Okay so the situation is as follows:
For the last 3/4 times I have gone out riding I have been getting flat tires after about 30km of riding. They are all on the same spot about 10cm from the valve on the inner side of the tube (I have checked and there is nothing on the rim that can be causing it), and I believe it is happening when mounting a new tube with levers (yes I know everyone is going to say I shouldn’t and I’ve got soft hands).
However, this particular combination of tires (maxxis ramblers) and rims (Merida expert sl2) is absurdly tight when trying to mount the tire. 4 different people have tried fitting tires onto this wheel with their hands without success, and, even with levers it is an absurdly tight fit and I try to do it as carefully as I can (finishing at the valve, pushing the beads onto the center channel, softly easing with the lever, etc…)
Has anyone come across this issue aswell? any tips? Thanks
And yes, I know I should go tubeless but seating the wheels without a compressor and having the sealant go dry (My bike sees quite a few months of no use) is such a hassle, but if I find that’s the only way I’ll have to surrender I guess…
by Independent_Net_6342
16 Comments
Take it to a professional.
If it is Silex, then you most probably have the shitty OEM rims. I used to have the same. Switching to tubeless got rid of the problem.
Make sure the tire is off the bead as youre popping it on the rim. And than youre not pinching the tube when popping the tire on the wheel.
Then after you get it mounted. Inflate to set the bead. Then DEFLATE the tube entirely. Make sure everything is as you want, and pump up to appropriate pressure.
Just go tubeless.
How thoroughly did you check the inner lining? When I was on tubes I had two flats in a row. I thought I had checked it enough, but sure enough there was a miniscule piece of metal wire sticking out that I could barely see, I could only feel with my finger.
Schwalbe pump thing fairly cheap for seating tyres, I run 3 bikes tubless some some see no action for weeks, most hold pressure fine I just spin the tyres every week to circulate the sealant and top up through the valve every 12 weeks or so not difficult
Go tubeless
If it’s in the same location every time and it takes 30km to go flat, it is unlikely that its the levers causing it, but that it’s something on the rim or spoke, and the rim strip isn’t working as it should. Something is causing it to puncture in that same location. I would pull the rim strip, investigate, put electrical tape over that spot, and replace the rim strip with a better one (velox, etc). Also stop using levers, or expect to destroy tubes in the process.
Learn to use your tire wedges, if you watch closely you will see if you are pinching the tube with the wedge
You should look into that TR logo in your first pic…
After facing similar issues myself I’ve taken these wheels (Merida expert sl2 from silex 400) to three different local bike shops and all of them said that in 10+ years of running a business they have never been not able to fit a tire (tufo thundero hd in my case) on a wheel. No matter what they tried it just wouldn’t go up.
So it’s not you it’s these shitty rims. After switching to dtswiss gr540db I can fit the same tire without using tire levers – it’s that easy.
with my old bike i have had punctures all the time, seemed to be the old ass mavic rims that were bent/crooked. maybe just try another weelset. and don’t go tubeless 😀
If your getting pinch flats try having the tube inflated when you seat the other side. What I do is put one side of the tire on the rim. Then I’ll inflate the tube until it holds its shape but is still gummy. Then insert it starting at the valve stem. Then I’ll seat the other side. Sometimes I use a tire lever sometimes I can get it on without.
You may also try putting a piece of duct tape on your rim in that location. Might be something to do with your rim and the tube just needs a little pad.
But honestly if you ride more then twice a week it’s very much worth it to go tubeless. I’m currently running the same tire in a 50 but tubeless. I ride through a lot of glass and thorns in my city and they hold up amazing well.
Also if you’re curious what sealant to get? The answer is Sealant is sealant, just stick to a name brand. Stan’s, orange seal, or MucOff. I’ve ran all three and they all worked the same. I prefer MucOff because it’s brightly colored, smells good, and I can fill my tire through my valve stem.
Looks like it’s on the inner side that faces the spokes. I’d bet money your rim tape has shifted and one of the spokes is poking a hole in the tires when you inflate them.
You don’t need to use a compressor to seat. I’ve always used a hand pump. Reserve valves do help though
Just go tubeless, just use a good tape, e13 , stans and etc.
Replace your rim tape