[akbiker]

I also posted this commuting, but I thought you guys may have some winter specific ideas.

I bought some used nokian hakka 300 studded tires for winter riding here in Alaska. I love them, but i keep getting flats in the same place over and over, 3 times so far. After about 10 miles my front tire goes flats from a rip at the base of the valve stem. I have used three different kinds of tubes all presta valves. These are not slow leaks either. the tire is fine and BOOM total loss of air, never while riding only while it parked, usually immediately after I dismount. After the second blowout I made a meticulous inspection of the entire tire and rim for causes. I taped around the valve hole in the rim just in case, but there doesn't seem to be anything else wrong. Oh, by the way it only the front tire (the back has been great) and I run about 35-40 psi. I weigh 170 and I am not really riding aggressively or doing anything out of my normal routine of commuting. Any help would be great because it is getting really annoying and expensive. thanks

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[ccd rider]

I think sometimes even with tape it can rip there if you don't have the stem perpendicular to the hole.

[jimisnowhere]

Perhaps the valve hole on the rim is sharp. Try sanding down the inside of the hole. Or the tire/tube is sliding on the rim and tears the valve stem. I assume your very careful putting the valve in straight now. Some people glue one side of their bead to the rim so it can't walk down the rim. I've read of most people doing it with a low low pressure set up coupled with wide rims. When you stop the bike to get off are you slamming the front brake?


jim

[Kol.klink]

Make sure, obviously your tyres are properly inflated, and throw that little ring, that screws onto the valve, by the wayside

[drmarthacastro]

I don't think the problem is with the tubes I think you have a very sharp valv hole on the rim.