Puncture, or what?

[MrHappyCyclist]

I am fortunate enough to have an office in which I can keep my bike. This morning, I was just starting up my computer when I heard a faint popping/crackling sound coming from the corner of the office. on checking, it seemed to be coming from my front tyre and, sure enough, the pressure was down a bit on that tyre. So, after I had my lunch, I took the wheel off (no sound now, but the tyre was at a much lower pressure), took out the tube, and couldn't find anything wrong. pumped the tube up to about twice its size, and nothing. Checked the tyre all the way round, inside and out, and can't find a blemish. The valve isn't leaking either. Put it all back together with the same tube, pumped it up to 6 bar (700x32C tyre), and still nothing.

How many bets that I will end up fixing it again on the 12.5 mile commute home - probably in freezing sleet, in the dark.

 

[numbnuts]

It may have been a change of temperature

 

[jamin100]

Do you have a spare tube with you?
If so id change the tubes over now before you set out and either bin the possibly faulty one, or use it when the nights are lighter and its a little warmer

 

[ribblestealth]

The same thing happened to me recently. Woke up one morning to find my back tyre completely empty after being fine the previous evening. Checked loads for any sign of anything on the tube, nothing could be found. Pumped the tube back up and it's been absolutely fine. Wierd!

 

[Brommyboy]

Did the tube have a patch? I have had a patch lift in the heat and then reseal as the pressure went down! Impossible to find after the event.

 

[Bman]

That P fairy moves in mysterious ways!

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Do you have a spare tube with you?
If so id change the tubes over now before you set out and either bin the possibly faulty one, or use it when the nights are lighter and its a little warmer

Yes, that's what I've done now. Given the price of tubes, it's not worth the bother. I snapped the threaded insert off the valve on the old tube getting it out of the rim, so that tube's in the bin now anyway.

Did the tube have a patch? I have had a patch lift in the heat and then reseal as the pressure went down! Impossible to find after the event.

No. It's the original tube that came with the bike back in March (about 3,500 miles ago); never been off the rim. I guess I'll never know.

 

[Moodyman]

Could be a faulty valve. They can get damaged easily if you're a litte heavy- handed with the pump

 

[dhd.evans]

Exact same size of tyre, exact same problem I had.

Very very weird thing to happen.

 

[HovR]

Something sort of similar happened to me a few weeks ago. I had a puncture, fixed it - But the tire still didn't hold pressure and went down overnight. Pumped it up in the morning and it's holding up ever since. No idea why it went down the first time.

 

[Glow worm]

The p. fairy paid me a visit this week. I whipped the tyre off and checked it over and over but found nowt (though the tube had a hole in it). I hate that- I find it's always more reassuring to pull out a great big thorn or nail or something from the tyre so at least you know you've sorted it properly and not missed something nasty lurking in the tyre.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

According to quantum mechanics theory, there is a minuscule but finite probability that all of the air in the tyre could suddenly find itself outside of the tyre, without there being any puncture. I do think it's highly unlikely to be that, though.

 

[DougieAB]

First puncture in over six months last week since changing to Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres. Some thorns seem to be able to get through anything.

 

[mark i]

Well after 1 puncture in the last 2 years I have had three this year, 2 on consecutive days, and before anyone says anything it was not debris left in the tyre as one was the front and the other the rear! So, hopefully the rest of you have been doing better with me keeping the p fairy busy!