Hi all.

Bit of a newbie to road cycling and have just started commuting to work on a Trek 1.1. I got my first flat a couple of days ago and replaced it with a brand new presta 48 inner tube. Ever since, it feels like my rear wheel's riding over a little stone every single rotation of the wheel.

I've deflated the tire twice and had a play with the positioning of the inner tube but the problem still persists. It's definitely not a break/break pad issue.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My guess is the tube is not seated correctly in the rim. Examine where the tire and rim touch. Look for a bit of the tire that is pulled out farther than the rest of the tire.

Let the air out of the tire,
massage the high spot on the tire down into the rim.
Confirm that the tire isn't pinching the tube anywhere.
Inflate the tire.

Good luck.

QUOTE=skilsaw;12303286]My guess is the tube is not seated correctly in the rim. Examine where the tire and rim touch. Look for a bit of the tire that is pulled out farther than the rest of the tire.

Let the air out of the tire,
massage the high spot on the tire down into the rim.
Confirm that the tire isn't pinching the tube anywhere.
Inflate the tire.

Good luck.[/QUOTE]

+1. Most likely cause.

Thanks very much for your reply. I'll have a go tomorrow and report back. Sounds like I may just need to take more care when replacing the tube.

Also, check the chords on your tire and make sure they aren't broken. I rode a half century a few years back and the last ten miles or so I felt the same thing. When I got home I noticed a little wavy spot in the tire chords that I felt as the bump when I was rolling. I decided that I would take a closer look the next day. At about 3 am.... BLAM!! the tire let go and the tube exploded.

Dude! If you are still riding on that rim....get a fricking new rim!


=8-)

Wow, a tire with chords! All the ones I have seen only have a single note!

Yeah, I still ride that rim. Why not?

My guess is that you either a) didn't push the stem in when you mounted the tire and got the thick rubber section around the stem stuck between the bead and the rim or b) have some other tire section stuck. Good odds on the stem though. If with the tire deflated you can't push in the stem then you know your issue.

Right, I had a nightmare last night! I deflated and re-inflated the rear wheel once again and decided to go for a late night ride to visit a friend with considerably more knowledge of bikes than myself. To say I made it to his house would be a lie!

I got into my stride and immediately realised that same old horrible lumpy/stoney sensation coming from the rear. Every rotation of the wheel felt like somebody was jabbing me up the backside with a blunt stick!

To top things off, halfway into my journey I managed to ride straight through a deep, sharp pothole. The result was inevitable. I managed to do a very sketchy patch up job and get the bike home before I did any more damage.

On closer inspection of the tyre I noticed a ridiculously large bulge rubbing on the break pads. Here it is in all its flesh and glory:


I'm convinced this is the source of the lumpy/stoney sensation. Therefore, a few questions for you guys in the know:

a) Do I need a new tyre? I.e. Is there anyway of saving the bulgey one?
b) How has this happened to a tyre less than a month old?
c) Does this have anything to do with tyre levers when replacing inner tubes?
d) Any tips to avoid a repeat of the mystic bulge?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Will

I think the tire should be replaced. If it is new, then maybe you can get a refund.

Yes, you need a new tire. That's pretty much what mine looked like before it exploded overnight.

Unless.... the tube is bunched up in that spot. Then you might be able to unkink the tube and make the bulge go away.

If it's less than a month old, take it back to the LBS; they should replace it under warranty. I doubt it has anything to do with the tire levers.

Check to make sure this is not right at the valve stem. When replacing a flat if you don't manage to get the tube all the way into the tire then you can get a bulge like that. So make sure the tube is in the tire securely and straight before you attach it back to the rim. Try swapping tubes between your front and back tires if to see if it is a tube problem... if you still get the same outcome with the same tire then the tire wall is failing and you're gonna need a new tire. Could you post a side shot of the tire bulge as well?

Rufio - hats off to you my sir. Turns out it was me being complacent with the inner tube near the valve stem. Thanks very much to everyone who commented. Amazing this internet thingy isn't it!

Case closed.