• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Premium Member
  • About

Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bikes & Gear
  • Training & Health
  • Reviews
  • Cycling Ebooks
    • Ebooks Training
    • Ebooks Skills
    • E-Articles Training
    • E-Articles Nutrition
  • Member Area
  • Newsletter

Why Did My Tire Go Flat Twice?

Question: Recently I punctured. After I replaced the tube and pumped up the tire, I hadn’t gone 300 yards before the same tire flatted again. I was out of tubes so had to hitch a ride home. What’s going on? — Benny S.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies: First, stop by your local bike shop and buy a tube repair kit. And ask how to use it if you’re not experienced. Keep it in your seat bag and you won’t be stranded again if you run out of tubes.

Whenever you flat, find out why. Don’t simply take out the punctured tube and stick in a new one. If a thorn or piece of glass caused the original flat, the sharp point is likely to be embedded in the tire casing. As you discovered, you’ll pump up the new tube and start down the road, only to hear that dreaded psssst.

During the repair, take the tire off the rim and gingerly feel inside the casing all the way around. Keep track by starting and ending at the tire label. Don’t rub your fingers too hard and get nicked. Some riders prefer to use a rag, which will snag on a sharp point, but fingers are less likely to miss it.

When you find the culprit, dig it out of the casing with your fingernail or a screwdriver tip from your multitool. Be sure to get it all.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1054
  • ‘Connect’ to Diet-Reverses-Diabetes Study: Even If You Don’t Have the Disease
  • My New Bike: Trek Checkpoint SL 5
  • Weak Muscles Predict Accelerated Aging, Disability and Death

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1054

Newsletter Issue No. 1053

Newsletter Issue No. 1052

Newsletter Issue No. 1051

Newsletter Issue No. 1050

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site.

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Privacy Policy

Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in