Chronic flats

[Juan1978]

Hi,

I got a Lapierre RCR500 bike basically it's a road bike with straight/flat handlebars (see pic)...they call it a "fitness" bike in France. The wheels that came with this bike are Shimano WH-R500 and tires are Michelin Lithion (1).

This is my problem : every time I ride around 30-40km I get a flat on the rear wheel. I've changed the tube many times, other times I've patched it using a patch kit... quite often the puncture is on the side of the rim. When I check the rim tape ( brand: SCHWALBLE ) everything seems nice and clean. I went to several bike shops, none could find me the root cause...I'm kind of desesperated because I can't trust my bike... Please help.

Thanks !

Juan

 

[fossyant]

Are you riding under-inflated tyres and getting pinch flats ?

Take tyre off and rim tape, check for anything sharp on rim. Check tyre for anything sharp (run fingers round inside of tyre). Check rim tape and refit.

 

[HLaB]

I was going to ask if any of the bike shop advised you on tyre pressure, or have they checked out the tyre itself but Fossy beat me to it ;-)

 

[Juan1978]

Lithion tire says I can inflate them to 102 PSI. I generally put 90-100PSI. I'm starting to believe that it's a problem with my wheel or tire. I never get a flat at my front wheel... Will check the rim without the rim tape and also the tire again. Thanks for the advice

 

[Juan1978]

bike shop said I should not inflated them to the maximum recommended pressure... Generally I put 90-100PSI.

 

[Profpointy]

Are you riding under-inflated tyres and getting pinch flats ?

Take tyre off and rim tape, check for anything sharp on rim. Check tyre for anything sharp (run fingers round inside of tyre). Check rim tape and refit.

As above poster - be very very diligent about checking the inside of tyre. Despite removing the original problem bit of glass, kept on having repeat punctures. Cursed the tyre brand - then found a slight lump inside - just a bit of canvas really - and had to bin the tyre. Same brand tyre on front's done 10000 miles plus

 

[Markymark]

Can you swap the front and rear tyres over?

 

[HLaB]

Can you swap the front and rear tyres over?

I'd be careful of that if the rear tyre is worn and switched to the front it coul lead to an uncontrollable blow out.

 

[Juan1978]

I just found a sharp debris stuck in the inner side of the tire, removed it using a pair of tweezers ( i dont know how it went there...hummmmm) still investigating the punctures on the rim side... thanks...

 

[Profpointy]

if you keep getting flats - I'd be inclined to get another tyre

 

[HLaB]

For some strange reason I found that my Lithions got a few p'tures at the start then settled down, the Bontis they replaced were even worse at the start and better at the end of their life; I would expect it the other way as they became worn

 

[Juan1978]

I'm now having two patches on this tube....should I change the tube or patching is safe ?

 

[raleighnut]

Try using a preglued cloth rim tape it cured the punctures I was getting when the plastic rim tape moved and the spoke recesses nipped the tubeon these wheels

 

[Profpointy]

I'm now having two patches on this tube....should I change the tube or patching is safe ?

no problem with multiple patches - especially until any root cause fixed. Probably worth new tube if you are patching patches

 

[Juan1978]

thank you very much. If I get another flat, I'll change the rim tape and tyre. I'm thinking about getting these tyres (continental ultra gatorskin). Are they really better than michelin lithion ( i mean more durable, less prone to flats ) ? My current tyres are 700x25... Will 700x28 tyres fit my wheel ?