Let me see if I can answer some of the questions: Schraeder valve and hole, tire is somewhat loose on rim (it's easy to put on/pull off when changing tubes), I try to keep the pressure pretty firm but not hard (I haven't measured the pressure), and the hole forms at the base of the stem where it inserts onto the tube. I thought about a presta valve, but would that work with a schraeder hole? I guess I was just curious if anyone else had this problem, but it doesn't look that way... I'll try to keep the pressure up and see if that helps.