For the second time in around 20 years of cycling I have just had a 'phantom' puncture.
What happened, in each case, was that I would use the bike one day and everything would be fine. The next day I would go to use it and it would one of the tyres would be completely flat.
So I'd take off the wheel, slightly inflate, check for a leak and find nothing. Remove tube, place in water - again, nothing.
In the first case, not having a spare tube, I put the original back on the bike, inflated it, and it remained fully inflated indefinitely.
In the latest case, the tube has been sitting, gently inflated, and not losing any air, for several days.
In both cases the presta valve was screwed down and the valve cap was on. Also, in both cases, there was no chance that anyone had access to the bike to play a 'joke'.
I'm completely at a loss as to how this could happen and would welcome any theories.
What happened, in each case, was that I would use the bike one day and everything would be fine. The next day I would go to use it and it would one of the tyres would be completely flat.
So I'd take off the wheel, slightly inflate, check for a leak and find nothing. Remove tube, place in water - again, nothing.
In the first case, not having a spare tube, I put the original back on the bike, inflated it, and it remained fully inflated indefinitely.
In the latest case, the tube has been sitting, gently inflated, and not losing any air, for several days.
In both cases the presta valve was screwed down and the valve cap was on. Also, in both cases, there was no chance that anyone had access to the bike to play a 'joke'.
I'm completely at a loss as to how this could happen and would welcome any theories.