Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the new May's Giveaway: coming soon!


Tubes Flat on Inside Radius
#1
I recently had a problem with a couple of tubes that went flat, but not from punctures. Both tubes appeared to have tears in them on the inside radius next to, and parallel to some mold flashing. The tears are about 1mm long. They were both mounted on the front wheel of my mountain bike.

The proximity of the tears to the mold flashing makes me suspect the quality control by the tube manufacturer. The fact that they were both on the same wheel makes me suspect the wheel. The wheel had rim tape that was a rather flimsy piece of rubber that looked like it could easily be pushed out of position and allowing the tube to expand into one of the spoke nipple holes, resulting in the tears that I have observed. Based on this theory I have replaced the rim tape with a Velox cloth tape.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with tubes getting flats on the inside radius of the tube? I apologize for the long post, but this has been a really vexing problem.
  Reply
#2
Yes, this is quite common. Usually either from rim tape that moves around or is too thin. Also can be caused by rough spots on the interior of the rim surface, sharp edge on the valve stem hole, etc. It's often helpful to pay attention to where the hole in the tube was in relation to the wheel. That will help you find the spoke that's not fully covered, the thorn in your tire, etc.
Faulty tubes exist, but are very rare.
  Reply
#3
Be safe and replace the rim tape with a quality cloth tape, just make sure the tape you select will fit your rim. While your replacing the rim tape check the rim for rough spots that could flatten a tire, but I don't think that's your problem.
Wag more, bark less
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
Lightbulb
5,884
02-29-2024, 07:11 PM
Last Post: Talha
Smile
4,986
05-11-2022, 07:09 AM
Last Post: Criminal
 
10,458
02-02-2017, 06:16 PM
Last Post: GeorgeET
 
26,324
12-25-2015, 02:33 PM
Last Post: bobtravers
 
14,779
01-13-2015, 05:28 AM
Last Post: benj
 
12,732
11-17-2014, 11:27 AM
Last Post: cny-man
 
5,185
10-19-2014, 07:44 PM
Last Post: nfmisso

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Gu/SiS/Energy Gels replacement
Yesterday 03:37 PM
Third best reason to ride a bent or trik...
Yesterday 10:24 AM
The great thing about trikes
Yesterday 10:15 AM
I rode on the Pirelli GT Urban tires tod...
05-11-2025 10:29 PM
Dropper Post: Pros and Cons
05-11-2025 10:25 PM
Injury Recovery
05-11-2025 03:25 PM
Wearable Fitness Trackers
05-10-2025 01:24 PM
First Metric Century
05-10-2025 12:31 PM
Ride and Remember
05-09-2025 08:52 PM
Front derailer not moving
05-09-2025 08:49 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Painkiller
21 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
18 posts
no avatar 3. SPINMAN
14 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
12 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
12 posts