Sol588

Ok, this past weekend, I left my bike on my bike carrier over night and into the late afternoon the next day. It was probably 85+ degrees out when I removed my bike from the car carrier. When I placed my bike on the ground, I rolled it forward maybe 1" and the tube exploded.

People who heard it nearby came over and asked if I had set off any fireworks. I was shocked that this happened. I inspected the rim after getting the tire and old tube off and it was not caused by the spokes, nor did I run over anything sharp (no puncture to the tire). I know heat can increase the PSI in the tube but, could that really be it?

I ride with 97PSI (rear), 95 PSI (front).

Thank God the tube did not explode on my way out of the resort I was at. That would not have been good. In the future, should I be doing something differently to relieve pressure build up before riding off? Any suggestions or ideas are appreciated.

Thanks!

linsdog

Doubtful this was due to heat as my bike lives in the garage and temps easily hit 120+ this time of year. Never had an issue.

May have been a bubble that had formed in the tube and was ready to go anyway? Did you look at the tube/tire after?

JerrySTL

Was the tire in direct sunlight? That can greatly increase the heat and PSI inside the tire. I once saw a guy's tire tube pop for no good reason after we stopped for a long lunch break and his tire was in the sun.

Check where that tire is located when on the car rack. I've seen tires cooked by the exhaust system exiting right onto the tire. If that's the case, you can get a cheap tailpipe extension that will point the exhaust gases downward.

rpenmanparker 

Had you changed the tube lately? Could it have been that the tube was pinched under the tire bead.

Trsnrtr

Gas laws make heat an unlikely culprit even for tires left in a car or in the sun.

Clipped_in

^^^^A most likely culprit.

popeye

+1

rms13

pinch flat +1

goenrdoug

^^ THIS. Ding ding ding ding

jimincalif

I've had this happen too.

Clem von Jones

Always look to see where the tube fails. Usually it happens right next to the valve stem. If so use thicker tubes or make a reusable felt grommet to slip over the valve stem before installation to help prevent abrasion against the rim hole.

Sol588

Tube was fairly new in that when I changed over to the Continental 4000II I over inflated the original tube and had to replace it...

Interestingly, the front tire would have been sitting over my exhaust for 5 hours on the way down to where I was staying for the holiday. I could have not properly installed the tube to begin with (first tire change) and had a pinch that just let go over the weekend.

If it was a pinch, then I have a question. When replacing a tube, is it customary to lightly inflate the tube prior to getting the tire on? I did that this time around but when I initially installed the Conti's I didn't which could have been the culprit for a pinch.

cale

So maybe the tire was very highly pressurized by the ample gas (the tire had at least 95 psi according to the method the OP uses) available for expansion at temperatures that were likely greater than at time of filling. Add just enough pressure from movement when being removed from rack or additional heat if the rim came into contact with the hot car.

The conditions you describe sure sound right for a heat explosion. Happened to me once but my bike was inside the car. A far more obvious cause and the tire blew in the car.

Wilfred Laurier

I am not sure what you mean - how do you over-inflate a tube and what is the result that necessitates replacement?

PiLigand

+1. Happened to me once. I was taking my bike off the car rack AFTER riding a charity century. I unstrapped it and I heard the pop-fizzle as I was picking it up.

rpenmanparker 

Nah. The tire would explode if it were overheating, not just the tube. The tube is fully supported by the tire carcass.

Carbonfiberboy 

It's well known that tires can blow off the rim from heating during a steep, winding descent. Yes, that happens. I've twice had tires blow off the rim in my car when I left it in full sun after a ride. Now I let a little air out of the tires when doing that.

cale

On my bike the tire blew off.