Punctures, Bonnet Hill and glass

[mcdurdin]

I am currently fixing my 12th flat in as many weeks. I've picked up all but one of these on Bonnet Hill and Sandy Bay Rd -- glass every time. Replaced my tyres two weeks ago with Serfas Sera FPS which are supposed to have good puncture protection. So far, two punctures with the new tyres. I am checking the tyres each morning for glass etc. Just griping, but: are any other people experiencing similar rates of punctures, and, any suggestions? I'm riding the Bonnet 4-6 times a week, on a road bike...

[m@]

You mustve seriously p!ssed off the puncture fairy!
FWIW I commuted from near the shot tower every day for about 2 1/2 years, sometimes with some hill repeats thrown in and only ever had one puncture on sandy bay rd/channel hwy. A lot of that was on $15 27x1 1/4 tyres though more recently I've been running conti gp4000Ss.

[BarryTas]

welcome to the forum!!!!!!!

I have not had a punture on Bonnet and i'd spent most days after work in the summer doing hill reps. I have busted spokes on Sandy Bay Road.

[master6]

I am currently fixing my 12th flat in as many weeks. I've picked up all but one of these on Bonnet Hill and Sandy Bay Rd -- glass every time. Replaced my tyres two weeks ago with Serfas Sera FPS which are supposed to have good puncture protection. So far, two punctures with the new tyres. I am checking the tyres each morning for glass etc. Just griping, but: are any other people experiencing similar rates of punctures, and, any suggestions? I'm riding the Bonnet 4-6 times a week, on a road bike...

Suggestions? Try another course.

[mcdurdin]

Suggestions? Try another course.

I should have said it's my commute route. Only other real option time-wise is Southern Outlet and that doesn't really appeal and I'd be dubious as to how much better it would be for punctures anyway. . But thanks for the suggestion.

[RobRollin]

Ive been getting cut up lately due to the cold mornings, dew, rain and glass on the roads and bike track. I just bought a new winter tire, I wore my Michelin Pro III to the thread over 3000kms.

[mcdurdin]

Checked the tyre this morning and it is ruined -- split with the tube coming through. So had to get a new tyre today. The old one was only 2 weeks old, but Treadlies in Kingston just offered me a replacement tyre free of charge so that was very nice of them.

[master6]

Checked the tyre this morning and it is ruined -- split with the tube coming through. So had to get a new tyre today. The old one was only 2 weeks old, but Treadlies in Kingston just offered me a replacement tyre free of charge so that was very nice of them.

Very, very nice of them.

[Baldy]

Yeah its hard to say, over summer I never had any problems with the bonnet and only 1 flat in lower Sandy bay in the wet.

Since its your commute I'd be looking at tire choice and where you ride on the road. Try and stick to the left hand wheel marks when you can, cars will sweep most of the junk for you.
As for tires I dont really know, my Bontrager racelite hardcases have been good thats all I can offer.

[mcdurdin]

FWIW last year I commuted over the Bonnet probably over 100 times and got only 1 puncture, and that was basically on the 'canvas' so not that surprising really. Got new tyres in January so I guess it really is the tyres. Those were shredded a couple of weeks ago and replaced with Serfas Sera FPS which lasted only 2 weeks. I just wondered if the level of glass on the road had increased or if I was just unlucky. I might just be unlucky -- although given that I couldn't ride in today and looking at the weather, not sure if I am really feeling unlucky just now.

Since its your commute I'd be looking at tire choice and where you ride on the road. Try and stick to the left hand wheel marks when you can, cars will sweep most of the junk for you.

Yep. The last puncture was at the top of the bike 'lane' above the shot tower. Saw the glass too late in the wet and dark and had nowhere to go. Tried to sweep as much off the lane as I could see.

As for tires I dont really know, my Bontrager racelite hardcases have been good thats all I can offer.

Just picked up a pair of these today (before I got the call from Treadlies!) so I guess we'll find out! Now have a spare tyre. Perhaps I should carry it in my backpack...

[Spork!]

Does that tire slime stuff work in bike tires? Fixed the rear tires on my ride on mower, they had huge splits in them. I realise the extra rotational mass wouldn't be suitable for racing, but for commuting the time and expense of fixing all those flats may well be worth the additional weight.