What am I doing wrong? 3 puctures!!

[saty]

Hi all,

What am I doing wrong???

[Rant start]

I got 3 punctures yesterday, had a total nightmare getting to and from from work ... Got 1st pucture, i changed the inner tube at the road side in the rain, then when i went to pump up the tube, i snapped the end of the valve .. walked the bike 1 mile to a LBS, got a replacement tube, inserted this, then when trying to pump it up the handle on my pump snapped .. went into the LBS and pumped up, was now on my merry way, got to work and then could hear air leaking out of the tyre again (front) !!!
Replaced the tube at lunch time... And then on the way home got another puncture this time on the rear, walked 2 miles to the same LBS and asked them to replace the tube as had no energy left ... Then finally cycled the last 7 miles home very slowly.. Could not face the cycle today, so got the trains to work..

[/Rant over]

 

[fossyant]

Not a good one - carry 2 spare tubes and a kit. Get a good sturdy pump, decent tyres, and don't forget to talc your tubes. Oh, and jet rid of the washer on the valve stem if you have one.

 

[Aperitif]

Check the rim for damage. Or a rogue spoke perhaps.
Check inside the tyre for the 'culprit' which may be embedded and therefore invisible to you looking on the outside.
Slightly inflate the new tube before fitting?
Don't pinch the new tube either with the tyre - as you reseat it on the rim, or with a lever if you have a very tight fitting bead on the tyre.
and more...

I had the same thing on Saturday - don't worry, just get even! I posted a thread in Accessories (I think) about puncture proof tyres...

 

[saty]

Thanks guys

Not a good one - carry 2 spare tubes and a kit. Get a good sturdy pump, decent tyres, and don't forget to talc your tubes. Oh, and jet rid of the washer on the valve stem if you have one.

Hi, fossyant

Talc ?? Never heard of this pls explain? and why get rid of the washer??

Cheers

 

[beanzontoast]

Bad luck. I had 2 in 2 days, which was enough to get me to change tyre brand and change the route of my commute slightly. (I'd been considering it for a while - this was the last straw). Keep your pressures up to the recommended levels, get yourself some decent - and not metal - tyre levers. If you have the sort of pump that fits directly onto the valve, be careful to brace it somehow (I wrap my free fingers around the end of the pump and the rim of the wheel) so there's not too much backwards and forwards motion of the pump head as you pump.

 

[jay clock]

I have a pump that converts into a little foot pump like this http://www.topeak.com/products/Mini-Pumps/RoadMorphG. This avoids the banging around that can snap valves.

Agreed about the lock rings - they do not serve much purpose, and as a triathlete I want to be able to save time!

When I do change a tube, I always run my fingers round at least twice, generally in both directions. If you have time, also squeeze the tyre and look into the tread and see if there are any bits of flint or thorn embedded.

Carry vinyl gloves (like hospitals have) - mkaes life very much more pleasant!

Finally, check the rim tape is seated correctly

Hope things improve!

 

[saty]

I have a pump that converts into a little foot pump like this http://www.topeak.com/products/Mini-Pumps/RoadMorphG. This avoids the banging around that can snap valves.

Agreed about the lock rings - they do not serve much purpose, and as a triathlete I want to be able to save time!

When I do change a tube, I always run my fingers round at least twice, generally in both directions. If you have time, also squeeze the tyre and look into the tread and see if there are any bits of flint or thorn embedded.

Carry vinyl gloves (like hospitals have) - mkaes life very much more pleasant!

Finally, check the rim tape is seated correctly

Hope things improve!

Thanks Jay Clock.. Already got the gloves, went thru 3 pairs yesterday lol.. the pump looks good, will try and get one of them

 

[4F]

Thanks guys



Hi, fossyant

Talc ?? Never heard of this pls explain?

Makes the tyres smell nicer, I treat mine to Johnsons baby powder

 

[saty]

Makes the tyres smell nicer, I treat mine to Johnsons baby powder

 

[palinurus]

I wouldn't bother carrying any spare tubes from now on. How could you possibly be that unlucky again?

 

[byegad]

I've had more visits from the p****t*re fairey in January than in all of the last two, possibly three, years!
Part of this was a worn tyre, 2 visits, 4 others were on Kojaks, they cut up very badly on the cold roads not one with any debris left in the tyre but a BIG cut at the site of each of the holes in the tube. So I've repalced the Kojaks with Big Apples! Then 4 more from glass and 1 from some nupty spreading his hawtorn bush all over the road. I only covered 154 miles in the month!!!!! That works out as 14 miles between visits.

 

[Tynan]

heaven forbid anyone patch, I like the idea of a re-enforced section where the original puncture was and where the tyre may be compromised

by all means carry a tube but how can you not carry a repair kit for fall back position

I always use the lock ring to stop me shoving the vavle through to the tube

I got the Mini Morph, dinky and pumps up real hard once you get the knack of it

 

[saty]

Thing is i got a brand new bike with brand new conti rubber on!! So not like i got bald (kojak ) tyres.. something weird going on!! lol

 

[hackbike 666]

heaven forbid anyone patch, I like the idea of a re-enforced section where the original puncture was and where the tyre may be compromised

by all means carry a tube but how can you not carry a repair kit for fall back position

I always use the lock ring to stop me shoving the vavle through to the tube

I got the Mini Morph, dinky and pumps up real hard once you get the knack of it

If I haven't fixed it within one or two tries with inner tubes then I tend to dump the bike,