Back tire going flat every other week
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 85
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Back tire going flat every other week
Since I have started keeping track, my back tire has been going flat every other week. 4 flats in 2 months. There were more before that but I didn't write them down. I am 170lbs riding on a 2010 Kona Smoke with Continental Contact II tires. These tires are less than 2 years old. I only ride about 8 miles per week, and 1/2 to 2/3 of that time is spent on a smoothly paved bike path. The remainder is spent riding in bike lanes.
On every flat I go to my LBS to get the tube replaced. I like to support the local business, and I trust them more than I do myself. The repair guy can never find anything wrong other than the obvious, a hole in the tube. He runs a cloth around and around inside the tire and the rim and it never snags on anything. Is my tire just a dud? Am I that unlucky? Do I have an enemy I don't know about?
On every flat I go to my LBS to get the tube replaced. I like to support the local business, and I trust them more than I do myself. The repair guy can never find anything wrong other than the obvious, a hole in the tube. He runs a cloth around and around inside the tire and the rim and it never snags on anything. Is my tire just a dud? Am I that unlucky? Do I have an enemy I don't know about?
#2
LBKA (formerly punkncat)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Jawja
Posts: 4,299
Bikes: Spec Roubaix SL4, GT Traffic 1.0
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 960 Times
in
686 Posts
It may not seem obvious to all.
Align your valve stem with the label on your tire and install that way on the rim. Next time(s) you have the hole in tube you will know specifically where the hole was "caused" and can also track if it's the same place every time. If it is there is either something small in the tire itself which is not obvious without weight, or something like a spoke poking, etc. If in different places each time it could just be a fluke along the route.
Align your valve stem with the label on your tire and install that way on the rim. Next time(s) you have the hole in tube you will know specifically where the hole was "caused" and can also track if it's the same place every time. If it is there is either something small in the tire itself which is not obvious without weight, or something like a spoke poking, etc. If in different places each time it could just be a fluke along the route.
Likes For Juan Foote:
#3
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,984
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26403 Post(s)
Liked 10,374 Times
in
7,203 Posts
...there is a phenomenon known as "Michelin wires" where steel belted radial tires on cars shed very fine short pieces of steel wire and they often end up in the bike lane. I have picked up a couple in my life, and they are very difficult to find in the bike tire. Sometimes they only appear when the tire is pressurized, because they ride within the tire.
You can also end up with something under your rim tape, like small aluminum shavings from when the rim was originally drilled in manufacturing. Those, too, only appear under pressure.
Your best bet is to do as recommended above, then check the spot that seems to be doing this on your wheel or tire.
I confess I once threw away a tire that flatted three or four times, when I couldn't find the problem. It was cheaper and easier to buy a new tire than to keep replacing/patching tubes. And I'm not even a Millennial.
You can also end up with something under your rim tape, like small aluminum shavings from when the rim was originally drilled in manufacturing. Those, too, only appear under pressure.
Your best bet is to do as recommended above, then check the spot that seems to be doing this on your wheel or tire.
I confess I once threw away a tire that flatted three or four times, when I couldn't find the problem. It was cheaper and easier to buy a new tire than to keep replacing/patching tubes. And I'm not even a Millennial.
#4
Droid on a mission
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 1,005
Bikes: Diamondback Wildwood Classic
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 317 Post(s)
Liked 280 Times
in
195 Posts
I use a carpenters crayon and mark the tire where the valve stem is and direction of travel before I remove it from the rim, then I mark the tube with direction of travel. Blow the tube up after removal to locate the hole and then line up the tire and very carefully examine the inside and outside in that area for a splinter of glass or steel or even a thorn embedded in the tire. Sometime I have to turn the tire inside out to see it.
__________________
JoeTBM (The Bike Man) - I'm a black & white type of guy, the only gray in my life is the hair on my head
www.TheBikeMenOfFlaglerCounty.com
JoeTBM (The Bike Man) - I'm a black & white type of guy, the only gray in my life is the hair on my head
www.TheBikeMenOfFlaglerCounty.com
#5
1/2 as far in 2x the time
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,746
Bikes: Yes, Please.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 499 Post(s)
Liked 285 Times
in
222 Posts
Are you sure your rim tape is undamaged? When you inflate the tire it pushes the rim tape down a bit into the spoke holes. Easy to check if the puncture in the tube is on the inside circumference rather than the side or outer part of the tube... I'm sure your mechanic checked, but...
Eric
Eric
#6
Senior Member
You have to learn how to replace your own tubes if you want to be a serious cyclist. It's not complicated as long as you have the proper tools. And, I would recommend installing heavy duty "thorn proof" tires and reducing the tire pressure a little. Try installing some Michelin Pro-Tek or Continental Gator tires. I used to get flats constantly at my place in Florida until I converted all the bikes over to heavy duty tubes & tires.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Llano Estacado
Posts: 3,702
Bikes: old clunker
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 684 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 105 Times
in
83 Posts
Since I have started keeping track, my back tire has been going flat every other week. 4 flats in 2 months. There were more before that but I didn't write them down. I am 170lbs riding on a 2010 Kona Smoke with Continental Contact II tires. These tires are less than 2 years old. I only ride about 8 miles per week, and 1/2 to 2/3 of that time is spent on a smoothly paved bike path. The remainder is spent riding in bike lanes.
On every flat I go to my LBS to get the tube replaced. I like to support the local business, and I trust them more than I do myself. The repair guy can never find anything wrong other than the obvious, a hole in the tube. He runs a cloth around and around inside the tire and the rim and it never snags on anything. Is my tire just a dud? Am I that unlucky? Do I have an enemy I don't know about?
On every flat I go to my LBS to get the tube replaced. I like to support the local business, and I trust them more than I do myself. The repair guy can never find anything wrong other than the obvious, a hole in the tube. He runs a cloth around and around inside the tire and the rim and it never snags on anything. Is my tire just a dud? Am I that unlucky? Do I have an enemy I don't know about?
Your repair guy is happy to continue selling tubes+installation, or is incompetent, or both. Maybe find a different one or perform the simple repair yourself. Good luck.
#8
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4337 Post(s)
Liked 2,980 Times
in
1,617 Posts
Forensic possibilities:
1. Just dumb luck. Nothing much you can do.
2. Something in tire. If you can't find it, maybe swap front and rear tires to see if your problem follows the tire to the front.
3. Something in rim. Usually this would be a rim tape problem or a sharp burr in the aluminum. A close visual inspection and tactile inspection of the whole inside surface should find it.
4. Problem with mounting. Pinched tube under the bead, very unlikely your mechanic would make this mistake even once, let alone multiple times. Also this problem usually presents itself in an obvious way.
1. Just dumb luck. Nothing much you can do.
2. Something in tire. If you can't find it, maybe swap front and rear tires to see if your problem follows the tire to the front.
3. Something in rim. Usually this would be a rim tape problem or a sharp burr in the aluminum. A close visual inspection and tactile inspection of the whole inside surface should find it.
4. Problem with mounting. Pinched tube under the bead, very unlikely your mechanic would make this mistake even once, let alone multiple times. Also this problem usually presents itself in an obvious way.
#9
Banned
Super thick rubber Heavy Duty inner tubes is my go to, for reliability...
inflate and immerse the tube in water, watch for bubbles..
Note where they are..
....
inflate and immerse the tube in water, watch for bubbles..
Note where they are..
....
Last edited by fietsbob; 05-23-19 at 02:40 PM.
#10
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 199 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4559 Post(s)
Liked 2,802 Times
in
1,800 Posts
Just another possibility to check...
That Kona probably has the original Rigida Cyber 10 rims. Looks like a decent single wall rim, but probably has the same problem I've noticed with many low priced rims for budget bikes (including my Globe Carmel): the spoke nipple holes had burrs from drilling without finishing up with deburring.
With the usual soft rubber bad rim strips, those burrs can poke through and puncture tubes from the inside. If you get another flat, check the location of the puncture. If it's on the inside/valve side, that's usually due to three problems:
If you notice any puckering at regular intervals on the inside/valve side of the tube, each puckered spot corresponding with the rim holes, there's the problem. Replace the rubber band rim strips with Velox or other cloth tape. It provides better support. Be careful the cloth tape doesn't cover the sidewalls of the rim -- it might interfere with seating the bead. I use cloth tape a little narrower than the rim internal width, just wide enough to cover the spoke nipple holes.
To deburr the holes, if you have a moto tool and bits, try those carefully. But I just burnish the holes with a large Phillips head screwdriver, twisting it carefully to flatten out burrs. Often this will dislodge tiny bits of metal, so sweep off the deburred rims thoroughly.
That Kona probably has the original Rigida Cyber 10 rims. Looks like a decent single wall rim, but probably has the same problem I've noticed with many low priced rims for budget bikes (including my Globe Carmel): the spoke nipple holes had burrs from drilling without finishing up with deburring.
With the usual soft rubber bad rim strips, those burrs can poke through and puncture tubes from the inside. If you get another flat, check the location of the puncture. If it's on the inside/valve side, that's usually due to three problems:
- Burrs in spoke nipple holes poking through soft rubber band rim strips.
- Some other sharp pokey stuff embedded in the rim strip or tape. Try some fresh rim strips or tape.
- The tube extruded under pressure into the spoke nipple holes. Eventually the puckered spots will split at the tips, usually with a slow leak.
If you notice any puckering at regular intervals on the inside/valve side of the tube, each puckered spot corresponding with the rim holes, there's the problem. Replace the rubber band rim strips with Velox or other cloth tape. It provides better support. Be careful the cloth tape doesn't cover the sidewalls of the rim -- it might interfere with seating the bead. I use cloth tape a little narrower than the rim internal width, just wide enough to cover the spoke nipple holes.
To deburr the holes, if you have a moto tool and bits, try those carefully. But I just burnish the holes with a large Phillips head screwdriver, twisting it carefully to flatten out burrs. Often this will dislodge tiny bits of metal, so sweep off the deburred rims thoroughly.
#11
Full Member
don't think it is the cause but maybe you are getting pinch flats. From tires being under inflated but you would now right away because if you get one u lose all air in less then a min. Also when u check the tube u will see 2 holes often called snake eyes.so always try and keep tires inflated at a high psi as not to get those flats
also at least for me it helps alot I use Conti all season tires maybe one flat every 3000 miles or so
also at least for me it helps alot I use Conti all season tires maybe one flat every 3000 miles or so
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,436
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 623 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 396 Times
in
274 Posts
After you are through with all the other suggestions. Put the largest tube the tire can handle in. The one size fits most concept with bicycle tubs has caused me problems so I put larger volume tubes in.
#13
Senior Member
My tire was going flat too frequently.
The interior was always inspected for problems, with none found.
The tire and the rim tape were replaced and the problem abated.
The interior was always inspected for problems, with none found.
The tire and the rim tape were replaced and the problem abated.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,901
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,926 Times
in
1,209 Posts
I didn't see any mention in the thread so far, so...
OP, you are pumping the tire up regularly, right? Like before every ride? How fast does it flat? It's normal for a bike tire to lose air, and if it's flat after 3-4 days, that's a slow leak but not abnormal. Pump and ride!
OP, you are pumping the tire up regularly, right? Like before every ride? How fast does it flat? It's normal for a bike tire to lose air, and if it's flat after 3-4 days, that's a slow leak but not abnormal. Pump and ride!
#15
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 201
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
2 Posts
Get on YouTube and watch some videos, u can do it, air pressure or spokes causing the problem. However, place another tire on the rim, gator tires are the best
#16
Half way there
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,957
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 986 Post(s)
Liked 880 Times
in
527 Posts
Let us know what you did to resolve (once you have, of course). My money is on a wire whisker embedded in the tire. A bit more info on what the puncture looked like as well as it's orientation on the tube would be helpful.
Likes For Moe Zhoost:
#17
Senior Member
I have had wire inside the tire that did not show until the tire was inflated and ridden on. Usually the wire flats go down slowly. I forum one by inflating the tire to over 130PSI and submerged it the bathtub looking for bubbles.
#18
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Denver Colorado
Posts: 339
Bikes: 2020 Pivot Vault, 1983 Rossin Record, Garneau R1, Mesamods home built gravel/rain commuter bike, 1995 Barracuda A2V modified with Surley single speed dropouts, 1969 Bottecchia junkyard special fixed gear, Cervelo P4, Mesamods 650b klunker
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 96 Post(s)
Liked 72 Times
in
50 Posts
Blindly throwing new tubes into a setup with repeated flat tires without knowing what's causing the puncture will result in continued flat tires. I made a video a while back with the most common causes. I've seen lots of causes from working as a bike mechanic at my day job for many, many years.
#19
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Are these punctures or pinch flats?
As others have suggested, so if it keeps happening in the same location on the tire.
As others have suggested, so if it keeps happening in the same location on the tire.