Lessons learnt today

[ianrauk]

That tyres a write off I'm afraid. Far too large a cut to superglue imo.

 

[Darren Gregory]

That tyres a write off I'm afraid. Far too large a cut to superglue imo.

I was fearing that.

 

[Tenacious Sloth]

That's really bad luck to get both tyres wrecked at the same time. Don't think it matters what you carry in that situation.

I think staying off cycle paths is a good idea, although ridiculous in concept. I used the cycle paths around Peterborough in my early commuting days. Couldn't believe the amount of broken glass. The other problem with cycle paths is how bumpy they are! Very difficult to maintain a good average speed.

Have now changed my route to use deserted country lanes. It means a few more miles (13 each way) but worth it. The trouble with commuting through the middle of nowhere in the pitch black and lashing rain is that I do worry a lot about getting a puncture. Consequently, have fitted Shwalbe Marathon Plus tyres in 35C to my CAADX. I haven't had a puncture since (6 months and 3k miles), but I know it will happen sometime.

FWIW this is what I carry:

2 inner tubes
2 CO2 bottles
Disposable gloves (I like my handlebar tape)
2 tyre levers (for use on removal only)
Multi-tool
Chain link
Patches (God knows why, I only carry 2 bottles)
Head torch (recent addition as I realised replacing a tube while holding a bike light would be tricky)

Impressive commute by the way. Avoid the cycle paths and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Graham

P.S. Am now thinking about carrying a small pump as well.

 

[Saluki]

With hindsight, there's always a better way.

I always have two inner tubes for any ride, and my beloved "Crankbrothers: Tire Lever Speedier Lever" which gets any tyre off, no matter how tight.

I have really rubbish hands - too many horses and too many breaks - do you think that this lever would be helpful to me? I have great difficulty getting my Leganos off my Vision Team 30 rims. Much bad language ensues and it can take me up to an hour to get the tyre off and on again, depending on how pants my hands are on the occasion.
No doubt it's worth the £6.50 go give it a go, but I thought I would ask the question.

To the OP.
I take CO2, Mini pump, 2 innertubes and fixing kit - generally self sticking patches but I do have a traditional glue kit on board too, as sometimes self stickers are not that sticky. It all takes up very little room.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I have really rubbish hands - too many horses and too many breaks - do you think that this lever would be helpful to me? I have great difficulty getting my Leganos off my Vision Team 30 rims. Much bad language ensues and it can take me up to an hour to get the tyre off and on again, depending on how pants my hands are on the occasion.
No doubt it's worth the £6.50 go give it a go, but I thought I would ask the question.

To the OP.
I take CO2, Mini pump, 2 innertubes and fixing kit - generally self sticking patches but I do have a traditional glue kit on board too, as sometimes self stickers are not that sticky. It all takes up very little room.

Honestly, it really is fab. If I had a spare I'd send you one to try!

 

[Saluki]

Honestly, it really is fab. If I had a spare I'd send you one to try!

I shall pop by to Evans next time I'm in Norwich. Great shop the Norwich Evans, always lovely people. Couple of them are really chatty, especially the girls in there. I think that they like talking bike with other women who have roadies, CXs etc rather than pink bikes for their daughters.

 

[Darren Gregory]

Thanks for all the replies. I also posted the pictures on twitter and the overriding view is to buy new tyres. Really annoying as they are not very old. So that's the best part of £70 gone.

 

[mjr]

I was about to post the same about cycle paths ... does anyone have one on their ride that is pleasant to cycle on ? I've found that since changing from a mtb to a road bike they have become no go areas.

Yes, plenty of them, but they're purpose-built constructions/reconstructions and NOT the poxy relabelled footpaths that some councils curse us with (take a bow Warwickshire: I'll write more about that soon).

I hope the OP reported the glass on www.fixmystreet.com or similar so that it gets cleared up before it claims many victims. Once again, this is usually a problem with tossers (literally) in cars throwing stuff onto the cycle track and a lack of sweeping from cycling-negligent or cycling-hating councils.

 

[Darren Gregory]

Yes, plenty of them, but they're purpose-built constructions/reconstructions and NOT the poxy relabelled footpaths that some councils curse us with (take a bow Warwickshire: I'll write more about that soon).

I hope the OP reported the glass on www.fixmystreet.com or similar so that it gets cleared up before it claims many victims. Once again, this is usually a problem with tossers (literally) in cars throwing stuff onto the cycle track and a lack of sweeping from cycling-negligent or cycling-hating councils.

Been self obsessed and annoyed at having to buy two new tyres but yes I should report it.

 

[fossyant]

Dead tyre, and it's new - darn it. Had the same myself. 4 Seasons are great, but if you know there is lots of glass about, Durano Plus are about the only 23mm road tyre that will cope. I used these for the last year - shockingly cut up, but only ever 1 puncture. My commute ran on a shared path that's known for lots of glass in places (students).

 

[Darren Gregory]

Dead tyre, and it's new - darn it. Had the same myself. 4 Seasons are great, but if you know there is lots of glass about, Durano Plus are about the only 23mm road tyre that will cope. I used these for the last year - shockingly cut up, but only ever 1 puncture. My commute ran on a shared path that's known for lots of glass in places (students).

Yes very annoying. I have been impressed with the 4 Seasons up till now and I have bought another pair. Considering the damage I wonder if anything would have survived? I've contemplated going tubeless and wonder if tubeless would have survived this damage? Considered the Schwalbe One Tubeless but couldnt find them for sale anywhere, I get the impression that they are not released till February.

New tyres should be delivered tomorrow, need to also replace the chain and cassette so it is looking like it will be "maintenance month"

 

[mjr]

I have been impressed with the 4 Seasons up till now and I have bought another pair. Considering the damage I wonder if anything would have survived? I've contemplated going tubeless and wonder if tubeless would have survived this damage?

I thought 4 Seasons were tough but the bike shed here currently contains only a Continental Twister because they got too expensive compared to competitors for me. It contains mostly Schwalbe: Delta Cruisers, Active Line, Marathon, Marathon Plus and Winters - but also recently acquired Vittoria Rubinos, Michelin slick-ish MTB tyres, discontinued Kenda Kwests, along with not-recommended Armadillo and Vredestein Active Tours. Tyres retired early due to damage include Vittoria Zaffiros, Kenda Eurotrekkers and a CST whose name I forget. Hope that helps!

Oh and I've not tried tubeless, but I have slimed a tyre and when that suffered damage it couldn't seal, it got messy fast!

 

[united4ever]

Nothing to add but I feel for OP. Really unlucky.

 

[Darren Gregory]

I thought 4 Seasons were tough but the bike shed here currently contains only a Continental Twister because they got too expensive compared to competitors for me. It contains mostly Schwalbe: Delta Cruisers, Active Line, Marathon, Marathon Plus and Winters - but also recently acquired Vittoria Rubinos, Michelin slick-ish MTB tyres, discontinued Kenda Kwests, along with not-recommended Armadillo and Vredestein Active Tours. Tyres retired early due to damage include Vittoria Zaffiros, Kenda Eurotrekkers and a CST whose name I forget. Hope that helps!

Oh and I've not tried tubeless, but I have slimed a tyre and when that suffered damage it couldn't seal, it got messy fast!

Crikey that's a lot of tyres!

 

[mjr]

Crikey that's a lot of tyres!

Covering a lot of bikes and a lot of riding