Ah, my most recent flat was at 0 mph, while the bike was in its cubby-hole under the stairs. Having
bought a rather nice stirrup pumb from Tchibo for less than a tenner, I took the opportunity of the
last ride to put the tyres up to about 130/110; the bike rode very well, and I put it away after the
ride thinking no more about it. When I came to take it out for the next ride, I found the back
completely flat, and on investigating discovered that when I'd last changed the rear tyre/,
I /hadn't/ changed the rim tape, which was a rubber one. Tbe increased pressure had forced the rim
tape into the spole holes, allowing the tube to chafe on the edges. So, one new tube needed, and
rim tape replaced with more modern fabric-based stuff.
** Phil.
--------
Roger said:
Luckily I was transporting the bike in my car at the time ;-)
Strange though... I remember feeling the tyre when I got in the car after work and it was firm.
Ten minutes later there was a suspicious hisss, and the tyre was flat.
When I got home I found that the culprit was the rim tape not covering the spoke holes properly,
leaving sharp edges exposed. Funny that it waited until the drive home, after being in the hot car
all day.
BTW this was my first pucture repair since I was a kid, having taken up cycling again after being
given an old road bike. Hoping to do ok in the London to Brigton on the 15th on my new Dawes Audax
(2002 model picked up at a good price).
cheers Roger
