Annoying flats
 

Hi to all.
I have just moved over to Scotland from Malta and am quite enjoying mountainbiking here. I have a GF Tassajara and my wife rides a Kona Blast which we got over with us from Malta. My wife keeps getting flats in both tyres: the inner tubes are getting pinched on the inside, ie the side facing the rim. It seems like the rubber strip arounf the inside of the rim is continuously moving and theh inner tube gets pinched with the holes in the rim where the spokes are fixed. Did any of u get this annoying problem? Should I just use loads of tape inside the rim: will this cure the proble??

Thanks

Dayvid

more pressure! Make sure your tires are pumped up to what the side wall recommends. 60psi is what I run but you can lower it slightly if you get thrown around too much. 99% of the time pinch flats are caused by an underinflated tire. This SHOULD solve your problem. Depending on how crappy your pump is (like if its made by Bell or whatever it is in Scotland) you might need to buy a new pump, but highly doubt it. I got a $8 pump to give me 100psi on my road bike until I broke the head. :)

If thats not the problem, very carefully check the inside of the tire for anything that might be poking in and causing flats. Forget the tape, since most tires and such will be able to prevent most punctures if they are properly installed.

If those two free fixes don't work, try some new rim tape. Some people have good luck with the slime brand.

Good luck!

Thanks for d feedback.
Actually I put in about 50psi so I don't think it should be the pressure. I inflate mine the same and rarely get any flats, its my wife and I ride more aggresively tha she does. Think its them 'holes' in the rim!!

Get better rim tape then? I used to get flats when using Tom Slicks at 90PSI because the rim tape would actually let the tube go into the spokes, eventually causing a blowout due to the tube stretching too much. I got a pair of Velox Rim Tape and never had that problem again.

If the rim tape is moving use "packing tape" to replace it. It's sticky and won't move. Enjoy that beautiful country.

i would get some new rim tape, and inspect the rim for any nasty little things that might be poping it.

Velox rim tape will cure any tape problems. Pinch flats require more air pressure.

Thanks. will definitely replace tape.