gforeman 

I can't believe it. Only 8 miles on the bike, and the front tire exploded. Bike was fitted with Bontrager H2 tires new. Luckily I was only going about 10-12 Mph when the Gunshot rang out. One side came completely off. I just pushed the bead back on, but was able to take my fingers and remove it again. Seemed VERY loose on the rim. No resistance to getting it on and off the rim.

Front tire is toast. The sidewall/bead was shredded. LBS said looks like a bad tire. Didn't have a matching H2 in stock like I had on it (reflective sidewall), but had one without the stripe. Told them I would buy it, and they will replace my reflective on under warranty.

This scares me now. I have been cranking some speed on my Trek, and while I have gotten some flats, this is the first full-fledged blow out. I barely got unlocked from the pedals and stopped before I almost lost it.

Is there a secret to getting stopped when a front blows? Or just "Tuck and Roll"

I have a ride tomorrow AM, wanted to take the new Specialized, but a little skittish now. Guess I've got to get back on it.

Anyone ever have a bad tire like this?

vesteroid

Lol my very first ride went like this...go,out of garage, head to cul de sac, blow front tire, limp back to house, change tube, head to cul de sac, blow front tire, limp to house, go to bike shop to figure out what the heck...turns out the brand new tire was screwy, they replaced the tire, and problem solved.

It happens, don't lose confidence in the bike however

gforeman 

I'm so hoping this was a one-off experience. I like to "Go Fast"

Hairy Hands

Seems to me that the tire was installed incorrectly at the LBS. Easy to do if your in a hurry as most LBS are. To have a side wall blow out where the tire comes off the bead and the tube then comes out and goes bang means the tire was either the wrong rim size or installed wrong. There is a line (witness mark) on the sidewall that goes all the way around the tire and should be seen just above the rim, as well as evenly spaced above the rim. If its not that means some part of the tire is not seated properly on the inner rim edge.

The following is from Sheldon Brown:
Blowouts are sudden losses of air, usually accompanied by a loud BANG! Since the inner tube is just a rubber balloon, if you pump it up outside of a tire, it will stretch bigger and bigger the more air you put into it, until it pops. The inner tube will not take much pressure by itself, it needs to be held inside of a tire to get up to full pressure. If the tire doesn't hold the tube in all around, the tube will pop.

Mondo734

I am riding almost the same bike 2012 Specialized Crux Apex Disc model but on the stock small knobbies it came with. So far after about 500 miles I have had two flats. Its definitely the tire so dont be afraid to get back on it. If it turns out that you have any more issues with the H2's you put on your bike I would consider going to Specialized Armadillo tires I hear they are crazy durable last long and are very flat resistant. Good luck and enjoy your ride tomorrow.

gforeman 

I checked the tire when I picked the bike up. The bead line was nice and even all the way around. Doesn't mean the tube wasn't pinched somewhere.

I took her out for 34 miles today. All is well so far. I do like how these tires feel.

The only problem with the Armadillo is I can't find it in a 700x35-38 size.

ChargerDawg

I got a set of gatorskins for fathers day, and the rear tire bead went out after about 20 miles.

It happens, sometimes it is the tire, sometime the installation, although I was pretty careful with the installation, it can happen.

The new tire went 30 today, no problems.

If you have a problem, it will probably be within the first 25 miles.

I did not have a blow-out just wobbling then loss of pressure.

Mondo734

That got me to thinking and so I checked Specialized's website and found that the widest they make the armadillos is 700x28.

Hairy Hands

If your looking for a road tire in that range you cannot go wrong with Vittoria Rando Hypers. They come in 32, 35, 38mm and they ride like a dream. Thats what I use on my Carbon TriCross and you can expect 4000 miles on the tire. Very supple side walls for a nice ride.