• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Premium Member
  • About

Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bikes & Gear
  • Training & Health
  • Reviews
  • Cycling Ebooks
    • Ebooks Training
    • Ebooks Skills
    • E-Articles Training
    • E-Articles Nutrition
  • Member Area
  • Newsletter

How Can Pinch Flats Be Avoided

QUESTION:  I’m a big guy (235 pounds) who gets rear tire pinch flats on rough roads. I ride on 700×23 tires at 115 psi.  How can I avoid these flats? —  Ted C.

RBR REPLIES:   Most rear tire pinch flats are caused by some combination of three factors: not enough tire pressure, tires that are too narrow, or poor riding technique.

It sounds like you’re running plenty of tire pressure.

At 235, I suggest you try wider tires — 700×25 or even 28. The wider the tire, the greater the air volume and more protection for the rim. If your fork doesn’t have enough clearance for wider tires, run the widest one you can on the rear and use a narrower tire up front. test

As for technique, pay attention to the road surface. Scan ahead for things with abrupt edges — mainly potholes or cracks. When you spot these potential tire biters, think “light.” Level your pedals and lift your hips off the saddle slightly to reduce weight on the rear wheel. Slow way down for railroad tracks and other obvious places where you might pinch-flat.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • ‘Connect’ to Diet-Reverses-Diabetes Study: Even If You Don’t Have the Disease
  • My New Bike: Trek Checkpoint SL 5
  • Weak Muscles Predict Accelerated Aging, Disability and Death
  • Rolflex Muscle Recovery Tool Quick Review

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1053

Newsletter Issue No. 1052

Newsletter Issue No. 1051

Newsletter Issue No. 1050

Newsletter Issue No. 1049

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site.

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Privacy Policy

Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in