Avoiding flats in the southwest US

[mankatobiker]

I'm planning a trip to Arizona in December, and the last time I was there I had problems with flats from the "goathead" thorns. If anyone has had experience cycling in that area, I'd like to know what tires or setup you use to avoid such problems. Do the tuffy liners work for thorns? Right now my bike has Specialized crossroads tires and they work OK for where I live, but not sure if they will be all right in the desert.

[V2Neal]

I think I know the thorns you speak of. When I lived in Colorado they gave me many headaches. A real thorn in my side if you will. :p I bought some liners from the LBS and problem solved.

[Kayakoholic]

A native Arizonan, I am.

The thorns of which you speak are called bullhead thorns. They originate from tumbleweeds that blow across the desert. They're prolific and all-encompassing, shedding their thorns with each tumble in the wind. Get one in your foot and you spew puss and green slime for days. This can actually become a fun game if played correctly.

It's been awhile since I rode the desert (Tombstone - Bisbee area) but I think I had solid tires. Check a local bike shop; they'll have the right tires for the terrain.

And don't forget to pack tweezers, peroxide, and 'daids. Watch out for tarantulas and the scorpions.

[soupboy]

Burly tires and Slimed or Stan'd toobs is about as good as you can hope for. IME the tire liners are overrated.

[Lezgo Cycling]

tire liners suck :incazzato: try to find a solid tire or as was said eralier maybe some stans, or something of that nature...let us what works if it does for you then we will have a fututre reference fo rother riders

later Gus

[Kayakoholic]

Make life easy on yourself and ask these folks:

http://www.bikegaba.org/

They'll tell you exactly what you'll need.

[V2Neal]

Make life easy on yourself and ask these folks:

http://www.bikegaba.org/

They'll tell you exactly what you'll need.


Are you saying us Minnesnowtans are not properly equiped to deal with thorns? :p

Just because some intentionally put screws in thier tires...




:crazy:

[Kayakoholic]

Are you saying us Minnesnowtans are not properly equiped to deal with thorns? :p

Just because some intentionally put screws in thier tires...:crazy:

Yeah, pretty much. :D

When it comes to thorns on the trail, the Arizonans have it down, baby. They have it DOWN.

But I'm fairly certain that if you told a 'Zoni you put studs on tires so you can ride on snow and ice they'd go, "Whaaaa??? That's crazy talk."

[mankatobiker]

I'm not sure I want to ride on solid tires. I'll try contacting the Tuscon club and see what they ride with. All I know is last time I was there I got a flat about every 50 feet from those bullhead thorns. I'll do a follow up report when I get back, in the out of state ride thread.

[soupboy]

Ridden in 'Zona a few times. Never seen anything but heavy tires and Slimed tubes on the rental bikes or my personal bikes and I've never had issues other than crashing onto cacti...ouch.

Yeah, pretty much. :D

When it comes to thorns on the trail, the Arizonans have it down, baby. They have it DOWN.

But I'm fairly certain that if you told a 'Zoni you put studs on tires so you can ride on snow and ice they'd go, "Whaaaa??? That's crazy talk."

[transplant]

I ran a combo of Slimed tubes and Mr. Tuffy's when I lived in Mesa. I had tubes last almost two years with this configuration. As a matter of fact, once I set up my wheels, I had MAYBE two flats in 5 years.