Constant flats. Help me Chainlink, you're my only hope!!

Please excuse the corny title, I'm just completely frustrated at this point.

I have had a total of 6 flats on my bicycle since building it last year. Since then I've changed tube brand, added thicker/wider rimtape, adjusted seat placement, and even replaced a cheepy tire with a Thickslick. Still running into the flat tire headache. The flats all seem to be pinch flats. Every time I inspect the tube, tire, and rim there is never any left over debris; stones, glass or otherwise. Everything looks great and appears to be in perfect working order.

I think the problem is that my rim is just too sharp. Not the spoke end area, but the actual rim. It completely destroys tire lever while replacing tubes. I've had a few shops replace my tube just to be sure that it isn't user error, only to come up with the same issue. So, here's my question: is it possible to have my rim filed down so that I can actually ride my bike without constantly getting flats? I've tried everything else I can think of.

I have two other bikes I can ride, but this is the one I really want to be on. It's my baby. I miss it. Any shop or fix suggestions are much appreciated. I was considering checking out Heritage since I've heard so many good things.

The bike is the white one in my profile, so if I can avoid having to change the rim I'd be ecstatic.

Thanks in advance.

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Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on June 10, 2014 at 11:12am

Do you make sure you have enough Air?  I know that sounds silly, but Bike Tires lose air quickly, and I find that I get a pinch flat if I don't pay enough attention to the air pressure.  If you don't already, I would also run with the tire at the highest proper pressure.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 10, 2014 at 11:20am

What tire pressure do you run and how often do you top off the pressure?

Pinch flats only come from two things, low tire pressure or hitting something hard enough with a small enough tire that pressure does not matter.

Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 10, 2014 at 11:32am
I run the highest pressure for my 700x25 tire which is at 110 psi.
Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 10, 2014 at 11:32am
I top off before every ride.
Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on June 10, 2014 at 11:54am

Do you hit a lot of curbs or pot holes or something?

When you say pinch flat do you mean a snake bit puncture with two little holes next to each other?

Do you use any tools to put the tube on?

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on June 10, 2014 at 12:03pm

Let me ask an "impolitic" question.  Are you a Clydesdale, a Super-Clydesdale or a Pachyderm?    Those of us in the Clydesdale (and up) category tend to see a lot more pinch flats.  (And this is net weight, so if you carry 25 gallons of water with you everyday, even if you are a super feather weight, you enter the realm of the Clydesdales. 

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 10, 2014 at 12:18pm

This happened to me two years ago. I had loose spokes which would poke into the tire when I hit bumps.

Pinch a set of two spokes together on one side all the way around and then do the same on the other side. Tighten the loose spokes. Voila'.

Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 10, 2014 at 1:17pm
I avoid anything that I know will damage my tires/rims. The only tools I use to put the new tube in is a tire lever. The punctures look like little slits.
Permalink Reply by Amanda on June 10, 2014 at 1:19pm
I would say most of the time. I only carry 5-10 extra pounds including myself. I have a crate and rack on the back of my bike. So Clydesdale I suppose?




Crazy David 84 Furlongs said:

Let me ask an "impolitic" question.  Are you a Clydesdale, a Super-Clydesdale or a Pachyderm?    Those of us in the Clydesdale (and up) category tend to see a lot more pinch flats.  (And this is net weight, so if you carry 25 gallons of water with you everyday, even if you are a super feather weight, you enter the realm of the Clydesdales. 

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on June 10, 2014 at 1:25pm

Loose spokes cause a pinch as they go in and come out. My spoke flats were little slits.

Amanda said:

I avoid anything that I know will damage my tires/rims. The only tools I use to put the new tube in is a tire lever. The punctures look like little slits.
Permalink Reply by Jerry Lee on June 10, 2014 at 2:13pm

I don't have any problems with spokes punch thru the tubes, I haven't used rim strip in a while, instead I have been using strong tape several layers. I have haven't use these tires, but Schwalbe 28X1-1/2 Marathon Greenguard, 50-85 Psi, 810 Grams, 67 Epi, the green guard is suppose to make harder to get a flat and you don't need high pressure. I use continental town and country and have had a flat in 3 years, also use Maxxis Hookworms as most of my bikes are small wheeled. And I am a Pachyderm.

Permalink Reply by Marc A. Irwin on June 10, 2014 at 2:27pm

If you have had several "pinch flats"  and you are sure you carry enough pressure the the rim is probably damaged from the blowouts.  It doesn't take much, and if the tire is properly inflated it will compress 15% or more exposing the sidewalls to a damaged portion of the rim.  Replace the rim, it's cheaper than tireS.

 I learned this the hard way.

Marc

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