Blown tubes
travelinhobo
Posts: 10
in Workshop
I walked into a local bike shop yesterday to, yet again, be approached by a young kid with minimal experience (apparently this is the direction shops are going now), so I'm going to post my questions here. If you can help me out with advice or knowledge, thanks.
I've had my current bike 3 years. Bought it used and after I fixed it up and changed the rims on it, it began blowing tubes on me. For at least a solid year I spent at least $200 buying tube replacements at Wallyworld (Bell tubes). I assumed the problem was the spoke heads as the rims were used and some of the nipple heads were broken or rough. Also, the set of rims on the bike had a weird curvature/shape inside. The tubes would blow when I parked it in the sun and most commonly they seemed to pop near the air valve. It got to the point where I would let some air escape from the valves when it had to sit in the sun, and then add air before taking off.
About a year later I replaced both rims with another set of used rims simply because I was sick of the expense and time in changing out blown tubes. I thought the problem would be solved, but it happened another time or two. Then a guy who lives on his bike told me the problem was that the tubes weren't able to move and talcom/baby powder would resolve the problem. (We also agreed that the Bell tubes must be weaker/inferior and I stopped buying them.) I did exactly as he suggested and the blows subsided... for a few months. But then they started up again, tho not as often. It's now almost 1.5 years later and this problem persists - blown tubes when the tires are left in direct sunlight, but never while in motion. The front rim was replaced again 3 months ago by an experienced mechanic. Replaced rim is brand new. Blown tube the other day.
One other thing to know...at some point, at least a year ago, I began making tire liners out of wasted tubes. Because their thickness is about double of a bike shop liner, I usually have 2 liners in - either the shop liner + homemade, or 2 homemade (in which case I decrease the air pressure a bit). This has helped a lot as well. However, if there's only one liner in (now that I think about it), it blows.
Why am I having this problem?? I've owned other bikes and never had this occur. I've had 2 blown tubes in the last month (one in each rim, at least one was a Continental tube) and I'm now back to letting air out when the bike has to sit in the sun (I don't over inflate the tires.) I truly believe my bike is possessed!
I've had my current bike 3 years. Bought it used and after I fixed it up and changed the rims on it, it began blowing tubes on me. For at least a solid year I spent at least $200 buying tube replacements at Wallyworld (Bell tubes). I assumed the problem was the spoke heads as the rims were used and some of the nipple heads were broken or rough. Also, the set of rims on the bike had a weird curvature/shape inside. The tubes would blow when I parked it in the sun and most commonly they seemed to pop near the air valve. It got to the point where I would let some air escape from the valves when it had to sit in the sun, and then add air before taking off.
About a year later I replaced both rims with another set of used rims simply because I was sick of the expense and time in changing out blown tubes. I thought the problem would be solved, but it happened another time or two. Then a guy who lives on his bike told me the problem was that the tubes weren't able to move and talcom/baby powder would resolve the problem. (We also agreed that the Bell tubes must be weaker/inferior and I stopped buying them.) I did exactly as he suggested and the blows subsided... for a few months. But then they started up again, tho not as often. It's now almost 1.5 years later and this problem persists - blown tubes when the tires are left in direct sunlight, but never while in motion. The front rim was replaced again 3 months ago by an experienced mechanic. Replaced rim is brand new. Blown tube the other day.
One other thing to know...at some point, at least a year ago, I began making tire liners out of wasted tubes. Because their thickness is about double of a bike shop liner, I usually have 2 liners in - either the shop liner + homemade, or 2 homemade (in which case I decrease the air pressure a bit). This has helped a lot as well. However, if there's only one liner in (now that I think about it), it blows.
Why am I having this problem?? I've owned other bikes and never had this occur. I've had 2 blown tubes in the last month (one in each rim, at least one was a Continental tube) and I'm now back to letting air out when the bike has to sit in the sun (I don't over inflate the tires.) I truly believe my bike is possessed!
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In order to get a better understanding of the situation:
As above and
You say the blow-outs always appear to be near the valve, are they on the inside or outside or side of the inner tube?
Do both wheels have this problem or just one?
What sizes of wheel/tyre/tube are you using?
Where in the world are you?
What’s the ambient temperature? (shade and full sun)
What are the humidity levels?
What do you inflate your tyres with (air/CO2/gas) pump/compressor?
That’ll do to be going on with, thanks
I take it you are using rim tape?
re the children in bike shops, I know exactly what you mean. the only qualification seems to be their Dad knows the owner or tattoos or both.
if LBS want to compete with internet product sales their service will increasingly need to be value add or what's the point.
get some competent people employed, put up the prices (though the service costs seem exorbitant sometimes anyway) and build a reputation.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
Yes, I know. But if they're rough or sharp and the rim tape is too thin, then obviously after some time they'll be the cause for a tube blowing due to rough rubbing against it. In addition, every blown tube has the ripped portion right where the indentation of a pair of nipple heads were. Hope that makes sense.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
can you explain please for those of us on this side of the pond.
Thank you
is that about right?
From what I can gleam of your situation @travelinhobo I would be taking a close look at your rims, both exposed metal and rim tape quality, colour and material, anything that can stretch is not good in your environment. If you do have any spoke nipple burs or sharp edges I’d remove those just to be on the safe side, an inner tube under pressure will find its way into any available space.
Perhaps consider a lower tyre pressure until you have identified the culprit, especially in the front as it carries less load therefore doesn’t need to be at the same level as the rear.
If you have/can borrow a tyre pressure gauge, it may well be worthwhile actually measuring the pressures reached after being left in the full sun for a period of time
I certainly envy you travelinhobo having this type of a problem, as it sounds heat related. I know there are a lot colder places than the UK but it’s cold and wet enough for me right now and I’d love a heat problem
Thanks for all the input! Be safe.
no one is going to get censored, its all interesting discussion to be fair.
Whats NWO and whats really going on?
The leaders were Hulk Hogan, himself a comedy turn but who used Voodoo Chile as his entrance music whilst in the NWO, Kevin heart was the other top dude.Rick Rude and Randy Savage were in it and some others. It was probs twenty years ago now
Who knows what's really going on?
New World Order
Good to know for if I am ever allowed to take my bike somewhere hot - plastic rim tape extrudes in the (extreme) heat.
"Goat heads" - aka "tackweed".
I once cycled over a tiny branch blown across a road in central Washington. Instantaneous multiple puncture of both front and rear tyres.