Like prior responses have said, this is likely a rim tape issue. But, if you ride that rim on the road and don’t have problems there, then maybe it’s a tire pressure issue. Lower pressure can lead to heat build up. I’ve only had 1 flat on the trainer. I suspect it was because the tire overheated - the weld at the valve failed.
X2 on changing the rim tape and buying a trainer tire…I have not had any issues from my trainer tire
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Good suggestion. I’m traveling tonight but will dig them out of the trash and do a quick postmortem and let you know what I find.
Thanks,
Michael
same wheel? Check for problems with your rim tape, loose spokes poking through, burrs in the rim?
Maybe…I haven’t seen anything (I’ve looked) but can’t claim I’m an expert. Little skeptical that’s the problem though as I’ve used 3 different wheels on the trainer with the same results. And 2 of those wheels have seen time outdoors without causing similar problems there.
But I’ll look again.
Thanks for the advice.
Michael
That’s the kind of info we need from the OP. Then we would know it’s not a trainer issue, it’s a ‘small piece of metal stuck in tire’ issue!
Tires were inspected and I couldn’t see anything. :^( Will post ‘inflate tube in water’ postmortem in a day or so.
Thanks,
Michael
I used to get a lot of flats on the trainer. I fixed it by getting a dedicated rear wheel for the trainer, mounting a cheap 28 width rear tire on it, and putting this tube in it:
http://www.performancebike.com/...1534003_20000_400905
That tube ls about as thick as a garden hose, it is enormous. Haven’t had a flat since (knocking on wood right now…).
You may just want to embrace the flats though. I remember one time, I did a really hard interval set, and when I got off the bike the tire popped. Made me think ‘wow that must have been some workout’!
Thanks — will order one and try it out!
Michael
Like prior responses have said, this is likely a rim tape issue. But, if you ride that rim on the road and don’t have problems there, then maybe it’s a tire pressure issue. Lower pressure can lead to heat build up. I’ve only had 1 flat on the trainer. I suspect it was because the tire overheated - the weld at the valve failed.
Interesting. I have been a bit lazy on inflating the tires while indoors. If low pressures can lead to heat build up, then to valve-weld failure – could be a possibility.
As mentioned – will inspect old tubes in the next day or so and post what I find.
Thanks for the input.
Michael
as mentioned before taking the tube and matcking up the puncture with the location on tire and rim might lead you to you answer
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If you have three tubes in the trash, did you attempt to repair them? Try to locate the puncture(s)? This would be helpful in identifying a cause. Sometimes the water immersion test is the only sure fire way to find a leak.
Everyone –
Wanted to say thanks for the input. I did examine the 3 tubes in the garbage. Verdict: 2 of them had similar holes in the same place that corresponded to some (very subtly) exposed thread on the interior of my conti-trainer tire. The other one had a hole in a totally different unrelated spot.
So I was guessing that the problem was mostly solved…and I hadn’t caught it earlier just because of bad luck (the coincidence of getting a totally different type of flat, likely with the other wheel/tire which threw me off the trail of the conti).
Anyways…was about to say problem solved when I got yet another flat with a different tire yesterday :^(
Didn’t have energy to do another diagnosis so I just swapped wheels…but will be looking into that as well. What are the odds of 2 different systematic problems?!? Ugghhh. If I find anything interesting I’ll let you know. Otherwise I’ll just hope it was just bad luck and my luck will finally change for the better with the next tube.
If you have three tubes in the trash, did you attempt to repair them? Try to locate the puncture(s)? This would be helpful in identifying a cause. Sometimes the water immersion test is the only sure fire way to find a leak.
Everyone –
Wanted to say thanks for the input. I did examine the 3 tubes in the garbage. Verdict: 2 of them had similar holes in the same place that corresponded to some (very subtly) exposed thread on the interior of my conti-trainer tire. The other one had a hole in a totally different unrelated spot.
So I was guessing that the problem was mostly solved…and I hadn’t caught it earlier just because of bad luck (the coincidence of getting a totally different type of flat, likely with the other wheel/tire which threw me off the trail of the conti).
Anyways…was about to say problem solved when I got yet another flat with a different tire yesterday :^(
Didn’t have energy to do another diagnosis so I just swapped wheels…but will be looking into that as well. What are the odds of 2 different systematic problems?!? Ugghhh. If I find anything interesting I’ll let you know. Otherwise I’ll just hope it was just bad luck and my luck will finally change for the better with the next tube.
Static electricity discharge and foreign objects lodged in the tire that get forced into the casign and tube under the huge deformantion and pressure a trainer puts on one point of the tire cna lead to frequent flats. Dry winter weather is especially good at promoting the build up of a static charge.
-SD
I looked at this message last week and thought that flatting on the trainer was a rediculous concept (I ride on the trainer a lot and it hadn’t ever happenned)… Then I rode on the trainer yesterday and flatted… (kind of)
Newish tire, newish tube (butyl). Rode for 1:20, got off the bike, put it away and about 5 minutes later heard the tire hissing (actually scared the sh!t out of me). I had tightened the contact between the wheel and the trainer more than usual, which may have done something, but I can’t figure it out.
So I guess tires do flat on the trainer.
I used to use an old 25mm Bonty or Conti trainer tire and never had an issue.
2 years ago I went out and bought a dedicated Vittoria Trainer tire. I flatted half a dozen times - each with a new, thick, butyl tube. I was losing my mind because the I couldn’t find any issue with the rim, or rim tape and the tire had never seen the road so it couldn’t be debris and I didn’t want to “waste” the money I’d spent on a dedicated tire.
Finally I threw my $40 trainer tire out and remounted an old bonty tire and havent had an issue since.
Go figure…