Long Tom

For about the tenth time, no, you shouldn't expect a flat every ride and no you aren't cursed.

In the fullness of time get 25mm Gatorskins on there if not flatting is your highest priority. For now ride the bike and enjoy!

Sy Reene

Really? You've never heard of there being such a thing as optimal pressures for tires based on load? One link to get started -- extrapolate sheldons chart to accommodate 140 lbs of load.
Bicycle Tires and Tubes

Stevensondrive

+1

that being said I had a mountain bike that gave me a flat on EVERY ride. There was a bur on the inside of the rim

ColaJacket

You were unlucky, it happens.

I went a couple of hundred miles on my bike without a flat, and withing the past 2-3 weeks, I've had 3 flats. The second was definitely the rider's fault, but the 1st and 3rd were due to some debris that I didn't see.

First one, I had the LBS fix it, because it happened right at the end of one of their group rides. The 2nd and 3rd were in the middle of rides, so I had to fix them.

You may go 3 years without having another flat. Or you could have one this afternoon. it sounds like from reading the forums and my experience that flats happen about every few hundred miles to a thousand miles. Maybe you got the only flat you'll ever have on that bike right out the door (literally).

The only thing you can really do is look out for debris, really big potholes, and know how to change the tire yourself. While some people may like the CO2 pumps, it didn't take me very long to pump up the tires with the mini-pump that I have. It's just a mini-pump from Perfomance that is rated to 100+ psi, but I probably only filled the tires up to about 80psi. Its mount goes under the water bottle cage, so it's out of the way.

And there's a group for the heavier riders: Clydes and Athenas. We discuss things like wheels and tires that heavier riders need to be careful with. Don't know if you want to get under 200+, but we also discuss things like that and try to give each other support. We also have a monthly goals thread, so you can track your mileage.

GH

cicatrize

OP, flats just happen. Any time, anywhere. Sometimes tires or tubes can have defects, and sometimes the road just eats you, and sometimes it's both. I really wouldn't sweat it. If it happened again immediately, I MIGHT think something of it, but it's just one flat. That being said, the tires and tubes used stock on the ALR5 are low quality Bontrager stock. You just had some bad luck this time. I replaced my tubes and tires (25mm Conti GP4000s II) shortly after purchase and have been really happy with them so far.

As others have said though, definitely go AROUND pot holes if you can. If you're stuck and you can't slow down fast enough, you can, after time, learn how to "jump" the bike over small obstacles gently.

caloso

OP, go ride your bike. You will definitely get another flat, though probably not on your next ride. You should also carry the necessities for fixing a flat and know how to use them. Good luck and happy riding!

merlinextraligh

We've time trialed on our tandem with 370 pounds of rider and bike on 23's without a problem.

23's are fine at 235lbs. It's mostly a matter of comfort. You're going to need to run fairly high pressure, depending on how light you are on your tires, 25mm or even 28mm would allow lower pressure, more comfort, and arguably lower rolling resistance, but they aren't necessary.

Sy Reene

I'm not arguing that running 23s would be impossible, just that there's an increased probability of pinch flats vs a wider tire. One chart (as a tandem rider) u might find of interest:

https://www.precisiontandems.com/phot...tirechartx.jpg

merlinextraligh

That chart is just radically different from our experience. It suggests we need to run 32mm tires at 123psi.

When we actually run 25mm (other than TT's) at 105-110psi and don't have any trouble with pinch flats.

growlerdinky

I've been on 23's at a weight that hit 240 lbs at one point. I ran rear 120psi, front 105 psi. I've never, in 29 years, had a pinch flat.

Sy Reene

Wow. You should tell 10wheels your secret.

growlerdinky

105f 120r on 23s. Although I prefer 25s at 95/110, I'm not comfortable with the clearance between the rear tire and seat tube on my TCR. With 23mm rims, and 23mm tires running much lower pressure than I ever thought I'd get away with (85/100), it's really comfy, but I keep feeling that my consecutive pinch-flat-less season streak might come to an end at some future twilight pothole.

Sy Reene

Though this doesn't address PSI or rider weights, indeed it seems that there is a preference (and less anecdotal stories about flats) from the posters here using 28s and wider.
https://www.bikeforums.net/tandem-cyc...ite-tires.html

macca33

It's a flat tyre dude - happens to everyone, so don't chuck the baby out with the bath-water....

FWIW, I'm around your mass and use 110lbs F and 115-120lbs R in my tyres - works well enough on the ****e coarse-chip roads we have over here.

cheers

growlerdinky

Depends on the baby. Some babys totally suck.

billyymc

Flat in the first mile?

I wouldn't take a chance. Get a new bike.

Beachgrad05

In a girl. I'm an Athena. I know how to fix a flat and learned how when I forgot to check air pressure on my tires before heading out when I was above 240 lbs. I RARELY get flats but can take care if on my own. OP HTFU

wedgeSG

I had a similar experience as the OP with my (new at the time), Madone on the stock Bontrager 23's. Taking greenway rides, at less than 2 miles in, pinch flats, on the front, on the rear, with the front being more frequent. I was running at max inflation due to my weight, on smooth, clean surfaces. A swap to Continental GP4000s in a 25, and I've never had a flat since. I think it's not only the width that needs help, but maybe the Bontrager sidewall may lack some squish resistance if the OP is on the original tires.

Damien09

If you get more flats id say put on some better 25s or 28s if the frame can take it other wise make sure you have a pump and id pump them close to that 120 psi at your weight. Also check to see what size tires you have.

Shuffleman

I hate to say this but it is sound advice. It happens. You can go years without one and then get two in a quick time span. I would not even pay the slightest amount of attention to this unless it happens a few more times. If that is the case than you may have an issue with your equipment but it is minor. Even "cheap" tires are pretty good. There are bad stems and bad tubes. If you have one, replace it and move on.
One of my employees started road biking last year. We scoured Craigs List and settled on a Lemond that had not been used for so long the tires were dry rotted. We went to Performance Bike and bought some Forte Tires for $12 each and the least expensive tubes they had. He has over 2K miles on those things with no issues. I am not saying that good tires are not better feeling but I am not sure about less flats and etc. Your Emonda came with descent tires. Don't worry about it. Just ride and get comfortable with things. It is no different than buying a new car and riding off the lot and getting a flat. Exact same principles apply.

Dan333SP

OP has vanished. Pretty sure that means he sold the bike on craigslist for half of what he paid and has left the sport forever because of this flat.

mawashi

OP has gone for 9 days or more without posting so wait... He'll be back. Most likely to post that he's eaten his first bug or had his first paint scratch or horror of horrors he's had his first fall... JK lol!