Dear RBM:
My LBS spec-ed and built a new (replacement) 20" rear wheel for my folder -
Sun Rhyno Lite XL rim. Like it a lot (looks great).
I then installed a brand-new tire and tube. I mounted the completed wheel
last Friday, and all was well.
Rode the bike every single day since Fri. Arrived at work Tues, no problems.
Ready to ride home Tues pm, Completely flat tire. Imagine my surprise.
I really thought I had a good handle on such a newbie topic as fixing flats.
I know that everyone says this particular Sun rim is not easy to mount a
tire onto. I don't know if the rim flange is taller, or if the overall wheel
diameter is greater, whatever. I used multiple bike levers to mount the tire
(the Park tire lever set, and that single green thing).
Wed pm (after walking home 4 miles Tues pm and 4 miles to work Wed am) , I
inspected the new tire, no damage. There is obviously a leak in the new
tube, but I did not inspect it closely (ran out of time at work). Installed
a new tube; rode home - fine so far.
To make a long boring story short - here is the executive summary:
Q: Did I probably damage the new tube when I installed it? If so, why was I
able to ride it fine for 5 days?
Q1: I suppose there is a miniscule chance that the new tube was defective. I
doubt this, but I simply cannot rule it out.
Because of this incident, my confidence in repairing flats is decimated. I
thought I was able to do such a trivial bike repair task, but I clearly was
mistaken.
Tomorrow, I can post close-up pics of the tube point-of-failue, if that
might be helpful.
I am disappointed in my bike repair skills, and heart sick to my very soul -
J.