String of flats...is it tire or tube?

I have been out riding lately (finally) and I have had something like three flats. Granted, I purchased the "cheap" tube because I did not want to spend the cost for the thorn resistant tube. I guess I will next time, no matter what the cost.

Along with this, is there a difference in tire thickness too? Perhaps am I running on a cheap tire? Do I need to have the bike shop check this out foe me? They are specialized 26" tires, if that helps any. I have been doing comuting mostly and not a whole lot of dirt riding yet. It will come though.

To the commuters out there, you have the best rubber on the road right?

Thankyou for your help.

Red Rock

If you were on a road bike, I'd say check your inflation and see if you're getting a pinch flat (innertube gets between the rim & the tire and causes a flat)... But I'm not sure that's a problem with commuting/mountain bike tires. you could try inflating your tires more.

Other things to check - feel inside your rim and see if there's something in there that's sharp that could be puncturing your innertubes. If it's the same tire that keeps getting a flat, make sure there isn't some glass or something embedded in your tire... You can sorta mark or remember the section of rim & tire that you're getting flats at and see if it's the same place that you're getting them the same time (sharpie to the inside of the tire or rim)

I always buy the cheap innertubes and haven't had problems with them being more flat prone (but then... I've never bought the expensive ones!)... The thing that basically stopped my getting flats is inflating my tires everytime I ride and laying in a big store of spare innertubes

Did you find the locations of the punctures on the tubes? That can tell you a lot. If the puncture is on the inside or outside of the tube, that'll tell you whether your problem is inside the rim or something coming through the tire. Or it might not even be a puncture, per se-- I got a couple of flats when I first learned how to change tires. Each of them was due to a tear along the valve stem. I finally figured out that I was tightening the valve nut too tight.

Thanks for all of your inputs here. I will go check the nut to make sure it is not too tight.

Off to go eat dinner.....check back later.

Red Rock

How many miles on your tire? Generally I use successive flats to let me know when a tire's done.

multiple flats...

tire inflation too low aka snake bites. tell tale sign is two side by side holes space about the same width as your wheel rim.

getting flat on the same wheel. Probably forgot to remove the offending piece of glass. don't run your bare finger inside the tire casing to find the glass. If you do, you may get a very bad cut. Before pulling the tube out completely, hear for the leak in the tube, and look inside the tire and see if you can find a glass/thorn/piece of metal sticking through. Use your tire iron/bar to remove the foreign object.

Another way to get a flat is if your tube went in the tire twisted up. When inflated, the tire wont be round. But sometimes its just enough and have a crease on the tube. Always carry your spare in a zip lock bag with baby powder. The baby powder keeps the tube from sticking and helps in installing the tube without a crease.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

Before pulling the tube out completely, hear for the leak in the tube, and look inside the tire and see if you can find a glass/thorn/piece of metal sticking through.

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Another trick is when you install the tube, line the valve up with the label on the tire. Then you can match the position of the hole to whatever caused the puncture; when you've found one, you automatically find the other.

Although IME the hole in the tire is usually a lot more evident than the one in the tube. YMMV

I have not checked out the last tube. However, when I put the new tube into the tire. First I checked-did a visual check not a hand/feel check- of the tire. Then I put the tube in and slightly inflated it, then put the tire around the tube. That was after many expletives and frustration later.

This tire had just been into the shop. It was inflated correctly as I had a new rim installed. I had a slow leak that day.

How many miles on the tire? This was on the bike when I first purchased it from its owner (Cragslist buy). That was why I was wondering if I should just get a new tire. There is still good tread on the tire, so I do not think it is finished yet.

Red Rock

Last summer we experienced a rash of bad tubes. When I asked my LBS about it, they had several other cyclists who were plagued with the same problem. We switched brands and the problem cleared up. I think of it like the bad batch of plastic bags you occasionally get at Wally world--the kind where it tears before you get the groceries to the car. :rolleyes:

Are you filling your tires with a regular tire pump, or a Co2 cartridge? If it's a Co2 cartridge, that is only temporary air and will leak out within a day or two. I went through a string of flats because I kept changing tubes and refilling out on the road with a Co2 cartridge. The next time I'd ride, I'd get a flat again. Finally I learned this most important tidbit of information and it solved all my problems! So, if you use Co2 out on the road, when you get home, let the air out and refill before you put your bike away. That way, when you go to ride again, if the tire is flat, you know it's not from the Co2 leaking out, but a real flat.

Check that the rim tape is properly covering all of the spoke ends. Yes, I speak from experience.

On this one, I was using a mini pump. No CO2 on this one. I remember last year someone having a problem with tire inflation and this was brought to the attention. For that, thankyou very much. I usually do a tire check before I leave the house on a ride.

Is there a difference between a road mini pump and a mtn mini pump? If so, where do you find a good mtn mini pump? Can you use CO2 on mtn tires? I currently have the blackburn road mini pump and like them.

Red Rock

Seems to me like you might have a spoke slightly too long. Didn't you say you just had new rims installed?

Also, yes, most CO2 cartridges have enough in them to fill a road or a MTB tire.

A trick for looking for glass or thorns on the inside of the tire is to use a piece of cotton. The cotton will snag on what ever it is and you won't shed any blood.

I agree with checking the rim tape. My husband had three flats on one ride, one right after another, finally had to call me to pick him up. Rim tape was worn out and he hadn't even thought of that, boy was he frustrated.

Most MTB mini-pumps don't claim to push enough pressure to fill a road tire. I'm only going by the spec, as I've never used one. OTOH, while the seals on a road mini-pump may be plenty to hold 120-150 lbs, with those tiny barrels it takes a LOT of strokes and more upper body strength than I have to actually inflate a tube to that pressure.

CO2 cartridges come in 12 g and 16 g sizes. Some inflaters accept either size, some accept only one. A 12 g cartridge won't bring a road tire to full pressure, but it should be enough to get home on if you're a lighter rider and you don't waste much CO2 getting started.