Mystery flats

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Cm
I've been having a series of flats that have baffled me. The
wheels are Krysrium SSL, Tires are Vittoria Corsa CX and
tubes are lightweight Bontrager. Inflation is 120lbs.

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture. When
I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I assumed
these were pinch flats and have used talcum powder on the
tubes/tire...maybe not enough for I'm still getting them.
The last flat was post-talcum and while stuck less, still
was adhered to some degree. On first pass, they do not seem
to be in the same place each time.

I like the Corsa as they ride well and are easy to get on
and off (obviously I've had practice lately!). But I don't
know if that ease, or not enough talc (or other
suggestions?). I'm even wondering if less pressure would
help? Suggestions?

Check for something causing an internal flat.
1. Make sure there is no part of the tube between the tire bead and the rim "hook". Partially inflate tube to give it shape before mounting the tires. Check around both beads 360 degrees before inflating.
2. Check the inside of the tire to make sure there isn't anything that can wear through the tube. I once had a Specialized tire that had a small break in the Kevlar belt. A very small Kevlar strand end was wearing a very small hole in the turbe.
3. Check all around the rim tape to make sure everything is clean, covered, and smooth.
4. Think about trying another brand of inner tube ... just to eliminate that variable.
I have been through this process a few times. .... not fun... but when you determine the cause you have won another battle.

CM said:

I've been having a series of flats that have baffled me.
The wheels are Krysrium SSL, Tires are Vittoria Corsa CX
and tubes are lightweight Bontrager. Inflation is 120lbs.

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture.
When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I
assumed these were pinch flats and have used talcum powder
on the tubes/tire...maybe not enough for I'm still getting
them. The last flat was post-talcum and while stuck less,
still was adhered to some degree. On first pass, they do
not seem to be in the same place each time.

I like the Corsa as they ride well and are easy to get on
and off (obviously I've had practice lately!). But I don't
know if that ease, or not enough talc (or other
suggestions?). I'm even wondering if less pressure would
help? Suggestions?

Jobst may indeed chime in here, but talcum makes absolutely
no difference. At the pressures we're dealing with the tube
and tire will not move relative to each other no matter how
much talcum (or anything else for that matter) is involved.

If the problem is pinch flats you might try mounting the
tire with enough air in the tube to make it hold its shape.
After mounting inflate to around 20 psi; then go around the
wheel pushing the bead away from the rim and check to make
sure the tube isn't caught. Once you've assured yourself
that all is well, fully inflate.

When you check the flat tube are there two holes next to one
another? If so, then we're dealing with snakebites. Less
pressure would only exacebate this problem. If the problem
is snakebikes you might try a heavier duty tube, or steering
around the bumps. :-)

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net
home.earthlink.net~jeverett3Open ↗

not all tubes are equal. porosity & splitting are not
uncommon if the rubber is not laid right or cured right. the
best quality tubes, imo are michelin. very high quality of
material, excellent consistency of manufacture. and they
have a great valve that easily gives a good seal on
inflation.

CM said:

I've been having a series of flats that have baffled me.
The wheels are Krysrium SSL, Tires are Vittoria Corsa CX
and tubes are lightweight Bontrager. Inflation is 120lbs.

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture.
When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I
assumed these were pinch flats and have used talcum powder
on the tubes/tire...maybe not enough for I'm still getting
them. The last flat was post-talcum and while stuck less,
still was adhered to some degree. On first pass, they do
not seem to be in the same place each time.

I like the Corsa as they ride well and are easy to get on
and off (obviously I've had practice lately!). But I don't
know if that ease, or not enough talc (or other
suggestions?). I'm even wondering if less pressure would
help? Suggestions?

CM said:

I've been having a series of flats that have baffled me.
The wheels are Krysrium SSL, Tires are Vittoria Corsa CX
and tubes are lightweight Bontrager. Inflation is 120lbs.

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture.
When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I
assumed these were pinch flats and have used talcum powder
on the tubes/tire...maybe not enough for I'm still getting
them. The last flat was post-talcum and while stuck less,
still was adhered to some degree. On first pass, they do
not seem to be in the same place each time.

I like the Corsa as they ride well and are easy to get on
and off (obviously I've had practice lately!). But I don't
know if that ease, or not enough talc (or other
suggestions?). I'm even wondering if less pressure would
help? Suggestions?

Check the tires for teeny-tiny protrusions.

Bill "sure SOUNDS like very small punctures" S.

CM said:

I've been having a series of flats that have baffled me.
The wheels are Krysrium SSL, Tires are Vittoria Corsa CX
and tubes are lightweight Bontrager. Inflation is 120lbs.

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture.
When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I
assumed these were pinch flats and have used talcum powder
on the tubes/tire...maybe not enough for I'm still getting
them. The last flat was post-talcum and while stuck less,
still was adhered to some degree. On first pass, they do
not seem to be in the same place each time.

I like the Corsa as they ride well and are easy to get on
and off (obviously I've had practice lately!). But I don't
know if that ease, or not enough talc (or other
suggestions?). I'm even wondering if less pressure would
help? Suggestions?

A piece of glass the size of a grain of sand or it may be a
thin piece of wire sometimes the thickness of a human hair
embedded in your tire could be causing the flats. These
objects due to their size at times, cannot be felt out by
sweeping the inside of the tire with your hand. They make
their presence known when you re-inflate the tire back up
to normal pressure and go riding. You won't puncture right
away but as you go about your riding routine they're
"grinding away" at your tube eventually the tire goes
"mysteriously" flat. I suggest more careful inspection of
the tire before reuse.

Kenny Lee

CM said:

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture.
When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I
assumed these were pinch flats and have used talcum powder
on the tubes/tire...maybe

Er...you haven't actually located the leaks on the tubes?
Autopsy a tube and post the results.

In the future, you might consider identifying the cause of
the problem before just throwing another tube in a tire that
may have something (like a michelin wire) stuck in it.
--
Rick Onanian

John Everett said:

Quoted message said:

I've been having a series of flats that have baffled me.
The wheels are Krysrium SSL, Tires are Vittoria Corsa CX
and tubes are lightweight Bontrager. Inflation is 120lbs.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture.
When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I
assumed these were pinch flats and have used talcum
powder on the tubes/tire... maybe not enough for I'm
still getting them. The last flat was post-talcum and
while stuck less, still was adhered to some degree. On
first pass, they do not seem to be in the same place
each time.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I like the Corsa as they ride well and are easy to get on
and off (obviously I've had practice lately!). But I
don't know if that ease, or not enough talc (or other
suggestions?). I'm even wondering if less pressure would
help? Suggestions?

Quoted message said:

Jobst may indeed chime in here, but talcum makes
absolutely no difference. At the pressures we're dealing
with the tube and tire will not move relative to each
other no matter how much talcum (or anything else for that
matter) is involved.

Quoted message said:

When you check the flat tube are there two holes next to
one another? If so, then we're dealing with snakebites.
Less pressure would only exacerbate this problem. If the
problem is snakebites you might try a heavier duty tube,
or steering around the bumps.

...and Bott's Dots. Get 25mm cross section tires!

draco.acs.uci.edu8b.11.htmlOpen ↗

A snake bite can be identified by the embossed casing cord
texture that surrounds the puncture and is visible with
grazing incident light. This effect has helped disprove
legal claims against bicycle shops that were accused of
installing tube damaging rim tapes.

Jobst Brandt [email hidden]

Rick Onanian said:

CM said:

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture.
When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I
assumed these were pinch flats and have used talcum
powder on the tubes/tire...maybe

Er...you haven't actually located the leaks on the tubes?
Autopsy a tube and post the results.

In the future, you might consider identifying the cause
of the problem before just throwing another tube in a
tire that may have something (like a michelin wire)
stuck in it.

OP, determine where on the tube the puncture is, and if your
tires are mounted with the valve at the label, you can
determine where on the tire/rim the puncture was. Look there
for clues.

Check your rim strip, too... my friend has been getting
flats due to a floppy rim strip.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

CM said:

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace) and create slow leaks such that the
tire is soft but not immediately flat as in a puncture.
When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to the tire. I
assumed these were pinch flats and have used talcum
powder on the tubes/tire...maybe

Er...you haven't actually located the leaks on the tubes?
Autopsy a tube and post the results.

In the future, you might consider identifying the cause
of the problem before just throwing another tube in a
tire that may have something (like a michelin wire)
stuck in it.

Indeed, look at the puncture and then examine where the tube
contacted the tire. I had a series of slow leaks develop- it
turned out I had a slice in the tire *just* big enough to
allow a tiny portion of the tube to poke through. When the
tube wore through, it started leaking. Patched it and it was
good for a couple days- then the slow leak started again.
Booted the tire and it was good for a couple months.

Jeff

On 28 Apr 2004 15:14:42 -0700, [email hidden] (Jeff Wills)

Quoted message said:

Indeed, look at the puncture and then examine where the
tube contacted the tire. I had a series of slow leaks develop-
it turned out I had a slice in the tire *just* big enough
to allow a tiny portion of the tube to poke through. When
the tube wore through, it started leaking. Patched it and
it was good for a couple days- then the slow leak started
again. Booted the tire and it was good for a couple months.

In fact, I had that exact same thing yesterday. It was
riddled with small cuts on the outside, but I thought they
didn't go through. Well, now they do. When I removed the
tire and closely inspected the inside, I found quite a few
of them made it through. I was going to boot it, but there's
too many...

I'll fool around with refurbishing it when I'm bored. I plan
to boot where necessary, and fill in exterior places with
either rtv gasket stuff or Shoe Goo, or maybe Plasti-dip
(except, the Plasti-dip I have is yellow). Any opinions
which is better for that purpose?
--
Rick Onanian

Thanks everyone....I'll start working these suggestions as
well as return my baby grandson's talcum powder!

"CM" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:9%Ojc.12968$-
[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been having a series of flats that have baffled me.
The wheels are Krysrium SSL, Tires are Vittoria Corsa CX
and tubes are lightweight Bontrager. Inflation is 120lbs.

They tend to happen on bumpy surfaces at high speed
(downhill/fast pace)

and

Quoted message said:

create slow leaks such that the tire is soft but not
immediately flat as

in

Quoted message said:

a puncture. When I removed the tube, it's was stuck to
the tire. I

assumed

Quoted message said:

these were pinch flats and have used talcum powder on the

tubes/tire...maybe

Quoted message said:

not enough for I'm still getting them. The last flat was
post-talcum and while stuck less, still was adhered to
some degree. On first pass, they

do

Quoted message said:

not seem to be in the same place each time.

I like the Corsa as they ride well and are easy to get
on and off

(obviously

Quoted message said:

I've had practice lately!). But I don't know if that ease,
or not enough talc (or other suggestions?). I'm even
wondering if less pressure would help? Suggestions?

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

On 28 Apr 2004 15:14:42 -0700, [email hidden] (Jeff

Wills) said:

Indeed, look at the puncture and then examine where the
tube contacted the tire. I had a series of slow leaks develop-
it turned out I had a slice in the tire *just* big enough
to allow a tiny portion of the tube to poke through. When
the tube wore through, it started leaking. Patched it and
it was good for a couple days- then the slow leak started
again. Booted the tire and it was good for a couple
months.

In fact, I had that exact same thing yesterday. It was
riddled with small cuts on the outside, but I thought they
didn't go through. Well, now they do. When I removed the
tire and closely inspected the inside, I found quite a few
of them made it through. I was going to boot it, but
there's too many...

I'll fool around with refurbishing it when I'm bored. I
plan to boot where necessary, and fill in exterior places
with either rtv gasket stuff or Shoe Goo, or maybe Plasti-
dip (except, the Plasti-dip I have is yellow). Any
opinions which is better for that purpose?

Sounds like a job for... Mr Tuffy!!!

Actually, I've used slightly battered tires (small cuts, as
above) for my beater bike after tossing in a Mr. Tuffy.
Quicker and less messy than Shoe-Goo or Plasti-Dip.

Jeff

Quoted message said:

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

In the future, you might consider identifying the cause
of the problem before just throwing another tube in a
tire that may have something (like a michelin wire)
stuck in it.

Jeff Wills said:

Indeed, look at the puncture and then examine where the
tube contacted the tire.

Don't forget to examine where the tube contacted the rim and
rim strip.

--
Dave dvt at psu dot edu