Blow out
 

While adjusting my brakes before Saturday’s ride I noticed that the rear tire looked kind of funny around the spot that the tire cord cinches into the wheel. I made a mental note of it but that’s all. Well, about 3 miles into the ride I had an instant blowout. It sounded like a gun shot and was immediately flat. The tire must have bulged out from the wheel and the tube exploded through the gap.

The tube had a nice 5 inch rip in it. The tire had some cord sticking out of the edge for about ½ inch. I replaced the tube and carefully replaced the tire - watching the tender spot that had the bad cord.

Well on Sunday, I checked the tire. It looked ok. I made sure the tire was 5 lbs below max and started out. After about 20 miles I was flying down the last hill before the homestretch when I had another massive blowout. It took me about 30 feet to stop. I could feel that I was riding on the rim and across the flat tire for the whole 30 feet.

I’m worried about my rim. I took it to the LBS and told them to give it a god check up and true it before installing a new tire. Do I need to do anything else, (besides getting smarter about listening to warnings from my bike)?

Duct Tape and zip ties.

If you had these two items, you can fix nearly everything on your bike!

Oh yeah, band-aids, you can't forget band-aids.

O.k, o.k. maybe a spoke wrench and a chain tool.

Yeah yeah yeah, a mini-pump, it's hard to get your mouth around the valve with all those spokes in the way!

L8R:D

Here is an overview about blowouts:

http://draco.acs.uci.edu/rbfaq/FAQ/8b.4.html

As you see, temperature can be a factor. It is more likely though, that the tube was caught between the tire and the rim at some point so you should check around the outside of the tire bead all the way around the wheel on both sides.

The next time your tire "looks kinda funny", at least check it out and make sure you don't have any damage- broken cords (lumps), frayed edges etc. When you have a damaged tire don't ride on it again, unless you have "death wish". You were VERY, VERY LUCKY this time, the next time you ride a bad tire- it could put you in the hospital, OR KILL YOU.

I ALWAYS carry a spare tire, I've only needed it two or three times in the last 15 years, when I did need it I REALLY needed it. I NEVER EVER ride a tire that has lumps, broken cords or frayed or damaged beads. Luckily I didn't have to learn the "hard way" it was one of the first things my mentor taught me

Ride Smarter
Pat

Had the same thing happen, though I was only going about 5mph when it went off the second time. I tossed the tire as a bad example of quality control. But now I really make sure the bead is properly seated every time I mount the tire. If it looks wierd, I deflate, squeeze the beads together all the way around the tire, and reinflate until it seats right.

All points well taken. I figure a close call is a warning. I intend to listen to this warning and your advice. I ordered 3 new tires (instead of just 2).

I noticed that the rear tire wears out faster than the front. Do you people rotate? With 3 tires (one for a spare) should I rotate all 3?

After a month or so on the bike, my road bike (700x23 or 700x25, asst'd Conti and Michelin) tires almost always have some loose strings on the sidewall (which I cut off). And they almost always develop a little crack in the rubber just outside the perimeter of the rim.

I don't know what the concensus is, but if it's only from age and normal use (i.e. there's no physical damage or ruptures to the tires/sidewalls), I continue to use them. Otherwise I'd probably have to replace tires once a month. :(

FWIW, after rides I always deflate my tires a little, down to around 80 psi. I can't say that it helps... I guess I'm just superstitious.