Lessons from my 1st commute to work

Got another flat heading home from work three days ago. Luckily it was a slow leak so I rode it in.

This was the front tire; I installed a new thorn-resistant tube ANNND an old mountain bike tire casing INSIDE the front tire.

Had to slice off 258 nubbies off the old mountain bike tire before it'd fit INSIDE the tire casing.:sick:

Now I have double-walled tire casings front and rear.

THAT should help prevent flats while commuting to work.

what a great idea i think ill try that too
 
Well, it's been a month since I installed a tire-within-a-tire and no flats yet.

I try to avoid the bikepath to work. Been riding the two-mile highway even when the roads are wet. Riding slower on wet asphalt.

Surprisingly absolutely no one honks, yells or cuts me off. That would be spooky while riding 38mph.:sick:
 
I got another flat with my tire-within-a tire this week. It's still a mystery to me. The tire was losing pressure when I left home. At the endo of the workday it was completely flat.

I changed the worn tire and tube that night. Although I didn't have time to look for the leak, I filled the tube with air and set it aside.

A few days later the tube's STILL holding air!

Go figure. It might've been a prankster who flat my tire, or a mystery leak.:geek:
 
Other than the flat tires it is pure joy to commute to work, even when it's raining.

I've found a shorter(5.6miles) safer route, so commuting takes me as fast as 13 minutes.

Previous best time on "The Dragon Lady" was 17 minutes for 6 miles.

Best time on a single-engined MB was 25 minutes.

Best time pedalling on a 24-speed bike was 37 minutes.

Best time on a cruiser bike was 45 minutes.

Best time walking the route was one hour and 45 minutes.

No more screaming down the highway at 38mph for the 2.5 miles stretch of the commute.:cry:
 
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That's nice being able to use it everyday to get to work. Just keep trying to stay safe, I had to learn how to avoid bad accident situations. Keep yourself alert and if ou feel tired after a days work be careful not to get into a rush while going home.
 
Thanks for props,fm.

On Thursday the social workers invited us staff for hors duvres, karaoke and drinks at a nearby bar. This was in appreciation for our dedicated work. Party started at 3pm; I arrived an hour later because I had work to do.

So I tied "The Dragon Lady" to a fence at the bar. No Pepsi so I drank Coke. Made sure not to drink because I need to be super-alert motoring home. Made sure I left before dark also.
 
Put a 26x1.5 slick in a 1.75 slick/knobbie, or maybe a 26x1.75 slick in a 2.0 slick. Do you get a lot of tire squirm (that feeling of drifting/wandering caused by the tread knobs or sidewalls flexing)?

Or try these:
http://www.amazon.com/Slime-Bicycle-Tire-Liners-26-Inch/dp/B000ENSRQW
Slime tire liners. Mixed reviews say they cut tire tubes. I would suggest tire glue on the bottom to lock down the strip, and not cutting the ends as the box warns against it.

Walmart and many places sell Bell kevlar lined 26" "comfort bike" tires and cruiser tires too.

what a great idea i think ill try that too
 
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The tube will hold air for days with a pinhole, just sitting there. Blow it up a little more and stick it in a bucket. You will see the bubbles: likely places are thorn holes where the tread was located, or cracks around the valve stem.

Pranksters usually put a rock in the valve cap and run away while it deflates slowly. Or loosen your valve cores. The worst ones will blow your tires up hard and then put glue in your valve so you have to either ride a brick or cut your own tube!

I got another flat...
 
secure your bags!

I haven't ridden mine to work yet but I have been testing it at longer and longer rides. Today my handlebar bag tore loose! It launched off the front wheel into my path but I avoided it.

I have a $10 Bell handlebar bag with zipper. Its very good and reflective, but I put 11lb of stuff in it (battery and tools). It would have stayed on the bike had I secured also with good zipties or hose clamps and extra stitching.

Be careful guys!
 
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