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

[HillSlugger]

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

[Red Rock]

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

[fidlfreek]

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.

[MyLitespeed]

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.

[OakLeaf]

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.