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DnvrFox
02-20-07, 05:30 PM
Nice Ride, Strange Flat - Ghost in garage?

Temp got up to 52F under a brilliant Colorado sky, which made for a wonderful 1.5 hour ride even with the 15-20 mph headwinds on the return (but very little tail wind on the out)!

Because of my wife's continuing recovery from her knee replacement, I sort of have to squeeze my rides in, without wasting too much time in the process. So, I went out to the garage to get the roadie steed, and, lo and behold, a garage flat! Now, two days ago I rode the steed after not riding it for 2 months (due to blizzards, etc.) and the tire had only dropped from 120 psi to 100 psi over those two months. But, today, totally flat after two nights.

OK, I do have stuff in the tire to seal leaks, so I decided to take a chance. I pumped it up to 120 psi, and checked it over - no visible leaks. Then I rode 1.5 hours on it, and it was still totally inflated to 120 psi.

Very strange.

Anyone else have ghosts in their garage deflating their tires at night?

Woodlark
02-20-07, 05:35 PM
The Flat Fairy?

2manybikes
02-20-07, 05:38 PM
That happens once in a while.

If you find out the pressure has gone up after sitting in the garage, call Ghostbusters. :D

How is Mrs. DnvrFox ?

DnvrFox
02-20-07, 05:44 PM
How is Mrs. DnvrFox ?

She is doing great, although she gets quite tired in the pm, which I tell her is normal. SHe is now walking a lot without the cane, and has a 0 - 118 degree range of motion.

CrossChain
02-20-07, 07:33 PM
So, Dnvr, with spring on the way, buried under the white stuff, you two will be about ready for one of those picnics you do. Great.

The cause of a flat is always there...it's just that our prescription lenses and age stiffened finger tips aren't finding that cause.

DnvrFox
02-20-07, 07:47 PM
So, Dnvr, with spring on the way, buried under the white stuff, you two will be about ready for one of those picnics you do. Great.

The cause of a flat is always there...it's just that our prescription lenses and age stiffened finger tips aren't finding that cause.

I think the goop blew out whiile standing in the garage after being inflated from 100 to 120 psi, and when I spun the tire and reinflated it, it resealed. Most likely a goathead tiny puncture.

Yeah - looking forward to the picnics.

Nermal
02-20-07, 09:11 PM
I used to be paranoid about those things. I have long suspected that Presta valves sometimes don't completely seat after topping off, but could never convince anybody. Has'nt happened in half a year, though.

jppe
02-21-07, 06:51 AM
I have 4 wheels with flat tires just like that on a couple bikes that are sitting in the garage. However, mine have been sitting there without my pumping them up for several months!! I thought they looked like they could use a break........ Your situation is realy strange. Maybe the air is just that much thinner at your elevation!!!!

2manybikes
02-21-07, 08:08 AM
She is doing great, although she gets quite tired in the pm, which I tell her is normal. SHe is now walking a lot without the cane, and has a 0 - 118 degree range of motion.

:beer: sounds good.

Sandwarrior
02-21-07, 08:13 AM
The cause of my garage flats was my 18 yo daughter

ollo_ollo
02-21-07, 09:02 AM
I once had an intermittent flat problem (overnight or left in garage a few days) on one of my bikes. Finally solved the mystery by removing the tube & a close examination discovered a small split where the valve stem met the tube. It sometimes leaked & other times went days with only normal pressure loss. New tube solved the problem.

dbg
02-21-07, 09:54 AM
I used to be paranoid about those things. I have long suspected that Presta valves sometimes don't completely seat after topping off, but could never convince anybody. Has'nt happened in half a year, though.

I have also held this opinion. After inflating prestas I always tap the top just to bob the valve into place.

stapfam
02-21-07, 01:50 PM
I have also held this opinion. After inflating prestas I always tap the top just to bob the valve into place.

Doesn't matter whether it is presta or schraeder- Flat tyres appear in the shed and don't get corrected till I repair the puncture.

Like another poster- I had the split around the valve stem on a couple of presta tubes (Fitted into Schraeder size holes) and I could pump up the tyre and it would hold pressure for a days ride. Next day and it would be flat again though.

DnvrFox
02-21-07, 02:16 PM
Well, it is half flat today, so it appears I will have to fix it! Darn.

And these are Specialized Armadillos - not supposed to flat, and hard as the devil to mount.