Alex Hansen
So, it seems I may have spoken too soon. I will admit to being a n00b
at some things, but I just learned something that made me A) very
happy and B) feel like an idiot (now that I think of it, I seem to
recall some sort of retrocausality relationship between happiness and
ignorance... but I'm sure that doesn't apply here).
At any rate... what I discovered today at River City, when I went to
pick up a replacement CO2 cartridge, was that because CO2 is so much
heavier than air, the innertubes and valves (being designed to hold
air and not CO2) will actually leak out CO2. So, there's the
ignorance part. Why does that make me happy? Well, because after my
last flat, since I had never used a CO2 cartridge before, I decided
I'd better do a first run at home, and I filled up my new tube with a
CO2 shot. Naturally then, and predictably by anybody who's used CO2
before, the tube went flat after a day or two of just sitting around.
Since I wasn't aware of the CO2 leakage problem, I assumed I must have
experienced a leak. And, since I hadn't ridden my bike at all since
the last tire change, the only viable explanation (based on the
information I had at the time) was that the only possible culprits
were either a faulty tube, or a bad tire with more sharp bits in it.
The latter seemed more plausible under the circumstances, so I deduced
from that information that I needed a new tire. Today's little bit of
new knowledge just saved me $50-$60.
Data-driven decision making FTW!
Thanks,
-Alex-
PS: Thanks for all the good suggestions I've gotten already about
where to get inexpensive but still good new tires!
On Fri, May 13, 2011 at 10:50 AM, Alex Hansen wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> I've just had two flats in a row on my bike, while it's been sitting
> in my office. I thought I got out all the sharps from the tire after
> the first change, and I put in a new tube (not a patched one).
> Something stuck in the tire though, must still be popping my tubes.
> I'm starting to think it's due to wear on the tire itself. In other
> words, I think it might be some of the tire reinforcements breaking
> down that are puncturing my tubes.
>
> I've rides scheduled for tomorrow and Tuesday, and I was planning on
> going out and getting a new tire (and more tubes) today. But I
> thought I'd check here first. I do NOT need top of the line. I just
> need "in good condition". I think I only NEED one tire, but depending
> on the deal, it'd probably be worth it for me to buy a set, just to
> keep them matched.
>
> Current tires: Continental Ultrarace (came with the bike, which I
> bought used through here, and have never been happier)
> Wheels: Mavic Aksium Race
>
> Thanks!
> -Alex-
>