General Discussion Triathlon Talk » 12 miles + new bike = flat tire Rss Feed  
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2008-05-04 5:59 PM

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Regular
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2525
Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
Well I've had the bike for 24 hours now, new P2C. I got back from my first training ride with the cp on the bike today. As I pull into my neighborhood I hear pppsssssshhhhh, flat tire. The cut is on the inside of the tube that I would believe would be facing the rim. Is it possible that the tube was twisted inside the tire or something. I looked for cut, holes, or debris in the tire and did not find anything. Well at least I now know I can change a tire without tools. Now I just need to pick up something to inflate the new tube while out on the road and a bag to hold it and a spare tire in.


2008-05-04 6:05 PM
in reply to: #1380880

Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
Make sure there's rim tape on there.  My bf's bike builder neglected to put this on the rims.
2008-05-04 6:09 PM
in reply to: #1380880

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Regular
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Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
I look at the rim tape, it's in there. I ran my fingers all around it to make sure there wasn't anything sharp or didn't belong in there. It felt smooth all around.
2008-05-04 6:10 PM
in reply to: #1380880

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Veteran
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NYC
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
Upgrade the rim tape. My new P2C wouldn't hold air in the tires longer than a day or two. I've heard similar stories from other P2C riders.

At least you had some practice changing a flat on your new bike, so you're ready if you get one during a race.
2008-05-04 6:20 PM
in reply to: #1380880

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Master
3019
20001000
West Jordan, UT
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
another concern may be tire pressure.  If you run your tires too low, you can get pinch flats or "snakebites" fairly easily.  This is caused by your tube getting pinched by your tire and rim.  I would recommend getting a pump with a pressure guage if you don't have one already.  Run it at, or near the max psi rating on the tire to help prevent this. 
2008-05-04 6:33 PM
in reply to: #1380880

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Regular
59
2525
Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
I was running at 110 psi. The min was 100 and the max was 120. Would it be better to run the max then right in the middle? Also can i patch and reuse the old tire?


2008-05-04 7:04 PM
in reply to: #1380880

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Veteran
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Broomfield, Colorado
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
If the rim strips were that plastic crap, invest $4 in Velox cloth rim strips. I had the same problem with my new QR two years ago, and had at least half a dozen flats in the first six months. Replaced the cheap plastic rim strips, and haven't had one in the two years since. (knocking vigorously on wood... )
2008-05-04 7:05 PM
in reply to: #1380934

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Champion
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Checkin' out the podium girls
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
I thought you said you looked for cuts, holes and debris in the tire and found none. If that's the case, you should re-use the tire. If you do have a cut, in the sidewall = trash tire. You could boot it (or patch in your vernacular), but that's a temporary solution and you should replace the tire. A small scratch cut in the rolling surface is OK if nothing's imbedded in it. You could super glue it if it is ~1mm deep or it bothers you to see open.

You could theoretically patch the tube, but I don't. I'll carry stick on patches to get home if something goes wrong a second time during a ride, but I don't use that tube after I get home. Glue on patches are more permanent, but they too can easily be put on wrong, especially road-side. If you hit a super sale, you can get tubes for $1-$2 on line when you buy 10 or more. At the LBS, they're about $5. New tubes are a cost of the sport.

Install you tire such that you know from the hole in the tube where the problem is with the wheel or tire. This is why we instal tires so that the label is at the presta valve. We can find the hole in the tube and map out where on the wheel and tire the problem is.

Rim tape: What kind? Get a roll of Velox cloth rim tape. If it's that silly rubber or plastic rim strip, throw that away and buy a roll of Velox and properly tape the rim. Do both wheels even though "the front is fine". Borrowed time until it does fail.

When did you check that pressure, yesterday or today. Check it every day. If you have latex tubes or re-inflate with a CO2 cartridge, that'll change dramatically in 24 hours. Every ride, every day.

What kind of wheels? Are they properly built with even tension? Are the spokes the correct length? If your flat occured on the inside and is 1 not 2 holes (hence the term "snake bite") you might have a spoke protruding too far into the rim cavity.

Edited by pitt83 2008-05-04 7:11 PM
2008-05-04 8:40 PM
in reply to: #1380880

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Regular
59
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Cinnaminson, NJ
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
Thank you for all the information on this topic. I checked the pressure right before i left. It looks like I will be getting some new rim tape and some extra tubes. I am using the stock wheels that came with the P2C ultegra. I will look at the spokes when I change the rim tape.

Edited by Organic Steam 2008-05-04 8:44 PM
2008-05-05 7:07 AM
in reply to: #1380880

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Expert
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Charlottesville, VA
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
I think the bike is defective. I'll be happy to take it off of your hands, cheap.

2008-05-05 7:29 AM
in reply to: #1380934

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Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
Organic Steam - 2008-05-04 7:33 PM

I was running at 110 psi. The min was 100 and the max was 120. Would it be better to run the max then right in the middle? Also can i patch and reuse the old tire?


Tire pressure depends on rider weight and the tires. I have some super light Kenda Kaliente tires that I have to run at 120 to 125 or I'll pinch flat the back. I also have some Vittoria Zaffiro 700x25's that I can run at 100 all day long with no issues.



2008-05-05 7:49 AM
in reply to: #1380880

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Master
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Centennial, CO
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire

Flats happen.  They rarely have anything to do with age of the bike/tire/tube.  This is not something to be concerned with.  Change the flat, check the tape, check the tire, and get back out there.  I have ridden over 300 miles on my new P2C with no problems, no flats. (of course I'll get one now)

good luck.

2008-05-05 9:15 AM
in reply to: #1380880

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Alaska
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire

Hey, great info guys, it's helped me out too.  I had my first flat today, and I had all kinds of fun switching the tube out.  It turns out my spare tube was too big, so I was lucky to find some small patches stored inside my little bontrager bike pump.  So, is there a trick to getting the tire off and on quickly?  I can't imagine doing that during a  race.  The whole race would be blown for me.  I was out there for something like 30 minutes wrestling with that tire.  I had never done it before, so it was definitely good for me, but how long should it take to change the tire?  I tried to get the tube inside without it being wrinkled, rolled or pinched, but I wouldn't doubt I probably did something wrong.  Are there any basic tips you could give me for changing the tire?

2008-05-05 9:21 AM
in reply to: #1380974

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Champion
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Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
MinnesotaBrian - 2008-05-04 7:04 PM If the rim strips were that plastic crap, invest $4 in Velox cloth rim strips. I had the same problem with my new QR two years ago, and had at least half a dozen flats in the first six months. Replaced the cheap plastic rim strips, and haven't had one in the two years since. (knocking vigorously on wood... )
X2 on switching tape.  My bike came with the cheap plastic stuff and I kept getting flats.  Basically, I was told the cheap stuff slips and move the stem a little and breaks it off.
2008-05-05 11:44 AM
in reply to: #1381767

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Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
davidm724 - 2008-05-05 9:15 AM

Are there any basic tips you could give me for changing the tire?

 Read this article:

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/fix_a_flat_tire.shtml

2008-05-05 12:21 PM
in reply to: #1380880

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Master
1437
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Calgary, AB
Silver member
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
My 2nd ride on the new P2SL with prorace2s and same deal, rear flat. My old beater road bike never got a flat although it also had the 2-ton armadillo tires. Had all the gear and changed it out in a few minutes - definately invest in a full kit with extra co2, tubes, patch kit, etc. Was at 120, single hole probably from a tiny glass shard or rock.



2008-05-05 2:22 PM
in reply to: #1380880

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Expert
1169
10001002525
Charlottesville, VA
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
Count me lucky -- 3000 miles last year, one flat. Michelin ProRace 2's and inexpensive tubes.
2008-05-05 3:33 PM
in reply to: #1381767

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Expert
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Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Subject: RE: 12 miles + new bike = flat tire
davidm724 - 2008-05-05 9:15 AM

Hey, great info guys, it's helped me out too.  I had my first flat today, and I had all kinds of fun switching the tube out.  It turns out my spare tube was too big, so I was lucky to find some small patches stored inside my little bontrager bike pump.  So, is there a trick to getting the tire off and on quickly?  I can't imagine doing that during a  race.  The whole race would be blown for me.  I was out there for something like 30 minutes wrestling with that tire.  I had never done it before, so it was definitely good for me, but how long should it take to change the tire?  I tried to get the tube inside without it being wrinkled, rolled or pinched, but I wouldn't doubt I probably did something wrong.  Are there any basic tips you could give me for changing the tire?

I changed my tube and tire last week for the first time. I watched a guy do it one time. It took me about 3 minutes and I wasn't going for speed.

One pointer this guy gave me is once I get the tube on inflate it slightly. This will help protect against a pinch when I finish putting the tire on.

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