Self-p*ncturing tyres

Hot Orange

Over the last few weeks, I've suffered a spate of extremely annoying slow p*nctures. It's been a bit of a mystery to me, as the tyre exterior is unblemished (I'm running Conti GP 4 Seasons). I thought they might be pinch flats, so I've kept the pressures up to the maximum and have checked and checked again that the tubes haven't been caught during installation.

While sorting out the latest flat today, I noticed that the hole was in exactly the same place in relation to the valve as the previous one. Checking the tyre, I saw that there appears to be slight cut to the interior wall of the tyre, through which you can just see some of the tyre's inner workings. It doesn't feel sharp to the touch, but there is a definite protrusion.

So, a few questions: Could this be causing my flats? From the position, it would seem to be the obvious candidate. But how could it happen? How does the interior of the tyre get damaged? And most importantly, could I get away with patching the interior wall of the tyre to cover the protrusion and bring to an end the constant p*ncturing? I've got a 400 mile coast to coast next week that I'd like to take on with some faith in my tyres. Cheers.

asprilla

When you find out, please tell me because I'm having exactly the same problem with my SS (even down to the tyres).

UndercoverElephant

Sounds likely you have a bit of glass thoroughly embedded in your tyre. Turn it inside out and push from the outside until you see the offender.

itboffin

When you take your tube out of the tyre is the hole in the same place?

Initialised

I had this a while back, it turned out to be a small piece of metal wire, no sign on the outside or inside when the tyre was off while replacing/repairing the tube. After three punctures in the same place I had a closer look and found it.

t4tomo

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Sounds likely you have a bit of glass thoroughly embedded in your tyre. Turn it inside out and push from the outside until you see the offender.

^^^^ this. Glass can hide in the tyre and only visible under a bit do pressure

Hot Orange

Thanks for the advice, all. I'll have a closer look inside the cut today.

negativelycra

I had this. I ended up changing the tyre, but a preglued patch on the inside of the tyre itself stops the tyre eating our tube, as long as it's a cut not glass or metal stuck in the tyre.

asprilla

Sorted mine out; rim tape was off centre.

itboffin

My vittoria evo CX rear is done, picked up another slow puncture this afternoon, but in true form I put a TT inner tube and a tyre liner in place, hey why not. Once more visit from the PF and they're gone so nothing to lose.

Hot Orange

I didn't find anything on closer inspection of the cut, so I put a patch on the inside of the tyre and so far it's holding up (touches lots of wood). I have bought another set of tyres, though, and if/when the problem recurs, the tyre's heading for the bin.