Wheel life
839
Member
263 days
ChunkyB posted 10 weeks ago.
4 years without a flat. That's pretty phenomenal.
If you continue to be flatless and you have enough tread, then keep riding the same tires. My old tires basically blew out the side wall before I replaced them. That's kind of an extreme example, but if you have enough tread and you never get flats, then stick with them.
Honestly though, maybe I'm just unlucky, but 2000 miles without a single flat is pretty stinking good. I hope you understand, though, that by saying that you haven't had a flat, you just jinxed yourself. Expect 2 or 3 flats of your next ride.
"The melting point of wax means nothing to me": Thrice
829
Member
1221 days
JamieM posted 10 weeks ago.
I think jsk makes a good point in that you are more likely to regret not doing it.
Just do it a little while before the race. Get a few rides in on them and make sure there are no issues before you hit the start line.
653
Member
197 days
TriSooner posted 10 weeks ago.
jsk85 wrote:
Wow, that is some pretty good mileage for a pair of tires. You got your money's worth. You can extend tire life by rotating and staying off the trainer (that kinetic wheel puts a lot of heat and friction on them). You can visually inspect your tires for small road-induced nicks and shallow cuts. You could extend the tires even more by putting a tire patch on the inside of the tube corresponding to where the cut is on the outside. Over time, the tire gets thinner and these small nicks will allow the tube to rupture at this spot. But you probably know that. Regardless, I think you should change them at least before your first race. If you flat during a race you'll think, "I tried to scrimp on the timing of buying my new tires and as a result, I had a crappy race . . . which I paid $100 to enter." Keep the old tires and use them as trainer tires.
I have put somewhere on the range of 1750-2250 miles on the tires.
BTW The wrench at my shop keeps trying to get me to change my chain every 500 miles. Yeah, right: a new $40 chain once a month. Sponsor me and I will.
Ironman Germany (July 6, 2008)
372
Member
169 days
jsk85 posted 10 weeks ago.
JamieM wrote:
I think jsk makes a good point in that you are more likely to regret not doing it.
Well since I asked the question I think it makes it hard for me to make a good point to the answer, but I get where you were going.
I also find it amusing that since TriSooner editted his post, your followup comment is now posted before it. Very psychic of you to see what was coming as a response
My blog: http://jsktri.blogspot.com
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393
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289 days
Sully800 posted 10 weeks ago.
Well for one thing, 4 years is a long time but 2200 miles is not very far for that time period. Regardless, 2200 miles without a flat is exceptional. I was getting a flat every 100 miles or so with my crappy vittoria diamante race lites that came with my bike. Now that I switched to michelin pro 2 race I haven't had a flat (though I admittedly haven't done a ton of mileage yet).
If you're concerned about the wear on the tires I would change them. It will give you peace of mind and one less thing to worry about come race day. And just think, if you go another 4 years without a flat or need for new tires then you are truly making out like a bandit. Do you even carry tools to repair a flat with you? I'm thinking after year two or three I would stop bringing supplies for sure ;-)
372
Member
169 days
jsk85 posted 10 weeks ago.
Sully800 wrote:
4 years is a long time but 2200 miles is not very far for that time period.
Agreed. This is my first year out of college and rowing, so the first year I've trained thru the winter. In the past my riding has usually started in like March and ended in August. A full school schedule plus 2 crew workouts a day is not condusive to tri training
Also, I am relatively picky on where I ride. I ride a lot of the same routes when I find roads I like, or ones that are similar to races I've done. I also ride a lot of paved trails since the rails to trails system in OH is extensively developed. I'm pretty sure you can take the 1 central path system to every major city in the state (I know you can hit Cincy, Xenia, Dayton, and Columbus for sure, I'm almost certain a branch goes to cleveland). Good for long and low rides, though not many hills)
I usually don't ride somewhere unless I've driven a majority of the route first to scout it out
My blog: http://jsktri.blogspot.com
So, I have had a bike for about 4 years now and have ridden it in all of my tris (about 11, mostly sprint, 2 oly, 2 halfs). I also do all my training on it since it's the only one I have. I have put somewhere on the range of 1750-2250 miles on the tires (not sure of exact distance since I didn't have a cpu initially and switched to a wireless cpu later when I had issues with the original), which have been on it the entire time. I check the tread, and it looks fine to me, but I definately have an untrained eye when it comes to that. I was wondering about how long should tires last on my bike before I change them?
For more information, I know they are Bontrager tires, I'm almost certain they are race lite pros (clinchers). I am a clydesdale, consistently weighing in the 205-210 range. Also, I have never had a flat on this bike.
For some reason, I feel like I might need to change them soon, but I hope I don't since I know they have been good for me, and as soon as I change anything, I'll start getting flats left and right, etc...Would asking them to get me thru this season asking too much (4 sprints and an oly b/w now and Oct 5)
Alright, so bestow your knowledge upon me, mighty trifuel nation.
My blog: http://jsktri.blogspot.com