Let’s say now you have some riding skills, a well-suited bike, helmet and bike attire
and a few basic tools. The next thing to acquire might be some basic knowledge
about how to care for your bike.
Two areas I get a lot of questions on are flat prevention for Goatheads and proper tire inflation. Having the right tire pressure and keeping air in the tube is one of the easiest ways to increase safety, performance and confidence for your specific riding. Ignoring these two items can cause a lot of headaches and even damage your wheels.
Below is a special section on Goatheads; a major cause of flats in the Treasure Valley. While nothing works 100% of the time, we have some proven solutions for dealing with them.
GOATHEADS
Puncture Vine (Tribulus terrestris), better known as Goatheads, wreak havoc with cyclists in the area. The plant is a low lying weed with spikes. It grows in a patch and spreads rapidly. As the heads dry they become very hard, and the spikes are long enough to puncture a standard tire and tube instantly.
Goatheads seem to thrive in late summer and early fall, but cyclists run over them all year long. If you ride through a patch of Goatheads you will probably spread them around. Unfortunately, they have several spikes and will puncture more tires if they fall off your tire and end up back on the road. So, you must be vigilant and extremely lucky to avoid riding over them.
A common misconception among riders is that Goatheads can be avoided by not riding off trail. However, Goatheads have an amazing knack for migrating. They attach themselves to strollers, bike tires, shoes, etc. and catch a ride until it’s time to drop off in some unsuspecting location. Mainly right where you like to ride!
As a general rule, if you notice a Goathead in your tire, resist the temptation to remove it until you get home. It may look awful, but your tire will probably not leak until the head is removed. While riding, it might fall off, however it may also stay in your tire for a long time without causing a leak.
Another option is to try slowly removing it part way. If the tire leaks, reinsert the spike back into the same hole. As soon as you pull it out completely, you may or may not hear the unmistakable sound of air escaping-Hissssssssss! Don’t panic. If you have tire sealant (like Slime) installed, try spinning the wheel for a minute or so; you will lose some air but will likely be able to pump up and continue riding. If you are using road bike high pressure tires with sealant, don’t expect good results- it works best with standard mountain bike tires.
If you ride through a lot of Goatheads at once, the tire sealant may not work effectively. Unless you have a compressor or floor pump with you, it will probably be difficult to supply enough air to collectively seal all the holes. The air will leak out faster than you can pump. You may have to repair or replace the tube to ride any further–a good reason to always carry a spare tube.
Consider installing other flat prevention items such as thorn resistant tubes and/or tire liners. They both do a good job, the liner is much lighter compared to the heavy duty tube. However, the heavy duty tube offers more protection. For ultimate flat protection, try combining all three items mentioned: tire sealant, heavy duty tube and liner.
When repairing flats, make sure you remove all the thorns from both the inside and outside of the tire and use care to dispose of any so no one else will ride over them. Be especially careful to not leave any Goatheads laying around the garage where you could track them in the house. They are extremely painful to step on in your bare feet and will leave a lasting impression.
Future Articles: Cleaning and Lubricating