new wheels - 3 flats

So, the rim tape completely covers all spoke holes? Did you check to see if there is a burr on the inside of the rim, where the holes in tubes are occurring?

There's nothing about a build that would cause flats, at least in terms of the build technique and process.

alienator said:

So, the rim tape completely covers all spoke holes? Did you check to see if there is a burr on the inside of the rim, where the holes in tubes are occurring?

There's nothing about a build that would cause flats, at least in terms of the build technique and process.

All of the holes are covered. The rim covers the entire bottom area up to the rim-wall. I checked the rear rim before, and now the front, but maybe I wasn't thorough enough??? It just surprises me that it's happened on BOTH wheels in the same spot. I can't imagine that something is poking through the strip that is so small for me to have missed (twice), but I suppose I'll pull the strips off and check anyway.
**** happens.

LewisBricktop said:

**** happens.

Auto-censor, huh?

LewisBricktop said:

All of the holes are covered. The rim covers the entire bottom area up to the rim-wall. I checked the rear rim before, and now the front, but maybe I wasn't thorough enough??? It just surprises me that it's happened on BOTH wheels in the same spot. I can't imagine that something is poking through the strip that is so small for me to have missed (twice), but I suppose I'll pull the strips off and check anyway.
**** happens.

yup, have a check first

I'd remove the rim tape and throw it away. Inspect the rim and de-burr any sharp surfaces. Apply new rim tape. 5 minutes... Problem solved.

There's something sharp in there. Sh1t just doesn't happen.

There's something sharp in there. Sh1t!!!! that just doesn't happen.!!!!!

i know its been a while, but i had put the road bike away in favour of my new 'cross bike, but i want to get back on the road bike for a few days.

anywho, the problem appears to be the spot at the rim joint. i'm very disappointed in you, velocity. the rim tape covers the are from rim wall to rim wall, so the problem is clearly occuring somewhere on the rim wall between the point at which the tape ends and that at which the bottom of the tire bead meets the rim (clincher, obviously).

can i just put a thin piece of electrical tape in the bare spot to protect the tube without compromising the seating of the tire? maybe there's already a common fix for such a problem?

Yes, I had the same problem with a new wheel at the rim join weld and the average rim tape that came with the wheel. I used a dremel and gently smoothed the weld, placed sports tape (sticks much better than electrical tape) over the whole join weld, and used better quality rim tape. I haven't had any problems since [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif[/IMG]

If it's any consolation, I was also disappointed that it occurred ...

I don't have a Dremel tool, but bet a piece of oxide cloth would take care of these burrs easy enough. Are the Velocity Deep-V rim's actually welded, or just pinned at the seam? Either way, seems the factory is cutting corners with the finishing process.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by KLabs [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Yes, I had the same problem with a new wheel at the rim join weld and the average rim tape that came with the wheel. I used a dremel and gently smoothed the weld, placed sports tape (sticks much better than electrical tape) over the whole join weld, and used better quality rim tape. I haven't had any problems since [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif[/IMG]

If it's any consolation, I was also disappointed that it occurred ...

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by dhk2 [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I don't have a Dremel tool, but bet a piece of oxide cloth would take care of these burrs easy enough. Are the Velocity Deep-V rim's actually welded, or just pinned at the seam? Either way, seems the factory is cutting corners with the finishing process.

No, the rims are not welded, they're pinned. Velocity is a "value" company, after all, though I'm having second thoughts about having some cross wheels built to their new Major Tom tubular rims now.
Anyway, I'll try some light hand finishing first and then give that sports tape a try.
Thanks for all the help.

I'd just like to say how I appreciate my friend's skill to fix the problem with a bike when we were bicycling in the mountain. The part of this is great equipment! Cool!
AR Drone Parrot [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif[/IMG]

I was having trouble with flats on two wheels I'd built until I switched to a different brand of rim strip. Problem was, the sticky Velox strips were shifting enough to expose spoke holes as I wrestled tight fitting tires onto the rims. Problem went away with Rox Ultralights--they're super thin (don't have to stretch the bead as much) and the adhesive backing is almost permanent.

It's got to be caused by the rim tape not covering a hole properly. Cheap tape tends to not be wide enough to do it's job properly.