Road quality

[Globalti]

I read this thread with increasing disbelief. Three pinch punctures in six months is not bad although it does point to lack of observation and inability to do a simple bunny hop. Most cyclists carry at least one spare tube and a pump or CO2 and deal with punctures in five minutes or less as a minor inconvenience. The same cyclists will have a collection of inner tubes awaiting repair or repaired, sucked flat, rolled and taped tight ready to be dropped into a small saddle bag or a jersey pocket.

It's just what you do if you're a cyclist.

 

[I like Skol]

I weigh 95kg and was running 28c tyres at around 70-75psi and that felt rock hard. It must be your riding style, loosen up man......

 

[Globalti]

I use extremely lightweight Veloflex tyres, which most people would consider inappropriate for commuting but I love the supple ride and amazing grip and I'm a weekend and midweek night warrior so the puncture rate of 1 in about 500 miles is quite acceptable to me. The last time I pinch-flatted was last week when I hit a sharp-edged pothole in the dark but I can't remember the previous pinch flat.

 

[Globalti]

It doesn't matter how vigilant you are, one day you're going to get caught out by a pothole and riding at night or in a pace line will increase your chances of hitting a hole. If you have enough warning to hop it, so much the better; even un-weighting will help.

I once blew my front tyre at speed on a downhill; I spotted a stone about the size of a box of matches and made the mistake of looking at it, meaning I hit it straight on and blew the tyre, which made for an interesting few seconds as I braked with the rear wheel.

 

[Johnno260]

night riding is the worst for pinch punctures and potholes, it's harder to see them, fact is road quality is poor in many areas at the moment, some roads near me look like they have been cluster bombed.

I have tried to hop a hole a few times, but my bunny hop skills aren't what they used to be, I lifted the front wheel ok, but the rear caught a sharp edge.

 

[Ajax Bay]

had my 3rd pinch puncture in 6 months

The OP is 100kg riding Conti Gatorskin 28s. (These, imo, actually only measure 26mm). Let's assume the bike is 10kg. Depending on riding style that's 65kg on the rear wheel and 45kg on the front. I've attached the legendary BQ article from which the graph offered by @KneesUp is extracted.
Using the graph, the OP should have the rear tyre at 115psi and can afford to have the front at 80psi.
I'll make a guess (the OP has not shared this) that the pinch flats are in the rear tyre, because, if the pressure in the front tyre really is 110psi, the chance of pinch flat is miniscule (this assumes visibility of a 'serious' pothole and some mitigating action eg unweighting). On the other hand, although it may seem high to some, 110psi is not enough in the rear tyre for a rider of the OP's stature
As @Markymark says, 15mph down a narrow corridor increases the risk level, and not just from road surface. Bunny hopping capability would partially mitigate the risk. Even getting out of the saddle at the critical moment would reduce risk (provided the rider can maintain directional control).
Once a rider has had one flat, a reasonable response is to carry levers, a tube and a pump (or a CO2 cylinder for the 'all the gear' persuasion). Second flat . .
"Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, the third time it's enemy action." (Auric Goldfinger)

 

[PhilDawson8270]

That suggests you have a heck of a lot of weight over your wheel - something in the order of 65kg per wheel?

View attachment 342399

That suggests I have too much pressure in my tyres.

I am 92kg, and run 110psi in the rear and 100psi in the front, on 25s.

Is there a downside to too much, other than comfort?

 

[Milkfloat]

That suggests I have too much pressure in my tyres.

I am 92kg, and run 110psi in the rear and 100psi in the front, on 25s.

Is there a downside to too much, other than comfort?

I am the same weight and run 95 rear 85 front on 25s. Apart from comfort and vibration I would also say speed could be affected, but that would depend on the surface. The lower pressure 'seems' slightly faster over a long run for me, I am not sure if that really rolling resistance or fatigue from discomfort, but either way I am happy with my pressures.

 

[Ajax Bay]

That suggests I have too much pressure in my tyres.

What width are your tyres, actually? Measure them. If they're 25s, then 110psi in the rear is entirely reasonable. You could reduce the front significantly - see my post above and have a look at the BQ article (which I attached).
No, just reduced comfort and maybe slightly less suspension (which has an effect on real rolling resistance (suspension from the tyres is 'good')).

 

[Ian H]

Braking into a pothole will make the outcome worse. If you cannot avoid it, just coast through, preferably with your weight off the saddle.

 

[Globalti]

Learn to bunnyhop, then you can bunnyhop into puddles when riding ahead of the group and give 'em all a soaking.

 

[KneesUp]

That suggests I have too much pressure in my tyres.

I am 92kg, and run 110psi in the rear and 100psi in the front, on 25s.

Is there a downside to too much, other than comfort?

The graphic is from this article - https://janheine.wordpress.com/2016/03/09/tire-pressure-take-home/

The theory is that at too high a pressure, a lot of energy goes into 'suspension losses' - it's either used to make the springs on the bike go boing, or if you don't have those, it goes on making you shake about, rather than on forward momentum.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I live on the Tour de Yorkshire route so there's lots of resurfacing going on by the poor cash strapped council.

 

[cyberknight]

I have had 6 so far this year, the roads can be that bad

 

[jay clock]

What am I doing differently? 7500km a year on the grotty roads of Hants, also Conti tyres (4 seasons and GP4000) and a few pun****es (none on the 4 seasons) but none of the pinch variation. Maybe it is fate having it in for you?