Recurring flat tyre :(

Nothing embedded in the tread? I've had that happen before, get 2-3k's down the road & hey presto, another flat. Checked the rim tape? Do you use rim tape? Checked the spoke ends for corrosion or unevenness?

Is it always in the same place? If so, there must be a localised
problem and you just need to find it - small piece of thorn, glass,
wire etc. Is there a small cut on the tread? If you burrow around in it
you might find the culprit, even when you can't see or feel anything on
the inside.

Donga

Donga said:

Is it always in the same place? If so, there must be a localised
problem and you just need to find it - small piece of thorn, glass,
wire etc. Is there a small cut on the tread? If you burrow around in it
you might find the culprit, even when you can't see or feel anything on
the inside.

Donga

Perhaps after 3000+ k's your tyres are a little too warn? Do you have
any tube protrusions? (Sorry if that sounds too personal!).

--
Bean

"I've got a bike
You can ride it if you like
It's got a basket
A bell that rings
And things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could
But I borrowed it" Pink Floyd

Remove "yourfinger" before replying

just us said:

Well I did well over 3000kms without a flat and then it happened - just as
well a couple of weeks before hubby got out the old bike in the shed and
showed me how to do it. I changed it to a new tube, then came home and
patched the old one. Just a pinhead puncture, rim and tyre felt and looked
ok on inspection. 4 days and 350kms later - another flat. Back tyre again,
pinhole again. In the last 500kms it works out that I have had 6 punctures
on the back wheel. Today out on a ride they were 50kms apart - pinging me
off.
I have felt, poked, prodded, washed, inspected back tyre and rim and so has
hubby. Why does this keep happening? If there is a problem with the tyre I
just cant find it and all the spokes, rim etc feel great. There is still
heaps of tread left - any suggestions?
Kathy.

Have you inspected the inside of the tyre? After a flat
(I had one last week, dammit), I run my fingers inside the
tire feeling for sharp objects. It can be difficult to find
the culprit from the outside if you have lots of tread on the
tire. I found the offending bit of glass this way last week.

Are the flats happening on the same bit of road? Could it be
you're getting flats due to the same collection of broken glass
or metal swarf from a building site?

Or it could just be bad luck.

DeF

--
e-mail: d.farrow@your finger.murdoch.edu.au
To reply, you'll have to remove your finger.

just us said:

Well I did well over 3000kms without a flat and then it happened - just as
well a couple of weeks before hubby got out the old bike in the shed and
showed me how to do it. I changed it to a new tube, then came home and
patched the old one. Just a pinhead puncture, rim and tyre felt and looked
ok on inspection. 4 days and 350kms later - another flat. Back tyre again,
pinhole again. In the last 500kms it works out that I have had 6 punctures
on the back wheel. Today out on a ride they were 50kms apart - pinging me
off.
I have felt, poked, prodded, washed, inspected back tyre and rim and so has
hubby. Why does this keep happening? If there is a problem with the tyre I
just cant find it and all the spokes, rim etc feel great. There is still
heaps of tread left - any suggestions?
Kathy.

I've had that with singles, the culprit was a fine thorn that just penetrated
the tyre, and the protruding remains were worn away. But each time the tyre
bears weight in that spot, the little bit of thorn got pushed through the inner
tube again.... found by pressing hard on outer part of tyre while running other
hand along inside. Mind you, by that time I'd unstitched so much of the single
that it was all rather academic ...

--
Karen

If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.'
Catherine Aird

just us said:

Well I did well over 3000kms without a flat and then it happened - just as
well a couple of weeks before hubby got out the old bike in the shed and
showed me how to do it. I changed it to a new tube, then came home and
patched the old one. Just a pinhead puncture, rim and tyre felt and looked
ok on inspection. 4 days and 350kms later - another flat. Back tyre again,
pinhole again. In the last 500kms it works out that I have had 6 punctures
on the back wheel. Today out on a ride they were 50kms apart - pinging me
off.
I have felt, poked, prodded, washed, inspected back tyre and rim and so has
hubby. Why does this keep happening? If there is a problem with the tyre I
just cant find it and all the spokes, rim etc feel great. There is still
heaps of tread left - any suggestions?
Kathy.

A good trick is to seat your tyres on the rim with the label adjacent
the valve. When you find the puncture in the tube, you can easily match
the tube to the tyre and look in the area of the hole for any little
protruding piece of glass, etc that may be still be stuck in the tyre.
Quite often you will not feel it with a casual rub on the inside with
your fingers.

More than likely this is what you have.

--
BrettS

Go around the outside and the inside of the tyre and find ANY, tiny little hole and squeeze the tyre from both sides as to open the hole a little, then with a toothpick or the pointy end of a knife just [censored] out any little bits of glass, often even the smallest hole has a little chunk of glass in it that you would never notice just by running fingers around.

just us said:

Well I did well over 3000kms without a flat and then it happened - just as
well a couple of weeks before hubby got out the old bike in the shed and
showed me how to do it. I changed it to a new tube, then came home and
patched the old one. Just a pinhead puncture, rim and tyre felt and looked
ok on inspection. 4 days and 350kms later - another flat. Back tyre again,
pinhole again. In the last 500kms it works out that I have had 6 punctures
on the back wheel. Today out on a ride they were 50kms apart - pinging me
off.
I have felt, poked, prodded, washed, inspected back tyre and rim and so has
hubby. Why does this keep happening? If there is a problem with the tyre I
just cant find it and all the spokes, rim etc feel great. There is still
heaps of tread left - any suggestions?

I have a general rule of thumb, 2 punctures, new tyre. That's on 23mm
road tyres, and it's arguably a little conservative, but I very rarely
get punctures and I ride a -lot- of miles on the road.

Everyone's suggestions are good, I always line up my valve with a tyre
label so I know where to start looking for a bit of [censored] or something.
As a suggestion for your wheels, even if it's not the cause, replace
whatever rim tape you have, unless it's already a cloth tape, with
cloth tape. Zefal tape is good, but there's many brands. If it's crappy
rubber, it'll eventually cause much grief. This is what the stuff looks
like :

http://www.amazon.com/Tape-Zefal-17mm-Single-Roll/dp/B000AO3G0M
http://www.icyclesusa.com/catalog/zefal-bicycle-rim-tape.htm

quote='Bleve'just us said:

Well I did well over 3000kms without a flat and then it happened - just as
well a couple of weeks before hubby got out the old bike in the shed and
showed me how to do it. I changed it to a new tube, then came home and
patched the old one. Just a pinhead puncture, rim and tyre felt and looked
ok on inspection. 4 days and 350kms later - another flat. Back tyre again,
pinhole again. In the last 500kms it works out that I have had 6 punctures
on the back wheel. Today out on a ride they were 50kms apart - pinging me
off.
I have felt, poked, prodded, washed, inspected back tyre and rim and so has
hubby. Why does this keep happening? If there is a problem with the tyre I
just cant find it and all the spokes, rim etc feel great. There is still
heaps of tread left - any suggestions?

I have a general rule of thumb, 2 punctures, new tyre. That's on 23mm
road tyres, and it's arguably a little conservative, but I very rarely
get punctures and I ride a -lot- of miles on the road.

Everyone's suggestions are good, I always line up my valve with a tyre
label so I know where to start looking for a bit of [censored] or something.
As a suggestion for your wheels, even if it's not the cause, replace
whatever rim tape you have, unless it's already a cloth tape, with
cloth tape. Zefal tape is good, but there's many brands. If it's crappy
rubber, it'll eventually cause much grief. This is what the stuff looks
like :

http://www.amazon.com/Tape-Zefal-17mm-Single-Roll/dp/B000AO3G0M
http://www.icyclesusa.com/catalog/zefal-bicycle-rim-tape.htm[/QUOTE]

I was going to reply to Abby's "how fast can you fix a puncture" with "it depends how long it takes to find the offending bit of glass/wire". After being caught a few times, I always try really hard to find the source of the puncture (or the source of the next one) by flexing the tyre anywhere there is a cut like Jono said.

Also like Bleve said, when the tyre starts getting thin you will get punctures all the time.

But my money is on the rim tape, the [censored] rubber stuff wears out after only a few thousand kms.

Adam

adam85 said:

Bleve said:

just us said:

Well I did well over 3000kms without a flat and then it happened -

just as

Quoted message said:

well a couple of weeks before hubby got out the old bike in the shed

and

Quoted message said:

showed me how to do it. I changed it to a new tube, then came home

and

Quoted message said:

patched the old one. Just a pinhead puncture, rim and tyre felt and

looked

Quoted message said:

ok on inspection. 4 days and 350kms later - another flat. Back tyre

again,

Quoted message said:

pinhole again. In the last 500kms it works out that I have had 6

punctures

Quoted message said:

on the back wheel. Today out on a ride they were 50kms apart -

pinging me

Quoted message said:

off.
I have felt, poked, prodded, washed, inspected back tyre and rim and

so has

Quoted message said:

hubby. Why does this keep happening? If there is a problem with the

tyre I

Quoted message said:

just cant find it and all the spokes, rim etc feel great. There is

still

Quoted message said:

heaps of tread left - any suggestions?

I have a general rule of thumb, 2 punctures, new tyre. That's on 23mm
road tyres, and it's arguably a little conservative, but I very rarely
get punctures and I ride a -lot- of miles on the road.

Everyone's suggestions are good, I always line up my valve with a tyre
label so I know where to start looking for a bit of [censored] or something.
As a suggestion for your wheels, even if it's not the cause, replace
whatever rim tape you have, unless it's already a cloth tape, with
cloth tape. Zefal tape is good, but there's many brands. If it's
crappy
rubber, it'll eventually cause much grief. This is what the stuff
looks
like :

http://www.amazon.com/Tape-Zefal-17mm-Single-Roll/dp/B000AO3G0M
http://www.icyclesusa.com/catalog/zefal-bicycle-rim-tape.htm

I was going to reply to Abby's "how fast can you fix a puncture" with
"it depends how long it takes to find the offending bit of glass/wire".
After being caught a few times, I always try really hard to find the
source of the puncture (or the source of the next one) by flexing the
tyre anywhere there is a cut like Jono said.

Also like Bleve said, when the tyre starts getting thin you will get
punctures all the time.

But my money is on the rim tape, the [censored] rubber stuff wears out after
only a few thousand kms.

Adam

--
adam85

This being 'Cup Week', what odds are you offering, Adam?

Donga

quote='Donga'adam85 said:

Bleve said:

just us said:

Well I did well over 3000kms without a flat and then it happened -

just as

Quoted message said:

well a couple of weeks before hubby got out the old bike in the shed

and

Quoted message said:

showed me how to do it. I changed it to a new tube, then came home

and

Quoted message said:

patched the old one. Just a pinhead puncture, rim and tyre felt and

looked

Quoted message said:

ok on inspection. 4 days and 350kms later - another flat. Back tyre

again,

Quoted message said:

pinhole again. In the last 500kms it works out that I have had 6

punctures

Quoted message said:

on the back wheel. Today out on a ride they were 50kms apart -

pinging me

Quoted message said:

off.
I have felt, poked, prodded, washed, inspected back tyre and rim and

so has

Quoted message said:

hubby. Why does this keep happening? If there is a problem with the

tyre I

Quoted message said:

just cant find it and all the spokes, rim etc feel great. There is

still

Quoted message said:

heaps of tread left - any suggestions?

I have a general rule of thumb, 2 punctures, new tyre. That's on 23mm
road tyres, and it's arguably a little conservative, but I very rarely
get punctures and I ride a -lot- of miles on the road.

Everyone's suggestions are good, I always line up my valve with a tyre
label so I know where to start looking for a bit of [censored] or something.
As a suggestion for your wheels, even if it's not the cause, replace
whatever rim tape you have, unless it's already a cloth tape, with
cloth tape. Zefal tape is good, but there's many brands. If it's
crappy
rubber, it'll eventually cause much grief. This is what the stuff
looks
like :

http://www.amazon.com/Tape-Zefal-17mm-Single-Roll/dp/B000AO3G0M
http://www.icyclesusa.com/catalog/zefal-bicycle-rim-tape.htm

I was going to reply to Abby's "how fast can you fix a puncture" with
"it depends how long it takes to find the offending bit of glass/wire".
After being caught a few times, I always try really hard to find the
source of the puncture (or the source of the next one) by flexing the
tyre anywhere there is a cut like Jono said.

Also like Bleve said, when the tyre starts getting thin you will get
punctures all the time.

But my money is on the rim tape, the [censored] rubber stuff wears out after
only a few thousand kms.

Adam

--
adam85

This being 'Cup Week', what odds are you offering, Adam?

Donga[/QUOTE]

I'll bet you a coffee it's rim tape- how's that for odds? 🙂

Adam

adam85 said:

Donga said:

adam85 said:

Bleve Wrote:
> just us wrote:
> > Well I did well over 3000kms without a flat and then it happened

-

Quoted message said:

> just as
> > well a couple of weeks before hubby got out the old bike in the

shed

Quoted message said:

> and
> > showed me how to do it. I changed it to a new tube, then came

home

Quoted message said:

> and
> > patched the old one. Just a pinhead puncture, rim and tyre felt

and

Quoted message said:

> looked
> > ok on inspection. 4 days and 350kms later - another flat. Back

tyre

Quoted message said:

> again,
> > pinhole again. In the last 500kms it works out that I have had 6
> punctures
> > on the back wheel. Today out on a ride they were 50kms apart -
> pinging me
> > off.
> > I have felt, poked, prodded, washed, inspected back tyre and rim

and

Quoted message said:

> so has
> > hubby. Why does this keep happening? If there is a problem with

the

Quoted message said:

> tyre I
> > just cant find it and all the spokes, rim etc feel great. There

is

Quoted message said:

> still
> > heaps of tread left - any suggestions?
>
> I have a general rule of thumb, 2 punctures, new tyre. That's on

23mm

Quoted message said:

> road tyres, and it's arguably a little conservative, but I very

rarely

Quoted message said:

> get punctures and I ride a -lot- of miles on the road.
>
> Everyone's suggestions are good, I always line up my valve with a

tyre

Quoted message said:

> label so I know where to start looking for a bit of [censored] or

something.

Quoted message said:

> As a suggestion for your wheels, even if it's not the cause,

replace

Quoted message said:

> whatever rim tape you have, unless it's already a cloth tape, with
> cloth tape. Zefal tape is good, but there's many brands. If it's
> crappy
> rubber, it'll eventually cause much grief. This is what the stuff
> looks
> like :
>
> http://www.amazon.com/Tape-Zefal-17mm-Single-Roll/dp/B000AO3G0M
> http://www.icyclesusa.com/catalog/zefal-bicycle-rim-tape.htm

I was going to reply to Abby's "how fast can you fix a puncture"

with

Quoted message said:

"it depends how long it takes to find the offending bit of

glass/wire".

Quoted message said:

After being caught a few times, I always try really hard to find the
source of the puncture (or the source of the next one) by flexing

the

Quoted message said:

tyre anywhere there is a cut like Jono said.

Also like Bleve said, when the tyre starts getting thin you will get
punctures all the time.

But my money is on the rim tape, the [censored] rubber stuff wears out

after

Quoted message said:

only a few thousand kms.

Adam

--
adam85

This being 'Cup Week', what odds are you offering, Adam?

Donga

I'll bet you a coffee it's rim tape- how's that for odds? 🙂

Adam

--
adam85

Everyone's a winner!

speaking of flats - some guy in our A grade race had one last night... not your typical flat tho...

@55km/h I'm guessing he threw his chain, it landed in his back wheel locking it up... much crunching, a little skidding, a loud BANG, more skidding but this time it was rimmage damage! He kept it upright and everyone got around him safely.

"gplama" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

speaking of flats - some guy in our A grade race had one last night...
not your typical flat tho...

@55km/h I'm guessing he threw his chain, it landed in his back wheel
locking it up... much crunching, a little skidding, a loud BANG, more
skidding but this time it was rimmage damage! He kept it upright and
everyone got around him safely.

Wow good job keeping it vertical...At least it was limited to wheel damage,
if that was a ducati he's have probably holed the crankcases.

Adam

Thanks all - another flat this morning.Sheesh I was a bit peed off - missed
my morning ride. I came home and fixed it again after work, lined up the
tyre brand with the valve and guess what? Did 20kms and flat again!!!!!!!!
Due to the fact that I knew where to look on the tyre - I found it easily.
It was the tiniest bit of steel. Fingers crossed in the morning I will get
up and do my ride without a flat! Thank you. Also have bought some rim tape
Bleve, now I just gotta ask someone how to use it 🙂
Kathy.

On 08/11/06 at 15:46:06 just us somehow managed to type:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

heaps of tread left - any suggestions? Kathy.

Well you've got a heap of suggestions so far and here's yet another
couple. Turn the tyre inside out and run around the inside (now
outside) with a bit of cotton wool and look VERY closely at the tyre
where it snags. With the tyre off go right around it pinching the tread
together looking VERY carefully for VERY small holes. Prod each hole
with a tooth pick and feel for something hard buried in it. It'll be
emall and bruied in the tyre so you'll probably not see it but you'll
be able to feel it.

My guess is that's a thorn or a very small sliver of glass. Keep
looking it WILL be there somewhere.

--

Humbug
Today is Pungenday, the 21st day of The Aftermath in the YOLD 3172

Sheeeeeeeet tyre is flat again today - stuff it! I have chucked tyre in the
bin and waiting until morning to buy a new one LOL.
Kathy

just us said:

Sheeeeeeeet tyre is flat again today - stuff it! I have chucked tyre in the
bin and waiting until morning to buy a new one LOL.
Kathy

I hope you don't get another flat the day after bin day LOL!
(I hope you checked the rim tape)
Donga