by johnncarol » Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:22 pm
A tandem is very hard on tires and we have tried several, including Gator Skins. I keep coming back to Continental Grand Prix as the best solution. I can't say I haven't had any flats for five years but most of the flats I have had are from glass on the road that I don't see in time to avoid. I run the 700/25 with a hard compund. I actually like the soft compound for the stickiness but for rides like CO, I like the durability of the harder compound. I run the 700/25 because I want a bit more rubber on the road, particularly for the long down hill's. Anyone who rides a tandem can tell you that flats at higher speeds are really scary. I make sure my tires are at least 110 pounds every morning because with the extra weight, pinch flats are a constant concern. I carry two tubes, CO2 cartridges a patch kit and a mini pump. I recently had a tiny tiny thorn that flatted two tubes before I found it by turning the tire inside out. I don't want to be 30 miles out of town with no way to fix a tire. With SAG on CO that is not a problem but I still would rather be safe than sorry.
As far as chip seal is concerned, would it be CO without chip seal? Just ride and be happy. We might have chip seal but we don't have stop signs or lots of traffic. We don't have to be at work or home by a certain time. We don't need to worry about cooking meals or taking care of the kids. We don't see any of the bills and we don't get any political phone calls. Chip seal seems like a small price to pay unless you are a hammerhead worried about the best camping spot.