[JohnE]

It is thorn season here in the SoCal desert...I am going through tubes like they were beer. I have used 12 in the last 2 weeks...every time I ride it costs me $10 in tubes.
I have a pile in my garage, because the hippy in me wont throw them out.
Anyone know a place I can send them to be recycled??

 

[sanjuro]

Specialized was organizing a rubber recycling program, but I think they gave up.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Are you using sealant?

 

[Reactor]

Are you using sealant?

Seconded.

Before I went tubeless I was only using a couple of tubes a year here in AZ, and I was riding 40+ miles a week off road, over thorns, cactus, and rocks.

 

[cannondalejunky]

you should make a chair with them
http://www.bikefurniture.com/pagesSeating/s2lm1.htm

 

[berkshire_rider]

Something like this might be a good place for your old tubes

 

[trailhacker]

How about a patch kit and "recycling" them to yourself?

 

[JohnE]

I am thinking about sealant...but they arent working on the fraus jog stroller, why would they work for me?
We have these stupid buck thorn/goat head thorns here. They drive my dogs and me nuts. They didnt seem to be here last fall...
I have never been able to make patches work, even in my roadie days.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Get someone to show you how to apply a patch correctly - they do work.

 

[Wumpus]

I am thinking about sealant...but they arent working on the fraus jog stroller, why would they work for me?
We have these stupid buck thorn/goat head thorns here. They drive my dogs and me nuts. They didnt seem to be here last fall...
I have never been able to make patches work, even in my roadie days.

I never had much luck with the Slime Tubes, but I haven't had a flat in years using the Specialized AirLocks(mine also have removable cores so they could be refilled). We don't have the big thorns but lots of greenbriar(Smilax species).

 

[Reactor]

I never had much luck with the Slime Tubes, but I haven't had a flat in years using the Specialized AirLocks(mine also have removable cores so they could be refilled). We don't have the big thorns but lots of greenbriar(Smilax species).

I second the specialized airlocks. I ran over a prickly pear cactus during the 24HTOP a couple of years ago, pulled out the large needles and it sealed instantly, didn't even have to add air.

 

[JohnE]

Get someone to show you how to apply a patch correctly - they do work.

The last run in I had with thorns, I pulled over 2 dozen out of my front tire...I dont think 24 patches would go real well.

 

[BMXman]

How about a patch kit and "recycling" them to yourself?

You wouldn't believe how many people I know who never patch they just buy a new tube

 

[johnbryanpeters]

The last run in I had with thorns, I pulled over 2 dozen out of my front tire...I dont think 24 patches would go real well.

So remove the tube and fill the tire with thorns.

 

[CBJ]

I am thinking about sealant...but they arent working on the fraus jog stroller, why would they work for me?
We have these stupid buck thorn/goat head thorns here. They drive my dogs and me nuts. They didnt seem to be here last fall...
I have never been able to make patches work, even in my roadie days.

Well get somebody to show you how to patch - Its really easy.

 

[JohnE]

Again, I have been pulling a **** load of thorns...up to 30 per tire. Too many holes to patch...

 

[sanjuro]

That's a good question for those living in thorny areas. What's better, slime/airlock tubes or Stan's?

 

[Stinkepete2021]

Moving

 

[Ciaran]

Are these the little thorns that have multiple spikey ends? (I *hate* those ones)

Where are you getting them? Road or trail?

 

[JohnE]

Yup, I have been calling them buck thorns, but my buddy (born and bred local...) says the term is goats head. ANy way they lie they will get you, like a caltrop.
I get them on the mountain bike, but only because thats all I have these days...they are all over.

 

[Dangerous E]

You gotta run tubeless holmes. Even a ghetto tubeless setup would work just fine. For the cost of two bmx tubes and bottle of Stan's Juice you could be flat free in no time. Serious. It's wicked easy. Run a search on here and you'll find some links on how to do it...

 

[MMike]

Try riding around the thorns..

 

[Arkayne]

Tubeless mang. I ran through a lot infested with goat-heads and could barely see my tire. I pulled each one out, watched my tire 'sweat' as Stans did its thing and POW, street session continued.

 

[JohnE]

Try riding around the thorns..

Go eat some french fries with cheese and gravy...you are no help at all.

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

Get tires that don't suck?

 

[JohnE]

And those tires that meet with your approval are?
I will be sure to avoid them.

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

Michelin Comp 32s (2.8) or Nokian Gazzi 3.0s


Duh.

 

[TN]

Having trouble staying on the singeltrack?

 

[JohnE]

Joe, those tires are bigger than what I run on my car...

I am a XC/Singlespeed weenie, no DH for me. Those guys go too fast and break to much **** when you crash.

 

[Yelo]

Go eat some french fries with cheese and gravy...

What's wrong with "Poutine"? It's delicious....

 

[jonKranked]

solid t00bz yo!

 

[Arkayne]

tire balls!

edit: eh, those probably wouldn't help anyway. You would end up with 15 flat tire balls.

 

[JohnE]

What's wrong with "Poutine"? It's delicious....

Thanks, the name was escaping me! It is great, but its a heart attack in an bowl...

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

Joe, those tires are bigger than what I run on my car...

Hahaha, I know. I can't believe I used to run those frikkin' things.

Now to be 4 cerealsly........what tires are you running? Mfg? Model? Size? Pressure?

 

[JohnE]

Been runnning WTB Velociraptor Races on the M4 and the 8000, and Fire XCs on the SS...40-45 psi...
I dont go bigger than 2.0s. Yep, I like 'em little.

 

[CrabJoe StretchPants]

I run Maxxis CrossMark and ADvantages on my XC bike (2.1), and have had great luck with them (1 flat in 4 months of riding). The Crossmark is very thin (as is the Panaracer Fire XC Pro, which I ran years ago), but then again I'm sure the Northeast isn't nearly as thorn-infested as So. Cal....We mainly just worry about jagged rock/pinch flats.


I would maybe try going with a 2 ply tire if you can find one that isn't too heavy for your liking. Tires like the CrossMark, Fire XC, etc. are REALLY thin, and tend to have very low tread profiles (typical race XC tires), which may not be the best choice if you aren't terribly concerned about weight/rolling resistance. If it means a bit more weight and slightly more aggressive tread but 1/10th the tube changes, it might be worth looking into.


Although I must say I'm surprised by the Velociraptor flats.....Are the races significantly different than the standard Velociraptors? I ran the regular ones (2.1s) about 5-6 years ago and remember them being fairly thick (both tread and sidewalls).

 

[MMike]

What's wrong with "Poutine"? It's delicious....

mets-en......

 

[JohnE]

The 'Raptors are nice and fat...the thorns are that nasty. Surpisingly, the Fires have given me the least trouble. Maybe because of the difference in where I ride SS v. where I ride the gearies...

 

[spectaculardark]

send the crap tubes to me

 

[skatetokil]

If you dont like the slime tires or the stans, the thing that that really stopped the goat heads for me when i was out in cali were the kevlar spike strips that you run between the tube and the tire. Less messy than slime for sure and they really did work. run both and you'll never flat again but your wheels will weigh 12lbs each.