Newbie with puncture question

[dq1]

I'm sorry if this has already been covered but I could not find any info relating to my particular problem so please be gentle with me

I bought a Giant CRS3.0 last September and very happy with it. I do seem to have one issue and that is whenever I cycle a long distance 14-15 miles (ok it's far for me!) the bike is fine until about an hour after hanging back on the rack in the garage, where the front tyre has deflated. The tyre does not deflate whilst riding . This has happened to me 3 times now.

I have run my hands around the inside of the tyre and have found no obvious culprit.

I'm thinking of upgrading the tyres to the Schwalbe Marathon Plus Smartguards but if this is due to something other than a punture through the tyre wall it would be a waist of my hard earned £

Thanks in advance

 

[alecstilleyedye]

check that the rim tape is properly covering the eyelets for the spokes. if not, get some velox rimtape on before you re-fit the tyre removing the old tape of course).

it's probably just that the puncture is slow enough not to notice on that length of ride. it won't puncture hanging in the garage…

if the tyres are cheap unbranded or kenda, replace them with something better, preferably with a kevlar puncture resistant band in them.

 

[oxbob]

Check the valve, is the locknut loose. If not change the tube before buying new tyres

 

[dq1]

alecstilleyedye - Shall I remove the tape already there and replace it? The wheels are 700x35 so which size tape do I need, Narrow (Road) or Wide (ATB)?

obob - have checked the locknut and it's as tight as I can get it

Thanks for the advice

 

[alecstilleyedye]

wide (atb), i think, but don't quote me. you only need to replace the tape if it's perished and the eyeholes are showing through.

if you're riding on the road, it might be worth pumping the tyres up to max pressure (look on the side wall of the tyre).

 

[Tynan]

Surely a slow puncture is the most obvious culprit and easiest fix, investigate that first

 

[simongrant]

I had same issue a few years ago,no flat while riding to work,lock bike up in bike rack,tyre fine,come out 8 hrs later,flat tyre.After this happening 3 times in the same week i replaced the factory rim tape with velox as mentioned earlier in the thread and 2500 miles later not one flat.BTW nothing was ever found in the tyres that could have flatted them and holes were always on rim side of the tube.I would bet a pound to a penny this is your problem too.Hope you get it sorted.
+1 to whoever mentioned tyre pressure,this is most important,check mine and top up when needed before every ride,my vittoria's on the road bike can easily lose 10-15 psi in a couple of days not riding.
Simon

 

[dq1]

I will replace the factory rim tape, at £4 it's cheaper than a new inner tube any how!
My tyre pressures are 60psi, I use the bike for road/cycle ways.

 

[simongrant]

Don't forget to get 2 rolls of the rim tape,1 for each wheel,i know it sounds obvious but when the mrs picked mine up for me at the lbs she brought back only one roll.
Lesson learned though,anything bike related DIY.

Simon

Ps,this refers to my mrs only,i know there are many ladies as good/better than i with all things bike.

 

[dq1]

Cheers for the tip!

 

[simongrant]

Your very welcome,like i said it happened to me and it was a royal PITA.It would have been much better to find some glass or something in the tyre to explain the puncture but there was nothing,i was very new to it at the time and i asked around and was given the same advice i have given to you,hope you have the same success as i did,like i said 2500 miles later and not one flat(touching wood of course)

Simon

 

[dq1]

Changed the rim tape to the Velox stuff and thought I'd go the whole hog and do the tyres too. Got the Schwalbe Marathon plus tyres (b*tch to get on!), went for a 20 mile trek yesterday, hung the bike up and checked the tyres 2 hours later, no punctures, . Thanks again for the advice Simon .

P.S. Great forum!

 

[simongrant]

Your very welcome,first thing i do now with new bikes or wheels is get that velox on there,best product in cycling bar none lol. Im very happy you got it sorted.

Simon