on myfront, and I rode the rim during the turn. Thankfully the bike righted.

But this has led me to wonder how I could have detected this problem in advance. Part of the problem is that the road down is pretty crappy, so I am always sensations that, on a smooth road, would alert me that there was a problem.

I imagine part of the answer is just the more you ride, the more you can differentiate normal from abnormal sensations. But I am wondering if anyone has other tips?

WhyFi

Front flats are less common, I can't remember the last time I had one, but with a slowly leaking rear puncture, more bounce when pedaling is often the first thing that I'll notice.

genejockey 

Less shock going over cracks and such. If it seems smoother than you expect, look down.

BoraxKid

+1 for this answer. I'm not sure the best way to explain it, but whenever I've had a slow-leaking front flat the bike felt "soggier" at the handlebars. If I had a rear flat in the same way, I noticed it because it would start to feel like I was pedaling through sand. As OP suggested, the more you ride the same bike, the more obvious subtle changes will become while riding.

genejockey 

Every time I've felt like I was pedaling through sand, it was just me. I keep hoping it's the bike, but it never is.

Zaskar

As mentioned, front flats are rarer. And, they're easier to feel - any significant drop in pressure will show up in how the bike handles/turns. You can absolutely feel the rear too - it's just not as subtle.

Being cognizant of what the tires feel like when at the desired psi helps you notice/determine when they're not. Lots of riders never intentionally feel the tires - squeezing with your fingers, or noticing how the tires feel hitting small bumps - until they suspect a leak/flat. I wish I had a buck for every time a club mate has (at a red light) either squeezed my tire after his own to compare, or worse, asked me to feel his tire.

Also, look down at the tires when you're riding at the right psi. That way, when you're thinking you're loosing pressure - and look at the tire - you won't wonder "hmmm... is that much bulge normal?"

Sometimes, if I think a tire might be losing pressure, I'll lift the (rear... it's always the rear) tire a couple inches and feel how it lands. Just a subtle little bump. Don't even have to slow down. But again, you have to know the baseline - what it feels like at the right pressure.

2cam16

Have had two fronts in the past two weeks. Only after feeling some weirdness in my turns (more understeer/push feel) did I notice I had flats. And these were on two different bikes and two different surfaces, paved and gravel.

Ogsarg

The last front flat I had I noticed while standing and pedaling. With weight a little more forward, you really feel the softness of the low pressure tire.

Joearch

Had a slow leak in a rear tire a few days ago. Noticed in on a turn at moderate speed the rear wheel slid out on the turn. Started to pay attention to the rear tire and realized tire was fairly low. Used the CO2 to top it off and made the 4 mile ride home.

Racing Dan

Well there are wireless pressure gauges that can be installed on the valve or in the rim, but a safer bet is to not get a flat in the first place. > Ride a tyre that is less susceptible to flats.

nomadmax 

As mentioned by others; when it seems like you suddenly have "suspension" with every pedal stroke, pull over and investigate thoroughly.

That said, if you're riding with RobbieTunes, that means he's got a flat, not you

mstateglfr 

Sure you can detect it earlier- it's a feeling and check the tire when you get that feeling.

My last flat was a year ago. Front tire went flat wheel I climbed a hill. I was 80% of the way up and the climbing suddenly because super tough. Quickly saw it was the front tire. I was only going like 10mph, so it was a shock that I didn't see whatever punctured my tire.

btppberk

Thanks all. This was helpful. I was looking for the extra jolts of a totally flat tire, not the softness of one losing pressure.

As to tires, I have gp 4000s. I hadn't gotten a flat on the front in a long time. Then I got them two days in a row!

Greatestalltime

Less shock and that bouncy feeling is what I notice.

I better not get a flat today for commenting.

CycleLoss

facts!