jebensch

I'd apprehensively prided myself on somehow not getting flats despite everyday commute over potholed Brooklyn roads. However, a few weeks ago I road in to work and when I got on to ride home...totally flat rear wheel. I pumped it up and it seemed to be okay for a day or two, then - bam - same thing. When I changed the tube I couldn't find a hiss or a bubble to patch so I tossed it and threw on a new tube. That tube went flat last week and when I checked for leaks, I found a small hole at the base of the valve stem. Changed the tube. Yesterday rode in...went to go home and pthththbth. Flat.

Is this just a string of bad luck? Am I doing something wrong like tightening the valve collar[not sure what that nut is called] too much against the rim? I checked the inner face of the rim and it seems all smooth and taped, no rough edges.

What would be your checklist for getting to the bottom of this in no time....
at all?