Are you using Velox (or similar) rim tape, to protect the tube from the inside of the rim/spoke area?

Are you ever finding the offending object in the puncture area through the tire (thorn, glass, whatever)?

Are your tires the sort with zero protection, or with moderate anti-flat protection (ie, Continental's "Puncture ProTection Breaker" layer)?

Unprotected, I can't imagine most tubes surviving very long when either the inside of the rim is rough enough to puncture or when something pierces the tire.


Comparison: I've got a set of 29x1.75 Conti Tour Ride tires, with their max puncture protection, Velox rim tape, and generic no-name tubes. Haven't had a flat in the past year, over a variety of mixed city surfaces, including in construction areas (nails, glass, metal shards and the like) ... knock on wood.