Saturday Rides Starting from Starbucks in Rosemount, MN
About 65% of your body weight is over the rear wheel. So if you encounter a rough set of railroad tracks, or even a pothole, getting off the saddle and leaning forward will transfer your weight more evenly between the front and the back wheel can prevent these.
After Jerry's record of three flats in one ride two weeks ago I came up with this tip. Glueless patches are very convenient, but they have a higher failure rate when used with the high pressures of 100-120 psi. So if you have some of these glueless patches save them for your off road machine!
Always air up your tires before every ride. Tires can loose up to 7 lbs. of pressure in 24 hrs. On the side wall of your tires you can find suggested psi info. You can safely add 10 lbs. to this number without any worry but, will give you a little harsher ride. I ride Continentals 4000 tire and always inflate my rear to 120, and front to 110. Having the correct psi will give you less rolling resistance while eliminating pinch flats from hitting something sharp and hard especially if you are a heavier rider.
To avoid any confusion when experiencing a flat tire, try and remember to raise your hand and come to a coasting stop. This can eliminate a possible crash by letting everyone around you know what's happening in a group setting. In the Pro peleton a right hand means a rear flat, and a left means a front tire. But for us any hand will work.