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Tyre flint classification
![Senecio [Daniel D]](https://forum.ccashwell.co.uk/uploads/userpics/691/nAAIKVAJWITJP.jpg)
Im collecting the flints I pull out of my tyres this year with the intention of making a mosaic. Realistically this might not be very big, but I am hoping for some good artistic inspiration in December.
I pulled a few out of my tyres from the London Phoenix and this got me thinking, maybe we should have some classification system? So heres what I suggest.
Flints are usually triangular, so using the formula half base times height you get the area. Using a Carat system we can now define the following:
24 carat = 8mm^2
21 carat = 7mm^2
18 carat = 6mm^2
15 carat = 5mm^2
12 carat = 4mm^2
9 carat = 3mm^2
6 carat = 2mm^2
3 carat = 1mm^2
My best so far has been an 18 carat gem from Hog Hill, whereas at Mondays London Phoenix Easter Classic I only mined some 3 carat ones.
I pulled a few out of my tyres from the London Phoenix and this got me thinking, maybe we should have some classification system? So heres what I suggest.
Flints are usually triangular, so using the formula half base times height you get the area. Using a Carat system we can now define the following:
24 carat = 8mm^2
21 carat = 7mm^2
18 carat = 6mm^2
15 carat = 5mm^2
12 carat = 4mm^2
9 carat = 3mm^2
6 carat = 2mm^2
3 carat = 1mm^2
My best so far has been an 18 carat gem from Hog Hill, whereas at Mondays London Phoenix Easter Classic I only mined some 3 carat ones.
Comments
How do you classify a 1/2" carpet tack from the Paris Roubaix Mons-et-Pevele pave secteur?
Thats what I found in my tyre last Saturday....
Unfortunately I didn't keep the offending sharp for you to use in the mosaic
JRVM
As for the following description of the Conti Grand Prix (should that be price?) 4 seasons......pah!
"Toughness and wet weather performance make it ideal for fast Audax and all year round road racing.
Thanks to its DuraSkin anti-tear fabric, the Grand Prix 4 Season holds up under extreme conditions. In the Paris Roubaix race, the Hell of the North, cyclists equipped with DuraSkin enhanced tyres have the fewest tyre related problems during the race. Incorporating Conti's special wear resistant carbon compound, the tyre is characterised by very good mileage performance as well as excellent adhesion on wet roads and at low temperatures.
A double Vectran Breaker belt under the tread raises the puncture and cut protection to the highest level available on the market."
Just a thought also. When you stop on a cyclosportive for food/drink do you check tyres for flints or on a long club ride at coffee break or for a comfort break ??.....how long would it take after all ?? might well save you from a puncture before continued cycling drove it deeper into the tyre.
Still, despite all efforts, if some nut strews tacks or you get a snake bite from impact or the flints are very frequent and sharp I guess there isn't much you can do.
As Tim said, it was a tough course for tyres. Perhaps heavier riders have a bigger puncture risk? There may also be variation in batches of tyres ... and I reckon they change a bit with age too ... who knows? Luck plays a big part
I knew it was there because the front wheel made a resounding clink sound every revolution. No puncture though, but then I rarely do.
1/ Lose weight...yes, I know!
2/ Fit solid rubber tyres
3/ Take out a second mortgage and buy Geoff's recommended tyres at almost £50 each on Wiggle
4/ Find a four leaf clover, wear a rabbit's foot or throw salt over my shoulder before each ride.
Think I'll continue with option 1 and see how we go!!
do any of my tyres count if so i would win hands down, whole house bricks, huge lumps of concrete,assorted spanners , spark plugs, half a back leg from a stag,
you would be amazed at what we find sticking out of tyres.
strappy.
(p.s.your not busy enough at work).
Loctite 382 instant adhesive will close the hole and stop flints re-entering the hole.
.........are tubs more puncture resistant than clinchers?
....(retreats to a safe distance)....!!!
Would that ... ahem superglue... not then become something which could cause a puncture?
I'#m not being funny i've always actually wondered that