[RBW] Perplexities regarding flat tires
Learning to change out an inner tube after flatting is definitely a high value skill to learn for any cyclist I think. That's probably one of the main things that would be included in a basic bike maintenance class. A bit of practice after learning the basics should serve you well. There was a first time for all of us in learning how change out a flatted tube and a learning curve to get proficient at it. At the beginning I would get frustrated trying to remove and replace the rear wheel in the frame until someone showed me an easier way. I also ruined a number of new tubes by rushing and not taking the time to make sure the tube was completely inside the tire and a part of it not being pinched between the rim and tire bead. The sudden and very loud pop as well as $5 to $10 down the drain via a ruined tube will teach one to check thoroughly. If you're boys continue in cycling this would be a good skill for them to learn as well. Perhaps learn as a family? Treat it like a puzzle. What caused this blasted flat? Let's figure it out together. A few mystery flats of mine turned out to be issues in the base of valve area that had been separated a bit. It would hold air for a time but with slight movement of the stem begin leaking. I've also had the cursed tiny wires the semi truck cast off when their retreaded tires come apart and litter the roadways. Even tires with flat protection built into the tread are not immune from those tiny devils especially when touring. The last few years most of my flats were caused by seam separation of the tube an obvious manufacturing defect. I've had a least 3 and a friend had one last week from seam separation. I guess we got a defective batch of tubes. Sometimes I resort to putting the tubes in bathtub water to isolate the leak. I've found it also helps when first installing a tube to always orient the tire the same way on the rim every time. Then after removing a flatted tube and determining the leak location you can know where to check the tire for the source of the puncture if it was a puncture. Of course check both the outside and inside of the tire. Goodness, this got long. I hope a bit of it helps. Paul in Dallas -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
Re: [RBW] Perplexities regarding flat tires
Leah: If your tire flatted, it had a puncture, either from an exterior penetrant, or from an interior penetrant, or because of some defect in or damage to the tube itself. Exterior is obvious; interior: several times I had tires that kept flatting despite very conscientious search for penetrant. In one retrospectively hilarious incident: I kept my beloved racing bike propped up in my bedroom 2' from my bed. 3 am. BAM! Panic! In all cases, this too, the culprit was slipping rim tape that let the highly pressurized tube force its way into the spoke hole, where it was punctured by the sharp inward end of a spoke. Other culprits, and one I've had problems with with Schwalbe tubes: seal between valve and tube proper is bad and a split or small tear lets air escape. Both of these can be pressure-related; a tube might hold air until a threshold is reached and then, leakage. If you want to be proof, as far as such security can be had, against just about any flat, use what local shops here use: a belted tire (which can be horrible to ride -- like cold molasses), a tire liner, a Schraeder valve thorn proof tube (these weigh as much as tires), and a sealant. Nothing is guaranteed in this lower world of becoming and change, but insofar as anything can be guaranteed, this "system" will keep you flat free. I've ridden through 1-2 miles of goathead plants and come out the other end with no air loss, even several days later (no slow leaks), and IME, Schraeder valves have fewer problems with the valve stem/rubber interface. Or else, do what I used to do: choose your tires carefully, and buy your patches yearly in batches of 200, and I am not kidding. On Fri, Jan 4, 2019 at 2:20 PM Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! < jonasandle...@gmail.com> wrote: > My mechanical knowlege of bikes is embarrassingly scant. I love my bike. I > ride it a lot. But I take it to the shop for all its maintenance. I really > should do better, and if I hear of a local place teaching bike maintenance > classes, I will try to enroll. But meanwhile, indulge me? > > I decided to take my boys for a ride a couple of days ago, and was shocked > to find the 24 inch Specialized Hotrock had a front flat. Like, completely > flat. I could see no obvious trauma, so I decided to fill the tire with our > air compressor and see if it would hold air. It did. I decided it would be > safe to ride if we went slow down the hill, and it was all well and good. I > just checked it again today, 2 days later, and the tire remains well > inflated. > > However, it bothers me that I don’t know why that tire went flat. And what > if it does it again WHEN HE’S RIDING IT? What happens to you if your front > tire suddenly blows? I can’t imagine it wouldn’t be extremely dangerous. > The tires were replaced in 2017, if that matters. > > So, what could cause a tire with no puncture to flat? And would you > replace the tube just to be on the safe side? Am I overreacting? > Thanks! > Leah > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- ** *Still 'round the corner there may waitA new road or a secret gate,And though we pass them by today,Tomorrow we may come this wayAnd take the hidden paths that runTowards the Moon or to the Sun.* --- J.R.R. Tolkien --- Resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, and letters that get interviews By-the-hour resume and LinkedIn coaching Other professional writing services Expensive! But good. http://www.resumespecialties.com/ Patrick Moore Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique *Auditis an me ludit amabilis insania?* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Perplexities regarding flat tires
Assuming presta valves, it may be that the valve didn't get tightened and that it "bounced" itself open and slowly leaked it gone. If shraeder, could be the VVV (Vegas Valve Vortex), or the heat could've melted the tube better while it was flattened. And new tubes are always nice, put a couple ounces of sealant in and you'll certainly be good for a few months... -Kai BKNY (formerly of Henderson) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
[RBW] Perplexities regarding flat tires
My mechanical knowlege of bikes is embarrassingly scant. I love my bike. I ride it a lot. But I take it to the shop for all its maintenance. I really should do better, and if I hear of a local place teaching bike maintenance classes, I will try to enroll. But meanwhile, indulge me? I decided to take my boys for a ride a couple of days ago, and was shocked to find the 24 inch Specialized Hotrock had a front flat. Like, completely flat. I could see no obvious trauma, so I decided to fill the tire with our air compressor and see if it would hold air. It did. I decided it would be safe to ride if we went slow down the hill, and it was all well and good. I just checked it again today, 2 days later, and the tire remains well inflated. However, it bothers me that I don’t know why that tire went flat. And what if it does it again WHEN HE’S RIDING IT? What happens to you if your front tire suddenly blows? I can’t imagine it wouldn’t be extremely dangerous. The tires were replaced in 2017, if that matters. So, what could cause a tire with no puncture to flat? And would you replace the tube just to be on the safe side? Am I overreacting? Thanks! Leah -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
