Another.... Puncture ratnt... :(

[saty]

Hey all,

After reading all the puncture thread in the beginner section, I thought I'd post up my issue/s ..

I purchased a new Ridgeback Flight T1 Hybrid just after Christmas from Evans, great bike love the commute in comparison to my old unbranded MTB. Since then I have on average got 2 to 3 punctures a week, for example got one on the way home last night and another on the way in this morning

I have R450 Alex Rims with Continental Ultra Sports Tyres (700x25) which came supplied on the bike and I commute from Edmonton to Marble Arch (10 miles each way), I stay out of the gutter and always try and avoid pot holes and visible glass on the road.. but I still keep getting punctures!!!

Does anyone have any ideas on any changes to the above set up which will reduce the amount punctures I am getting :?: :?:

Cheers

 

[HLaB]

IME Conti tyres are good for p'ture prevention.

Is the rim tape in good condition ?

 

[John the Monkey]

I don't know the ultra sport, but I do know that the tyres that come with bikes tend to be a bit crap. If you're getting that many punctures (and they're not due to low tyre pressure or poorly fitting rim tape on the wheel) I'd suggest new tyres.

I've ridden Schwalbe Stelvio in 25c (pretty good) Continetal Ultra gators (ok, but didn't like the feel in the wet) and Michelin Pro Race 2 (pricey but by god they're a nice tyre).

If you want to try and squeeze a bit more life out of the ones you have, you could try some tyre liners - these are plastic strips that go in the outside of the tyre between the tyre and tube.

 

[saty]

hlab: I have not checked the rim tape but being brand new I would expect them to be ok, but will check next time I get a puncture (which by past experience, will be tonight lol)

John: Tyre liner might be a good choice for now, as you said I really want to try and get the most out of these tyres before give them their P45's lol

 

[Black Sheep]

move right and ride where a car's left hand tyre would go, some roads you can see the surface is a bit shinier where its worn a bit more, their tyres have a sweeping effect that clears the road of crap.

make sure the tyres are pumped up enough, I seem to get away with my tyres being a little underflaited at times, but then last time i checked i was still weighing in just into double figures (stone) yup, i'm the skinny git.

 

[hackbike 666]

None this year.Touchwood.

I stay out of the gutter

Is that the problem though or is it something to do with your tyres?

Obviously it isn't as you state you stay out the gutter whereas I don't always.Although I would if it looked dodgy.

always try and avoid pot holes and visible glass on the road.

I think we all do.Hopefully.

 

[John the Monkey]

When you take the tube out, look for where the puncture is - if it's on the inner surface of the tube, the likelihood is that the rim tape isn't covering a spoke end properly, or something similar. If the puncture looks like two small holes on the side of the tube, that could be due to low tyre pressure (low enough to allow the tube to be "pinched" between wheel rim and tyre bead).

Anything on the outer surface of the tube is probably road debris - do make sure that you remove the puncture causing object from the tyre before replacing the tube.

 

[saty]

Puncture holes are always on the top side, nothing at all on the bottom or sides.
Majority of my route is in bus lanes, at least 75% of my journey

I have found SLIME TYRE LINERS for £7.99 at Evans online, anyone tried these? i might go down this route and if no luck then new tyres..

Thanks all

 

[saty]

PS.. tyres are always pumped up to 100psi front and rear.

 

[hackbike 666]

I'll get back to you later about this.Off on my commute now.

 

[garrilla]

On my hybrid I kept getting a puncture every few days. As always following a puncture I checked the tyre but found nothing.

At some point, when putting the tyre back on after yet another puncture I was stretching it I noticed the smallest of holes in the thread. On further inspection I could see a very very small shard of glass inside.

It wasn't big enough or in deep enough to be felt on the inside nor visible from the outside. However, when I applied a bit of pressure to the tyre area I could get it to pop through by <1mm.

I extracted the shard with mrsG's best tweezers and didn't get a puncture after that.

 

[saty]

On my hybrid I kept getting a puncture every few days. As always following a puncture I checked the tyre but found nothing.

At some point, when putting the tyre back on after yet another puncture I was stretching it I noticed the smallest of holes in the thread. On further inspection I could see a very very small shard of glass inside.

It wasn't big enough or in deep enough to be felt on the inside nor visible from the outside. However, when I applied a bit of pressure to the tyre area I could get it to pop through by <1mm.

I extracted the shard with mrsG's best tweezers and didn't get a puncture after that.

I hope mrs G did not mind you using the tweezer

I always check the tyre after a puncture and most of the time it is a small shard of glass stuck in the tyre!! and I remove it.

 

[house_trained]

Yeah, this brings back memories. I had some Conti Ultra tyres on a new bike last year. It was a rare ride into work where I wasn't spending some time by the side of a road fixing an unwanted deflation. I was getting about 3 - 4 a week on average.

I changed to Specialized Armadillo tyres and had 1 p£*!ture in the next 6 months.

 

[saty]

Yeah, this brings back memories. I had some Conti Ultra tyres on a new bike last year. It was a rare ride into work where I wasn't spending some time by the side of a road fixing an unwanted deflation. I was getting about 3 - 4 a week on average.

I changed to Specialized Armadillo tyres and had 1 p£*!ture in the next 6 months.

Ahh someone who also had the same tyres.. cant be coincidence.. defo dodgy tyres then .. .. as per John's advice I have just ordered 2 x SLIME TYRE PROTECTOR, hopefully this will help till tyres have worn down, then I can order better tyres

THANKS for all your help chaps..

 

[John the Monkey]

Hope they work out for you - my LBS rate these - they all ride cheap tyres with tyre liners in preference to more expensive "protected" tyres.

I'm too much of a fancy dan roadie to do so though ;-)