Plaqued by rear flats!
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Regular![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Sorry if this is in the wrong spot for a post like this.
I can't figure out why I am getting so many rear flats. It seems like once a week I am replacing my rear tire. I am a heavier rider @ 210lbs, I inflate my rear tire to 95psi roughly. I havent gotten a new back tire for the bike yet (which is a Bontrager), could that be my trouble? None of my flats are when im riding, but always when I go to start the next ride. The last one happened just after my first Tri which was on a smooth road. Anyone have any suggestions on finding the cause of my flats?
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Pump up the tube you remove and find the holes..then look at your tire to see if there is anything there. How is your rim tape? Have you removed the tire completely and checked the tire? I had an issue with flats every Thursday as I had a small rip in edge of my tire and a little wire was exposed giving me reoccurring flats. If you do a little research and can't find the issue bring old tubes and your wheel to LBS to have them help you.
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() I agree with Kathy - might be a problem with a bad section of rim tape, a small burr of glass in the tire that is barely puncturing the tube, etc. You need to find that problem. At your weight (I'm exactly the same wight), I'd definitely recommend you pump both your tires, but expecially your rear, to 120 psi or whatever the max is for your tire. Although it seems counter-intuitive, bigger riders need higher PSI to avoid snakebites or pinch flats, as we will flatten out an under-inflated tire under load far more than a 150 pound rider. If you can't find the culprit, take the wheel to the LBS and tell them you're going flat after every ride... they should be able to figure it out. Obviously, you should also make sure your tire isn't worn in any spots... though if that were the culprit you'd probably be flatting on your rides instead of finding it flat 24 hours after your ride. Good luck. |
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Veteran ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() You may already know this but, tires do lose some pressure just sitting there. One trick is to blow up your flat tubes and put them under water, look for bubbles, that will tell you where the holes are. Check your tire, inside and out. I had this problem and found a small piece of wire stuck to the inside of my tire. I couldn't see the wire from the outside. Check your rim tape. Check your brakes for anything sharp, it sounds wierd but I had a buddy who got a flat when something was stuck to his brake pads and it hit or rubbed the tire a little bit. Using presta valves? Make sure they are getting screwed closed all the way. Check your tube right where the valve stem meets the tube, I've had several go bad here. Just a few ideas, hope it helps. |
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Regular![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Excellent, thanks for the tips all. I will be an inspector and figure this out! Also thanks for the advice for the air pressure, maybe that will help some as well. That will probably make it at least look like im not 210 lbs while riding (tire always looks smooshed). |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Had the same problem when I first got my bike. As other have said first of all your tire pressure is low. You should probably be closer to 110psi. Then look at your rim tape, is it the white velro (sp?) or the cheap plastic stuff. If it is plastic take it off immediately and replace. Then if you still have the tubes look where the holes are, are they in the same place every time? Are the rim side or tire side? If they are tire side look for something in the tire. Chances are something is going on, I doubt the tubes are just going flat to irritate you as I thought they were. |
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![]() | ![]() I had a similar situation for awhile and eventually found the point part of a goat head embedded in my tire. Run your fingers along the inside of your tire EVERY time you get a flat to make sure you're not going to just flat again from the same issue. Also, make sure you are checking for a pinched tube before inflating your tube when you change, you might be getting a small pinch flat each time. I never had issues with them on my mountain bike but find on the road bike I do if I forget to check. |
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Regular![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Thanks everyone, I found the culprit; it was a tiny piece of metal embedded in the tire, just enough to cause a slow leak. I feel a ton better now that I know, and Im a little less ignorant to tire flats, and causes. |
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Champion ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Bp74 - 2008-08-26 3:26 PM Thanks everyone, I found the culprit; it was a tiny piece of metal embedded in the tire, just enough to cause a slow leak. I feel a ton better now that I know, and Im a little less ignorant to tire flats, and causes. Excellent. I would still check the rim tape and make sure it is Volex and not the cheap plastic stuff. |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() It wasn't mentioned here, but before every ride you should check your tires for debris. Glass and other items will eventually work their way through the tire. I didn't do this and got a flat while using my trainer... Also, after riding through glass, brush the tire with your gloved hand to get any debris off. Obviously you need decent balance to do that while moving. |
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Master ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Bp74 - 2008-08-26 9:03 AM Excellent, thanks for the tips all. I will be an inspector and figure this out! Also thanks for the advice for the air pressure, maybe that will help some as well. That will probably make it at least look like im not 210 lbs while riding (tire always looks smooshed). Good news - it will also make you instantly faster by reducing your rolling resistance and improving your bike handling. IMHO as someone who weighs 210, pump to 120 not 110. No reason not to go max at our size. |
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Checked and it is Volex. Great advice on rubbing the tire with a gloved hand, I should be able to do that without crashing! |
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Regular![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() Unreal, I go out today after finding the culprit of my slow leak. I am feeling good, and just as I was thinking wow this new air pressure is like riding on ai..... flump flump flump!
REAR FLAT - this time it was the damn tube seal or somthing split just behind the valve, maybe a pinch?
Was able to fix it and finish my ride. Also learned how to use a CO2 cylinder, after blowing the first one. I do have a question about tubes, well mainly the valve stem. Does it make a differance if the stem has the threaded portion and a nut? Does valve stem length make a differance? Edited by Bp74 2008-08-27 8:04 PM |
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Expert ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() JoshKaptur - 2008-08-26 4:40 PM Bp74 - 2008-08-26 9:03 AM Excellent, thanks for the tips all. I will be an inspector and figure this out! Also thanks for the advice for the air pressure, maybe that will help some as well. That will probably make it at least look like im not 210 lbs while riding (tire always looks smooshed). Good news - it will also make you instantly faster by reducing your rolling resistance and improving your bike handling. IMHO as someone who weighs 210, pump to 120 not 110. No reason not to go max at our size. Absolutely! 200+ should be at 120 PSI for sure. |