Tube Troubles

I have gotten a few flats and on examining the tube it is split on the seam, no puncture in the tire plus I have a liner on puncture resistant tires.

Are there lower quality tubes vs higher like tires? If so I'd pay a little more rather than get a flat due to poor quality.

I don't over inflate usually pump it to 90-100psi  on a 120psi max.

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Permalink Reply by milkbar on February 22, 2013 at 8:39am
Mike, this can on occasion occur. It's possible that you simply got a bad tube/batch. I'd certainly return it to the shop for a replacement/refund. Fwiw there are boutique tubes on the market, but the main difference vs others isn't construction method, but valve stem materials (stainless vs non). Note that Schwalbe tubes are reportedly individually inflated at the factory to weed out the bad ones. But they do run 2x that of a Kenda, for example.
Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on February 22, 2013 at 10:40am

I look upon every flat tire I get as a chance to support my LBS.  Or several across the city, actually, given my mechanical ineptitude.

Permalink Reply by Davo on February 22, 2013 at 10:45am

I had a pinch flat last week and was nearby Roscoe Village Cycles so I went in there to get it fixed (cuz I was lazy and wanted to get home a little quicker). For under $20 they changed my tube and even gave me a little tune up. Well worth it in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Apie (11) on February 22, 2013 at 11:15am

I've had 5 flats in 2013 so far, NONE last year.  Guess i need some new tires.   Patch those tubes up, it'll save you $15 each time, and that adds up.   Last year I didn't know how to change a flat, this year I can do it in 5.   I travel with a tube and patch the leaky one when I get home. I started patching after I threw away 3 tubes, and was thinkng about how many more I'd toss in the landfill this winter. Supporting your local bike shop is one thing, saving enough $$ for a few lunches and not feeling helpless is another.  Change your own tubes!!

 

Pinch flats in my eyes mean check your tire pressure more often.  I do it everytime before I hop on my bike, which is daily. 

Permalink Reply by Davo on February 22, 2013 at 12:26pm

The pinch came from a pot hole that i didn't have enough time to dodge. I knew I was in trouble as soon as I hit it.

Permalink Reply by David P. on February 22, 2013 at 12:52pm

Yes, occasionally quality control can be a bit dodgy. Schwalbe tubes have a reputation for good quality, and I believe Michelin tubes do also. Their tires certainly do.

Permalink Reply by Michael A on February 22, 2013 at 1:49pm

I have had great luck with continental tubes, they are a little harder to find and usually 2x the cost of no name tubes. I cannot remember ever having one fail due to a manufacturing error. I also prefer to have removable valve cores because I have broken off the stem on accident and was able to replace it.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on February 22, 2013 at 2:20pm

Check your wheel for loose spokes.

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 22, 2013 at 4:16pm

A liner can eat tubes.   Ironic...

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on February 22, 2013 at 4:25pm

Or not. I've have bad luck with them, but my wife, who rides as many miles as I do more or less, uses liners and very rarely gets a flat.

James BlackHeron said:

A liner can eat tubes.   Ironic...

Permalink Reply by David S. Kato on February 22, 2013 at 4:34pm

i've had liners cause flats.  i've used both the Slime liners as well as Mr. Tuffy's.  they both caused slits in the tube that looked like a seam failure. 

if the liners are more than a couple of years old, check them for splitting.  that is what was causing my flats.  liners split, tube went into the split and got pinched or weak and failed.  annoying, since these are not patchable.  

good luck!

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on February 22, 2013 at 4:37pm

It depends on how the liners were installed, the tires, the combination of the tire with the rim.  Every once in a while certain combinations just don't work well with liners and they eat tubes.  It happens. 

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