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Flat troubleshooting help

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Old 06-09-12 | 05:10 AM
  #1  
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Flat troubleshooting help

Feel like a total noob asking this question, but I'm at my wit's end. I must've changed well over 100 flats over my cycling career. I've had a few pinch flats but have gotten pretty good at making sure the tube is completely in to avoid this. So here's my current nightmare. I got this new wheel and have gotten 6 flats already - none of them puncture flats. One was a blowout and the others all appear to be pinch flats. 3 of them weren't even on the road - the tire went flat just sitting in my basement. I've changed the tube each time so it's not a leaky stem. The rim tape appears to be in good shape (brand new wheel). I've had 2 different brand new tires on the rim (I initially put a 25c on, changed my mind and put a 23c on). Can't find any defects in the rim itself that might be causing this. Any suggestions?
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Old 06-09-12 | 05:21 AM
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From: boston, ma
what kind of rim? does it have a deep and narrow drop center? if it deep then the tube tends to stretch too much into the center channel. build it up with rim tape or gorilla tape
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Old 06-09-12 | 05:59 PM
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From: Syracuse, NY

Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.

Originally Posted by ephin
1. I got this new wheel and have gotten 6 flats already - none of them puncture flats.
2. One was a blowout and the others all appear to be pinch flats...it's not a leaky stem.
3. The rim tape appears to be in good shape (brand new wheel).
4. I've had 2 different brand new tires on the rim (I initially put a 25c on, changed my mind and put a 23c on).
5. Can't find any defects in the rim itself that might be causing this.
1. New wheel, new flat frequency - 1st suspect is wheel, but see #2.
2. What does "appear" mean? Pinch flats are of two types - installation and road hazard, and generally are in pairs. What is the appearance of the hole(s), what is their location relative to rim center and valve stem, and how far apart are they from each other. Blowout of course was installer error.
3. Appearance of tape, rim, tire is irrelevant, need to look first at the punctures per #2
4. If they are road hazard pinch flats then going from 25c to 23 is asking for trouble.
5. See #3
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