Blow out.

What the heck happened? I was riding my road bike yesterday and my rear tire blew out. Not just the tube, but the tire. There's about a 1 inch hole in the tire. I don't think I hit anything, I was on a paved path and riding up a hill, standing on the pedals. Then BOOM. Thankfully I was close to a friend's house who came to pick me up.

Any idea what could cause this? My tire wasn't overinflated. I had changed out the tube on the same tire to a thicker "thorn proof" tube about a month and a half ago. My front tire still has the thin tube that came with my Trek. Never had a problem there. Go figure :D

Thanks for any input! Off to the LBS I go for some new wheels :)

I, too, am having problems with my TREK back tire. About 3 weeks ago, I was practicing in my yard with my new clipless pedals. I blew the back tube. I took it to the LBS and they changed the tube for me, and ever since, I can't keep the back tire inflated.

I have pumped the back tire up for about 45 min's and it still isn't as hard as the front tire, although my pump is reading 120. It is so frustrating to finally have time to go riding and something like that happen!

I have a new TREK 1500.........what about you?

Maybe your tire got a bit worn or had a small flaw in one spot that you didn't notice. If its like that, over a ride of a couple of hours the hole or flaw can get bigger until the tube is coming slightly out of the tire (without you noticing) and then boom! Just an idea.

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Originally posted by betagirl
There's about a 1 inch hole in the tire. I don't think I hit anything, I was on a paved path and riding up a hill, standing on the pedals. Then BOOM. Thankfully I was close to a friend's house who came to pick me up.

Any idea what could cause this?

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Where is the hole? Sidewall or on the tread? Sometimes slight brake-rub will cause a sidewall blowout. If it's on the tread area you either had a small hole or flaw as ausgirl suggested or you did indeed run over something.

If you ever have another blow out and you are not near a friend's house, you can make an emergency tire boot with a dollar bill or an energy-bar wrapper.

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Originally posted by trekchic
I took it to the LBS and they changed the tube for me, and ever since, I can't keep the back tire inflated.

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Trekchic-
It sounds like whatever caused your puncture in the first place might still be stuck in the tire. Pull the tube out and run your fingers around the inside of the tire. If you were riding in the grass chances are you'll find a small piece of sticker or thorn. You'll need to patch or replace the tube and make sure that you get every little bit of the culprit out of the tire, or you'll just keep getting slow leaks.

trekchik - I have a 1200T. Front tire hasn't been a problem, just the back.

The hole is on the side, near the rim. I picked up my new tires yesterday, got some continentals that seem a bit more durable than my stock tires that came with the bike. So I'm hoping this is an isolated incident :)

Thanks for the ideas. They coudn't tell me what caused it either unfortunately. I was on pavement at the time, but had been riding on a fine grave path for about an hour prior. I will check my rear brakes for any uneven wear, etc. :)

Just wanted to update everyone............

There's nothing wrong with my tube or tire! Remember, don't make fun of me, I'm new! When they LBS put the bike together, the guy left the threaded part of the stem unscrewed and I pumped them up with no problem. When I punctured the old tube and they replaced it, they put a longer stem on it and closed the threaded part........without explaining it to me that you have to unscrew that part to air up the tires!!!!!!!!!!

You learn something new every day, huh?

I felt reeeeeeeeeeeeally stupid!

LOL! Don't!! I'm amazed at how much they don't tell newbies and think bike shops should be more newbie friendly! I wish all bike shops offered courses where they taught newbies classes on how to do a lot of basic maintenance, etc. I got the lesson "watch me" lesson on how to change my tube in case of a flat, but have yet to have a flat. Now I'm wondering over a year and a half later, if I remember a thing they told me. I prefer to learn by practicing and wish the shops offered classes to give me practical experience.

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[i] When I punctured the old tube and they replaced it, they put a longer stem on it and closed the threaded part........without explaining it to me that you have to unscrew that part to air up the tires!!!!!!!!!!

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I don't understand how you got the hole in your tire. If you didn't get air in your tires because the presta valve was closed....

Signed, Clueless

I was thinking that maybe the tubed got pinched between the rim and the tire. I've heard of that happening but haven't done it yet myself, although I'm sure it won't be long before I do :) I usually put some baby powder on the tube to help keep the friction down.

Pinch flats (tube caught between tire & rim) can also happen if you ride with underinflated tires.