Perpetual Punctures

That Jekka Gal

That Jekka Gal

That Jekka Gal

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Joined
2 Oct 2019
Posts
318
Location
Castle Cary
OK ladies and gennlemen - this is driving me insane.

I seem to be in a bit of a groundhog day scenario here - it goes like this. I go outside to my bike in the morning and the tyre is flat; punctured.

So I jump on the metro to go to Decathlon and buy a new inner tube.

I go home, fit it, pump it up and go for a ride and all is good until....

I wake up the next morning, I go outside and the (same) tyre is flat. As a pancake.

This has happened 3 times in succession so I'm guessing I haven't ridden over a sharp object and got a puncture that way - the odds of that would be very small.

Every time I fit the tube, I am very careful to clean inside the tyre - in case there are sharp bits within.

Beyond that, I just don't have a clue what it causing these punctures - is there anything else I could investigate?
 
Underinflated tyre causing pinch puncture?

Pins or other tiny sharp objects scattered on a section of your route?

When you repair the punctured tube, what is the damage?

Pinhole?
Slit?
Snakebite?
 
have a look at the old tubes is the hole in the same place?
you could pump the tyre up and put in some water to get an idea of where the hole is

or it could be some %%%%

also if youve got 3 old tubes get yourselve a replair kit and use them as spares
 
Every time you get a puncture you just buy a new inner tube?

Have you heard of the concept of puncture repair? Taking that approach instead might even have allowed you to spot a pattern regarding the type of puncture and where it's appearing.
 
If you're sure there isn't any sharp debris stuck in the tyre and you are inflating to correct pressure to avoid pinch flats, have you checked your rim rape?

Or just go tubeless. It has its critics but in the 3 years I've ran tubeless tyres I've had zero issues and that is hookless too! I've come home to find sealant on my bike 3 or 4 times during that period that I didn't even notice whilst riding.
 
I'd start by checking rim tape is covering spoke holes properly.
Then carefully check nothing sharp is puncturing the tyre like a thorn, which then puncture the new tube once inflated. Could used fingers, could use bit of cotton wool, that should cling to anything sharp inside tyre and save any finger pain!
Then check tyre outside to see if it's so worn that you could easily get a new puncture.
Make sure you are inflating tyre to suitable pressure for a tube (not tubeless) setup, depending on tyre width and total weight of you plus the bike (typically ~55% of total weight will be over rear wheel). Double punctures on tube usually mean a "snake bite" puncture, from too low pressure, tube pinch-trapped between tyre and rim. For example, me and ebike ready to ride is ~110Kg, I inflate rear 40mm Marathon Supreme to at least ~55PSI, front 35mm MS to at least ~58PSI.
 
bazzabear said:
Every time you get a puncture you just buy a new inner tube?

Have you heard of the concept of puncture repair? Taking that approach instead might even have allowed you to spot a pattern regarding the type of puncture and where it's appearing.
Click to expand...
There's nowhere here where you can easily buy kits off the shelf. Decathlons don't sell them neither does any of the local cycle shops. I'm awaiting an AliExpress from China.
In the meantime, I will check the tubes that I have saved for a pattern.
 
UTmaniac said:
I'd start by checking rim tape is covering spoke holes properly.
Then carefully check nothing sharp is puncturing the tyre like a thorn, which then puncture the new tube once inflated. Could used fingers, could use bit of cotton wool, that should cling to anything sharp inside tyre and save any finger pain!
Then check tyre outside to see if it's so worn that you could easily get a new puncture.
Make sure you are inflating tyre to suitable pressure for a tube (not tubeless) setup, depending on tyre width and total weight of you plus the bike (typically ~55% of total weight will be over rear wheel). Double punctures on tube usually mean a "snake bite" puncture, from too low pressure, tube pinch-trapped between tyre and rim. For example, me and ebike ready to ride is ~110Kg, I inflate rear 40mm Marathon Supreme to at least ~55PSI, front 35mm MS to at least ~58PSI.
Click to expand...
One thing I will add - the tyres are pretty flimsy - I can actually remove the tyre and put it back on again without tyre levers. Don't know if that has a bearing... That said, everything was ok until I got my first puncture (6 months or so).
 
That Jekka Gal said:
One thing I will add - the tyres are pretty flimsy - I can actually remove the tyre and put it back on again without tyre levers. Don't know if that has a bearing... That said, everything was ok until I got my first puncture (6 months or so).
Click to expand...
That in itself I wouldn't expect to cause frequent punctures.
 
Also, make sure to check that the valve is actually inserted tightly, I replaced the tubes in my bike after a couple of punctures a month or so back and had the exact same issue with one of them and after removing the wheel and checking the tube for leaks I discovered that the valve was simply a bit loose in the stem, tightened it up and all has been good for weeks now.
 
Dano said:
Also, make sure to check that the valve is actually inserted tightly, I replaced the tubes in my bike after a couple of punctures a month or so back and had the exact same issue with one of them and after removing the wheel and checking the tube for leaks I discovered that the valve was simply a bit loose in the stem, tightened it up and all has been good for weeks now.
Click to expand...
Inner tubes here don't come with a nut to keep the valve stem tight to the rim. Not sure if this would have any effect....
 
Had the same on a bike decades ago, one of the spokes was rubbing against the tube and puncturing it. Trimmed down the protruding spoke and all was well. Writing this now I think we never checked if the wheel had taken a knock big enough to get a spoke in this state. It was a kid's bike so anything is possible.
 
nrh1703 said:
Had the same on a bike decades ago, one of the spokes was rubbing against the tube and puncturing it. Trimmed down the protruding spoke and all was well. Writing this now I think we never checked if the wheel had taken a knock big enough to get a spoke in this state. It was a kid's bike so anything is possible.
Click to expand...
I've checked the 3 punctured tubes and the puncture is the same distance from the valve in all 3 though the rotational position, as it were, is slightly different. 2 are towards the top of the tube, if it were inflated, the other more on the side.

Have thoroughly checked the spokes at that position and there's nothing obvious - the tape looks ok but it's of cheap Chineses variety (like everything on this bike) so may try to get a better replacement - which is much easier said than done round these parts.
 
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That Jekka Gal said:
This has happened 3 times in succession so I'm guessing I haven't ridden over a sharp object and got a puncture that way - the odds of that would be very small.
Click to expand...
Same route?

Its quiet possible if theres glass, thorns etc somewhere on your route its why I switched to Marathon plus tyres when I commuted by bike; it would be more unusual for you to find a road / track that is maintained and regularly swept.


That Jekka Gal said:
Every time I fit the tube, I am very careful to clean inside the tyre - in case there are sharp bits within.
Click to expand...
Did you not find anything at all stuck in the tyre on any of the occasions because that does sound a little odd, its possible you have missed something.


That Jekka Gal said:
what would be the nature of a pinch puncture?
Click to expand...
Its when the inner tube gets caught between the rim and the tyre when you fit it and would normally leave a bigger hole than a pin hole puncture.


That Jekka Gal said:
One thing I will add - the tyres are pretty flimsy
Click to expand...
Depends on your tyre size but maybe buy a more puncture resistant tyre such as Marathon plus (you wont be putting them on without a tyre lever) or get one of those puncture protection inserts that you put inside the tyre they do help a bit but not as good as getting Marathon plus tyres.

There's also that slime stuff that you can put in your tyres as well but I've never tried it.


Do you have a decent pump with gauge to check tyre pressure?
 
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