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

[OakLeaf]

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

[smilingcat]

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.

[OakLeaf]

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.

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

[Red Rock]

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

[sundial]

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.