One of my bikes is a 3 speed Raleigh, and the rear tire keeps going flat every now and then. The first time it did, my husband and I changed the tire, and found there were some sharp things sticking up inside the rim...he filed them all down and the bike was okay for a few weeks, then boom, it goes flat again just sitting there.
This is a relatively new bike, he bought it a few months ago in practically mint condition from a woman nearby who had it stored in her garage for years. Not a scratch on it and the thing is imaculate. She said her husband bought it for her yrs ago and she never rode it.
One of my bikes is a 3 speed Raleigh, and the rear tire keeps going flat every now and then. The first time it did, my husband and I changed the tire, and found there were some sharp things sticking up inside the rim...he filed them all down and the bike was okay for a few weeks, then boom, it goes flat again just sitting there.
This is a relatively new bike, he bought it a few months ago in practically mint condition from a woman nearby who had it stored in her garage for years. Not a scratch on it and the thing is imaculate. She said her husband bought it for her yrs ago and she never rode it.
Could this be a manufacturer defect in the wheel?
I know it seems obvious but is the rim tape properly installed and in good shape?
By all means take a look at the rim tape. I had (and posted) the same problem 2 weeks ago, and the culprit was badly applied rim tape, which wasn't keeping the spokes from pressing against the tube. My LBS put on some new and better tape, no more problems!
I've found the plastic rim strips seem to give me less flats. I know some folks who think the exact opposite. It's worth a try and they snap right on the rim. Performance has 'em for like $2 a pair. Look closely at the outer tread surface area of your tire, there may be a tiny shard of glass or a metal or? Also run your fingers several times along the inside of the tire, under the surface contact area and the sidewalls, to feel for any protrusions that you can't see...like a thorn. It doesn't take much at all to keep puncturing your tubes.
Thanks to all who replied! I have to be sure to check the rim tapes, my husband says he thought he did, but obviously its something!
BTW the tires are really in good shape, so I doubt its that. The front wheel went flkat just sitting there also, a few months ago, but after pumping it back up I never had a prob again. THAT was weird.
I think a few questions weren't asked. Where was the flat? Toward the tire or toward the rim? What did the hole(s) look like? Pinch flat? Near a spoke?
HellonWheels said:
Thanks to all who replied! I have to be sure to check the rim tapes, my husband says he thought he did, but obviously its something!
