Wileyrat

I've been riding on Specialized tubes since the 80's and I've never had problems, until I started using them a few yrs ago after a 12 yr sabbatical from riding.

As far back as I can remember I've never had a pinch flat/blowout of any kind other than a pinched tire running over a stick back in the late 80's (same bike, same wheels). Now that I've been back for a few yrs, I probably can't count on both hands the number of blowout flats I've had, and they've all been on Specialized tubes.

I guess if I was a noob to riding I could say I needed to learn how to change a tube, but I've been doing this for a few decades without issues until now now.

I had a blowout in the garage a couple of weeks ago, and I've had two in my family room on the front this morning while getting ready. I rode that bike last weekend, and it's been sitting in the garage for a week without any problems, until I topped off the tires.

It's starting to get irritating, and I'm swearing off Specialized tubes.

Now to be fair, I'm using my compressor turned up to 125lbs, and the gauge may not be accurate, so I'm going to invest in a decent presta gauge to measure it's true output, but I suspect if anything, it's under 125lbs.

I guess I wasn't meant to ride the road bike today.

BlazingPedals

Blowouts aren't usually caused by the tubes, they're usually caused by the tire being incorrectly mounted. After mounting the tire, inflate the tube to 3-4 psi, IOW, just enough for the tube to fill the inside of the tire. Next, push the valve stem all the way in as far as it'll go, or until it goes up against the tread side of the tire. Let go and pressure should push it back out again. That ensures that the reinforced part of the tube isn't caught under the tire's bead. Now go all the way around both sides of the tire, pushing the bead in from the rim and verifying that the tube isn't showing. If it is, work it back into the tire. Once you've verified the tube is where it belongs, then it's safe to inflate the tire.

If you leave any spot where the tube is pinched under the bead, it will blow out again. Tubes aren't designed to withstand 100+psi without the tire supporting them.

Wileyrat

Yup, I concur, and I've been doing everything I know how to do to seat the tires properly, just like I've been doing for a long time without problems, until now.

In fact, now that I think about it, it's only been since I started using Vittoria Rubino Pro's with Specialized tubes.

Maybe the Vittorias don't like to seat well on my wheels.

David Bierbaum

I never had luck from Specialized tubes. Their walls are thinner than generic tubes, I think. After dealing with the 5th flat in a month, I switched to cheapie bell tubes, and have had two flats in the entire time since then (over a year). The price you pay for lower rolling resistance and weight, I guess...

I don't think I'm qualified to give an opinion here though, since I run 700Cx38 tires, and so my tube pressure is much lower than yours. Still, I've learned to make tube changing a fine art by partially inflating the tube I'm installing, so it goes in the tire and stays there while I work the bead back onto the rim, then partially inflating it enough so that I can massage the tire evenly around the rim before fully inflating it.

BluesDawg

Glad you rushed out to trash the manufacturer before considering other reasons for your problems. Frankly, I'm surprised you've not had this happen before using an air compressor and such high pressure. You might consider getting yourself a floor pump so you can properly inflate your tires. Or not.

fietsbob

Specialized does not make their own stuff.. they have contractors, they change sources to pay less,

without passing the difference on to you.


AZ has had a Goat Head Thorn eradication yet? the local flora

can be a problem product purchases , 1 brand Vs another will not solve.

Wileyrat

Hey bud, thanks for the feedback.

I am surprised that on a board full of people with as much life experiences as we have, you would assume I just put an air chuck on my tube stem and let er rip.

I start out with a hand pump, and roll my tire back and forth to see that my tube actually is seated in the tire. I do that until I cant roll it back and forth enough to look. Then I go to the compressor and top it off in stages, giving it a rest and checking to see that it looks properly seated until it's full.

I've been using this procedure on this bike for over 20yrs, and I've never had these issues before, so what assumption would you make if you were me?

As far as the compressor, I have a bit of experience with the tool, and one thing I know is that the compressor gauge is almost always on the high side of real pressure. I have checked my tires with a gauge and they have measured under 125lbs (my compressor setting) and the tires are rated to 145lbs.

Sometimes I think that some people here assume post count equals experience, that may not be a good idea. I've been riding LBS bikes and doing my own wrenching since 73. I come here for entertainment, and I'd be happy not to feel the need to get snippy again.

andr0id

125psi is pretty damn high unless you are upward of 200lbs.

Anyway, I've had pretty good luck with the Performance Forte Bike tubes and they're buy 3 get 1 free. I use the standard weight but I have used the Lunar Light version also.

And they're 50+ approved.

Wileyrat

Thanks!

I am a little over 200, and that's with spending 4-5 days in the gym or cycling a week, but I'm getting there. We have a Performance bike or two here in Tucson, I'll give them a try.

scott967

I used to always use Spesh tubes on 23 Armadillos, then had a rash of valve stems tearing out. Can't say it was due to Spesh, but gave up on them. Now I'm on a mix of Kenda and Conti. Can't tell a difference between the two performance-wise.

scott s.
.

TheManShow

Well as the guy who started this thread is from Tuscon, AZ. Suggest you visit Performance to buy your next tubes.

Reason is they sell so many tube the stock don't sit in a bin for years and go bad.

BlazingPedals

I've seen some tire/rim combinations that simply didn't work, even though the labeled size said they did. On club member last year blew 3 tubes on the side of the road because the tire was just a fraction too big to seat well. We finally got him home on tube #4 and 60 psi - with the tire threatening to blow off at any time. Sorry, I don't know what brands were involved.

John E

A few years ago I had a series of stem base failures on various innertubes and was about to conclude "they don't make 'em like they used to" when my luck seemed to change. I have not had a stem base failure for at least three years, despite no change in my own practices. (I use a floor hand pump at home and a frame-mounted Zefal HP-X hand pump on the road, about 80-90 PSI front / 90-100 PSI rear, depending on tire width.

trackhub

I was going to ask this question: Aren't all tubes manufactured by one or two factories, who produce them for everyone? And, like it or not,
Specialized is the most common name.

In my area, we don't have the dreaded Goat Head thorns. But, we do have other debris by the side of the road. This includes smashed beer bottles,
and various pieces of bent, twisted metal. My last flat was caused by a rather large box staple.

fietsbob

Not so if there is no 'specialized' brand bike selling dealer in your town, and you shop in another store.

.05 per container deposit and paying out that same .05 when returned does cut down on the broken beer bottle problem

in Oregon..

Wileyrat

I'm pretty sure my problem is this. In all of these the tire was off the rim where it blew, so I assumed the tube was blowing with enough force to blow the bead off the rim. There has been instances where I realized the tire has lifted off the rim moments before the tube rapidly depressurized, so I'm thinking The tires just don't like to seat well on my old wheels.

There's no rhyme or reason to when it happens, it can be moments, or days after I've changed a tube. If I don't go N+1 this week on a CF Ridley, I'll seriously think about a tire change.

OldTryGuy

As mentioned, sometimes tire/rim combos just don't work.

I have Nashbar 23mm tires and Nashbar tubes, am 65 at 5' 8.5" and weigh 136lbs. riding with 120 to 130psi without issues and loving the ride. To each our own. Tried the lower recommended pressure according to the charts, NOT!!!!

roadbuzz

I've always had trouble with Specialized tubes as well. I generally have had trouble with their tires as well, although in the last couple of years I've gotten a couple of pairs of Roubaix Pros that have held up well.