Pinch Flat Help

24v · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 3:04 pm

I have had my bike for a month, and have already gotten 2 pinch flats on the rear tire. I have been running 35 psi in the tire, so I assume this is too low. The problem is, when I run 45 or more I can feel the lack of traction, as well as the firmer ride. Is there a tube I can buy that will be more resistant to pinch flats? The tires are Kenda Karma 26x2.0. The wheels are WTB Speed Disc Cross Country.
If I cannot find a better solution I may just switch to Stan's tubeless system. Is this a better idea?
Thanks in advance for any help.

wirk242 · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 3:09 pm

Maybe a larger tire in the rear or switch to tubeless.

Not to pry... but how much do you weight..?

When I started riding (40 lbs ago) I used to get pinch flats like crazy. I went to a bigger/higher volume tire and it seemed to resolve the issue.

24v · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 3:13 pm

wirk242 wrote:

Maybe a larger tire in the rear or switch to tubeless.

Not to pry... but how much do you weight..?

I am 175, and not especially hard on the bike I don't think. I am a newbie though, so maybe part of the problem is technique? The first pinch flat was coming around a turn, and I hit a root. The second was yesterday coming down Cowles mountain. I was coming down over the 4x4's they have to hold the dirt. The back tire hit one, and pop.

What size tire should I go to? Or is it more of a brand a has more volume than brand b for a given size?

Would tubeless be a better alternative to a larger tire?

My only concern with the bigger tire is rolling resistance. I am a newb, so I need all the help I can get to get up some of these climbs.

Sultan Ali · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 3:20 pm

Just do what I did couple years back and all your worries will be gone ( at least the bike tire related ones ). No more pinch flats, no more goat heads, no more jumping cactus worries and on top of it all, excellent traction. You mentioned it and you should do it now.

Go with Stan's system. Here is to Stan and his team :cheers:

24v wrote:

I have had my bike for a month, and have already gotten 2 pinch flats on the rear tire. I have been running 35 psi in the tire, so I assume this is too low. The problem is, when I run 45 or more I can feel the lack of traction, as well as the firmer ride. Is there a tube I can buy that will be more resistant to pinch flats? The tires are Kenda Karma 26x2.0. The wheels are WTB Speed Disc Cross Country.
If I cannot find a better solution I may just switch to Stan's tubeless system. Is this a better idea?
Thanks in advance for any help.

QuietStorm · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 3:21 pm

24v wrote:

...so maybe part of the problem is technique?

Maybe, given you're running 35 psi. It'll get better with time, the more you ride. The quickest thing I can think of is do some research on how to be faster (like getting up out of the saddle and putting the bike down into little dips in the road and then pulling it back up as you come to the other side if the dip instead of staying in the saddle and plowing into the other side, thus killing all your speed because your energy is transfered into compressing the suspension). This will help you avoid hitting trail obstacles, thus making you a faster, better ride and helping with the pinch flats.

bjammin · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 3:46 pm

Tubeless.....

Sasqwatch · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 3:46 pm

Try a tire with a stiffer sidewall. I had tons of problems/pinch flats with my WTBs. Also, maybe try running them at 40psi, it's the happy medium of what you've tried.

Red Hot Sloth · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 3:50 pm

35 psi seems a bit high on the pressure guage...I run mine around soft psi...not really sure how much it is as I adjust by feel and not by pressure readings, but I do know its not near 35.
You can get a thorn resistant tube, weighs about apound to a pound and a half, or you can go with a DH tube, weighs just over a pound for a 2.25 inch tube. Use Slime in your tubes, 4-6 ounces for skinny tires, 8-12 for fat tires. Get a fatter tire for the back...2.35 neve should be good. Get a dh tire with dual ply sidewalls. Each of these remedies will create more rolling resistance than you want, but it cost less than tubeless, is less frustrating, makes you a stronger climber.
But you prolly shouldn't listen to me as I run a 2.5 dh 2ply neve on the rear with dh tune filled with 8-12 oz of slime...and real low pressure..yep, its a real heavy wheel.
Have fun, see ya saturday. :wave:

24v · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 4:01 pm

Thanks for all the great advice guys. I'm pretty sure I'm going to do the Stan's first. I just went to Bicycle Warehouse to get another spare tube, and spoke with a guy here. He spoke highly of the Stan's as well. Although he did say that the sealant eats the rubber on the Kenda tires about every 6 months. I'm pretty sure I will need to replace the tire before then, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I figure I can try that first. If I am not happy I can try a thicker back tire with a heavier tube.

Red Hot Sloth · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 4:04 pm

Just remember, its easier to get used to a lighter wheel than it is a heavier one.
If you start out real light, when your skills progress and you need to get beefier rims and rubber to keep up traction with your higher skills in speed and cornering it takes a bit of adjustment to get used to the increase is in rolling resistance.

Los · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 4:05 pm

Cowles as a noobie. Good stuff huh? When I hit Cowles the first time as a noobie I hiked more than I rode lol

24v · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 4:09 pm

Los wrote:

Cowles as a noobie. Good stuff huh? When I hit Cowles the first time as a noobie I hiked more than I rode lol

I definetly did some hiking on the way up. We went up the trail from Mesa Rd. Definetly the most challenging thing I have ridden up so far. It was all very worth it for the ride back down though. I met a cool guy at the top that gave me a bear bell courtesy of the sdmba as well. Mountain bikers sure are a great group of people. :thumbsup:

24v · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 4:10 pm

Red Hot Sloth wrote:

Just remember, its easier to get used to a lighter wheel than it is a heavier one.
If you start out real light, when your skills progress and you need to get beefier rims and rubber to keep up traction with your higher skills in speed and cornering it takes a bit of adjustment to get used to the increase is in rolling resistance.

Definetly makes sense. I want to at least wear out these Karmas before I buy another set of tires.

Los · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 4:20 pm

Just make sure you take it easy going downhill when you come up on hikers. Theres a thread around here somewhere saying that they were considering closing it to MTB's due to some unruly behavior of a select few. I have gone OTB at least 5 times coming down that hill. I have skin and blood on half that damn mountain lol.

Did you take the route along the park off mesa rd to go up or did you go to the end of the street, that is the easier way up I think. Its the way MTB bill's site says to go.

24v · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2009 5:25 pm

We went up at the end of the street, and down the trail that comes out in the park.
As far as hikers, I have read all about the issues on Cowles, and I am very sure to give them their space, and slow down when near. My riding buddy has been riding out there for years, and is a very courteous and aware rider, so he has been helping teach me too.

Pinch Flat Help

Who is online