knzn

I got up this morning and left the house at 8:00 for a Sunday morning cruise. I wound up in the saddle for three hours and had 30 miles on the odo when I got home. I know that is just a warm up for many on here, but it was probably a record for me.

Now the wierd ending part. When I got home I parked by the front door, went inside, made a sandwich, took a shower and a nap! I went back outside at 2:00 to put my bike away. As usual, before I hang it on the hook where I store it I checked both tires over for cuts etc. Then I hung it by the (Back) wheel as usual and proceded to tinker in the garage for a few minutes before going in.

Then I heard the sound of a tire releasing all of it's air pressure all at once. Like when you take the valve stem out of an inflated tire. Sure enough, my back tire was flat. The autopsy revealed a small split near the valve stem. Just it's time to go? Oh well, at least it happend at home instead of on the road.

stapfam

Inside of the rim--Looks like you have a spoke that is too long. Get a file to it and get a thicker rim tape.

chasmm

^^^+1^^^

knzn

Thats the first thing I checked------not the case, not even a spoke at that location. Maybe it was just a fluke deal.

chasmm

Okay...where do I send the $20 I would have bet on it being a spoke?

cyclinfool

Me to!

knzn

You can both send to me so I can restock on tubes!

doctor j

Obviously, sir, you have at some point invoked the wrath of the flat faerie.

akohekohe

OP: if you have room in the tire try putting one of those round nuts you put on the presta valve all the way down on the valve before you put it in the tire. This can often prevent problems with tube failures near the valve, but yours is a little further from the valve that is usual for this type of problem. Anyway, if there is room it won't hurt and may prevent a future flat.

knzn

Interesting thought. Thanks.

stapfam

OK- Not a spoke but do you put the tyre on starting at the furthest from the valve and work back to it-

OR do you put the tyre on at the valve and work away**********

If it is furthest from the valve then you finish up with the tight bit at the valve. Whether you use irons or manage to push the tyre on by hand- It points to a Pinch on the tube. Haven't done that for a few years myself but you can normally hear the hiss of air from the slightly inflated Tube as you do it.

Incidentaly- I always start at the valve---Against the recomendation of the "Experts"-- as I find it easier to locate the valve in the tyre early on in tyre fitting than afterwards. That thick bit around the Valve stem seems to get between the tyre and rim for me.
Still doesn't explain how the tube lasted till after the ride but I have heard of wierd happenings in Kansas.

Metric Man

In my world there is no explaining some things...especially when it comes to tires/tubes. I just chalk it up to another weird experience.

Rick@OCRR

Stapfam is right, must have been a Kansas thing.

Although, I did have something very similar happen when I lived in Missouri (which is quite close to Kansas).

Rick / OCRR