Maybe a coincicence but anyone notice many punctures on Specialized sponsored teams.

[jimbo1980]

<'coincidence' sorry>
Maybe its me but I noticed a lot of technical problems occuring for riders on the Quick Step and Saxobank teams this tour. All of which seemed to stem from an issue with the wheels and in particular punctures. Maybe it was their tyres? Now I know that certain riders are highlighted more than others and when Andy Schleck or Boonen has a puncture the cameras pick it up but there seemed to me a lot of Specialized bike riders having issues. Boonen punctured twice on a stage so too, Cancellara on a meandering descent, through the pyrennees, Andy Schleck had some issues so too Jens Voight when he was in a breakaway. Maybe a big coincidence-just something I noticed...

 

[SarahDane]

Yup, you're right about that. It's SUCH a shame. :-( It was probably also one of the contributing factors to Jens's crash. :-(

 

[LugHugger]

I remembe reading somewhere that the Specialized spokesman said that the Tarmac's bb is now so stiff that they have moved on to developing the frame in other areas since even Spartacus can not perceive any flex from the drivetrain. Perhaps it's this stiffness which is contributing to the incidence of punctures.

Incidentally, neither Saxo or Quick Step run Specialized tyres which is hardly surprising.

 

[analo69]

Actually I read in another forum that at least some Saxo Bank riders in at least one stage were using specialised tires in the TDF. I just can't remember who and where.

The post was from someone who was spectator in the start city and therefore had a good chance to look at their bicycles.

 

[Steampunk]

<'coincidence' sorry>
Maybe its me but I noticed a lot of technical problems occuring for riders on the Quick Step and Saxobank teams this tour. All of which seemed to stem from an issue with the wheels and in particular punctures. Maybe it was their tyres? Now I know that certain riders are highlighted more than others and when Andy Schleck or Boonen has a puncture the cameras pick it up but there seemed to me a lot of Specialized bike riders having issues. Boonen punctured twice on a stage so too, Cancellara on a meandering descent, through the pyrennees, Andy Schleck had some issues so too Jens Voight when he was in a breakaway. Maybe a big coincidence-just something I noticed...

Apparently, Cancellara only punctured once on that descent. After catching the peloton, he discovered that the team had replaced his yellow front wheel with a blue one, so he stopped to "color-coordinate" his bike, as befits a yellow jersey wearer. To be frank, though, his two descents between the cars was one of the highlights of the tour...

 

[TrudyTas]

<'coincidence' sorry>
Maybe its me but I noticed a lot of technical problems occuring for riders on the Quick Step and Saxobank teams this tour. All of which seemed to stem from an issue with the wheels and in particular punctures. Maybe it was their tyres? Now I know that certain riders are highlighted more than others and when Andy Schleck or Boonen has a puncture the cameras pick it up but there seemed to me a lot of Specialized bike riders having issues. Boonen punctured twice on a stage so too, Cancellara on a meandering descent, through the pyrennees, Andy Schleck had some issues so too Jens Voight when he was in a breakaway. Maybe a big coincidence-just something I noticed...

I picked up on this, particularly re Andy Schleck who seemed to have at least 6 (maybe more) punctures and I seem to recall 2 on one stage. Just glad none of them happened at a critical mountain climbing point in time.

Does anywhere give stats on this sort of thing?

 

[forty four]

i have raced and trained on michelins vittorias continental panaracer hutchinson continental vredestein and specialized the specialized tires dont flat any more than anything else the most flat prone are vittorias easily. though the open corsa cx is probably the best clincher out there just not regarding flatting. these of course were all clinchers so maybe different with tubulars.

 

[User1234]

i have raced and trained on michelins vittorias continental panaracer hutchinson continental vredestein and specialized the specialized tires dont flat any more than anything else the most flat prone are vittorias easily. though the open corsa cx is probably the best clincher out there just not regarding flatting. these of course were all clinchers so maybe different with tubulars.

Agreed, I've been riding a pair of S-Works (so branded) for a couple thousand miles without incident. Are we sure what tires Saxo Bank and Quick-Step were using?

 

[balkou]

i think they use veloflex tubulars

 

[andrew_s]

Apparently, Cancellara only punctured once on that descent. After catching the peloton, he discovered that the team had replaced his yellow front wheel with a blue one, so he stopped to "color-coordinate" his bike, as befits a yellow jersey wearer. To be frank, though, his two descents between the cars was one of the highlights of the tour...

He punctured both wheels. Started with 2 yellow wheels, finished with 2 black ones.

 

[runninboy]

i have raced and trained on michelins vittorias continental panaracer hutchinson continental vredestein and specialized the specialized tires dont flat any more than anything else the most flat prone are vittorias easily. though the open corsa cx is probably the best clincher out there just not regarding flatting. these of course were all clinchers so maybe different with tubulars.

Big difference between tubular & clincher. I run Vittoria tubulars and found them to be the best in terms of not puncturing. I have only had one flat in the last 5-6 years of racing(and some training)on them.
Continentals sprinters i used to flat about once every month. However i imagine they have perfected the Kevlar belt like vittoria has in the time since i last rode them.

However if i remember correctly Tom Boonen has his tubulars custom made by a small firm & sponsor logo applied. It was not Dugast, a smaller firm
definitely not veloflex. Made to look like them.

 

[hulkgogan]

Just as an aside I always found it amazing how often pros actually do flat. Like the man says I can race and train for years and not flat, especially if I am replacing tires every few months.

Are these guys riding some super light, super thin tire? Does it seem like they flat a lot to you guys?