Hit the bicycle vibes..AARUGHGHGHGHh

[crazycanuck]

Help!!!

This is getting really annoying!!! We've checked everything, removed the tube & tire but can't find the culprit!! The puncture is in the same place??

What am i missing? Any ideas??

Rim Tape???

[bmccasland]

If you're getting the flat in the same place on the wheel, then I'm inclined to think it's the wheel and not a weak spot on your innertube. Aside from a very light touch with your finger tips, I'm not sure how to find it. Rim tape on the inside might help.

[echidna]

I'm sure you've eliminated the possibility that there's anything (small wire, etc) in the tire itself. If you're replacing the tire in the same way each time, that would cause recurring flats in the same area.

Next line of defense is to replace the rim tape. Don't cheap out or go light on this - use heavier cloth tape (Velox is grand, it's the white stuff with the blue lettering) that's sized for your rim (likely 17mm tape will be best).

While you've got the rim tape off, double-check that none of the spokes are loose, or protruding through the wall of the rim. If you've recently had one spoke replaced, consider the possibility that it's too long...if so, have it replaced with one of the correct length.

Also, check the rim for burrs or rough edges (duh, right, you've already done this...).

If the flats are blowouts, not punctures, consider the possibility that the tire isn't seated well on the rim...possibly a manufacturing flaw in the tire where it's a mm or so big. That might cause recurring blowouts in the same area - again, if you're consistent on how you change tires, you'd get history repeating itself.

But my bets are on the rim tape.
Have fun out there, kick your coworker's heinie, and don't stress about it....