Poppin' Tubes
#1
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Posts: 7,531
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Poppin' Tubes
I've had 3 tubes go flat on me in the last 7 days. All on the rear wheel of my Super Course.
When I inspect the tubes afterwards I see a tiny hole about 6 inches away from the valve along the part of the tube that sits on the rim strip. I've checked and re-checked my rim and rim strip and the inside of my tire (Hard Case Bontrager's) and I can't find anything even remotely spikey in there. No spokes sticking up through the nipple, no burrs along the spoke bed or on the sidewalls...
The only thing i've noticed is that if I park the bike with the rear tire valve at the 6 o'clock position, the tube goes flat. If I'm careful to park it with the valve at the 12 o'clock position it won't go flat.
any ideas?
I'm about to just bring the rear wheel to my LBS and say "fix it", but my ego is not yet ready to concede defeat.
#2
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,923
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1491 Post(s)
Liked 1,090 Times
in
638 Posts
Experiment. Reverse your rim strip direction, and see if the hole happens on the same side, or the other one. Also, mount your tire 180 around the rim from how you have been doing it. If you get a flat, you'll see where it is, and know whether it's the rim, strip, or tire.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
Last edited by USAZorro; 07-17-09 at 01:50 PM.
#3
12345
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: south france
Posts: 1,240
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Definitely experiment, I don't think a bike shop would spend much time on this problem.
Try differnt rim tape / electical tape?
Try differnt rim tape / electical tape?
#4
Reeks of aged cotton duck
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Middle Georgia, USA
Posts: 1,176
Bikes: 2008 Kogswell PR mkII, 1976 Raleigh Professional, 1996 Serotta Atlanta, 1984 Trek 520, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Make sure that you park it with the valve stem at the 12 o'clock position. Problem solved.
That'll be $5 please...
#5
Bike Junkie
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Posts: 9,622
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 37 Times
in
27 Posts
I had an almost identical experience. I kept flatting and blamed the low cost tubes that I bought. I changed the rim tape and bought a better brand of tube. The only difference was I went 18 miles before it flatted rather than 2 miles. After riding it that 18 miles, I found the tire had a small hole on the side that was pinching the tube with each revolution. It was barely visible when filled with air and NOT visible when deflated. Running my hands over the tire and inspecting it deflated did absolutely nothing because, even now that the hole is expanded, you can't see it deflated. USAZorro gave you some good advice. That should help to narrow it down.
Also, next time you inspect your tire, inspect it fully inflated, and look for small cracks including the sidewall.
Also, next time you inspect your tire, inspect it fully inflated, and look for small cracks including the sidewall.
__________________
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
#6
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Posts: 7,531
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Sorry, I just spent that 5 bux on a new tube
Thanks guys, I have a nagging suspicion that its some kind of pinch thats causing it...when I inspect the tube I see like a tiny little snake bike on the part that faces the spoke bed.
Should I be patching these flats or buying new tubes?
#7
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,923
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1491 Post(s)
Liked 1,090 Times
in
638 Posts
Might be installation/inflation technique. Try covering the rim strip with slightly wider masking tape. The other possibility is tire underinflation - which increases the risk of pinch flats.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
#8
Senior Member
One technique that helps prevent pinch flats is to "talc" the inner tube before installation; that way as the tube is inflated, it is less likely to get stuck on the rim and get pinched.
#9
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Posts: 7,531
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
cool thanks, I've done pretty much all of the above.
I checked the rim at the spot of the puncture and sanded down the edge of the spoke hole so it was totally smooth.
I replaced the rubber rim strip with Velox adhesive cloth tape
Put Gold Bond on the tube before installation.
Its inflated to 80 psi now and sitting happily...we'll see in the morning.
I checked the rim at the spot of the puncture and sanded down the edge of the spoke hole so it was totally smooth.
I replaced the rubber rim strip with Velox adhesive cloth tape
Put Gold Bond on the tube before installation.
Its inflated to 80 psi now and sitting happily...we'll see in the morning.
#10
Ellensburg, WA
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ellensburg, WA
Posts: 3,755
Bikes: See my signature
Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 313 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times
in
160 Posts
"I replaced the rubber rim strip with Velox adhesive cloth tape"
I went through this problem 2 months ago and the above fixed it for me. The old rim tape was not adhesive and would shift when I put a tube in and mounted the tire. After a couple of weeks of flats after hitting deeper road cracks and then getting a subsequent flat I went with the Velox adhesive tape (and a little wider one) and there have been absolutely no problems. I suspect the tube was getting pinched on an exposed spoke hole.
I went through this problem 2 months ago and the above fixed it for me. The old rim tape was not adhesive and would shift when I put a tube in and mounted the tire. After a couple of weeks of flats after hitting deeper road cracks and then getting a subsequent flat I went with the Velox adhesive tape (and a little wider one) and there have been absolutely no problems. I suspect the tube was getting pinched on an exposed spoke hole.
__________________
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
Last edited by scozim; 07-17-09 at 11:20 PM.
#11
Great State of Varmint
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dante's Third Ring
Posts: 7,476
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
15 Posts
Ad inflate the tube all the way to the shape it will be when fully inflated. Then push it up all the way into the tire and, with your fingers pushing upwards in the tire, mount the tube/tire onto the first side of the rim so the bead is seated. Now with your fingers again - work the other side of tire-bead up onto the rim. Keep working, through the tire from the outside, the tire and tube so you are sure it's not getting pinched. As best you can.
Then I suggest inflating your tire about 1/2 way - and go away for an hour or two. Still holding? Continue inflating to your usual pressure. Go away again. Still holding? Good! Pat yourself on the back and go for a ride!
Then I suggest inflating your tire about 1/2 way - and go away for an hour or two. Still holding? Continue inflating to your usual pressure. Go away again. Still holding? Good! Pat yourself on the back and go for a ride!
#12
Tinkerer
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 152
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
If you haven't already, swap tires front and rear and see if the problem moves. I second the comment on the tiny, basically invisible slit in the tire sidewall. I had that happen to me and it was a major PITA.