flats in races. just curious
228
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690 days
Nobody posted 11 weeks ago.
I've never flatted in a race--and have rarely ever flatted in training within the past two years. I think my luck is due to the tires/tubes I run. Michelin Pro Race and / or Michelin Nylon Carbon + Michelin tubes, always inflated to 110psi.
At CdA I saw A LOT of flats--and the majority of them were on sewups. Can only speculate as to why, but definitely 4/5 of the people I saw replacing their tires were running tubeless.
Greatness is only achieved by those who perpetually raise the expectations of themselves to the point where it ruins their life.
221
Member
77 days
jnrice posted 10 weeks ago.
I road 1200 miles this year before I got a single flat. I don't run my tires as thin as I can push them to help avoid flats. With tubes at $5 each avoiding a flat or two justifies replacing tires a few hundred biles sooner. I've never flatted in a race (knock on wood) but always carry at least a simple blow out bag (spare tube, pump, and a tire lever).
27
Member
102 days
xman posted 10 weeks ago.
This is something I continue to struggle with. Two races ago, I flatted on the back with about 200 yards until entering T2, I rode it out. I have flatted about 3 times while training and have finally put new tires on. I found several very small holes in the tire that went all the way through, throughly check any and all holes you see in tred. When I aired up the tire, there was increased risk of the tube finding its way into the hole and eventually pincing the tube. This has been my first season, so i'm learning alot this year. I hope my luck is changing....
1190
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338 days
TriSooner posted 10 weeks ago.
warrenp wrote:
If it was an IM North America event, that would mean you saw 1.5% of the 2,000 athletes get a flat tire. That's really high (not that I don't believe you). I'm thinking there are a few more you didn't see. When I see a flat at an big race, I feel bad for the person. I think a lot of factors come into play, like being overzelous about tire pressure morning-of: "OMG I have to get as much PSI as I can!" I also wonder how altitude change (from home to race site) or cargo hold air pressure in a plane affects the tires. And if someone who flats is riding sew-ups, invariably struggling with stretching it back over the rim and hoping the glue works (if they use it at al), I think, "And that's why I don't ride on tubulars." I know they've trained for a certain split in mind and with a flat there is no way to make that time up. I've never flatted in a race, and rarely flat during training. Luck I guess, and riding on properly inflated, seated tubes.
During last ironman must have seen at least 30 flats.
275
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799 days
fastdog5 posted 10 weeks ago.
TriSooner wrote:
I've never flatted in a race, and rarely flat during training. Luck I guess, and riding on properly inflated, seated tubes.
+1. I've never flatted, period, and my tires get some of the worst reviews for flatting that I've seen. Hopefully my luck doesn't run out due to my posting this :)
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Member
78 days
beyondfab posted 10 weeks ago.
Can only speculate as to why, but definitely 4/5 of the people I saw replacing their tires were running tubeless.
Did you mean to say "tubular" tires?
1821
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1080 days
194
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1148 days
Ultrarunner posted 10 weeks ago.
Flatted during my last IM in 2006. Would not have been a big deal except when I used my CO2, it blew up my new tube (exploded) and I didn't have a regular pump, I know my fault. Spent the next 15 minutes sitting there helpless until the SAG vehicle came by to give me a new tube and fix the flat. Cost me a PR for my race. I have to give credit to the guy that changed my tire though. No tools or anything I bet he had the new tube on, tire on, and on the bike aired up in less than a minute! He gave me another tube to keep with me also.
1008
Member
1194 days
PJT posted 10 weeks ago.
I had no flats during a race in 5 seasons until this year. Then I installed some PR3s such that a tiny bit of tube caught under the bead and blew 2 in one race. The first flat had enough force to push the bead of the tire over the rim. The second explosion (and it was a loud bang), actually shredded the sidewall of the brand-new tire. DNF.
I've since seen reports of this happening to others as well. Apparently something in the bead of those tires makes it easy to catch some tube, especially on narrow race wheels, so you have to be very careful when installing.
At IMoo 2006 there were tons of people flatting--at least 30. I think the rain that year made road debris stick to to the tires and eventually cause a flat. Yesterday, in relatively nice weather, I probably saw about 10 people changing flats.
587
Member
185 days
jtrimom posted 10 weeks ago.
so, just out of curiosity (and the fact that I took a class to be able to change a tire, but I think if I flatted in a race, I'd be screwed- even though I have the class notes in my saddle bag along with the necessary tools and such :) do most races have special people who can change a tire for you? I know you're not allowed to get "outside" help, but do races have that as a matter of course?
464
Member
143 days
trigirltina2 posted 10 weeks ago.
jtrimom wrote:
so, just out of curiosity (and the fact that I took a class to be able to change a tire, but I think if I flatted in a race, I'd be screwed- even though I have the class notes in my saddle bag along with the necessary tools and such :) do most races have special people who can change a tire for you? I know you're not allowed to get "outside" help, but do races have that as a matter of course?
You should be able to change your tire w/o notes. Some races have support, but you have to WAIT for them. You could get lucky and be the first person to flat, but then again, How precious is your time? Some races you are on your own.
The other thing maybe take the penalty and use the outside help. How much time are you going to waste in your race?
My husband left me at home (first married) and he flatten my tire. I had to change my tire. Yep, I cried and when my brother in law showed up wanting to help, I politely said no, I have to do this. Then came TNT and Coach Gurujan, happly to say I can change wither tire and some what quickly.
23
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105 days
warrenp posted 10 weeks ago.
i only know of ironman courses which have vans to assist, not for olympic or sprints but more for things like broken chains and spokes. I used to sit infront of tv and practice changing tube.........got it down to about 3 minutes now.
372
Member
885 days
kkocan posted 10 weeks ago.
I had 0 flats in all of 2007 (training and racing).
2008 so far:
Two flats in training over the last 6 weeks (road debris for one, hit pothole on other one).
TTT half, hit an expansion joint in the road that was raised 1/2" or more above the blacktop. It was only in the upper 50's out and the swim was in 55 degree water so my hands were numb and I couldn't grip the tire, took forever it seemed to change the tire.
WV Morgantown Half. At the beginning of the loop there is a really bad section of road for a couple of miles. Got through it and lost focus for a split second and managed to hit a pothole hard. Was in top 5 in my ag through about mile 33 and got passed by a ton of people. Only took 5 minutes tops but I tried to ride hard to catch back up to the people that passed me and blew up about mile 50 and missed my goal by almost an hour.
IMWI, just 2 days ago. Was riding great through the first half or more, averaging almost 21mph. Then it started to get hard to hold pace. Thought it was the wind then I started to get passed by everyone. Couldn't hold pace, was digging way too deep and trying too hard until about 30 minutes later when I realized I had a slow leak in my front tire. I had been riding on about half or less psi's of what I should have been. Pulled over, tossed my wheel into a cornfield, sat for a minute, collected myself then went and got my wheel and pressed on.
Different tires, wheels, tubes etc... for most and different situations. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw.
________________________________________________
2008 Main Races:
VA Beach Shamrock Marathon
Desoto TTT
WV Mountaineer HIM
IM Wisconsin
464
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143 days
trigirltina2 posted 10 weeks ago.
warrenp wrote:
i only know of ironman courses which have vans to assist, not for olympic or sprints but more for things like broken chains and spokes. I used to sit infront of tv and practice changing tube.........got it down to about 3 minutes now.
Lavaman Hawaii Olympic does have assistance. However, like you it is all about practice to get it to 3 mins! Way to go.
I'm just wondering.
I"ve done about 10 sprints, 5 olympic and 2 ironman.
Of course had numerous flats in training but never in a race(fingers crossed) that will continue. To me if i got a flat in ironman not a huge deal as its taking me over 12hours anyway so a few minutes isn't a big issue other than it CAN break you focus for a while.
During last ironman must have seen at least 30 flats.
Just curious to know YOUR experience with flats on course and frequency.