This past week I've dealt with half a dozen flats or is it seven?
I'm losing track and beginning to think I'm under a curse.
Like I'm sure most of you do
I always seek to find the cause.
Has this thread itemized the various causes of flats experienced?
A couple I thought were tube manufacturing defects but it turned out to be slightly oversized rim tape had hardened on the edges and eventually made a slice in the tubes.
Fresh appropriately sized rim tape solved that cause.
A couple of the others developed leaks at the base of the Schrader valve stem.
Closer examination showed rough edges to the rim's valve hole that eventually cut into the valve stem at the base.
One occasion it was exacerbated because I was lazy and did not straighten up the valve stem when it was at a slight angle when pumped up.
I will take the time to make sure the valve stem is perfectly vertical in the rim valve hole.
I curled up a small piece of 400 grit sandpaper and sanded the edges of the rim valve hole.
Hopefully that remedied that cause.
Yesterday I got in a hurry ( I know better)
and did not double check the new tube for pinches against the rim and 'boom!' after pumping it up.
Insert 'cursing'.
Another was also repair person (me) error.
Again I got in a hurry not waiting long enough for the glue to dry before attaching the patch.
This morning it was flat again. Patch failure.
It pays to be patient with flat repairs.
Oh, I actually had one flat this week with a small nail in the tire. Easy and obvious one.
I guess I better go buy some more tubes.
I've put 5 tubes in the recycling bin lately.
I think they recycle rubber in my area?
Hopefully I've served my penance and will go quite a while with no flats at least the ones caused by my errors.
Last edited by cooperryder; 09-17-19 at 07:51 AM.