Flat Problems
 

I've had 4 flats in about 100 miles of paved road riding and 1 over night when the bike wasn't ridden at all. I thought the first was because I installed the tube wrong but since I'm having the same problems. I find it hard to believe I've gotten 4 new defective tubes and all the holes are toward the tire, not pinched. I've got pictures.
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...psroznxlin.jpg
OK, not great a picture but see how there is a circle with small holes all the way around? most weren't all the way through but a coup[le of them are leaking.
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0z2xnqlw.jpg
There are 2 of those circles in this one, next to each other. My thumb is over the hole on the other circle.
http://i1306.photobucket.com/albums/...pslevbctiu.jpg
This is with the air leaked out but you can still see the 2 circles and when I blow the tube up there are small holes around these circles.

This has happened with 4 different new tubes. 2 Bell tubes from WalMart and 2 from the LBS. I have new tires and new tubes ordered and should be in tomorrow. But I would like to have some idea of why I'm getting these flats. The tires are in good shape, I was riding on good roads and one new tube went down over night with no riding,

As with every tube installation, check the inside of the tire casing for any debris. It would also be helpful to take a look at the rim tape placement, even though it looks like these holes are on the outside (in casing) instead of along inside.

Each time did you inspect the tire carefully to find and remove something possibly in the tire? Have you hit a pothole?

do you check the rim tape? maybe have move and left uncovered the spoke hole? I had that problem before. I have 8 times flats. I have buy one bike used i had go in LBS the mechanic give me 16mm rim tape. But that not fixed the problem. I go in other bike shop the mechanic is tell me the rim tape had moved. is put back correct but i got flat again. Finally happens i buy used wheels same brand as my other wheels is had the original rim tape is was 18mm. I buy forte 18mm rim tape i not have flats now.

Given the number of tread side punctures in short order, I have to agree with those who suspect you left the original cause in the tire.

I run my finger around the tire when I pull the tube. If I get cut or scratched it's obvious the cause of the puncture is still in the tire.

But, very often, you will not find the shard sticking out on the inside of the tire. If there's any tread thickness at all, the shard can hide in the tread, and get pushed in as the tire rolls, then retract to it;s hiding place. Roll the tire between your fingers opening up nicks and cuts in the tread and flicking out small shards with your thumbnail. Odds are you'll find more than one, but equally likely only one is sticking ll the way through to cause punctures.

When installing tires, I align the valve stem with the logo on the tire's sidewall. That way, when I find the hole in a punctured tube, I know exactly where in the tire to search for whatever might've caused it.

Those oval shapes on the tubes look like there is some type of patch on the inside of the tire that is rubbing on the tube and causing holes. Have you looked inside the tire for something that matches that shape?

I couldn't find anything, ended up replacing both tires and tubes but still do not know what was causing the problems. It had to be something about the tire.