Jose Capco wrote:

Ever since I
change the metal rims of my rear wheel (I have a 28" standard city-
bike) which was also the time I started getting used to riding without
using the hands (therefore probably meaning more pressure on the rear
side, as you give more weight on the rear side when you are riding
without using the hands to steer), I get flats very often. I try to
hope that this is not the rims fault..

You have to find the source of the flats before you can solve the
problem. Are you checking the tire each time to make sure the glass or
whatever is not still embedded? Run your thumb around the inside of
the tire to make sure there are no sharp objects.

You say the problem started after changing the rims. Make sure the
spoke ends aren't extending past the nipples!

Art Harris



I bought tubes at least 3 times
already, and patched them a zillion times for all the flats I got.
Most of the flat are small punctures (from pebbles.. or glass I am
guessing), I only got twice pinch flat or snakebites... most of them
last only 2 days then flat again (unless I be super duper careful
where I bike and that I dont bump on any stones, sidewalk
blocks..etc. ... But honestly I am giving up, I really dont want to
spend a single penny anymore for the rear wheel.. with all the money I
spent for it I could have just gotten me a decent digital camera.

I suspect (my final attempt maybe? otherwise Ill just forget about
using a bike again..) that the rear tire has a problem. I havent
changed the tire itself, it has some cracks and small cuts (less than
half an inch.. at most 1/4".. which I patched with superglue and some
rubber I cut from old tubes).. personally, I do think it should be
fine.. I didnt see any big cuts and it surely has got less than
1500km. There is something that I noticed before the last flat
though... I had to pump and deflate at least 3 times to get it right,
the edge of the tire near the side where the valve is was trying to
come out of the rim, I havent experience that before.. I dont know if
I am going to buy a new tire.. I am skimping on bike costs now!

I would appreciate it very much if anyone could give me a hint here.
Its really frustrating trying to "guess" what is wrong and trying to
fix it after tube replacement you still get flats. I am really careful
in replacing tubes (sometimes I am not careful in placing the tube
correctly in the tire ..and get snakebites, but those are exceptional
cases) so I really doubt it has to do something with my tube
installation skills..

Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,
Jose Capco