Hello,
Here is the situation: Went to go for a ride on Wednesday and my back tire was flat (did not have any problems from the ride on Monday). Changed out tube and went on my way.
About 1.5 hours into my ride noticed I didn’t have the same speed and my back tire was a little ‘squirrely’. Stopped and there was a significant amount of pressure loss although tire was not flat. Pumped up with CO2 and continued on. About 5KM later some problem so I stopped and pumped up again. Did this once more and then I was home. Pumped up tire with floor pump to proper pressure and left it.
Checked on bike last night and tire was flat again. Took off and examined tire and rim. Nothing appears to be wrong. No cracks or anything like that. Checked both tubes I used; pumped them up and there were no leaks. Very carefully changed the tube making sure of no pinches etc. Pumped up again, this time to a little less then recommended pressure and left it for the night.
Checked on bike this morning and tire is once again flat! What do you think is wrong? Anyone have this happen before? Anything I should be looking for?
Thanks for any help or suggestions!!
BB
How did you check your tube for leaks? There must be a small leak - sometimes you can only see them by putting them underwater and looking for bubbles. And since your 2nd tube flatted as well, there’s probably either something in your tire that you can’t see, maybe a small piece of metal or wire, or something is wrong with your rim tape.
If the tire is flat, then air got out of the tube. Put some air in it, put it under water in the tub, look for bubbles. Sounds like you have a very thin wire from a car tire tread stuck in your tire. Also, if you use CO2 on the road, deflate your tire when you get home and put “real” air in it.
I checked them for leaks by pumping them up (till they were pretty full) and then looked and listened for any leaks. Pulled and stretched them to try and magnify the situation. I did not put them in water and look for bubbles. Maybe I will have to try that…
I closely looked at the rim and tire and I guess you’re right when you say it must be something I can’t see. Frustrating…
Should I just tell my wife I need a new tire so that I can buy a new set of Zipps???
BB
What is your reasoning to suggest that CO2 is not “real air” and should be replaced after arriving home?
If the tire is flat, then air got out of the tube. Put some air in it, put it under water in the tub, look for bubbles. Sounds like you have a very thin wire from a car tire tread stuck in your tire. Also, if you use CO2 on the road, deflate your tire when you get home and put “real” air in it.
Thanks for the info!
A couple questions: Why the need to put ‘real’ air into the tube?
Also would a small nick on the rim cause a tire to flat? I noticed a couple small nicks on the rim in the same place, just ‘across’ from each other. I then tried to line up the nicks with where the tubes would sit, but I couldn’t see anything.
Thanks again,
BB
I have a suggestion. Swap tires on your front and rear wheels. If the problem moves to the other wheel, you know it is in the tire. If not, its in the wheel somewhere.
BTW, a nick on the outside of the rim is unlikely to be the source of your problem, but it might be the original site where whatever is in the tire causing the flat happened.
Thanks for the info!
A couple questions: Why the need to put ‘real’ air into the tube?
Also would a small nick on the rim cause a tire to flat? I noticed a couple small nicks on the rim in the same place, just ‘across’ from each other. I then tried to line up the nicks with where the tubes would sit, but I couldn’t see anything.
Thanks again,
BB
What is your reasoning to suggest that CO2 is not “real air” and should be replaced after arriving home?
If the tire is flat, then air got out of the tube. Put some air in it, put it under water in the tub, look for bubbles. Sounds like you have a very thin wire from a car tire tread stuck in your tire. Also, if you use CO2 on the road, deflate your tire when you get home and put “real” air in it.
It’s not “reasoning”: it is fact that butyl and latex are highly permeable to CO2, far more so than “real” air (mostly nitrogen and oxygen).
I did not know that! Thanks.
Thanks for the info! I will try your suggestion.
Why can’t I just shout ‘Allez, allez…’ like they do in the tour to get my bike fixed! All this is too much work…
Thanks!
BB