mike

My son keeps getting holes in his tires on one specific "trick bike". Yes, it is a big-box department store bike.

I can't figure it out - both tires, but not at the same time. Nearly every time he rides it, he gets a flat.

It seems to me that the trouble might be coming from the rim.

The rim tape that is on now is, of course, cheapo. The rim is wider than any rim tape I have. I am thinking about using duct tape over the existing rim tape to add an additional layer between the tube and the spoke nipples.

Any comments? Good idea? Bad idea? Other suggestions?

bassplayinbiker

the bike may not be worth the duct tape if its from wal-mart

TimJ

I've used electrical tape before. Personally I wouldn't use duct tape. The adhesive gets messy and I would imagine it would just make a mess.

jsharr

is the puncture in the same place every time? Make sure you align the tire lable with the stem so that when you pull the tube and find the leak, you can identify the part of the tire or rim where the puncture is coming from by referencing the position to the valve stem. I would not use duct tape if you ever plan to true the rims. if you have to used duct tape. put the first wrap on sticky side out and then flip the tape and put a second wrap on sticky side down. The tape will stiick to itself, not the rim.

AGGRO

Duct tape gets brittle with age.

acape

You might try a wide masking tape, which should leave the least residue of any tape. Some of the blue painter's tape may do the trick. It's thin enough to where you could do a few wraps.

capwater

.......... not this thread again!!!

Go buy the right stuff, only a couple of bucks. I reckon in a pinch you could use some cloth medical tape.

Bill Kapaun

I had to use duct tape on some old 27" rims (Sat. night) for my brother. I used 4 layers (mainly because 1/4 width of the roll fit nicely).
He had a flat about a year later, so I asked him how difficult it was to remove the tube. He told me it was a "bit" sticky, but no problem.
I would use the tape against the bare rin and then put the rim tape over it.
WHERE on the tube are you getting the holes?

vpiuva

I've done this

mike

joeprim

Mike

Haven't heard from you for a while, have you been on travel? Yes where are the holes? I guess if they are on the rim side you need to put something inbetween. I've seen duck tape used in a pinch. I like the suggestion of putting rim tape over whatever you use. Could it be that you need to smooth one or more of the spoke ends?

Joe

trin2du

Have you ruled out pinch flats? How often does he air up the tires?

cny-bikeman

I agree with no using duct tape - way too messy, esp. since you will have to cut/tear it to width. Wide Vinyl tape (same as elec) or med tape should be fine if you can't find the real thing but use a couple layers.

tellyho

I've heard people rave about strapping tape. I'd double it back on itself except where I needed the sticky at the ends.

Al1943

Strapping tape is very strong in one direction but when used as rim tape it can split. I would use strapping tape first and then cover it with electrical tape. I think duct tape is OK on a department store bike.
But the OP hasn't said for sure if the holes are on the rim side of the tube.

Al

operator

For gods sake people. Rim tape is $3 for two rolls. Electrical tape, duct tape and all the other nonsense is temporary only.

tellyho

C'mon, that's $3 I can spend on...um...3 spokes!

mike

I'm not sure where the punctures are coming from. I keep track of the valve stem position and the tire, but the holes end up in different places all the time. I think it is something to do with the rim.

I am careful to make sure that the tire and the tube is seated correctly so there is not pinch. I can't figure it out. It is a mystery.

I checked the tires carefully for glass or debri - no luck. Front wheel and back have the same problem. Every time he rides it, I get a call, "Dad, can you come pick me up. The tire "popped" (which in today's language means the tire is flat)."

Even though I know better, I bought some slime filled tubes this time just in hopes to save myself from the hassle of picking the boy and his bike up again and spending time fixing the flats.

Bill Kapaun

If nothing else. the slime tubes should slow him down with the added weight!

superdex

not enough air? (pinch flats)

the kid doesn't want to ride home? (yes, I'm suggesting sabotage)

run your finger along the inside of the rim, any sharp spoke eyelets that weren't filed off very well?

Old School

+1 Even on a bargain bike, it is worth a trip to the LBS for the right size rim tape. Your son will thank you (well, maybe not but he might be amazed his dad fixed it for good!).

alicestrong

The bargain rim tape at my LBS is only $1 a rim...just sayin'..

oilman_15106

My thoughts when I saw the title! But this is not quite as crazy as past ones.

Carusoswi

Swell reply

twobikes

I used some duct tape to hold a new tire liner in place so I could get the tube in place without the liner moving. It was just one short piece of duct tape. After a few months the duct tape got a little gooey and the goo interacted with the tube. It etched the tube and ate thin spot into the tube. I had a flat two miles from home after completing most of a 40 mile ride. It could have happened twenty miles from home. Forget duct tape as rim tape.