Flat Tire Repair - Constant Punctures on My Rear Wheel

RE: Constant Punctures

When living in Denver I discovered that in one particular part of the City where there were some off-road trails there was a certain type of shrub that dropped long thorns at certain times of year. It caused such a problem that the bike shop in the neighborhood removed the tubes from all there new bikes and replaced them with thorn resistant tubes when building their bikes. Point being, there might be a very localized situation that is causing your flats that you and the shop may be overlooking. Take a look at the surface where you're riding. Anything like this going on??

#1 - matt

Constant Punctures

I also had a Giant OCR C2 and had the same problem. I went through a few tubes before I figured out the rim strip wasn't doing it's job. It was a plastic rim strip that would move and allow the tube to expand down into one of the holes for the spoke. I got rid of those strips and replaced them with one of the adhesive backed cloth strips. That took care of the problem.

#2 - Brian

Sounds Like the Rim Is the Problem

You don't say if the bike is new or not. However, I suspect a problem with the rim (the wheel), since new tires and puncture strips have not resolved the problem. Heavier duty tires are not necessarily the answer, nor were the puncture liners.

It would help to know what kind of wheels you are using. If it is a wheel that has spokes that can penetrate the inside of the rim, then check to see if a spoke is poking into the rim too deeply.

A rough edge on the inside of the rim could also be causing a flat. This should be checked.

Tire air pressure should be checked before each ride and tires pumped up to the proper limit for the tire and for your weight and the things that you carry on your bike.

If these really are punctures, they may be caused by glass slivers, thorns, nails, bits of wire or other small sharp objects. Perhaps you need to change your bicycling route. When the tube is repaired, remember to remove the pointy thing from the tire that caused the puncture flat. You may have to gently run your bare hand over the tire to find the object that caused the flat--be careful!

You can get pinch cuts from hitting rocks, curbs, or sharp edges of holes in the road surface. Look for two small holes in the tube, as that is a sign of a pinch cut. The impact that causes a pinch cut can also make a dent or a "blip" in your rim, which can cause future flats.

Bottom line from what you've said: the rim is at fault.

#3 - Cory Phaeus

I am 6'3" and 250 pounds, ride a Cannondale R4000 and had a terrible time with flats. I started checking tire pressure every time I rode and keep the tires on the high side of the spectrum which solved or at least slowed down my problem.

I ride about 6000 miles a year and this year so far only two flats....

Hope this helps.....be safe riding...

Ted

#4 - Ted Dellas

Look for a pattern

Make sure that the liners are not bent or crumpled in any area, if you get punctured by the valve loosen the washier, don’t ride to close to the curve or you end up in the debris, and don’t forget your ABC’s, Air Brakes and Chain. Good luck.

#5 - Eric Garcia

Rim tape wide enough?

Sometimes the rims are too wide for the rim tape and the tape moves leaving a bit of the spoke holes bare. The spoke hole is sharp and punctures the tyre. I had this with a pair of Shimano WH550 wheels and it took me ages to work it out, sometimes I'd get several two or three punctures on a two hour ride. Get wide rim tape that won't move from side to side, or get sticky rim tape and ensure that the holes are fully covered.

#6 - Duncan Mullier

Is your ride on the same route all the time? There are specific spots on my regular commute that seem to be magnets for tire-busters, such as that channel beside a speed bump that I am trying to avoid. I had three flats in a row on my regular commute, and one was because I had not dug all the glass out of the tire lining before remounting the tire. I spend an inordinate amount of time squeezing the bead in on both sides because the SAG guys on century taught me that a pinch flat immediately after a remounting can be very discouraging. This may not apply to your situation, but it may help someone else who feels picked-on in the realm of tire karma.

#7 - Clinton Slayton

Feeling Deflated?

I had similar issues until I switched to Continental Ultra Gator's.

#8 - Alan Tolkoff

Mr

I wish I had 40 miles betweem flats....I have liners and a heavy duty tube...and enough air pressure.

I recently put an order in for some airless tires. I had them once on a road bike, they handled a little rough, so I went with a softer version on my comfort bike.
If asked, I will let you all know how it turns out....in late December - because of the 8 week lead time on the tires.
John

#9 - John Cichon

re: Constant Punctures

I have had much better success with Specialized Armadillo tires than any other brand, including other kevlar flat resistant tires.

#10 - kelvin ishigo

Tire Liner Causing Punctures

I kept getting punctures on a new bike and finally figured out it was actually the tire liner. The plastic tire liner had sharp corners on the cut ends that were wearing holes in the tube. I recut the liner corners and filed them smooth with a nail file and voila, no more punctures. I sent a note to the liner manufacturer about this, I never received a response.

#11 - Ernie

Punctures with OCR2

Hi Debbie. I also have a GIANT OCR but I suppose my puncture rate is no more than average. I use MICHELIN LITHION (with not particularly special inner tubes)on Mavic Aksium rims and on another set of wheels I have HUTCHINSON FUSION tyres (I think these are Kevlar reinforced). In both cases the tyre width is 23mm and for normal use, pressure is 7 bar (around 100psi) although on occasions for riding sportives for example, I will take the pressures up to 8 bar (115psi). I certainly don't experience any adverse handling characteristics with the rear of the bike - quite the contrary, this bike is one of the most responsive and stable I have ever ridden.
I can only otherwise reinforce the above comments regarding protruding spokes and bad road surfaces with a lot of debris.
I hope you can resolve your problem very soon and be able to enjoy your OCR.
Ciao! jez

#12 - Jez

Top Banana

When you get a flat, pull the tube out of the tire, But leaving the valve stem in the rim. Put enough air in the tube to find the hole and then mark it. Deflate the tube and lay it on the tire and rim in the original area it was before you took it out. Find your mark on the tube and determine if the hole is on the top, side or bottom of the tube and then go to the spot under it on the tire and rim and inspect that area very closely. Using this technique you should be able to narrow down the area on the rim and or tire to about a square inch that caused the whole. This makes it much easier to determine the real cause of the flat.

#13 - Dan Brown

Constant Punctures

Hi Debbie...

The solution is simple!!! Purchase two, BONTRAGER Race Lite Hardcase tires and roll on. I've use these tires exclusively for training rides and they have never let me down...never!!! Now that I've said it, I expect I'll flat tomorrow!!

Seriously, BONTRAGER Race Lite Hardcase tires will do the trick for you.

Take care...

Respectfully,

Mark G. LORD

#14 - Mark G. LORD

Hi Debbie,

I can sympathise very much with your experience, I've had a dreadful time with punctures, at one stage 8 in 10 days, all on the rear wheel. In the end Halfords, where I bought the bike, replaced the entire back wheel, so there must have been an internal problem with the rim, because they could not find any penetration through the tyre itself?

#15 - Keiron

Same bike, Same issue

I have the OCR2 and had CONSTANT rear flats..I REMOVED the tire liner because it was useless, replaced the rim tape and now use BONTRAGER Race Lite Hardcase tires also. Been many hundreds of miles with 0 flats. This is from a guy that weighs 240 lbs, and I doubt you're even close to my weight.

#16 - Randy, aka THE RED HULK

Mr

Sounds like a rim or rim tape problem to me, but do be careful not to pinch the inner tube when you're changing the tube. It's really easy to do, especially if you have to use tyre levers to get the tyre back on.

#17 - Huw James

punctures

I use Schwalbe Marathon tires that have a kevlar layer. Lots of success in puncture free miles. But I also use my thumb or palm with my riding glove for the front and the edge of my shoe for the rear to periodically clear the surface of my tires. It doesn't hurt and ficks off the glass shards etc. Any time you are at a red light, dismount and spin the wheels and brush the shards off with your gloved hand. While you are riding, if you have no mud guards, a light touch with your thumb or glove will also do wonders.

#18 - Michael Johnston

Rim Strips

The problem has gotta be the rim strips or at least a combination of rim strips and pressure. Make sure you get the cloth adhesive rim strips that won't move and expose the spoke holes, and use the highest recommended pressure of your tire manufacturer, if you can find a higher pressure tire, that might even help. But I used to have then same issue, my tires would go flat by themselves in the other room, and since I've always changed the rim strips when I bought new wheels. Never had the same issue again, those plastic rim strips suck.

#19 - shawn

MR

That is real. I once bought a brand new bike that was mounted in the factory without rim tape in the wheels.
That is not a joke, at least for me, that discovered the fact in the middle of a trail and not many people carry rim tapes in their outings.

#20 - Manoel Camargo

Constant punctures

Hi Debbie,

With the info you provided, I would assume that the OCR you have was bought built-up already. I do not think that the Giant frame has something to do with the punctures. However, I will zero-in my discussion on the wheelset, the tires, tubes and rim tape.

Please check the rim if it has sharp edges protruding the rim tape that may puncture the tube. I have seen low quality rims with sharp edges. Also check the inside surface of the tire if some sharp objects are stuck in it. If you are riding on rough pavement, or if you are on the heavy side, then choose a wider tire size or tires with puncture-resistant layers. 700x20c may not be a good idea. Always inflate the tires to the recommended tire pressure (about 100psi). Lower tire pressure is more prone to punctures. Choose a rim tape narrower than your rim. it may move in the long run. fabric adhesive rim tapes are great but you have to take good care of it as it becomes brittle and disintegrates after a while.

#21 - NIck

Constant Punctures

I used to have a puncture almost every other month, until i changed from tubular tire to clinchers. Happy puncture-free cycling everafter

The photograph shows a clincher tire

"Top Banana's comments" most likely to be right about the trouble-shooting methods to avoid further tire-punctures agony

Another problem with clincher tire is that an oversized/stretched tube being fitted and got crimped inside the tyre

#22 - Lee Joo Mong

Constant Punctures

Debbie;
I had a very similar problem last summer on my new Cannondale Synapse. The first two weeks of riding I had 5 flat tires, front tire only, and went through two inner tubes. The tubes were Maxxis Fly Weight, 700c. I switched the inner tube to Continental Race 700 and no more flat tires.

Regards,
Gary

#23 - Gary

Avoiding Flats

You didn't mention what type of hole is being found in the inner tube. If it is 2 holes in one location, then's it's snake bite. Clearly a symptom of not enough air pressure. Check the tire pressure before every ride. If it's just one hole at a time then have the tire and wheel dismantled to see if the location of the hole can be lined up with the point on the rim. Check the area for any foreign object or sharp area. Here's my favourite trick....
1. Get a good quality rim strip and
2. Use lots of talcum powder (or baby powder)and ensure the inner tube and inside tire casing are coated completely, then reassemble. If the inner tube is sticking to the inside of the tire casing the chances of flating just seem to go up.
3. Run with good pressure all the time.

#24 - Andy Palermo

Hi.

It does sound like a rim issue. When going with entry level rims they don't tend to be as well machined, etc. Having had this issue myself..... I resolved it with rim tape and a rubber rim strip over the rim tape (makes for a heavier wheel, but I don't know that many people that can tell the difference in a few ounces. Sounds like your getting the puncture from the spoke or possibly the nipple. Likewise, have the spoke tensions checked. I know it sounds crazy, but if the tension is too loose on a few spokes... a good bounce can push the nipple, etc into the tube (rim tape won't save it). If that doesn't work, I would upgrade the rims to Velocity Arrowheads or Mavic Open Pro's. Before doing any of this I would mark the location of the hole and see if it's facing away from the nipple or toward the nipple..(Away from the nipple = tire or road... toward the the nipple side of the tube = rim). Usually tire strips are adequate for tire punctures from thorns but if worse comes to worse I guess you could get Slime for the tires and make it into a snot rocket. However, the tire is pretty entry level. Hutchinson makes better tires (which could be the problem). Me... I usually go with Michelin Lithion, which a very good, or Panaracer T-Serve (I suggest 25c) for my work bike. Good Luck... Personally, I think if you throw a thick rim rubber rim strip over your rim tape you should be alright.

#25 - Patrick

constant Flats

Here in Scottsdale, Az. we use 'goop' inside the tubes (inserted thru the valve stem). It looks like Elmer's glue, and seals the holes causing the flat.

#26 - Frank Keeley

flats

Hi-over the years we,ve had rim liners from tape, rubber or plastic and even cloth.If the flat is repeatedly on the underside of the tube and no sign of spoke penetrating through,I would strongly suggest that you switch to regular tubes and put aside the lightweight racing tubes for racing day cause that's why they're so very light and thin and not for everyday use.Otherwise, try a different store ,sometimes they might have gotten a batch of defective tubes and are not willing to take them off the shelf until they are all gone.Finally, it has been mentioned befor, locate the spot of the flat on your tire and check the spot for anr particle that might have penetrated from the outside, you'll be surprised how small a thorn or glass or pin can hide in the rubber so well ...

#27 - emil

Flats

I've had as many as 25 flats in a year (they gave up sweeping streets years ago here). I used to use liners, but I found that from time to time a liner itself would cause a flat by pinching the tube. For years, I used Continental Gatorskins, tough tires. But when they do go flat (everything does eventually), they are difficult to replace on the wheel. For the past year and a half, I've gone to Bontrager Race Lite tires inflated to 110 psi (about 10 psi under the label) on advice of my mechanic. I have had but two flats -- which is awfully good in this area -- and one of those was because I rode the tire to death (it started shredding at about 3,500 miles).

#28 - i.b.frank

Flats

This is the expensive solution. I purchased the Shimano tubless rims and Huthinson Fussion Tubless tires. The set up includes the sealant. You can run these at 85 psi. I have 1,000 miles so far and no flats. I used to average 2 flats per month while riding about 500 miles per month. Not cheap but very reliable.

#29 - Dick Caley

puncture strips

I ride a marin san rafael and fitted puncture prevention strips from Halfords.
While riding to work along country roads I suffered a puncture after 5 miles I changed the tube and cotinued after 12 miles I had another puncture . Looking at the tube it showed splits 60 to 80 mm long I think the tube was cut by the puncture proof strips

#30 - Keith Gray

OCR2

Hi, all I can say is that I purchased an OCR2, I trained on it and did around 2000 miles in the first year, i then rode from london to paris the following year, and did the same ride,then sold the bike to a buddy who did the same ride and between us we only had two flats! so about 6000 miles and three trips through france to paris

#31 - martin Greene

I ride a Giant SCR3 with 700X23c Kevlar tires.
I've had two punctures in less than forty miles with these tires. The amount of broken glass on our meager bike paths is serious and with Autumn leaves the glass is often covered. I've discovered that having the necessary equipment to replace tubes on the road is the only remedy for not having to carry your bike home.

#32 - Eric

Giant Stileto; Magnum 3.0 road tyres, slime!

I'm a cruiser nut, and hate punctures. Hence, way back when I was a kid and had my first BMX the first thing I did with it was inject slime into the tubes. I've done this to every single bike I've ever had since, and to this day (twenty eight years of riding) I've yet to suffer an on-the-road puncture. Offroad is a different kettle of fish...

#33 - The Lost Packet

Flat Tire Repair - Constant Punctures on My Rear Wheel

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