I changed my tube at lunch. It looked like a regular puncture, so I had another theory about the cause. Maybe something small punctured the tire, but only weakened the tube.

Good to know.

This is my road bike, i'm using Vittoria Zaffiro tires. I've only had problems recently, I dunno why. I went over a year with maybe one flat, but the past few months i've had at least 6-7.

It's a sign that your tires might be worn out, or close to it. If you ever peek at Sheldon Brown's website, he has an article on tires, and one of the topics is "When to replace tires", and your circumstance is exactly one of the scenarios that he alludes to. Personally, I put more puncture resistant tires on my commuter than on my race bikes.

Makes sense. The tread does look like it's getting a little thin. Most of my flats have been from huge nails/screws that would go through car tires though... such as attached. That screw in the left pic was nearly 2 inches long and went into the rim itself.

happened to me as well, except it was at 6am. bike was in the living room and BOOM! I'm guessing its because I used a 1.9-2.3 size tube in a 1.85 size tire?

Not unless part of the tube got caught under the tire bead. A too-big tube shouldn't be a problem if properly installed.

Yep. That's one of those blowouts that if you don't have a spare tire, your walking. When it happened to me, at least I had the hot Florida sun to keep me company...

I had one of those events during the dark days of my divorce, when I was sleeping in the garage along with my bikes. This was a non-hook bead rim. The tube makes enough of a creaking noise as it slinks its way out from between the tire and rim, that I was awake and alert for the full appreciation of the ensuing BANG. Needless to say, it took me several seconds to realize what had actually happened, and collect my heart back down from the ceiling.

When I ran a shop in the early 80's I had just assembled a nice (very nice) new Trek road bike with Specialized Turbo S clenchers rated at 110 psi.
Fully inflated the tires, rode it around the block. (Sweet!) and placed it on proud display in the front window.....in the hot sun.
About an hour later...BLAMO!!! Tire failed and blew the bike right out of the display box and onto the floor.
Scared the living S*** out of me and I dove under the work bench with my ears ringing. The real funny thing was my co-worker who was a Viet Nam vet. He came rolling out of the back office with Colt 1911-A1 in hand ready to rock and roll.
I always felt safe working late doing bike assembly when Ol' Vince was around.

that is awesome. XD

Much better a tyre burst then your soon to be EX walking in and busting a cap on you..

I rode to work in sub 20 deg. weather and leaned my bike against the wall in the high school classroom where I teach. A few minutes into the first period I heard a loud "poing!" and asked the class if anyone had just thrown something at my bicycle wheel. The biggest clown pointed to the quietest girl and said "she did it." I decided it wasn't anything to get too excited about but when I got ready for my ride home I discovered one of the spokes had let go. I continue to blame it on the change in temp. unless someone out there has a better theory.

+1

great story

I bet he was "wide awake" the rest of the day.

I had the same thing happen several months ago. I'd topped off the tires on my Hardrock, was watching TV with my 'Tiel sitting on my shoulder. Next thing I know/hear is a loud explosion. Knock wood, it didn't startle my 'Tiel nor did really do more then just startle me.

Agreed, one never knows when one is going to have multiple flats or be riding with someone who also gets a flat or multiple flats. Having both spare tubes and a patch kit is common sense.

Ouch, both punctures look nasty.

Wouldn't it make more sense for it to happen if one is using an "undersized" tube? As wouldn't the rubber be stretched thinner? And wouldn't using an "oversized" tube pretty much be the equivalent to using a "thorn/puncture resistant" tube?

I had one similar to that. I'd topped my tire off at my favorite LBS. Didn't get too far down the road when it felt funny. When I looked at the rear wheel it kind of had an "S" shape/curve to it. I doubled back and started walking to another LBS that is literally just around the corner from my favorite LBS when it blows. Sadly, the second LBS was also closed.

But fortunately I wasn't too far from my favorite pizza shop. So I walked there, had my usual slice and soda, and got a ride home from one of my friends that work there.