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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Between the Blue Ridge and the Chesapeake Bay
    Posts
    5,203
    Quote Originally Posted by Muirenn View Post
    have you checked the rims to see if any of the spokes are poking through the rim tape? Do the rims have rim tape? But... you said there are no holes? Did you fill the tubes with air and check? Confusing.

    I've had problems with valves before. And my old pump was so poorly made that it damaged valves. Barring that. Are all the pieces of your bicycle pump screwed together properly? They can loosen and cause valve issues.
    +1 for spokes and rim tape. If that's the case, the shop needs to fix the wheel and rim tape and reimburse you for tubes you have gone through. Are the wheels true? What is the max PSI?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    2,556
    If you can find a hole in the tube (using a bucket of water), then you'll know if it might be a rim or spoke issue based on where the hole is. But sometimes slow leaks (which you have since they only go flat over night) are impossible to find. Maybe check the inside of the tire again very carefully with your hand, tissue paper, or a balloon in case something is barely sticking through.
    Oil is good, grease is better.

    2007 Peter Mooney w/S&S couplers/Terry Butterfly
    1993 Bridgestone MB-3/Avocet O2 Air 40W
    1980 Columbus Frame with 1970 Campy parts
    1954 Raleigh 3-speed/Brooks B72

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Memphis, TN
    Posts
    1,933
    What about the tires? Lot of Flats for me are a sign that I need to buy new tires

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    ^ That's my experience too, I just couldn't remember whether you bought the bike new or used. Nowadays I track tire mileage, but before that, basically my rule was unless I knew I'd run over something crazy, if I had two flats in short succession I replaced the tire.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Vienna, Austria
    Posts
    12
    I've had a faulty valve on my bike once. I only noticed what it was after all the new tubes didn't have any holes. To check, I turned the wheel so the valve wouldn't be on the bottom or the top but somewhere sideways. Hold a hair or two in front of the valve and if it moves, air is coming out. Don't do it outside though or anywhere you'd expect a draft.
    The guy in the bike shop did the same thing to check, only he used his lighter and checked if the flame would move away from the valve.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    Here's another thing that occurred to me: if you inflated the tire with CO2, it will go flat overnight because the molecules are much smaller than the N2 molecules that make up most of room air, and especially in a high pressure tire, they will filter out through the tube material itself. So if that was the case, there could be no hole and your tube could still be good! Some people make a habit of completely emptying a tube that was inflated with CO2 and re-pumping it with air after then get home. Me, I just plan on putting extra air into it before the next one or two rides.

    You can also check valve integrity the same way you check for holes in the tube wall, either by dunking in a pail or sink of water, or by smearing soapy water or spit on it.
    Last edited by OakLeaf; 04-26-2014 at 08:03 AM.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    South Central Indiana
    Posts
    624
    Hmm thought I replied here. Guess not! They found the source of the flat. It was a tiny (smaller than a pen) few CM long piece of metal wedged under the rim, so now it's taker care of. No more fiats despite 44mi yesterday! Rims are taped and all that. The bike and tires) oe brand new as well. It wasn't a valve either although we've had issues with that before. It's the reason I won't go to one shop in town. They sold me a faulty tube w) valve issues refused to replace it an hour later.
    ***proud Hoosier, statistics nerd, and mom to a headstrong toddler***
    ****one car family and loving it!****

    Owned by:
    Le Monstre Vert - 2013 Surly Cross-check
    Chessie, Scottish Terrier
    Bonzai, Catahoula Leopard Dog

 

 

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