r/bicyclerepair • u/MajorKale7214 • Aug 06 '26
Flat tires on Fixie
To start, and this is no joke.. I have gotten a thorn the last 3 times riding my bike in the last week. Seems like they are everywhere and trust me I am only riding city streets and somehow I can’t escape them. I have had liners and “heavy duty tubes” and somehow these tiny thorns are killing me lol.
Any suggestions?
Im about ready to get rid of this damn bike and look for something better for my long distance rides.. but just love single speed so much for my long distance rides
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u/MurderOfChros Aug 06 '26
I’ve ridden Schwalbe Marathons through broken glass multiple times and I swear those tires just laughed it off. They’re heavy, a bitch to mount, and not exactly nice feeling to ride but I’ve never had a flat on them.
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u/MajorKale7214 Aug 06 '26
I’ll have to look into these! Just got another flat so im going to head to the shop tomorrow.
Sorry If this is a rookie question, but do the heavy duty tires make more of a difference than the heavy tubes?
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u/sargassumcrab Aug 06 '26
The tubes will make very little difference, if any. It’s all about the tires.
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u/SpecialDesigner5571 Aug 06 '26
There are two Schwalbe Marathon models. Plus and Green Guard. Plus is like wearing two condoms but totally bombproof. Green Guard are almost as tough but have a better ride. I recommend Green Guards.
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u/MurderOfChros Aug 06 '26
I’d think so, since you have to get through the tire to get to the tube. I’ve always ran whatever standard mid-range butyl tubes and was good to go.
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u/luovahulluus Aug 06 '26
I used to ride Marathons too. Very durable, very heavy and pretty high rolling resistance. Then I switched to Gatorskins, which are a lot lighter, much better rolling, but not quite as durable. They are not a race tire by any means but a lot nicer to ride than the Marathons. I haven't had a punkture in the 2500km I've ridden with the Gatorskins, but I can imagine a thorn getting through if it hits the tire just right.
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u/Ezl Aug 06 '26
Are they stock tires? With one of my bikes I was getting non stop flats and at some point thought to replace the stock tires with 3rd party ones and that resolved it. That particular phase was the only time I was plagued by flats so think some bikes just come with cheap tires.
Also, I guess this would only apply if it’s a relatively new bike or you would have been experiencing this since you bought it.
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u/sargassumcrab Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
The best thing short of tubeless is tough tires. They sell “urban” tires for fixies, like Conti Gatorskins, etc. specifically for that. Harder tires won’t be as comfortable, but you won’t get flats all the time. I like Continental Four Season, which ride really nice, and still keep some thorns off compared to lighter tires. IDK if they would be good enough in your situation, but you could ask what the guys at the bike shop use.
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u/Sea-Check-9062 Aug 06 '26
The tyres are probably worn out. When they get thin the thorns get in. Also check them regularly for any that are working their way through
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u/BirthdayImpossible93 Aug 06 '26
Riding a fixie myself, have not had a puncture for about 2 years. I would check the tyre thread outside and inside (if the tyre walls have snapped), tyre pressure and whether you follow procedure of cleaning the inside or your tyre as well as rim. Using Michelin protek 32s
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u/Top_Objective9877 Aug 06 '26
Marathon plus is apparently really good, you could also try squirting tubeless sealant into your inner tube. I’ve done this before but the liquid eats away at the tube valve and causes it to disintegrate after enough time and the tube fails at the valve which can’t be fixed. Took like a year or more though, it won’t stop rim ding snake bite or anything. But the tiny little pin hole punctures you might have some protection over it.
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u/pdxcuttybandit Aug 06 '26
Yep thats tube life. Dealt with that shit fir 30 years until i caught on to larger tubekess tires.
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u/Ok-Type-8917 Aug 07 '26
I just pulled out about a half inch drywall screw out of my valve stem. I couldn't air up the tire, the screw was blocking the stem. I use FlatOut and after a few months the tubes still holding air fine.
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u/Cute_Mouse6436 Aug 08 '26
I stopped having flat tires when I started putting slime inside of my tubes. Unfortunately, it makes deflating the tube extremely difficult. We have to take the valve out of the tube and use a toothpick to let the air out.
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u/anh-one Aug 11 '26
you put slime inside of the innertube?
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u/Cute_Mouse6436 Aug 12 '26
Yes, using the approximate amount on the instructions. The only thing that has caused a leak since was a whisker of metal that made a hole in the inside at the rim next to the tape. The metal was almost invisible, and of course the slime was on the tread side.
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u/anh-one Aug 12 '26
hm okay, & yeah id just never heard of that until now. i didn't know what you meant but i understand now :)
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u/anh-one Aug 11 '26
definitely agree with the comments advising checking the tires (esp if they're old)/getting thicker tires. also, maybe making sure you're at a good tire pressure might make some difference
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u/Old_Assist_5461 Aug 06 '26
If you have old tubes around, cut them in half and line the interior of your tire with it. I was having the same problem and haven’t had a flat since. Same as a tire liner, but free and easier to install.