Bicycle Mechanics - tire question

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EJ123
09-15-05, 08:13 PM
So generally if I have a flat tire, is it most likely the inner tube has a hole or the tire tire thing? Im takin my bike in tomorrow to have them switch it cause i have an xtra tube, and don't want to bring it home and have it flat again in 2 days again lol...

John E
09-15-05, 08:22 PM
1) Yes, you have a hole in the inner tube itself.
2) You may still have a sharp object (thorn, nail, rock, glass shard, whatever) embedded in the tire casing. If you do not clean this out, your new tube will go flat, as well.
lrzipris
09-16-05, 05:07 AM
John E is right, but another cause of flats is the pinch flat or snake bite, which you can read about here: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/snakebites.html.

If you can't locate the puncture in the tube by eye or feeling for air when it's inflated, submerge the tube in water and look for air bubbles. One hole: see John's answer, then look for the object in the tire that caused the puncture, including checking the rim for anything that might have been the source. Two holes: pinch flat, so inflate your tires properly and try to avoid potholes or such. If the air is coming from the valve, you probably caused the problem while inflating the tube, so be gentler and more careful when inflating and when disengaging the pump head from the tire.