Op - you installed the tubes incorrectly. Period. Whenever you get a flat with any tube simply perform an inspection of that flat. The shape and position of the hole will tell you the cause. Large holes (opening that run along the tube and have a jagged edge (butyl - smooth on latex) in the center are caused by the tube not being contained. You didn’t keep it under the bead of the tire. Sorry.

‘I have read through your thread and never saw if you reported back on your rim tape situation. I tend to believe it is what others have said - some type of installation error/improper set-up on your part. I get that you were careful, checked for no pinches etc...and that your technique was sufficient for the ultralight butyl tubes, but we still are left guessing about the state of your rim tape. I know for a fact that the one piece plastic tapes that are convenient for butyl tubes are a no-go. Even the little raised ridge of plastic where the tape is bonded to itself or any thickening of the tape around the valve is sufficient to produce a massive blowout just as you described.

‘Could you share with the group your rim brand, rim tape, tires you are using (brand/size) so we could finally, decisively help you move forward? I never used latex tubes before this year and when I first installed them I lost several tubes in the same manner that you described. That was until I analyzed what was afoul about my installation. You either get it right or you don’t. As good as your technique (almost) is, I’d say that you are not there yet.

I would be inclined to listen to the gentleman who has installed 1200 tubular tires. He might have seemed rude but he wasn’t - you get the sense that he speaks the truth here.

I’m feeling a great result in ride quality on the (low thread count) Michelin Power Endurance/and All Season tires that I have mounted on my harsh riding aluminum road bike with delightful results. I can only imagine what some of the supple, high thread count open tubulars would ride like with the Vittoria tubes - it makes you you want to pile on more miles just so you can wear your current tires off and get the reward of moving to your next set. BTW - once I got mine installed correctly, I have not had a single flat on the road all year! And this is over normal roads with occasional patches of broken glass and fresh chip seal, etc...

A photo of your rim, rim tape and tire would be most welcome at this juncture too...

Regards, from Bill.

Holes don’t appear out of nowhere. They all have a cause. Large holes are no longer being constrained by the tire. Smaller holes at a sort of peak are from rim tape failure. Random holes from debris. Snake bites from under pressurization.

At one point I read “large hole”. That can only occur when the tube has made its way outside the tire. Seriously. You may not like the delivery but to say otherwise is a bit like denying pregnancy. “It couldn’t have happened! I know what I’m doing and was super careful.”

if youre so positive that you did absolutely nothing wrong wrong then why did you post it here? You posted it here because you knew people who actually know would give you information. I did that. Sorry it’s not the information you wanted to hear.