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Goatheads!!
Last Post 12/08/2018 12:02 PM by Nicholas Arenella. 16 Replies.
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6ix

Posts:485

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12/01/2018 03:11 PM
CK might have heard of this.  The Coal Creek trail that runs through the Louisville area.  I've been taking my hardtail 29'er on it quite a bit over the past week and have already had three flats.  I was running tubeless for a long time before switching back to regular tubes because of the infrequency of me actually using the bike.  The sealant would commonly pool and dry up after not being used for over a year.

But now, I'm planning to ride it a lot on this particular trail that is known to have a lot of goat-heads.  Should I have the LBS switch me back over to tubeless or get Slime tubes?  Or tires with a stronger casing? 
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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12/01/2018 05:18 PM
I opened up VeloNation and saw "GoatRoper"! Took me back a few years.

There is a solution that is used on Cycle Oregon that works quite well but may not be feasible for you. After CO had a week that was a goathead nightmare, someone gave CO a streetsweeper. Over the dark hours before the days ride, the sweeper sweeps the streets we are to ride.

All you need is that benefactor, someone to drive it over the early morning hours and some strings in high places that will allow the sweeper access to forbidden places. But think of the benefits. You get to ride your favorite tires. (And you can have the quiet warm feeling when you start hearing stranger fellow riders mentioning they haven't had a flat there is months and it used to be 3 times a week.)

Ben
longslowdistance

Posts:2881

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12/01/2018 06:51 PM
Hey 6,

I'm ignorant of the goathead issue being in VA. Would a tire with a kevlar belt or an add on belt between tire and tube solve the problem?

Just fyi:
Tubeless is easy peasy to do yourself.
1. If the rims are not tubeless ready, get the yellow Stan's tape or similar to seal over the spoke holes.
2. Install the tubeless valve stems.
3. Seating the tire beads is the only tricky part until you've done a few, after which it's not tricky at all. A foot pump won't work - higher air flow and pressure is needed. A cheapo Sears compressor or similar and a presta valve adaptor work fine, or waste a CO2 cartridge or two. Or use the compressor at a local gas station.
The bead needs a lube to seat. Sealant works, but you will lose some. That's OK. Or go with soapy water or just water. 4. Once the bead is mounted and the sealant is in, rotate and shake the wheel to allow the sealant to get access to the micro leaks at the tire bead. Keep it overinflated for the first few hours, which will force the sealant into the nooks and crannies. Ideally, do all this the day before you ride. Voila!
6ix

Posts:485

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12/02/2018 05:40 PM
I had the wheels set up tubeless before we moved out here so they are definitely compatible. Still using the same tires and rim strip so the conversion should be easy. That's probably the best way to go but I'm wondering if I shouldn't also buy some better tires with a more robust casing. Any suggestions on that? At this point, weight is a non-factor. It's already a pretty light bike being a carbon hardtail.
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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12/03/2018 02:48 AM
Six, I was warned of goatheads prior to my first Cycle Oregon and put on Rubino tires. In those days, the Rubinos had treads that were treacherous on anything wet. (Wet bricks and leaves were nearly unridable at any speed. Went down several times in very public places.)

I didn't trust them at all and used tons of brakes on the descents. (This was a 25,000' week, just about median for CO.) I had zero problems with goatheads. No flats at all. I didn't even learn what a goathead looked like.

Later COs I ustd tires I liked a lot more. One one I was fastidious about inspecting and wiping the tires and I think I had one flat. Last year, even with sweepers, I had 3, (My mind was elsewhere. Took me 4 days to get into brushing the tires after rest stops.)

So, yes, the tires make a big difference. But Rubinos have changed a lot so don't use my experience as a buying guide.

Ben
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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12/03/2018 07:23 AM
Tubeless wasn’t source when I was out there...but the shop I was working in when I first got to Denver sold a crapton of Mr. Tuffy liners, thronproof tubes, etc.

My gut reaction is to go tubeless and carry a plug kit, plus a Alsace tube in case of emergencies.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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12/03/2018 01:08 PM
I wonder if this is where the old tiresavers could be just the ticket? (Those wire and plastic tubing things that were mounted under the brake bolt nut (back when those nuts were out where they belonged, not recessed deep in the fork/brake bridge. Now you have to buy Sheldon Nuts.)

The plastic tubing probably can be had from medical or laboratory supplies and coathanger worked just fine for the rest. (The tire scraper only lasts so long but coathanger wire used kept the savers going forever.)

Ben
zootracer

Posts:833

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12/03/2018 08:58 PM
I live in goathead country. My flats caused by those little buggers came almost nil when I started using Conti Gatorskins. Goathead season should be over. Usually problems in the late summer/early fall.

I tried Mr. Tuffy tire liners and I still got flats. Thorns came into side of tire that is not protected by liners.
6ix

Posts:485

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12/04/2018 07:52 AM
Thanks for the suggestions. I took the wheels to LBS to have them swapped back over to tubeless with Stan's sealant. Hopefully that will help.
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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12/04/2018 09:13 AM
Posted By ed custer on 12/03/2018 08:58 PM
I live in goathead country. My flats caused by those little buggers came almost nil when I started using Conti Gatorskins. Goathead season should be over. Usually problems in the late summer/early fall.

I tried Mr. Tuffy tire liners and I still got flats. Thorns came into side of tire that is not protected by liners.


Please for the love of all things that are good and pure (and also in the name of Crr), do NOT ride Gatorskins. Literally the worst possible tire choice in terms of rolling resistance (and they ride like bricks, too).
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
zootracer

Posts:833

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12/04/2018 10:20 AM
Yeah I agree, they do ride like bricks, but it's better than getting 2 or 3 flats a week.....
Cosmic Kid

Posts:4209

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12/04/2018 11:27 AM
Posted By ed custer on 12/04/2018 10:20 AM
Yeah I agree, they do ride like bricks, but it's better than getting 2 or 3 flats a week.....


They certainly had a role to play at one time...but not now. Life is too short to ride crappy tires....especially with the advent of good sealant and latex tubes.
Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
Orange Crush

Posts:4499

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12/04/2018 12:38 PM
Life is too short to be fixing tires when it is only slightly above freezing. Crr be damned.

I've had one flat in the last two years riding my bikes on all sorts of sharp rocky trails and city crap. The one flat I did have was a slow leak; managed to nurse it the entire 20 km home. I'll take the 25 watt penalty. Good training.

Conversely, two flats coming down Mauna Kea on tires that supposedly do both (flat resistant and good Crr). I forget what they were other than that they were crap. I am not a big believer in the you can have it both ways. Spent too much time waiting while others have to fix their setups (tubeless, latex, whatever). There are no miracles in this world, LOL.

Oh and I thought I was listening to Goatheads Soup this morning but it's actually Goats Head Soup, which makes a lot more sense (Stones of course).
79pmooney

Posts:3178

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12/04/2018 12:39 PM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 12/04/2018 09:13 AM
Posted By ed custer on 12/03/2018 08:58 PM
I live in goathead country. My flats caused by those little buggers came almost nil when I started using Conti Gatorskins. Goathead season should be over. Usually problems in the late summer/early fall.

I tried Mr. Tuffy tire liners and I still got flats. Thorns came into side of tire that is not protected by liners.


Please for the love of all things that are good and pure (and also in the name of Crr), do NOT ride Gatorskins. Literally the worst possible tire choice in terms of rolling resistance (and they ride like bricks, too).

Think guerrilla warfare in the 3rd world.  The "rolling resistance".
79pmooney

Posts:3178

--
12/04/2018 12:39 PM
Posted By Cosmic Kid on 12/04/2018 09:13 AM
Posted By ed custer on 12/03/2018 08:58 PM
I live in goathead country. My flats caused by those little buggers came almost nil when I started using Conti Gatorskins. Goathead season should be over. Usually problems in the late summer/early fall.

I tried Mr. Tuffy tire liners and I still got flats. Thorns came into side of tire that is not protected by liners.


Please for the love of all things that are good and pure (and also in the name of Crr), do NOT ride Gatorskins. Literally the worst possible tire choice in terms of rolling resistance (and they ride like bricks, too).

Think guerrilla warfare in the 3rd world.  The "rolling resistance".
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