Unlucky or should I be concerned?

ScottyXTUK

Hi all

I have just bought a new bike, the Cube Agree GTC SL 2012 and with the weather not being too bad today, I decided to take her out for a ride. I'd done about 5 miles and was coming down a steep hill near where I live when bang, I heard a loud pop and realised I had a puncture. I couldn't believe it but fortunately I was about 2 miles from home. However I rode the bike most of the way home and wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do. I had no spares or pumps with me as I was only going on a short ride to test her out.

So I'm now wondering could I have damaged the bike at all? I guess I just panicked as I've never had a blowout before and wanted to get home. Also with this happening on the first ride could there be a problem with the tyres or have I just been unlucky to get my first puncture on my new bike within the first 5 miles of riding?

The last bike I had, a Bianchi lasted me for 3 years and I never once had a puncture so I'm just wondering if there's anything I should be concerned with?

Thanks for any replies.

alihisgreat

Was the tyre damaged?

If it was then look for brake blocks in contact with the tyre.

if not then check the inside of the rim and rim tape etc.

(you also tempted fate by not going out with anything to fix a p*ncture - so its probably your fault )

CiB

You were probably unlucky, but riding a couple of miles on a flat won't have done the wheel much good. That rhythmic bump every 3 yards? That was the valve bashing around inside the valve hole in the rim. Have a look to see how much damage it did, and if the tyres are worn through where the rim was grinding against the road through the thin walls of the tyre. A couple of miles probably didn't do enough to ruin it but it's worth a check.

andy9964

I rode about three miles with a flat front on my MTB, but as I had a new tyre at home, I wasn't bothered if the rim shredded it. As it happened, it didn't, but I wouldn't have used it again incase the sidewall had been compromised.
No damage to the rim either, but a 2.2" tyre provided plenty rubber for it to roll on.
Check the inside of the tyre for any damage or rubber granules, if there's any, replace.

crikey

a) Bikes get punctures.
b) Going out riding without the means to fix said puncture is unwise.
c) It is possible to ride a short distance on a flat tyre if you are VERY VERY CAREFUL.
d) Did you check the tyre pressures on your new bike before you went out?
e) Have you got a track pump?
f) If no to d and e, get a track pump, check your tyre pressures every time you ride, get at least one spare tube, take a pump and/or a CO2 cartridge every time you ride.

peddlingmadness

Does your New cube SL have the Schwable Ultimo Zx's on them? Had mine since November, clocked up over 900 miles and so far had 7 punctures. I carry 2 spare tubes with me but, a few weeks ago had 3 punctures on one ride and had to call the wife for a lift home. I weigh in at 145lbs so pretty light and have upped the tyre pressure to 120psi from 105psi as most of the punctures seem to be caused by pot holes and the inner tubes being pinched by the wheel rather than the tyre being penetrated. I didn't want my tyres to be rock hard as I've suffered from handlebar palsy (pins and needles / numbness) in the past but, its that or changing the tyres. On the upside I can now change a flat and be rolling in less than 5 minutes. best of luck

Anonymous

Just reminded me that when I got my Focus from LeisureLakes, they gave it to me with about 30psi in the tyres!

shmo

Is that the bike equivalent of buying a new car with 5 miles worth of fuel in the tank? Next thing they'll be saving on torques by under tightening the crank bolts.

goonz

peddlingmadness wrote:

Does your New cube SL have the Schwable Ultimo Zx's on them? Had mine since November, clocked up over 900 miles and so far had 7 punctures. I carry 2 spare tubes with me but, a few weeks ago had 3 punctures on one ride and had to call the wife for a lift home. I weigh in at 145lbs so pretty light and have upped the tyre pressure to 120psi from 105psi as most of the punctures seem to be caused by pot holes and the inner tubes being pinched by the wheel rather than the tyre being penetrated. I didn't want my tyres to be rock hard as I've suffered from handlebar palsy (pins and needles / numbness) in the past but, its that or changing the tyres. On the upside I can now change a flat and be rolling in less than 5 minutes. best of luck

If it mainly pinch flats, you might want to check how you fit your tubes back in the tyre? Sounds like you dont quite install them correctly causing so many punctures.

The number you get is just crazy.

fitnesswontlie

ScottyXTUK wrote:

Hi all

I have just bought a new bike, the Cube Agree GTC SL 2012 and with the weather not being too bad today, I decided to take her out for a ride. I'd done about 5 miles and was coming down a steep hill near where I live when bang, I heard a loud pop and realised I had a puncture. I couldn't believe it but fortunately I was about 2 miles from home. However I rode the bike most of the way home and wasn't sure if this was the right thing to do. I had no spares or pumps with me as I was only going on a short ride to test her out.

So I'm now wondering could I have damaged the bike at all? I guess I just panicked as I've never had a blowout before and wanted to get home. Also with this happening on the first ride could there be a problem with the tyres or have I just been unlucky to get my first puncture on my new bike within the first 5 miles of riding?

The last bike I had, a Bianchi lasted me for 3 years and I never once had a puncture so I'm just wondering if there's anything I should be concerned with?

Thanks for any replies.

I'm more surprised you didn't get a single puncture in 3 years on your Bianchi that is some achievement unless you either rode very little or you was riding on tracks. Do you use the same riding route all the time and what tires did you have on your Bianchi because I am sold on them ?

peddlingmadness

goonz wrote:

peddlingmadness wrote:

Does your New cube SL have the Schwable Ultimo Zx's on them? Had mine since November, clocked up over 900 miles and so far had 7 punctures. I carry 2 spare tubes with me but, a few weeks ago had 3 punctures on one ride and had to call the wife for a lift home. I weigh in at 145lbs so pretty light and have upped the tyre pressure to 120psi from 105psi as most of the punctures seem to be caused by pot holes and the inner tubes being pinched by the wheel rather than the tyre being penetrated. I didn't want my tyres to be rock hard as I've suffered from handlebar palsy (pins and needles / numbness) in the past but, its that or changing the tyres. On the upside I can now change a flat and be rolling in less than 5 minutes. best of luck

If it mainly pinch flats, you might want to check how you fit your tubes back in the tyre? Sounds like you dont quite install them correctly causing so many punctures.

The number you get is just crazy.

Hi M8

Nothing special, I check the tyre both visually and then run my fingers around the inside checking for any foreign objects. I then pump a small amount of air into a new tube so its no longer flat, then starting at the valve I feed the tube into the tyre, I then run my fingers around the rim to feel its in the middle before putting the tyre on, again starting at the valve and using the palms of my hands to push the tyre onto the rim using no tools. Then I pump it to correct pressure or as near to it as possible if I'm on the road. If there's anything I'm missing I'm not to cocksure to learn from others (anything to save roadside repairs is helpful) All the best

ScottyXTUK

Hi guys


Thanks for the replies, I'm just about to attempt to fix the puncture, first time ever so I'm trying to read up on internet as to what to do lol.

The thing I have noticed tho is that the front brake blocks seems to overlap slightly onto the actual tyre itself. The ones on the back definately touch only the rim and as it was the front that blew could this be the reasom? ie the brake blocks touching the tyre? I was going quite fast downhill and applying the brakes when the bang on the front wheel happened.

Just looked at the spec on the tyres and indded they are Schwalbe:

Tyres Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 23x622

To the guy asking about the Bianchi, the tyres were: Front Tyre: Vittoria Zaffiro 700 × 23c

I didn't ride it a lot compared to most people, I used it for 5 months a year to cycle to work in the summer, about 10 miles round trip 4 days a week. I also did a few weekend rodes on it but nothing exceeding 50 miles.

I'm really nervous now about sorting the puncture out, if I do it wrong or something and I'm concerned about the tyre popping again especially as I live in a very hilly area. I will be so nervous when I ride next, the bang really startled me and I've never experienced something like this before.

CiB

Hold the bike still and apply the brakes. Do they line up with the braking surface on the rim or do they touch the tyre? It just needs an Allen key to slacken them off to put them in the right place. 5 minute job.

smoggysteve

Said this before in here, Ultremos need to be pumped up at least to 110psi especially the 23s. I have had 1 puncture in nearly a year now on them in all weather conditions. If you buy them and think thats too hard, you bought the wrong tyre. They are performance tyres and not comfort ones.

To the OP, if thats what blew your tyre, bin it, the walls will be weakened now and unusable.

EDIT - One last thing, if you own a bike get used to knowing how to maintain it yourself properly, from reaparing punctures to cleaning and lubing the running gear. If you do not look after it, it will run like sh@t and you will bring it to a premature end. These things are not hard, dirty maybe but anyone who rides a road bike should know how to keep it roadworthy.

ScottyXTUK

Hi CiB

No they don't line up, it's quite clear the blocks touch the tyre. I have now removed the wheel and taken the tyre off, there is a tear in the side of the tyre and also a tear in the corresponding part of the inner tube. I'm beginning to think now that it was the brake block on the front left side touching the tyre that caused the tyre to pop as I was going downhill and braking a lot, do you think this could be it?

I can't see any glass or sharp objects inside the tyre. I never thought to check the blocks, the bike is new and I thought the bike shop had checked it over before it got delivered. I suppose things might have been knocked etc during delivery so maybe that's what happened?

So there is a slit in the left side of the tyre about an inch long. Does this mean I will have to buy a new tyre now as well?

smoggysteve

Yes, NEVER use a tyre with a damaged sidewall. On any type of vehicle

goonz

ScottyXTUK wrote:

Hi CiB

No they don't line up, it's quite clear the blocks touch the tyre. I have now removed the wheel and taken the tyre off, there is a tear in the side of the tyre and also a tear in the corresponding part of the inner tube. I'm beginning to think now that it was the brake block on the front left side touching the tyre that caused the tyre to pop as I was going downhill and braking a lot, do you think this could be it?

I can't see any glass or sharp objects inside the tyre. I never thought to check the blocks, the bike is new and I thought the bike shop had checked it over before it got delivered. I suppose things might have been knocked etc during delivery so maybe that's what happened?

So there is a slit in the left side of the tyre about an inch long. Does this mean I will have to buy a new tyre now as well?

Yes throw all that away and fit a new tube and tyre. And heed the advice from smoggy, learn to maintain your bike, you will save a fortune and will feel satisfied once done. You would have also spotted your brakes dont fit properly and could have adjusted them.

ScottyXTUK

Ah well lesson learned, new tyre will be £30. I feel better knowing that it looks like the brake block was the culprit and it's not a problem with the actual tyres. I will always check stuff now before I set off and have spares and pump with me in future.

At least I am getting some practice on fixing a flat tyre

smoggysteve

http://www.bike24.de/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,4,22,35;product=17834

Save yourself a few quid if you are after the same tyre again