When I received the first flat to my rear tire (below), while out on a Saturday ride, I didn’t think too much of it. I just changed it and went on my way.
A week later, while on my way home from a 20-mile ride, I heard a sudden clanging from my rear tire. A curved tree branch had sliced through the sidewall and bottom of the tire. The tire wouldn’t hold a tube, even with a boot, and I called for pickup. The branch also stripped paint off the seat tube of my bike (below). That was the source of the clanging sound.
I later checked the mileage on the tires – more than 2,600. Yikes! I ordered a new set of Michelin Krylions and installed a spare rear tire so I could continue riding until the new ones arrived.
With all of the junk on the road this time of the year, I feel more comfortable with new tires on my ride. I won’t wait so long to change them next time around either.
Ed. note: Any thoughts about how long you should keep tires until replacing them?