Bicycle Mechanics - 7 flats in 7 days

So after having no flats for about a year (finally figured out that the Stops Flats 2 brand of tire liners really does stop flats better than other brands and if you buy the right size they don't give you flats either) I'm suddenly having a rash of flats:

#1. It started with a regular puncture flat (only second front tire flat I've ever had and it only happened because I wasn't using a tire liner). I replaced the tube with a brand new one (it's my policy to avoid patching).
#2. That tube exploded. So I replaced it with another brand new one.
#3. That lasted for a day then somehow I got a spoke flat (you know from the spoke poking through the rim tape). Considering I was using the same rims and rim tape for over 1000 miles it seemed like a fluke...I was also outta spare tubes so I just patched the original (unexploded) tube and put it back in.
#4. That tube exploded (in a different area from the first explosion). So I patched another old tube I had lying around and put that in.
#5. That tube also exploded (in yet another area). So I patched another old tube and put that in.
#6. Then I got another spoke flat (again in a different area from the first spoke flat). So I patched it and replaced the 3 layers of strapping tape I was successfully using as rim tape for over 1000 miles with some nice thick cloth hockey tape.
#7. Finally I just got another spoke flat.

I'm at my wits end. There are no burs or pointy areas inside the rim and even if there were I'm now using thick cloth tape that reaches almost from bead to bead. What gives?

EDIT- I'm now up to 11 flats in 9 days:
#8. Another "spoke flat" pinhole (after adding a second layer of cloth rim tape). Removed tire, turned it inside out and cleaned it in the shower (also cleaned rim in shower) to make sure there are absolutely no sharp particles present.
#9. Flat from patch failure. Threw out tube and replaced with different (patched) tube.
#10. Another "spoke flat" pinhole. Patched it and this time tried to be more gentle when scuffing/abrading patch area.
#11. Another "spoke flat" pinhole (this time on opposite side of rim). Replaced 1.25"-1.6" wide tube with 1.5"-1.9" wide tube.

EDIT- Problem was that the tubes were too narrow!

have you recently trued your rims or had them trimmed, if they are trued incorrectly you may have weird flatting issues. if so I would have your wheels re-tensioned from the ground up.???

I'm sceptical you're getting 'spoke flats". Tubes don't normally explode. I suspect it's related to how you are mounting the tires. Are you using tire irons to get the tires on?

have you recently trued your rims or had them trimmed, if they are trued incorrectly you may have weird flatting issues. if so I would have your wheels re-tensioned from the ground up.???

What the heck does that have to do with flat tires ? "trimmed" rims ???

Anyway, "exploding" tubes usually points to user error ... either pinching the tube under the bead of the tire, or not seating the tire evenly around the rim. Nothing wrong with tire irons when used correctly.

For #7, the spoke is coming through the tape ? Or the spoke hole is exposed ?
What size & type of rims & tires. What psi are you using ?

I'm sceptical you're getting 'spoke flats". Tubes don't normally explode. I suspect it's related to how you are mounting the tires. Are you using tire irons to get the tires on?

I'm just using my hands to get the tires on and they go on very easily without any struggle. Also what I'm calling a "spoke flat" is just a single pinhole directly above the spoke hole (on the inner circumference of the tube).

I'm very careful about mounting my tires after noticing how crooked they can be when mounted carelessly (I've mostly observed this crooked mounting on new/display bikes)...also one time I had a bump in my tire (on another bike) due to the bulky part of the tube (over the valve stem) being seated too close to the tire bead and since then I'm extra extra careful. For example, I never pump up the tire all at once, but rather I pump to:
-40 psi then let the air out.
-80 psi then let the air out.
-and finally to 100 psi.
...that way I make sure the tube doesn't get pinched.


What the heck does that have to do with flat tires ? "trimmed" rims ???

Anyway, "exploding" tubes usually points to user error ... either pinching the tube under the bead of the tire, or not seating the tire evenly around the rim. Nothing wrong with tire irons when used correctly.

For #7, the spoke is coming through the tape ? Or the spoke hole is exposed ?
What size & type of rims & tires. What psi are you using ?

Neither spoke nor spoke hole is coming through the tape or exposed....if I had to guess I'd say the inflated tube is flexing the tape and expanding into the spoke hole where it gets punctured, but why would it suddenly be able to do that with good cloth rim tape or after thousands of miles of successful riding (with 3 layers of strapping tape)?

The rim is an Araya RB-17 (ISO 406) with an Intense MicroKnobby folding bead tire (20x2.0" wide). Tire is rated for 110 psi and I usually pump them to 100 psi...but the explosions/punctures have been happening around 60 psi.

Also this wheel has never been trued...nothing changed since the day I built it.

Multiple flats can also occur if a sharp object that caused the first flat is still stuck in the tire, so it can eventually cause another flat.

^Since you were running 60psi when you got the flats, maybe they are pinch flats?

Also, you should install a tube, inflate to around 20-30psi, deflate, seat the beads correctly, and inflate to pressure. This allows the tube to seat correctly between the rim and the tire. Report back. Also, I'd recommend some Velox rim tape.

^Since you were running 60psi when you got the flats, maybe they are pinch flats?

Also, you should install a tube, inflate to around 20-30psi, deflate, seat the beads correctly, and inflate to pressure. This allows the tube to seat correctly between the rim and the tire. Report back. Also, I'd recommend some Velox rim tape.

Thing is that, including the first, only two of these flats happened after riding. The rest were all in the repair stand or even after the wheel was removed for thorough inspection.

Also I do use that method when inflating my tubes (see above), but I don't use Velox. Can you see impressions of the spoke holes when you use Velox or is it so thick that the rim well just looks smooth? When I put a single layer of cloth hockey tape I could see the impressions of the spoke holes (but it was no worse than what I observed on the factory wheels I've had), but I just added a second layer and now it's so thick that the rim well just looks smooth...I'll report back tomorrow if that stopped the flats (but not tonight because I don't like pumping up patched tires to full psi until they've had a few hours to fully cure).

Thing is that, including the first, only two of these flats happened after riding. The rest were all in the repair stand or even after the wheel was removed for thorough inspection.

Also I do use that method when inflating my tubes (see above), but I don't use Velox. Can you see impressions of the spoke holes when you use Velox or is it so thick that the rim well just looks smooth? When I put a single layer of cloth hockey tape I could see the impressions of the spoke holes (but it was no worse than what I observed on the factory wheels I've had), but I just added a second layer and now it's so thick that the rim well just looks smooth...I'll report back tomorrow if that stopped the flats (but not tonight because I don't like pumping up patched tires to full psi until they've had a few hours to fully cure).
You can see a slight depression after having 100+psi tires on them for 1k+ miles. Before they see any pressure, they are very smooth. I've never gotten a rim side puncture since I switched to Velox (though I haven't installed any on my new roadie yet).

You can see a slight depression after having 100+psi tires on them for 1k+ miles. Before they see any pressure, they are very smooth. I've never gotten a rim side puncture since I switched to Velox (though I haven't installed any on my new roadie yet).

Yeah, well for me cycling is an exercise in self-sufficiency so I only use solutions that I could replicate from scratch with my own hands. I can't make "Velox" brand tape, but I could weave myself generic cloth hockey tape if I needed to.

But based on what you've said here I suspect the hockey tape is a little thinner than Velox...so I'll post back tomorrow as to whether two layers of hockey tape solved the problem. Thanks everyone for your help.

Chucky:

I've had 3 flats in 4 days since Saturday. Thorn on Saturday picked up during a 50 mile ride, glass on Monday, and old instant glueless patch detaching on Tuesday (not the patch put in on Saturday). Technically, I might have had the detached patch on Wednesday because I noticed the flat around 2am, so it could have gone flat after midnight. All have been replaced with good old rubber cement and some old 1 inch squares of old cut-up inner tube and I'm still riding the same tube, which incidentally, has like 8 patches on it.

At my wits end? Hardly. I don't intend to give the flat-tire-gremlins a single tube. I'm gonna keep patching this tube until the cows and me are stuck walking home.

I don't have the inside spoke poke through you're having and I ain't having 7 flats in 7 days (knock on wood), but I highly recommend that you think back on the last few weeks and recall if yougot cursed by anyone, like a spouse, a significant other, or you cursed the tire-gods an now are paying the price. Better to make amends. I know I'm up the creek and in the dog house with my Karma points because 10 days ago, I went to my Mom's house for mother's day, but I forgot entirely about my wife, who's the Mom of my 3 kids. Duh. But instead of making up for it this past weekend, I went fishing instead. These flats are my punishment. I have no doubt.

Question for you, is what moral crime did you commit to warrant 7 flats in 7 days?

Yeah, well for me cycling is an exercise in self-sufficiency so I only use solutions that I could replicate from scratch with my own hands. I can't make "Velox" brand tape, but I could weave myself generic cloth hockey tape if I needed to.

But based on what you've said here I suspect the hockey tape is a little thinner than Velox...so I'll post back tomorrow as to whether two layers of hockey tape solved the problem. Thanks everyone for your help.

Huh, so do you also have a rubber tree in your backyard so you can manufacture new innertubes for when it fails again? Just use the right parts and get real velox. Strapping tape (hard plastic w sharp edges !yikes!) and hockey tape are not "solutions".
If you're consistently having the tire blowoff but you're sure that you aren't pinching the tubes between the tire/rim, then check the tire bead for any worn places, check the rim for any deformation/damage to the hook area....

Huh, so do you also have a rubber tree in your backyard so you can manufacture new inner tubes for when it fails again? Just use the right parts and get real velox. Strapping tape (hard plastic w sharp edges !yikes!) and hockey tape are not "solutions".
If you're consistently having the tire blowoff but you're sure that you aren't pinching the tubes between the tire/rim, then check the tire bead for any worn places, check the rim for any deformation/damage to the hook area....

Question if he's going to improvise his rim tape. Wouldn't he be better off cannibalizing an old tube? Instead of using either strapping tape or hockey tape?

Question if he's going to improvise his rim tape. Wouldn't he be better off cannibalizing an old tube? Instead of using either strapping tape or hockey tape?

In a pinch, I've done just that. Old tubes work great for rim strips, and you can make them as wide or narrow as you need. You have to be careful with the valve hole, though. I have used a hole-punch to make sure I get a good round hole, rather than risk using a knife and having it tear across from a jagged edge.

Mother ****er! I woke up this morning and the tire was flat AGAIN (pinhole in the spoke area)...so you can make that 8 flats in 8 days.

Now I'm really at my wits end because if I put any more rim tape in there I won't be able to get the tires on and off easily. Only good news is that a pattern is starting to develop with the last three flats all being within a few cm of each other.

I'm hesitant to patch it because when I eventually replace the tube with one that doesn't have these thick patches I don't want it to also instantly flat.


Huh, so do you also have a rubber tree in your backyard so you can manufacture new innertubes for when it fails again? Just use the right parts and get real velox. Strapping tape (hard plastic w sharp edges !yikes!) and hockey tape are not "solutions".
If you're consistently having the tire blowoff but you're sure that you aren't pinching the tubes between the tire/rim, then check the tire bead for any worn places, check the rim for any deformation/damage to the hook area....

No, but I could grow a rubber tree if I needed to (but I couldn't grow magical "schwalbe" rubber if that were the essential ingredient of a "real" inner tube).

Just because I want to understand what makes the parts work myself instead of paying Velox a million dollars for cotton and glue doesn't mean I'm not using "the right" or "real" parts. On the contrary I am using the "right" parts and I am using the "real" parts...I just want to make them myself; Otherwise I would just go to the Hyundai dealer down the block and buy a "real" vehicle.


Question if he's going to improvise his rim tape. Wouldn't he be better off cannibalizing an old tube? Instead of using either strapping tape or hockey tape?

What makes you say I'm improvising? How does Velox make their tape? That's what I trying to do....and why shouldn't I be able to? You act like I'm trying to rediscover plutonium here....it's freaking cloth tape: cotton and glue!

Mother ****er! I woke up this morning and the tire was flat AGAIN (pinhole in the spoke area)...so you can make that 8 flats in 8 days.

Now I'm really at my wits end because if I put any more rim tape in there I won't be able to get the tires on and off easily. Only good news is that a pattern is starting to develop with the last three flats all being within a few cm of each other.Be careful of tube-orientation when you remove. Take off tyre and tube. Then place blown tube back over rim in the same direction as before. Line up the hole in the tube with a specific rim-hole & spoke that was under the blow-out. Inspect the rim-tape and rim-drilling very carefully at that spot.

Post a close-up photo for us to inspect.

Personally, I wouldn't use rubber rim-strips on anything over 25-30psi. I've tried all sorts of things: strapping/packing tape, multiple layers of first-aid/hockey tape, electrical tape, masking, duct tape, multiple inner tube rim-strips, etc. Given the low cost of Velox versus the dollars I would be earning if I wasn't messing with trial&error experiments with home-made rim-strips , I'll only use Velox from now on as my time is way, way more valuable.

BTW, the secret to Velox is the fabric's thickness and stiffness. The glue that stays tacky is also part of its success.

Just in case there's any sand or metal shavings I couldn't see I took the tire off and washed the rim in the shower...and I also turned the tire inside out and washed that along with the tube. Then I got 2 more flats:
-1 failed patch
-1 more spoke hole

That makes a total of 10 flats in 8 days.

Post a close-up photo for us to inspect.

The middle spoke in this picture is where the flats are happening:
252229

And here's a close-up (exact spot is where my finger is pointing):
252230

And here are where I patched the tubes (there are 4 patches and one unpatched pinhole above the leftmost, uppermost patch)...strange thing is keeps poking through in different spots (but all in the same general area as you can see):
252228 252227



Given the low cost of Velox versus the dollars I would be earning if I wasn't messing with trial&error experiments with home-made rim-strips , I'll only use Velox from now on as my time is way, way more valuable.

But what if Velox goes out of business or you're on tour and you can't get Velox? Isn't it going to be a much more costly to figure out what makes good rim tape work then.

You're pinching the tube when you put the tire back on, I think.

I was thinking about why the flats are collecting in the same general area, but not in the same spot (they're next to each other) and I had an idea:
Maybe the current rash (last 5/10) flats are being caused by the metal scuff/abrasion tool (you know for scuffing the surface of tube so it can vulcanize to the patch)? Is that possible?



You're pinching the tube when you put the tire back on, I think.

With what, my fingers? With the kevlar tire bead? How could this tube possibly be that fragile when the tires are so easy to get on and off? I used to have rims, tires that were hell to get on and off and I never pinched a tube with those (despite snapping many tire levers).

Do you have another wheel that you can use?

If you do and it stops the flats then you know it's an issue with the wheel.
If it doesn't stop the flats then you know it's an issue with the tire.
I guess putting on another tire is another path of diagnosis. You could swap the front and rear tires.

Have you looked and felt the bead of the tire, maybe there something protruding from it, or it is bent, or something.

Nothing wrong with rolling you're own rim strips.

Could the bead be separating? I've had tires do this.

Self-sufficiency is good as long as you're not causing more problems than you solve. ;)

Underneath all that rim tape, are there spoke ends that protrude beyond the nipples? I would grind them down if so -- you may not feel it when the tire is off the rim, but at 100psi, things are going to get cozy in there.

- Scott, who is hoping to keep Velox in business for as long as he will need them...

there is a company in Philadelphia that is making rim tape competing with Velox. It's nice.

exploding tubes means that the tire is coming off or it's not inside the tire when you are inflating. I had one of those a while back. I push the tire in around the rim to make sure that the tube isn't trapped between the tube and tire. I notice you are using steel rims, those take a lot of care and are somewhat more prone to tires slipping a bead

exploding tubes means that the tire is coming off or it's not inside the tire when you are inflating. I had one of those a while back. I push the tire in around the rim to make sure that the tube isn't trapped between the tube and tire. I notice you are using steel rims, those take a lot of care and are somewhat more prone to tires slipping a bead

You mean you slide the tire around the circumference of the rim? Hmm...sometimes I try that to get the tire label lined up with the valve stem, but none of the tires I've used are loose enough to slide. I do, however, pinch the tire and do a visual check that there's nothing between the bead and rim-hook.

Also the rims are chromed aluminum:
http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=201

I didn't read all of the responses but sometimes it's just your turn to get flats. Curious, how old is the tire? Did you finally get real rim tape? Are you using decent tubes? New tire, new tube and rim tape and I'll bet you're good to ride.

I didn't read all of the responses but sometimes it's just your turn to get flats. Curious, how old is the tire? Did you finally get real rim tape? Are you using decent tubes? New tire, new tube and rim tape and I'll bet you're good to ride.
While you're at it, you should get new wheels, a new frame, and a new drivetrain! :rolleyes: Just kidding!

Ok so a few hours ago I patched flat #10 and this time I tried not to buff it so vigorously. Then I installed it and pumped it to 60 then 80 psi....and now it's flat again!:
#11. Another pinhole on the inner circumference of the tube (ie a suspected "spoke puncture") and this time 180 degrees away from all the other pinholes (virgin area with no patches).

So I guess the problem wasn't overzealous buffing/sanding of the tubes. So now I tried installing a wider tube (rated 1.5-1.9" instead of 1.25-1.6") and so far it's holding at 100 psi, but we'll see if it can withstand the nightly onslaught of the tire gremlins :eek:...

Mother ****er! I woke up this morning and the tire was flat AGAIN (pinhole in the spoke area)...so you can make that 8 flats in 8 days.

<Snip>

What makes you say I'm improvising? How does Velox make their tape? That's what I trying to do....and why shouldn't I be able to? You act like I'm trying to rediscover plutonium here....it's freaking cloth tape: cotton and glue!

Hmm, let's see you've used "strapping tape" and "hockey tape" and you're getting flat after flat. That would suggest to most people that you're NOT using the right material.

I'm all for being self-sufficient and saving money but there is a time and place for it. How much time and money have you spent in patching and/or replacing inner tubes?

If your method of using either strapping or hockey tape worked then why do you keep getting flat after flat?

To be perfectly honest with you I do not now how Velox (or any other rim tape manufacturer) makes their rim tape. But you obviously haven't been able to make a rim tape that is as good as what you could purchase for a couple of bucks from your LBS.

The middle spoke in this picture is where the flats are happening:
252229

And here's a close-up (exact spot is where my finger is pointing):
252230

And here are where I patched the tubes (there are 4 patches and one unpatched pinhole above the leftmost, uppermost patch)...strange thing is keeps poking through in different spots (but all in the same general area as you can see):
252228 252227




But what if Velox goes out of business or you're on tour and you can't get Velox? Isn't it going to be a much more costly to figure out what makes good rim tape work then.

Velox is just one of how many rim tape manufacturers? Given all of the time that you've "wasted" on fixing flats wouldn't it be less expensive in the long run to just invest in some Velox (or the manufacturer of your choice) rim tape? I'm sure that you can buy it in bulk if you wanted to.

With what, my fingers? With the kevlar tire bead? How could this tube possibly be that fragile when the tires are so easy to get on and off? I used to have rims, tires that were hell to get on and off and I never pinched a tube with those (despite snapping many tire levers). It happened to me last week and looking at your pictures it looked exactly the same. You don't need anything sharp or edgy, just squeezing the tube between the tire and the rim while you force the tire back on could do it. If you always put your tire back the same way every time you will pinch the tube at approximatly the same spot every time.

When a tube "explodes" it is never the fault of the tube. A tube has to have an escape route in order to expand enough to explosively fail. There are only two escape routes available: Through a hole or slit in the tire, or between the tire and rim. Escaping between the tire and rim only has three causes: broken or defective tire bead, mounting a high pressure tire on a non hook-bead rim, or poor mounting of the tire.

There is no logical reason that the tape would be the deciding factor when all of your puncture flats occur in one spot/area. No matter what rim protection you use, the critical difference is that spot on the rim. Can you discern anything different on the rim when you remove the rim tape from that area? I don't recall ever seeing a spoke or ferrule area related puncture I would call a "pinhole," which would be a tiny puncture with no marks or tube deformation around or near it.

I would take a cotton ball or a piece of pantyhose and very thoroughly check the inside surface of the tire. You may have a tiny bit of wire just below the surface, and when you are pinching the tire to mount it, the wire may be sticking out and knicking the tube.


As an aside, I'm not sure I understand your aversion to purchasing proper rim tape. I mean, if you're happy with your solution, that's great. I also am usually self-sufficient with a mule-like tenacity, but... generally speaking, for me, rim strips (and patch kits) are one of those areas that are so cheap and so thoroughly evolved/solved that there's no real reason to try and re-invent them. I use Zefal's cloth tape, from Amazon. Under $8 for 2 rolls, and lasts forever.

So... what you do is get some Velox that so many think is the problem because you're not using it. Install it and if there are no flats, they're right. If not- they're wrong. Either way you'll know.

There is no way I'd settle for 11 flats in 9 days. You're either a glutton for punishment or just plain stubborn. I'd lace up some now double wall rims, put in some velo plugs- new tire and tube and be done with it!

So... what you do is get some Velox that so many think is the problem because you're not using it. Install it and if there are no flats, they're right. If not- they're wrong. Either way you'll know.

There is no way I'd settle for 11 flats in 9 days. You're either a glutton for punishment or just plain stubborn. I'd lace up some now double wall rims, put in some velo plugs- new tire and tube and be done with it!

Agreed, as others have said there's being self-sufficient and then there's being stubborn. Obviously whatever Chucky is doing isn't working. Otherwise why is he getting so many flats in such a short period of time?

there is a company in Philadelphia that is making rim tape competing with Velox. It's nice.

exploding tubes means that the tire is coming off or it's not inside the tire when you are inflating. I had one of those a while back. I push the tire in around the rim to make sure that the tube isn't trapped between the tube and tire. +1 obviously your problem is operator error as pretty much the only way a tube explodes, is when the tube is between the tire and rim; you may be checking for this, but it is still what is happening. Its also highly unlikely that you are experiencing spoke flats that suddenly started poking holes in your tube in different spots. The most likely suspect is pinching the tubes using a tire lever(s).

I would go with those saying to use some good rim tape. Out of curiosity, how old are the tubes you're using?

I would go with those saying to use some good rim tape. Out of curiosity, how old are the tubes you're using?

That's a good question. How old are the tubes?

Three things I am not clear on -

First - you said at one point that a pinhole was on the "opposite side of the rim" did you mean next to the tire or on the spot across the diameter of the rim?

Secondly, where in relation to the valve stem are the punctures? Are they pretty much directly across from the stem (typically where the rim joint, label or reflector is located) or at some other location?

Finally, where do you last push the tire over the rim to finish mounting? Near the valve stem, directly across from the stem, or is it random?

Ok so I've ridden about 150 miles at 100 psi since I switched to a wider tube and have had no flats. I also checked the tubes I was using and the original tube that was punctured on the road was CST (that's the brand) 20x1.5-1.75", then the next 9/10 flats were with the 3 different XLC 20x1.25-1.5" tubes (purchased brand new about 6 months ago), and the flats finally stopped when I put in a vintage Kenda 20x1.6-1.9":
So it was the tubes!

Not the rim tape.
Not the rims.
Not the tires.
Not the spokes.
and NOT user error.
So unless XLC tubes are total crap it appears the problem was simply that the tubes were too narrow and became too thin and fragile when they were inflated to fill the 2" wide tire (contrary to what it says in pretty much every bike mechanic book or class in existence).

And BOY am I happy I didn't listen to some of you knuckleheads and buy Velox rim tape because if I did then I NEVER would have solved the problem and ended up helpless, ignorant, and suckling at the teats of the corporate overlords for the rest of my life (just like some of you). And now that I discovered how unreliable buying inner tubes from professionals can be I might just try my hand at making some of my own from a rubber tree. After all, how would I have stopped the flats if I couldn't get the right size?

In any case thanks to everyone who took a shot at helping me (even the helpless knuckleheads).

Ok so I've ridden about 150 miles at 100 psi since I switched to a wider tube and have had no flats. I also checked the tubes I was using and the original tube that was punctured on the road was CST (that's the brand) 20x1.5-1.75", then the next 9/10 flats were with the 3 different XLC 20x1.25-1.5" tubes (purchased brand new about 6 months ago), and the flats finally stopped when I put in a vintage Kenda 20x1.6-1.9":
So it was the tubes!

Not the rim tape.
Not the rims.
Not the tires.
Not the spokes.
and NOT user error.
So unless XLC tubes are total crap it appears the problem was simply that the tubes were too narrow and became too thin and fragile when they were inflated to fill the 2" wide tire (contrary to what it says in pretty much every bike mechanic book or class in existence).

And BOY am I happy I didn't listen to some of you knuckleheads and buy Velox rim tape because if I did then I NEVER would have solved the problem and ended up helpless, ignorant, and suckling at the teats of the corporate overlords for the rest of my life (just like some of you). And now that I discovered how unreliable buying inner tubes from professionals can be I might just try my hand at making some of my own from a rubber tree. After all, how would I have stopped the flats if I couldn't get the right size?

In any case thanks to everyone who took a shot at helping me (even the helpless knuckleheads).

Actually by using the wrong size tubes, I would have to say that it was operator error. As you choose to purchase a smaller size tube to put in your tires.

And given that by your own admission that you have to wrap so many layers of hockey tape around your rims that you're afraid that you're not going to be able to properly mount your tires, long do you think that it'll be before you do have a problem related to the "rim tape?"

Again, why are you so resistant to using a tried and proven product? Being self-sufficient isn't a bad thing, but you are essentially are trying to reinvent the wheel, why? Rim tape isn't that expensive. Have you ever heard the saying "the right tool for the right job?"

Until you learn how to make your own tubes, you'll always be suckling at the teats of the corporate overlords. Sad but true.

Until you learn how to make your own tubes, you'll always be suckling at the teats of the corporate overlords. Sad but true.

I'm guessing he has a mine and all of the equipment to make his own bike frames, handlebars, rims, spokes, chains, cassettes/freewheels, chainrings, cranks, etc., etc., etc.

He most have a large piece of property and a large house or workshop to build EVERYTHING that he'll ever need.

And BOY am I happy I didn't listen to some of you knuckleheads and buy Velox rim tape because if I did then I NEVER would have solved the problem

Wrongo, stubborn boy. You would have solved the problem faster by eliminating a potential cause.

Haven't you ever watched House ?

As usual per Chucky posts -almost everyone's a nucklehead but Chucky. For some reason I've been able to use undersize tubes with 26 x 2.5 tires for a year and a half myself without flats, so I doubt the 'tube was too small' diagnosis is worth anything. In fact, just for fun we ocassionally inflate replaced tubes to see how big they can get before bursting. About 6 feet in diameter with a 1 foot cross-section is pretty common.

And reviewing this thread, its pretty apparent that people were offering advice based on Chucky diagnosis - according to Chucky a rash of these were positively, absolutely, definately caused by spoke perforation. Oppps - I guess thats no longer quite so definate.

To make a long story short - you still have absolutely no idea what caused all those flats - you just think you do. Could have just as easily been some contaminant in the tape you used instead of proper rim tape. Not that it really matters - a $3 tube of Stans No Flats would have solved any pinhole problems long ago. But I don't know of any product that compensates for poor patching, lousy rim preparation or incorrect tire installation. There you're pretty much on your own.

Wrongo, stubborn boy. You would have solved the problem faster by eliminating a potential cause.

Haven't you ever watched House ?

Agreed, especially when one considers that by his own admission that he has had to put so many layers of hockey tape on his rims that he's now concerned that he won't be able to get the tires to sit properly.


As usual per Chucky posts -almost everyone's a nucklehead but Chucky. For some reason I've been able to use undersize tubes with 26 x 2.5 tires for a year and a half myself without flats, so I doubt the 'tube was too small' diagnosis is worth anything. In fact, just for fun we ocassionally inflate replaced tubes to see how big they can get before bursting. About 6 feet in diameter with a 1 foot cross-section is pretty common.

Ah, but how thin is the rubber when inflated in such a matter? If one has tires 26x2.5" and they install tubes for a tire that is 26x1.5" then isn't the rubber in the tube going to get stretched pretty thin? And because they're stretched thinner then intended isn't that going to shorten their lifespan?


And reviewing this thread, its pretty apparent that people were offering advice based on Chucky diagnosis - according to Chucky a rash of these were positively, absolutely, definitely caused by spoke perforation. Oppps - I guess that's no longer quite so definite.

To make a long story short - you still have absolutely no idea what caused all those flats - you just think you do. Could have just as easily been some contaminant in the tape you used instead of proper rim tape. Not that it really matters - a $3 tube of Stans No Flats would have solved any pinhole problems long ago. But I don't know of any product that compensates for poor patching, lousy rim preparation or incorrect tire installation. There you're pretty much on your own.

I wonder how long it'll be before he's back posting about his frequent flats and wondering what's causing them?

Be careful of tube-orientation when you remove. Take off tyre and tube. Then place blown tube back over rim in the same direction as before. Line up the hole in the tube with a specific rim-hole & spoke that was under the blow-out. Inspect the rim-tape and rim-drilling very carefully at that spot.

Post a close-up photo for us to inspect.

Personally, I wouldn't use rubber rim-strips on anything over 25-30psi. I've tried all sorts of things: strapping/packing tape, multiple layers of first-aid/hockey tape, electrical tape, masking, duct tape, multiple inner tube rim-strips, etc. Given the low cost of Velox versus the dollars I would be earning if I wasn't messing with trial&error experiments with home-made rim-strips , I'll only use Velox from now on as my time is way, way more valuable.

BTW, the secret to Velox is the fabric's thickness and stiffness. The glue that stays tacky is also part of its success.

I bought some rubber rim strips from Niagara Cycles along with a wheel order - I wasn't paying attention and thought I was ordering velox. It's actually worked pretty well. Thicker than you'd expect.

Ah, but how thin is the rubber when inflated in such a matter? If one has tires 26x2.5" and they install tubes for a tire that is 26x1.5" then isn't the rubber in the tube going to get stretched pretty thin? And because they're stretched thinner then intended isn't that going to shorten their lifespan? ...

Thats pretty much what was being tested and the only consequence to date seems to be that the air pressure needs to be monitored more frequently than if the tube was an ideal size for the tire. And I should mention that these are Maxxis Hookworm tires usually run at 60 PSI. I was thinking that running them over rough roads and potholes and railroad tracks at speeds of over 30kph might get me on trouble but so far no blowouts. They've seen several thousand km to date.

Thats pretty much what was being tested and the only consequence to date seems to be that the air pressure needs to be monitored more frequently than if the tube was an ideal size for the tire. And I should mention that these are Maxxis Hookworm tires usually run at 60 PSI. I was thinking that running them over rough roads and potholes and railroad tracks at speeds of over 30kph might get me on trouble but so far no blowouts. They've seen several thousand km to date.

So then do you think it was a combination of too small tubes, "cheap" tubes, and his improvised rim tape, that was causing his problems?

I mean there has got to be answer besides the size of the tubes, right?