I keep popping my rear tire....?

[DonKahones]

Hi there everyone,

I'm pretty new to riding and the last two times I rode I ended up popping my rear tires. These were two different tires with two different tubes. Both on the same rim.

I was ride trails and doing some small hill climbs. Tires did not show evidence of being punctured and the only signs of tube damage was by the stem where it ripped, but this could have also been caused after the tire was flat, right?

Is there something I may be doing wrong that would cause me to keep popping my tires?

[KJ55]

You're probably puncturing your tube when you're installing the tube. Are you using tire spoons?

[MNkayaker]

Take out the stupid rubber band rim stip and replace it with 2 layers of 1" wide gorilla tape. If you didn't rip out the valve stem, over inflate your inner tube and find where the hole is, that will give you a clue as to what caused the flat.

[ickfinger]

If you have a persistant problem with the valve stem ripping, dont run the nut on the stem tight. This will allow it to slip a little before it rips

[DonKahones]

It was installed by a friend using spoons. Pretty sure he knows what he is doing.

Haven't had a chance to check out this latest tube yet. I will see if I can find anything suspicious.

[Rooster72]

What psi are you at? Buy a HD tube next time bump, it up a couple psi and make sure the locks are tight. I agree with the gorilla tape remedy too. All else fails and i know everyone is going to disagree, squirt in some green slime.... OK I said it!!

[Rooster72]

I just noticed you live in Hawaii, maybe it's the extra heat from riding over lava flows?..... Just messing with ya!!

[daleCarlsbad]

Install a good tube, ensuring the valve stem is straight up, and fill with air until the tire bead fully seats (usually around 45 psi). Tighten the rim lock(s) if your bike has them, and then bleed air off until you have around 25 psi. Check that the valve in the stem is not leaking (soapy water) then let it sit overnight and then check to see that the air pressure is still 25 psi in the morning and that it has not lost air.

Now you know the tube was installed correctly, not pinched, holding air...and ready to use.

Now…….drop the air pressure to 12 psi…..and go riding.

If you are still flatting….then you are most likely having reeeeally bad luck or riding over some pretty rough terrain. Check for a nail or similar stuck in the tire, and when you removed the damaged tube….air it up and find the hole/leak.

This may give you some insight. If the hole is on the inner or outer diameter of the tube or the stem is torn, etc.

Let us know.

Edited July 19, 2012 by daleCarlsbad

[dbart250]

If you have a persistant problem with the valve stem ripping, dont run the nut on the stem tight. This will allow it to slip a little before it rips

Agreed. I just posted about the nut being against the cap. Some say myth, but might be a good starting point.

[shawn1331]

Clean your rim before you install it as well. I've seen a few tubes get ripped to shreds from gravel inside the rim.

[moose_338]

check the rim for any kind of sharp burr too

[CDBiker220]

Sounds like a rim lock that isnt tight, letting the tire spin on the rim thus ripping the valve stem.

[trailmeisterjoe]

do not use a regular tube, or an HD one.....use an ULTRA HEAVY DUTY one....only 3 companies sell them i think. bridgestone, moose, and michelin. i also agree on not tightening the tube nut up or down...leave it loose to allow the tube to walk/flex a little. also be sure your rimlock is real tight.

Joe

[Fade]

I've had good luck with Kenda heavy duty innertubes. Install it with some baby powder so that it can move around as you put it in. Also make sure to have a small amount of air in the tube BEFORE you put it in the tire. Be careful not to pinch it with the spoons. And then inflate and deflate twice before going riding. This will help insure that the tube is properly seated and SHOULDN'T pinch flat. I normally set my pressures to 13 psi. Not too high or too low, just right ?. Make sure there isnt anything protruding from the inside of your tire, that could cause it to pop. My tubes have held up to some motocross, and lots of very rough high speed trail riding. They seem good to me

[t_bois]

Sounds like there plenty of good ideas as to how to find or fix the problem. What size bike is this and do you have a rim lock?