Ask a possibly stupid question (about a 'flat' tyre)...

dj_uhu
dj_uhu Posts: 3
edited May 2008 in Workshop
At the weekend, I decided to dust off my road bike (inexcusably neglected for 2 years since I purchased an MTB), and managed to snap the valve of my front inner tube whilst inflating. After wrestling with the tyre for an hour (Specialised Turbo Sport (Armadillo?) 700x23, which had been on the Alex rims for about 5 years without ever having had cause to be taken off) with proper Park Tool levers, I finally managed to fit another tube and re-inflate the tyre.

I then went for a 15 mile ride with no problems, and watched some cricket for an hour. I checked the tyres before I set off, only to find that the front tyre was completely flat. I inflated it again, and cycled the 15 miles home, again with no incident (apart from hill-induced perspiration...). When I returned home, the tyre was still fully inflated, yet half an hour later it was completely flat again.

I am certain that there is a very simple explanation for this phenomenon, but I can't quite understand myself, and am slightly loathe to remove the tyre again if I don't absolutely need to. Any ideas? Maybe something to do with the sitting of the tyre bead or even tube that is somehow alleviated by riding on it?

Comments

  • XTCRider
    XTCRider Posts: 113
    Are the inner tubes puncturing on the inside as the rim tape may need replacing or is not in properly and the spoke holes puncturing tubes as your riding
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  • HungryCol
    HungryCol Posts: 532
    Tis a bit of a puzzler. Are you screwing the valve screewy thing back down after you pump it back up?
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  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    If you've never had to change a tyre before, is it possible that the tubs you had spare had gone brittle or degraded in some way?
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  • davelakers
    davelakers Posts: 762
    Do you have any flat mates who are taling the piss?
  • dj_uhu
    dj_uhu Posts: 3
    If you've never had to change a tyre before, is it possible that the tubs you had spare had gone brittle or degraded in some way?

    Are the inner tubes puncturing on the inside as the rim tape may need replacing or is not in properly and the spoke holes puncturing tubes as your riding

    I suppose either of these are possible, but would they explain why the tyre stayed fully inflated all the way home after the initial deflation?

    With regard to the reply about the valve, it's a smooth threadless one, so the little nut isn't the issue!

    Whatever it is, it's definitely the weirdest puncture I've ever had! And no, my wife isn't responsible!
  • cyclingfury
    cyclingfury Posts: 676
    I had a strange puncture like this years ago. I eventually discovered a small slit in the tube that stayed closed when the bike was upright, but when I left it leaning against something (usually after a ride) this small slit opened up and let the air out.
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