New Bike / Flat Tires

[wdbphoto]

Hello everyone,

Like an Idiot, I went and bought a brand new bike. I should have just built one but I don't have the time.

Anyway, I've had the bike for three weeks now. I love it, but both of the tires have gone flat on me. Is this just because the tires that usually come with the bike are cheap and need to be replaced or should I think about getting some different tires?

My tires are Continental® Ultra Sport 23-622 (700x23). I have always rode mountain bikes, or something similar, in the past and the tires almost never went flat. Commuting to work everyday can take a toll on the tires but I don't think I should have to replace the tubes every two weeks.

Please let me know what you think.

All the best, Bill.

[david_f]

Is this a 'puncture' flat problem?
Or a slow loss of pressure?

I have Continental touring tires on my own mountain bike that I use for daily commuting.   By now they have a few (several?) thousand miles on them, I do get flats, punctures from debris on the road are to be expected. I have gone months with no flats, only needing to check pressure once in a while.  At times I have had several punctures in just a few days ( I use patches ).  I've found the Continental's to be good tires.

david f

[Elizabeth Hunter]

That's not normal. I'd bring it back to where you bought it and make them fix it. At least assuming they're slow leaks.

That's the nice part about buying a new bike--you have a better chance of getting them to fix problems.

If that doesn't appeal to you I'd come in to the BRW and remove your tubes to check them for leaks. If you find any check your tires, too. Then patch or replace them, checking to make sure there aren't any sharp bits on your wheel poking the tubes.

[steveby3]

Are they pinch flats? if you're new to bikes with narrow road tires, you may not be used to be putting enough pressure in. You can ride a wide mountain bike tire all day with 40psi, but on a road bike, 100psi is a minimum to avoid pinch flats (and wearing out the sidewalls).


Pinch flats typically appear as two holes right next to each other and are caused when the pressure is too low and you hit a bump causing the tire to pinch the tube and put a hole or two in it.

If you don't have a pressure gauge or a pump with a pressure gauge, chances are really really good you aren't putting enough pressure in...