Veloflex Carbon tubular mystery punctures
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Veloflex Carbon tubular mystery punctures
I'm hoping someone can offer some insight to a problem I am having with "mystery" punctures of my Veloflex Carbon tubulars. I have them mounted on ENVE 3.4 SES carbon rims. I am using Vittoria Mastik 1 to glue them. The tries have had approximately 1,500 miles on them when this occurs. I'm running the wheels/tires on a 2013 Cannondale Suppersix Evo Red Racing. I have had at least two "punctures" in the past year where I cannot find the source of the leak. Immersing the mounted tire in a tub of water shows leakage not anywhere near the tread, where you would expect a "puncture" to take place, but at the base tape. Yesterday carefully removed the tire from the rim and immersed it in the water. The leak is coming from the lowest part of the sidewall right at the edge of the base tape. I actually removed the base tape and opened the tire in the area where te leak appears and examined the tube. There is a tiny cut, but it is in the area right above the internal polyester ribbon that is supposed to protect the tube. This has to be the toughest part of the tire! I am at a loss how this is happening. I opened the entire casing and examined it under a magnified light. I can't find any evidence of a puncture anywhere. The rims don't show any sign of sharp edges, fibers, etc. Any thoughts?
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Even though it's something that tubular tires are supposed to avoid, my guess is that it's something like a pinch flat. If you hit something hard, the impact can still tear the inner tube.
Imagine hitting a chunk of asphalt or whatever. It collapses the tire against the rim. A tubular rim is a lot nicer shape than a clincher, but still, that old tube is between a rock and a hard place.
As for why it happens after 1,500 miles or whatever, I think just like everything else, stuff gets old. That's a pretty solid number of miles for a Veloflex Carbon.
Imagine hitting a chunk of asphalt or whatever. It collapses the tire against the rim. A tubular rim is a lot nicer shape than a clincher, but still, that old tube is between a rock and a hard place.
As for why it happens after 1,500 miles or whatever, I think just like everything else, stuff gets old. That's a pretty solid number of miles for a Veloflex Carbon.
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All replies get a +1 Andy
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Even though it's something that tubular tires are supposed to avoid, my guess is that it's something like a pinch flat. If you hit something hard, the impact can still tear the inner tube.
Imagine hitting a chunk of asphalt or whatever. It collapses the tire against the rim. A tubular rim is a lot nicer shape than a clincher, but still, that old tube is between a rock and a hard place.
As for why it happens after 1,500 miles or whatever, I think just like everything else, stuff gets old. That's a pretty solid number of miles for a Veloflex Carbon.
Imagine hitting a chunk of asphalt or whatever. It collapses the tire against the rim. A tubular rim is a lot nicer shape than a clincher, but still, that old tube is between a rock and a hard place.
As for why it happens after 1,500 miles or whatever, I think just like everything else, stuff gets old. That's a pretty solid number of miles for a Veloflex Carbon.
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Perhaps the leak was caused by the rim - check out https://www.velonews.com/2019/09/bik...yrenees_500757
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Perhaps the leak was caused by the rim - check out https://www.velonews.com/2019/09/bik...yrenees_500757
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Sew ups are well known for the "leak" to be away from the actual spot of the leak. Air (like water) seeks the path of least resistance. Think of the leaking toilet on the second floor that drips a room away on the first floor. The water runs along a joist and to a low point before pooling and thus dripping through the ceiling. same for air in a sewn casing. It may well be That the air is traveling inside the casing till a gap to the outside world is found.
This and other reasons is why many give up on sew ups after a few non repairable flats. Andy
This and other reasons is why many give up on sew ups after a few non repairable flats. Andy
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Have you considered putting sealant in the tube?
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Andrew - Yes, the actual leak can travel before it surfaces on the exterior. But in this case, after I opened the initial site, I stripped the entire and removed the tube. The result is still the same - the leak has occurred near the base tape. And after 40+ years I know how frustrating tubulars can be, but I'm old, hard headed and I love the things:-)
horatio - Not this time around. I have used Calfee Latex in the past and it was OK for a while. But it eventually let go and latex ended up all over my back. So I just sort of gave up. To be honest, I've had mixed results with sealant in tubeless rims also. So for my tubeless setups I now run them without sealant and carry a spare tube to throw in in case of a flat - works fine
trailangel - does this tire look done? To my idea it still has some miles left in it. I'm pretty easy on tires. Veloflex gives a range of 1,800 to 3,600 miles for these tires.
Once again - thank you for the comments.
horatio - Not this time around. I have used Calfee Latex in the past and it was OK for a while. But it eventually let go and latex ended up all over my back. So I just sort of gave up. To be honest, I've had mixed results with sealant in tubeless rims also. So for my tubeless setups I now run them without sealant and carry a spare tube to throw in in case of a flat - works fine
trailangel - does this tire look done? To my idea it still has some miles left in it. I'm pretty easy on tires. Veloflex gives a range of 1,800 to 3,600 miles for these tires.
Once again - thank you for the comments.