Tire keeps going flat.
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 13,237
Likes: 75
From: Fallbrook,Calif./Palau del Vidre, France
Bikes: Klein QP, Fuji touring, Surly Cross Check, BCH City bike
Tire keeps going flat.
Anyone had this problem.. On my older road bike, while out a couple rides ago, it went flat and I had to chage it.. Lasted till I go home. Next morning it was flat.. Took it apart. Could see no leak. Rode it, stayed inflated. Next morining flat.. Took apart. Tube stayed inflated seperate of tire , could hear no leak; no protruding objects about tire or riim.. Rode bike again, and repeat of same
After next ride I gave up and put on a new tire and tube. Had no difficulty packing the tube.. Rode bike, next day flat..! Took apart tire; submerged tire in water. No bubbles.. Dried tube repacked. No difficulty there. Packed easily...
Rode it again. Next day flat.. Took apart, no leaks about tube... New tire/tube. Re-installed. Rode next day flat !
Now, Sitting out in garage flat.. Do I have to again put on a new tire/tube? The tire is a Performance tire with Kevlar..
Not having a problem right now with my other bikes.... About to give up and call in the reserves.. Resort to my favorite tire- a Armadillo by Specialized.. Plus a new tube.
Anyone relate to this kind of luck. What is going on.. This is like the second time I have replaced tire/tube and like fourth flat that takes all night to develope. Yesterday, went on a 54 mile ride on this bike and stayed inflated whole time.
I hate to give up on a tire that has hardly been used !
After next ride I gave up and put on a new tire and tube. Had no difficulty packing the tube.. Rode bike, next day flat..! Took apart tire; submerged tire in water. No bubbles.. Dried tube repacked. No difficulty there. Packed easily...
Rode it again. Next day flat.. Took apart, no leaks about tube... New tire/tube. Re-installed. Rode next day flat !
Now, Sitting out in garage flat.. Do I have to again put on a new tire/tube? The tire is a Performance tire with Kevlar..
Not having a problem right now with my other bikes.... About to give up and call in the reserves.. Resort to my favorite tire- a Armadillo by Specialized.. Plus a new tube.
Anyone relate to this kind of luck. What is going on.. This is like the second time I have replaced tire/tube and like fourth flat that takes all night to develope. Yesterday, went on a 54 mile ride on this bike and stayed inflated whole time.
I hate to give up on a tire that has hardly been used !
#3
Banned.
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 3
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce
More than likely the valve is leaking under high pressure and it leaks slowly. Do the old inflate tube to about 3" round and dunk in you kitchen sink that is full of water routine; then slowly bit by bit move the tube under the water and look for bubbles-start at the valve and work around to you get back to the valve. But I think the valve is bad.
#4
Every lane is a bike lane


Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 9,666
Likes: 16
From: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia - passionfruit capital of the universe!
I had this on my tour last November. Got a couple of slow flats, one in the Grampians, the next one on the way to Hamilton. Could ride 50-100km on them, but they'd be flat the next morning. I just bought a couple of new inner tubes. Problem solved. You should also check your tyre and rim tape on your wheel to see if there isn't a problem there.
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I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#5
I drink your MILKSHAKE

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,061
Likes: 3
From: St. Petersburg, FL
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity
Also try bending the tire while inspecting it to see if there is something embedded in the rubber. a normal inspection won't always turn up something that only appears under pressure. Basically tire pressure + deformation / deflection on the road surface may be pushing the embedded object up into the tube.
#6
Simular problem: had several glass cuts in the tyre & thought I had the problem fixed but no , disbelief the next day when it was flat again. I found another glass cut hidden right in the tread on my Gatorskin & a small peice of brown glass hidden in it (could`nt feel it from the inside)
Seems good as, now.
Seems good as, now.
#8
Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 7,963
Likes: 1
From: Parrish, FL
Bikes: Lots
My wife was getting perpetual flats on her road bike. I changed it numerous times in addition to her out on the rides. I ran a cloth, no snags, tried my fingers, no snags, tried some cotton, no snag.
I then took the tire off the wheel and rolled it length wise bit by bit all the way around the tire. I found 6 tiny pieces of glass embedded in the rubber!
L8R
I then took the tire off the wheel and rolled it length wise bit by bit all the way around the tire. I found 6 tiny pieces of glass embedded in the rubber!
L8R
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#11
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2
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My lesson on this subject
#12
Senior Member


Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,754
Likes: 26
From: Mesa, AZ
Bikes: Moots RCS, tandem, beach-cruiser, MTB, Specialized-Allez road-bike, custom track-bike
Also helps to pump up the old tube and line up the leaky spot with the rim & tyre. Then inspect the tyre and rim at those spots. If ALL of your tubes have holes at the same spot, it's definitely pointing towards something on the tyre or rim.








