Plagued by punctures

Sprool
Sprool Posts: 1,022
edited July 2013 in Workshop
I've had a shocking run of punctures over the last 3 or 4 days, all seem to be rim-side, on the inside, I've checked for sharp bits, bits of glass, everything I can think of but my tubes are lasting a day, then on the next ride i get an inner puncture again - just a small hole, no rip or tear. Ive put new ritchey rim tape in to no avail. This is on front and back wheels. The wheels are cheap Omega 32 & 36-spoke from a french company. (Tru-build?). The only thing I can think of is the spoke nipple holes have pretty sharp edges. Could the pressure from the inner tube be forcing rubber through the rim tape and onto the hole edges?
Could the rim tape be stretching or riding out of the way exposing the sharp hole edges?
Is it anything to do with the hot weather?
This is really doing my head in - 6 tubes punctured in 4 rides.
Any ideas?

Comments

  • dnwhite88
    dnwhite88 Posts: 285
    Sounds like I may be time for some new tyres?
    "It never gets easier, you just go faster"
  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    No, they are Conti 4000s 25's with about 300 miles in them. I changed from the original ultras cos I thought that was the reason for all the punctures I had a few months beforehand. Anyway, the punctures are on the inside, not the outside.
  • halfround
    halfround Posts: 44
    Have you ruled out pinch flats??
  • Sprool
    Sprool Posts: 1,022
    No I havent, but I'm keeping pressures at 100psi on 25's, there are a lot of potholes on the roads round here, but I'm -getting 10x more punctures than any of the other guys i cycle with. I still suspect the sharp spoke holes in the rim...
    If you get a pinch puncture isn't it 2 small holes parallel to the rims? I'm getting a single small hole in the middle, on the inside.
  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Take the tape out and closely examine the rim. If you see or feel any burrs on the spoke hole, dress them off with a needle file or a piece of wet'n'dry.

    The other thing it might be is the tape is not wide enough, but that tends to yield larger holes with a 'burst' characteristic, not the small ones you describe.
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  • halfround
    halfround Posts: 44
    Yes normal to get two holes but you can get one. If the tubes are100 psi it would require a hit you would remember.
    Clean up the spoke holes you can scrap the burrs of with a stanley blade. Thick cloth stick on rim tape may be a good idea.
  • Mindermast
    Mindermast Posts: 124
    If the punctures are caused by the sharp edges of the spoke nipple holes, there should be damage, or at least traces, on the rim tape as well. You should also try to check, where on the rim the punctures happen.
  • dowtcha
    dowtcha Posts: 442
    Remove the tube from the rim but leave the valve in. Pump up the tube and find the puncture and check were the hole is against the tyre and rim and see if you can find something that may becausing it.

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