Tyre bulge then tube blowout

[TC99]

I have had the same pair of Urban Continentals on my Brompton since new. I think it's three years and approx 10,000 miles. I got a bulge yesterday by the valve stem on the front wheel and then pop! I'm glad I was just pootling along in the local rec. New tyres ordered. Is it straightforward to fit them?

 

[Punkawallah]

Never done one, but have been told the small size + puncture resistant tyres can be a faff. Good luck :-)

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have had the same pair of Urban Continentals on my Brompton since new. I think it's three years and approx 10,000 miles. I got a bulge yesterday by the valve stem on the front wheel and then pop! I'm glad I was just pootling along in the local rec. New tyres ordered. Is it straightforward to fit them?

IIRC fitting a tyre is a just like fitting a normal tyre. Maybe slightly more faffy cos of the size. But getting the back wheel out if you have a hub gear/chain tensioner is a bit of a faff. Just need to put it back together in the order you took it to bits.

 

[wafter]

I've run these on my Brompton for a while and don't recall any specific fitting issues.

It's never pleasant for a tyre to fail catastrophically and I've heard a few stories of sidewall failures on these; that said 10k miles is fantastic mileage from any tyres (especially those so small!).

IME I've had more tyres die through sidewall degradation than tread wear.. some of which might be on historic me however for running inadequate pressures.

 

[annedonnelly]

When I have the wheel off I always take the opportunity to clean inside the mudguards and the other bits you can't reach normally. Of course, being a Brompton I do everything indoors where it's dry and relatively warm.

 

[TC99]

I've run these on my Brompton for a while and don't recall any specific fitting issues.

It's never pleasant for a tyre to fail catastrophically and I've heard a few stories of sidewall failures on these; that said 10k miles is fantastic mileage from any tyres (especially those so small!).

IME I've had more tyres fail through sidewall degradation than tread wear.. some of which might be on historic me however for running inadequate pressures.

I never once used it without checking and adjusting the tyre pressures and ran front and back to 95 PSI. But yeah a really good mileage. Not one puncture.

 

[wafter]

I never once used it without checking and adjusting the tyre pressures and ran front and back to 95 PSI. But yeah a really good mileage. Not one puncture.

Wow - that is impressive; both in terms of the punctures (I've had plenty!) and the resilience of your arse on 95psi

 

[Fastpedaller]

I have had the same pair of Urban Continentals on my Brompton since new. I think it's three years and approx 10,000 miles. I got a bulge yesterday by the valve stem on the front wheel and then pop! I'm glad I was just pootling along in the local rec. New tyres ordered. Is it straightforward to fit them?

Was the front tyre seated correctly at the valve? That can be a fiddly sometimes, especially at the roadside.

 

[TC99]

Was the front tyre seated correctly at the valve? That can be a fiddly sometimes, especially at the roadside.

I think the tyre was just knackered and when inflated to riding pressure gave way a bit.

 

[TC99]

Wow - that is impressive; both in terms of the punctures (I've had plenty!) and the resilience of your arse on 95psi

I took the brompton seat off when it arrived. Bit like a razor blade if I remember correctly. I have a big seat with a couple of springs and deep cushioning. I might give a slightly softer tyre pressure a go in the future.

 

[wafter]

I took the brompton seat off when it arrived. Bit like a razor blade if I remember correctly. I have a big seat with a couple of springs and deep cushioning. I might give a slightly softer tyre pressure a go in the future.

Yes, mine came off too in favour of the ubiquitous Genesis-branded Velo job. IIRC I was running about 80-85psi in the back with a rider weight of around 75-78kg, which was fine