First Flat in Five Years

[Sombeech]

It's no big feat, I know. But I was riding home from work on 1900 W in Roy. I got up the big hill at Hinkley Dr and I heard something stick in my tire, and then flip out when it went through the brakes.

I had the wife come pick me up, I didn't have time to replace it because I had a softball game to go to.

I've had those thick tubes, and love 'em. The extra weight is fine. I'm just glad it didn't happen while going down the hill at 32 mph.

I'm still on my original chain from 5-1/2 years ago. They say you should change it every year, but I want to see how long it will last.

[shagster]

You had better be getting that fixed before the ride tommorrow. I just put some kind of kevlar tube guards in my tires, they are supposed to prevent ALL flats. They don't add much weight so that shouldn't be a problem. I will let you know how well they do their job.

[Sombeech]

You had better be getting that fixed before the ride tommorrow.

I'll Git er Dun tonight.

[accadacca]

You need some new tires on that hog. Milking them for 5 1/2 years aint cool. Not to mention the chain.

You can get a good set here for cheap. http://www.jensonusa.com/

[Sombeech]

You need some new tires on that hog. Milking them for 5 1/2 years aint cool. Not to mention the chain.

You can get a good set here for cheap. http://www.jensonusa.com/

It's actually my second set of tires. It's those semi-slicks for the road. I do need some new tires though.

I'd rather pick them up from a bike shop, 'cause when I just see the picture, the tread always looks "beefier" in the picture, and I'm disappointed when they show up.

[James_B_Wads2000]

I'm still on my original chain from 5-1/2 years ago. They say you should change it every year, but I want to see how long it will last.

If you change your chain you may have to change all of your gears too. Once you ride on the same chain for a long time, the chain and gears kind of wear

[Sombeech]

Well, that sucks! Is that the main motivation for replacing the chain? I didn't know that.

[live2ride]

That sucks you got first flat, I guess that is what you get for trying to be a part time roadie!!!! It is crazy I have had two flats this year (pretty lucky for the crazy trails I have ridden) but someone I was riding with has got a flat every ride I have been on??

What kind of tires are you looking for? Road, Mtn bike? Semi slick??
I have changed out my mtn bike (rear) tire twice this year and at the moment I am trying out a larsen TT. Only cost $14.00 from pricepoint.com I also tried out the Kenda Nevegals, great tires but poor sidewall construction.

[Sombeech]

What kind of tires are you looking for? Road, Mtn bike? Semi slick??

I'm not quite sure. I'll do road 2-3 times a week, and hit a trail once a week. I don't want to change out the tires every other day. I may just do another semi slick on the rear, and some knobbies on the front.

[live2ride]

What kind of tires are you looking for? Road, Mtn bike? Semi slick??

I'm not quite sure. I'll do road 2-3 times a week, and hit a trail once a week. I don't want to change out the tires every other day. I may just do another semi slick on the rear, and some knobbies on the front.

Maxis Larsen TT is a fast rolling rear tire (or front tire) I currently have the 1.9 on the rear and do all Mtn riding; however, last night I was at mueller park and rode the entire loop and the tire was great on the road.

[Sombeech]

last night I was at mueller park and rode the entire loop and the tire was great on the road.

How was the trail up to the big rock? any mud/snow? We'll be hitting this tomorrow night. We'll be at the trailhead at 5:30

[derstuka]

[quote=James_B_Wads2000]

I'm still on my original chain from 5-1/2 years ago. They say you should change it every year, but I want to see how long it will last.

If you change your chain you may have to change all of your gears too. Once you ride on the same chain for a long time, the chain and gears kind of wear

[DickHead]

Dude, replace your ing chain! It will make you and your bike more efficient. Also, as your chain gets more and more chewed, it will begin to tear up your cogs and chainrings....thus forcing you to replace all the above.
I doubt the average rider has to change a Mtb chain every year, but at least every other year would be in your best interest.
I agree with james, you've probably already hammerd your gears and are probably due to replace them as well.

[Sombeech]

If it turns out that my gears have been worn to this current chain, that makes me hope that I never have to replace my chain.

[DickHead]

If it turns out that my gears have been worn to this current chain, that makes me hope that I never have to replace my chain.

Dude, I don't think you get it. If you've ridden your chain that long its a worthless piece of shit at this point. Replace it! If you have to eat new gears, so be it. Beats riding your bike into the ground!

[mattl]

Or having to walk from the boonies because of a broken chain. I just did that.. the walk that is.
I got a new chain and all is golden now.

[Mtnbiker]

Hey SB, to expand on what JJ so eloquently said: depending on your riding conditions and how many miles you put on, you can generally replace your chain only and not the other stuff twice, or maybe 3 times if you're lucky if done at regular intervals.

HOWEVER - at 5 1/2 years those gears are all meshed together and I guarantee that you will see nothing but problems if you only replace your chain, and keep the current cassette and chainrings. Also, if you ride primarily in your middle ring and only use the big and small rings occasionally, those are probably ok. If you use them more than occassionally, and especially after 5 years. just buy a chainring 3-pack and save a few $$.

Mainly look at these parts:

1) Middle chain ring up front: $25 at most. I've had good luck with Race Face rings. (machined, with ramps and pins)
2) Cassette, at least LX level if going with Shimano, or a SRAM 7.0.
3) Chain - Go with SRAM. The quick link is a god send. oh yeah, buy a spare link for $2.99. it's worth it.
4) Your derailleur is likely pretty beat up but ifyou want to keep it, I'd at least put new idler pulleys on it. those teeth have got to be pretty chewed up too.

Check out this search engine, it's very useful. Just type in what bike part you are looking for.
http://www.bestwebbuys.com/bikes/sea...=i-home-search

I just did a complete drivetrain rebuild with middle front ring, cassette, chain and a $50 derailleur for about $120.

I was just thinking... it's easy to criticize when you say your chain is 5 1/2 years old. But, how many miles do you think are on it?? THAT is the real question.

[Shan]

A chain can last 10+ years.


It's OK, you can buy a chain, it's not like you're converting to spandex or anything!

[DickHead]

A chain can last 10+ years.


!

Even longer if the bike hangs in the garage!

Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you. A chain should be able to maintain tension, and roll smoothly. Metal on metal will wear down....replace the stinking thing.

[Sombeech]

OK, here's where I'm at.

1. 5 year old chain
   Possible damage on gears
   Possible damage on derailleurs

If I find out that I should replace all those parts WITH the chain, I'm going to ride it as long as I can, and then spend the money that I have to anyways at the end of the summer.

Unless there's MORE damage that can occur besides the afore mentioned, and the bike is riding fine right now, I'm just not motivated to change it right now.

This way, it gives me a chance to save up, and replace it by the end of the summer.