Damn you science, damn you!

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Mile195

Veteran
Location
West Kent
So far scientific boffins have been able to answer crucial questions such as "why does the toast always land butter side down?" and "why does a cat always land on its feet?".

So why is it then, that science has not yet been able to tell me why whenever I get a puncture it is ALWAYS on the back tyre, and ALWAYS after 10pm, and ALWAYS when it is raining.

Not only this, but despite this happening to me twice this year - yes - TWICE, science has still not even tried to come up with a solution!! And quite honestly, if science can't be bothered to give me solutions to all my cycling woes in a timely manner, then I have no more time for its inane theories about spherical planets, or monkeys turning into humans...

...Therefore, I ask you all, my fellow cycle-chatters, to renounce science in all its forms and live with me in a world with a far more convenient set of truths. Perhaps we can even file a class-action lawsuit against science, for all the other things it has so far failed to provide...

Who's with me??!
 

Lee_M

Guru
why not just ride your bike backwards?

be a lot easier to change the rear wheel then!
 

G3CWI

Veteran
Location
Macclesfield
As a scientist I would suggest an experimental approach to investigating your problems. For a week can you please cycle only after 10pm and only in rain. However, please cycle backwards as I wish to investigate whether your problem lies with the rear wheel or simply the back wheel. Please report back.
 

Fnaar

Smutmaster General
Location
Thumberland
[proper answer, unsmuttified] I read somewhere that the greater likelihood of puncs on back is because front disturbs debris which the back then catches... seems a reasonable proposition to me...
 

Lee_M

Guru
[proper answer, unsmuttified] I read somewhere that the greater likelihood of puncs on back is because front disturbs debris which the back then catches... seems a reasonable proposition to me...

certainly thats the case for motorbikes. In 30 years I only ever had one front flatty
 

benb

Evidence based cyclist
Location
Epsom
science_large_large.jpg
 

BrumJim

Forum Stalwart (won't take the hint and leave...)
and the rain causes debris to stick to the tyres more easily.

There is clear evidence that punctures are more prevalent when it is wet. My theory is that wetness on the debris reduces friction between it and the rubber, therefore increasing the point stress at the sharpest part of the debris, increasing the chance of it penetrating the tyre and causing a puncture.
 
OP
OP
Mile195

Mile195

Veteran
Location
West Kent
As a scientist I would suggest an experimental approach to investigating your problems. For a week can you please cycle only after 10pm and only in rain. However, please cycle backwards as I wish to investigate whether your problem lies with the rear wheel or simply the back wheel. Please report back.

I'm afraid this and all the other suggestions are far too science-y... it's too late. As representatives of science, you can go back to him/her/them/it and tell him/her/them/it that his/her/their/its ship has sailed and I have no interest in any further dialog, unless of course science can provide an immediate and convenient solution such as preventing the time advancing beyond 10pm, or the rain from falling. THAT would be an acceptable alternative...


why not just ride your bike backwards?

be a lot easier to change the rear wheel then!

Ah, now that's more like it... I think you and I may be thinking on the same level here!..
 

vernon

Harder than Ronnie Pickering
Location
Meanwood, Leeds
There is clear evidence that punctures are more prevalent when it is wet. My theory is that wetness on the debris reduces friction between it and the rubber, therefore increasing the point stress at the sharpest part of the debris, increasing the chance of it penetrating the tyre and causing a puncture.

Water is a lubricant for rubber making it easier for sharp objects to cut or penetrate the tyre. Even so it's a right pain in the butt boring rubber bungs with a boring tube and a sometimes fraught experience pushing a glass tube into the newly bored hole in the bung. I still bear the scars from failed attempts.
 

PK99

Legendary Member
Location
SW19
There is clear evidence that punctures are more prevalent when it is wet. My theory is that wetness on the debris reduces friction between it and the rubber, therefore increasing the point stress at the sharpest part of the debris, increasing the chance of it penetrating the tyre and causing a puncture.

... and flints, shards of glass etc stick to a wet tyre waiting to be pressed in on the next rotation
 

Cycling Dan

Cycle Crazy
Did
So far scientific boffins have been able to answer crucial questions such as "why does the toast always land butter side down?" and "why does a cat always land on its feet?".

So why is it then, that science has not yet been able to tell me why whenever I get a puncture it is ALWAYS on the back tyre, and ALWAYS after 10pm, and ALWAYS when it is raining.

Not only this, but despite this happening to me twice this year - yes - TWICE, science has still not even tried to come up with a solution!! And quite honestly, if science can't be bothered to give me solutions to all my cycling woes in a timely manner, then I have no more time for its inane theories about spherical planets, or monkeys turning into humans...

...Therefore, I ask you all, my fellow cycle-chatters, to renounce science in all its forms and live with me in a world with a far more convenient set of truths. Perhaps we can even file a class-action lawsuit against science, for all the other things it has so far failed to provide...

Who's with me??!
Didnt the human race try this...
Oh what was it called again...:reading:
Ah that's right ;)
The Dark Ages
 
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